How to Mask Your Phone Number on Android & iPhone

Privacy is becoming increasingly important in our digital age. Whether you're making a business call, contacting someone from a classified ad, or simply protecting your personal information, masking your phone number can help safeguard your identity and prevent unwanted callbacks.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to mask your phone number on Android and iPhone, explore the best apps for private calling, and even discuss when it’s best to buy a virtual number for maximum anonymity.

What Does It Mean to Mask Your Phone Number?

When you “mask” your number, you’re essentially hiding your real phone number from the person you’re calling. Instead of seeing your number, the recipient might see:

• “Private Number”
• “Blocked”
• “No Caller ID”
• Or another temporary number generated by an app or service

Masking your number doesn’t mean changing it permanently. It’s simply a privacy setting or a temporary disguise that keeps your identity hidden during outgoing calls.

Why Masking Your Number Is Important

There are many reasons people choose to mask their numbers, and not all of them are suspicious. Here are a few legitimate and practical motivations:

• Protect Your Privacy: Avoid giving your real number to strangers, clients, or online sellers.

• Prevent Harassment: Keep scammers or telemarketers from saving your number.

• Business Communication: Call clients without revealing your personal phone number.

• Safety in Dating or Classified Ads: Protect your identity when connecting with new people.

• Professionalism: Maintain a professional boundary between work and personal life.

How to Mask Your Phone Number on Android

• Method 1: Using the Built-in Settings

Android devices have an easy way to hide your caller ID without needing third-party apps.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) or Settings icon.
3. Go to Calls → Additional settings → Caller ID.
4. Select Hide number.

Now, every call you make will display as “Private” or “Unknown.”

To unhide your number, follow the same steps and select Show number.

• Method 2: Using the 67 Code (Temporary Masking)

If you want to hide your number only for a specific call, you can use the classic dialing code method.

Example:
If you want to call (555) 123-4567, dial:

*67 5551234567

The recipient will see “Private” or “Blocked Number” instead of your real phone number.

Pros:

1. Simple and free.

2. Works instantly without setup.

Cons:

1. Must be entered every time you call.

2. Doesn’t work in all countries or on all carriers.

• Method 3: Using Your Carrier Settings

Some mobile carriers allow you to block caller ID directly from your account settings or by contacting customer service.

For example:

1. Verizon: Dial *67 before each call, or change caller ID preferences in your My Verizon app.
2. AT&T: Dial *67 or manage privacy settings in the account portal.
3. T-Mobile: Use the #31# code before the number to hide your ID.

Check your carrier’s website for country-specific codes and options.

• Method 4: Using Third-Party Apps

If you frequently need to hide your number, using a call masking app is the most efficient and flexible option.

Some popular Android apps include:

1. Google Voice
2. Burner
3. Hushed
4. TextNow
5. CoverMe

These apps generate temporary or virtual numbers that you can use for calls or texts. They allow you to keep your real number private while maintaining communication channels.

How to Mask Your Phone Number on iPhone

• Method 1: Hide Caller ID in Settings

iPhone has a built-in option to hide your number globally for all outgoing calls.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Phone.
2. Tap Show My Caller ID.
3. Toggle off the switch next to it.

Now, all calls from your iPhone will appear as “No Caller ID.”

Note: Some carriers disable this option — in that case, you’ll need to use a code like *67.

• Method 2: Dialing 67 for One-Time Masking

Just like on Android, you can dial *67 before the number to hide your caller ID.

Example:

*67 5551234567

Tip: This method works in the U.S., Canada, and many other regions. If it doesn’t, check with your carrier for local equivalents.

• Method 3: Using Carrier Codes on iPhone

Some carriers have their own caller ID control codes:

1. Verizon: *67 hides your number for one call.
2. T-Mobile: #31# before the number hides your ID.
3. AT&T: *67 before the number.

To show your number again, simply don’t use the code.

• Method 4: Using Privacy or Burner Apps

For frequent anonymous calling, apps provide the best balance between privacy and convenience.

Top apps for iPhone users:

1. Burner – Provides disposable phone numbers for calls and texts.
2. Hushed – Lets you manage multiple numbers for different purposes.
3. Google Voice – Offers free calling and texting from an alternate number.
4. Sideline – Designed for business professionals managing separate lines.
5. CoverMe – Adds end-to-end encryption for messages and calls.

