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 ensure your number doesn’t become the star of marketing databases. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your mobile number roamed free like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Alright, let’s dive into the world of masked numbers!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyper-connected world… Well, that’s great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, especially our phone number, has become a real currency. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobiles, showing just how central our smartphones are to our lives. Thus, it is 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 the one-time withheld call: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of making an anonymous call. Have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? Don’t worry, the solution is also very simple..
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat persistent customer service, or respond to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. That's where the prefix #31# comes in handy.
How does it actually work? It's child's play!
- Grab your phone (it'll be easier 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
- Make the call, and there you go! ✨
Your contact will see "Private Number", "Unknown", or even "Blocked Call" on their screen. It's quick, effective, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you're team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any carrier.
Fun Fact: I've lost count of the times I've pranked my friends or parents by calling from a blocked number, using an app that alters my voice 😂
It's the ideal solution for a one-time need, but be careful, you have to remember to do it each time. One slip, and your number will be displayed! If you're looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part should interest you.
🥷 Go ninja mode: permanently hide your number.
Are you tired of dialing #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It's entirely possible, and it can be done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call with a blocked 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 speaking:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap on the three little dots at the top right to access Settings.
- Look for an option like "Phone Accounts", "Call Settings", or "Additional Services".
- Find the line that says "Show my Caller ID" or "Caller Identity".
- Select Hide Number. And there you have it!
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 on Phone.
- Select Show My Caller ID.
- Simply turn off the switch.
When it’s grey, you are in masked number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-off) | Quick, simple, universal | Must be repeated for each call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection | Could be a barrier to being called back |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Need to go even further? Perhaps you have a business 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 probably the best way to mask your main phone number.
The advantages:
- Work/life separation: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for family and friends.
- Online protection: Sign up for websites 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 (Voice over IP)
Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobiles. By purchasing some credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show instead of your personal number.
Real-life anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. It allows him not to be disturbed on weekends and keep his personal number secret. Clever, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is an excellent way to protect yourself. Many apps focus on the security and encryption of your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the coin: managing blocked calls that you receive
Now that you’re a pro at making private calls, let’s talk about the opposite 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 has taken the time to hide their number, it is very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call it back directly.
However, some carriers offer a service that allows, within minutes following the call, to call back a blocked number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness may vary.
How to unmask blocked numbers? A (nearly) impossible mission!
Let’s be clear: it is nearly impossible to reliably unmask blocked numbers. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only the relevant authorities can, within a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a blocked call.
So, what to do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or blocked 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 be sent directly to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Pure bliss! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is very important for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it’s important to understand the concrete benefits for your peace of mind.
The advantages of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it means 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 a professional distance: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Keep control: Ultimately, it's you who decides who can reach 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 big step towards regaining control of your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It's your turn, secret agent!
And there you have it! You now have all the tools to master the art of masked calling. We covered together:
- The super-simple #31# technique for one-off needs.
- How to set up your iPhone or Android to always call anonymously.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to respond to the masked calls you receive and the impossibility of revealing hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you gain from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret for you. It's a powerful and easy-to-use tool to navigate our connected world more serenely.
So, the next time you're hesitant to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Don't hesitate to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: Questions everyone is asking
Q1: Does hiding my number work for SMS too?
No, unfortunately. Tips 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.
Q2: 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.
Q3: How can I know if #31# worked?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their consent, of course!). You'll see immediately if the call shows up as "Private Number".
Q4: Is there a difference between "masked number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there is no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.
Q5: 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 issue.