How to hide your number to protect your privacy?
4 August 2025 | 6 mins read
Between us… You care about your privacy, right? 😎 So let me share with you some tips to keep your number from becoming the star of marketing lists. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. No more wandering around with your mobile number like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Let’s dive into the world of hidden numbers!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyperconnected world… Well, that’s great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, and especially our phone numbers, have become a real currency. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobiles, demonstrating just how central our smartphones are to our lives. It’s therefore more important than ever to know how to hide your number.
Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply keep a clear separation between your work and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super simple!
✨ The art of temporary withheld calling: The famous #31#
This is the basic technique, the foundation of anonymous calling. You have one call to make without revealing your precious number? No worries, the solution is also very straightforward.
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat insistent customer service, or respond to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. This is where the prefix #31# will come in handy.
How does it work in practice? It’s child’s play!
- Grab your phone (it’ll be better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed immediately, without spaces, by the phone number you wish to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you would dial: #31#0612345678
- Initiate the call, and there you go! ✨
Your contact will see "Private Number", "Unknown" or "Blocked Call" displayed on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and entirely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any operator.
Anecdote: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve pranked my mates or my parents by calling from a private number, using an app that alters my voice 😂
It’s the ideal solution for a one-off need, but be careful, you have to remember to do it each time. One mistake, and your number is revealed! If you're looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part should interest you.
🥷 Go into ninja mode: permanently hide your number
Are you sick of dialing #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It’s totally possible, and it can be done directly in your phone’s settings.
📱 How to call from a private number on Android?
The steps may vary slightly depending on your phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.), but the principle remains the same. Generally:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three little dots in the top right to access the Settings.
- Look for an option like "Phone accounts," "Call settings" or "Additional services".
- Find the line "Show my caller ID" or "Caller ID".
- Select Hide number. And there you go, it’s done!
From now on, all your outgoing calls will be anonymous. No more stress! 😎
📱 How to hide your number on iPhone?
With Apple, it’s even simpler; hiding your phone number is even more straightforward:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Select Show My Number.
- Simply toggle the switch off.
When it’s grey, you're in private number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-off) | Quick, simple, universal | Must be repeated for every call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection | It can be an obstacle to being called back |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for bespoke privacy
Do you need to go even further? Perhaps you have a professional activity that requires juggling multiple numbers, or you just want an extra layer of protection. I have solutions for you!
Virtual number apps
Apps like our site Anonymous SMS, TextNow, or UnCall allow you to get a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It’s definitely the best way to mask your main phone number.
The advantages:
- Separation of work and personal life: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for your loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up for sites or services without ever giving your real number.
- Flexibility: Change your virtual number whenever you want.
It’s like having a disguise for your phone! 🦸♂️
VoIP services
Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobiles. By purchasing a bit of credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show instead of your personal number.
Personal anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. It allows him to avoid being disturbed on weekends and keep his personal number secret. Clever, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is a great way to protect yourself. Many applications focus on securing and encrypting your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the coin: managing blocked calls we receive
Now that you’re a pro at making blocked calls, let’s talk about the reverse situation. What to do when YOU receive a call from a blocked number? It’s sometimes intriguing, often very annoying.
Can you call back a blocked number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone took the trouble to hide their number, it’s very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call them back directly.
However, some providers offer a service that allows, within minutes after the call, to return a call to a blocked number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness may vary.
How to unmask blocked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it is nearly impossible to reliably unmask hidden numbers. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only competent authorities can, within a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a hidden call.
So, what to do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or hidden numbers.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > and enable Silence Unknown Callers.
- On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and enable the option to block unknown callers.
These calls will go straight to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Total peace! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is very important for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it’s crucial to understand the tangible benefits for your peace of mind.
The benefits of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it is protecting your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the number one reason for many of us. By not giving out your number indiscriminately, you drastically reduce the number of unsolicited calls.
- Secure your online transactions: When selling an item on a classifieds site, using a private or temporary number prevents you from being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional distance: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Keep control: Ultimately, it’s you who decides who can contact you and when. That’s true luxury!
Privacy protection is not a luxury; it's a fundamental right in the digital age. By learning how to hide your phone number, you take a significant step towards regaining control of your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It's your turn, secret agent!
And there it is! You now have all the tools to master the art of hidden calling. We’ve covered:
- The super-simple technique of #31# for occasional needs.
- How to set up your iPhone or Android to make anonymous calls permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to respond to the masked calls you receive and the inability to reveal the hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you get from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret to you. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use tool to navigate more calmly in our connected world.
So, the next time you hesitate to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Feel free to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: The questions everyone is asking
Does masking my number work for SMS as well?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always display your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated apps, and that's exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
If I call anonymously, can the person still leave me a voicemail?
Absolutely! If you reach their voicemail, you can definitely leave a message. The only difference is that the person won’t see your number displayed.
How can I tell if the #31# has worked?
The best way is to test it on a friend’s phone (with their permission, of course!). You’ll immediately see if the call shows up as "Private Number".
Is there a difference between "masked number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there’s no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller’s identity is not displayed.
Is it possible to unblock the "Show my number" feature if it is greyed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, certain carriers may block this option. If that’s the case, a quick call to your customer service could resolve the situation.