These apps are perfect for protecting your identity without affecting your real number or SIM card.

How to Mask Your Number for International Calls

If you’re making international calls and want to hide your number, the process can vary by region.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use the *local equivalent of 67 (like #31# in Europe).

• Check your carrier’s international call settings.

• Use VoIP or virtual number apps that automatically mask your identity.

Apps like Hushed or Google Voice make international calling more affordable while keeping your number hidden.

Using Virtual Numbers for Masked Calling

A virtual number acts as a digital phone line — it’s not tied to your SIM card or location. When you make calls or send messages from a virtual number, the receiver sees that number, not your real one.

Benefits of Virtual Numbers:

• Protect your real number permanently.

• Get numbers from multiple countries.

• Manage business and personal lines separately.

• Receive calls or SMS on any device with an internet connection.

Best Virtual Number Services (2025):

1. Google Voice – Free option for U.S. users.

2. Burner – Temporary, disposable numbers.

3. Hushed – Affordable global options.

4. TextNow – Free texting and calling in North America.

5. Dingtone – Offers real local numbers for low cost.

Safety Tips When Masking Your Number

Hiding your caller ID can be useful, but it can also be misused. Always use it ethically.

Tips:

• Avoid prank or spam calls.
• Inform your contacts if you’ll be calling with a hidden number.
• Don’t use masking for illegal or deceptive purposes.
• Use secure calling apps that protect both sides of communication.

Remember, in some countries, masking your number during emergency or business calls might be restricted by law.

Troubleshooting: When Masking Doesn’t Work

If your caller ID still appears despite masking efforts, try these fixes:

1. Restart your phone.

2. Check with your carrier — some disable caller ID blocking by default.

3. Update your OS or phone app.

4. Try another method (like a virtual number app).

If all else fails, contact your service provider to enable number blocking on their end.

Pros and Cons of Masking Your Phone Number

Pros	Cons
Protects privacy	Some people ignore blocked calls
Prevents spam or harassment	Doesn’t work in all countries
Great for business or online selling	Limited by carrier policies
Easy and free to do	May not work with emergency numbers

Masking Your Number vs. Using a Virtual Number

While both options hide your identity, they work differently:

Feature	Masking Number	Virtual Number
Hides your caller ID	✅	✅
Provides a new number	❌	✅
Requires internet	❌	✅ (for most apps)
Works for SMS	❌	✅
Long-term use	Temporary	Permanent
Ideal for	Occasional privacy	Business or ongoing communication

If you need temporary privacy, *67 or built-in options are fine. But for ongoing or professional use, buying a virtual number is more practical and reliable.

Best Practices for Private and Secure Calling

• Always use a secure network or VPN when using virtual calling apps.
• Avoid sharing your masked or virtual number on public forums.
• Use end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal or Telegram for added security.
• Regularly delete call logs from third-party apps.

Advanced Options: Call Forwarding & Dual SIM

If you have a dual SIM phone, you can dedicate one SIM for anonymous calls and another for personal use.
Alternatively, you can use call forwarding from a secondary number or app, keeping your main number completely hidden.

How Businesses Use Number Masking

Many businesses use call masking technology to protect both customers and agents.
For example:

• Ride-sharing apps (Uber, Lyft) hide phone numbers between drivers and passengers.

• E-commerce platforms use masked calling for customer service.

• Recruiters use it to contact candidates privately.

This ensures privacy while maintaining communication efficiency.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Before masking your number, make sure it’s legal in your country or region.
In most cases, personal use is allowed. However:

• Some businesses are required by law to display their number.
• Emergency services cannot receive blocked calls.

Always use masking responsibly and transparently.

Future of Phone Number Privacy

With the rise of virtual communication, phone number masking and virtual numbers are becoming standard tools for digital privacy.
Soon, AI-based calling systems and blockchain identities may make personal numbers obsolete, offering total control over what information is shared during calls.

Protect Your Privacy — The Smart Way

Masking your phone number is one of the easiest ways to protect your privacy in a connected world.
Whether you use the simple *67 trick, carrier settings, or advanced apps, you can communicate freely without revealing your personal number.
However, if you want permanent, secure, and flexible control over your communications, the best solution is to buy a virtual number.
Virtual numbers allow you to stay anonymous, manage multiple lines, and maintain privacy — all while keeping your personal SIM card safe.