Here are three methods to hide your phone number when making calls from an iOS or Android device:

There are times when you don't want a stranger to have access to your phone number. Those calls could be for business, to connect with someone you found on Craigslist, or to a business you're not sure you can trust. To prevent others from seeing your personal information, you should block your phone number.

Below, you'll find detailed instructions for blocking your number on an iOS or Android device. Keep in mind that many people have their phones set up to automatically ignore calls from unfamiliar or unlisted numbers, so don't expect anyone to pick up if they don't recognize the number.

Step 1: Precede the number you wish to call with *67.

Simply prefix the phone number you wish to call with *67 to prevent incoming calls. If you want to mask your caller ID from someone in your contacts list, you'll need to jot down their number (or copy and paste it) before proceeding. Then manually enter it into the phone app, starting with *67.

To prevent calls from being routed to your phone when dialing 555-555-5555, for instance, you would have to first dial *67-555-555-5555.

If you dial *67 before making a call, the other party will see your number as "No Caller ID," "Private," "Blocked," or something similar. You can determine if a person has blocked your number by calling them using this method.

Using *67 is totally cost-free, and you can do so whenever you like. Naturally, before making any call that would otherwise be blocked, you must first dial *67. Instead of permanently blocking your number, you could try one of these alternate methods.

Modifying your device's settings will permanently disable your phone number and hide your caller ID for all incoming and outgoing calls. Hide your number from caller ID on iOS and Android by showing up as No Caller ID, Private, or Blocked.

After making these adjustments, dial *82 before the number you want to call to temporarily disable the block. Your caller ID will be displayed again despite your preferences. Since calling private numbers is difficult, this is a smart move if you want to be contacted back.

Unfortunately, not all mobile service providers allow you to disable caller ID. If the options for blocking your number aren't listed below, you'll need to contact your carrier directly.

IPhone Caller ID Blocking Guide

To disable caller ID on an iPhone, just follow these steps:

1. To access the Phone option, launch the Settings menu and scroll down.
2. To prevent your number from being displayed, go to Settings > Show My Caller ID > Off.

The Android Caller ID Blocking Guide

This procedure may change based on the Android device you're using and the dialer app you're using. The two most common locations to disable caller ID are as follows:

1. To access the Menu, open the Phone app and go to the top right.
2. Select Supplemental Services under Settings. Calls > Additional Settings is a possible location, depending on your device.
3. Select "Hide number" from the list that appears after tapping "Show my caller ID."

Attempt a different configuration if this one doesn't work:

1. Again, launch the Phone app and navigate to Menu > Settings.
2. Under the Settings menu, select Calling accounts, and then select your carrier's name.
3. Select Extra Options
4. The constant annoyance of a specific number can be avoided by tapping Caller ID and selecting the Hide number option.

If you can't find a way to block your number or hide it in your phone's settings, you'll need to contact your cell phone provider directly to do so.

Even if your carrier doesn't offer the option to block numbers in the settings, you can usually use their dedicated app to do so. If not, contact your service provider and ask them to place a block on your phone number.

This method of blocking your number is similar to the previous one in that it prevents your caller ID from showing whenever you make a call. Adding *82 to the beginning of the number will bypass this restriction and make it visible for the current call.

Methods for Disabling Caller ID on AT&T and T-Mobile

In most cases, you can disable caller ID through your phone's settings with both AT&T and T-Mobile. If you need help locating this setting on your phone, please refer back to the relevant section above.

If you are unable to disable your number via your mobile device's settings, please contact AT&T or T-Mobile customer service. To do this, simply dial 611 from your phone.

Tell the operator why you want your caller ID concealed. They should be able to modify your account as needed.

Verizon Caller ID Blocking Instructions

While you can't disable caller ID on your Verizon iPhone or Android, you can do so through the Verizon website or the My Verizon app.

Sign into your Verizon account and navigate to the Blocks page, where you can then select Block Services to begin using the site. Select the plus sign (+) if you're using a mobile device. Turn on Caller ID by navigating to the Additional Services menu and activating the feature.

If you have a Verizon account, you can access the My Verizon app by downloading it from the App Store or the Google Play Store and signing in with your Verizon credentials. Choose Devices & Plans from the main menu. To disable certain apps or services on your phone, choose your device and then click "View Details." Blocking Caller ID is turned on by default.

My Verizon is a free app available for Android and iOS.

Unfortunately, you can't completely prevent people from seeing your phone number even if you take the above precautions. When calling 911 or a toll-free number, the caller's identity is always visible.

You can also use a third-party app to reveal the identity of a hidden caller. Even if you hide your caller ID, the other party may still see it if they use one of these apps. Prank callers should exercise caution before dialing numbers.

Call privacy can be maintained in other ways besides just blocking your number and hiding your caller ID. A burner ID can also be substituted. Typically, this would be a dedicated device or SIM card used for only specific calls. Burner apps, on the other hand, allow you to get a second number on the same phone.