Hide Phone Numbers On Android (Caller ID Spoofers)
To hide your number on outgoing Android calls, first check whether your carrier supports caller-ID suppression. If it does, use the Phone app’s caller-ID setting or a carrier-approved prefix such as *67 in the US and Canada. This hides your number from many recipients, but it does not make the call anonymous or hide it from your carrier.
If you need to call someone without sharing your number, Android may offer a setting for that. The exact steps depend on your phone, carrier, country, and plan. A hidden caller ID can also make people less likely to answer, or cause call-blocking tools to reject the call.
One important distinction: hiding your own number is not the same as spoofing caller ID. Suppression asks the network not to show your number to the person you call. Spoofing presents a different number, which may belong to someone else. Do not use spoofing to impersonate a person, company, or agency.
Check carrier and Android support
Caller-ID suppression is a service controlled by your mobile carrier and the network receiving the call. Android can provide a setting to request suppression, but it cannot force a carrier to allow it. Check your carrier’s support information first, especially if the caller-ID option is missing or unavailable.
Start by checking whether your carrier supports blocking your number for outgoing calls. Availability can depend on your country, plan, and the type of call. Some carriers let you hide your number for all eligible calls; others allow suppression only on a call-by-call basis, or may not offer it.
Next, open the Phone app and look for a caller-ID setting. On supported devices, the route may look like this:
Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calling accounts or Supplementary services → Caller ID → Hide number
Menu names and locations vary by Android version, phone maker, and carrier. The option may be missing, grayed out, or replaced by a carrier-specific menu. That does not mean you overlooked a universal Android control. It may mean your carrier does not expose the feature through the app.
When asking your carrier, use clear terms: “outgoing caller-ID suppression” or “blocking my number on outgoing calls.” Ask whether it applies to every call or requires a prefix, and whether any call types are excluded.
Enable carrier-supported number suppression
The Android caller-ID setting tells the supported network not to present your number on eligible outgoing calls. If the carrier provides the option, selecting Hide number is usually the simplest setup. The setting affects caller-ID presentation, not the records held by your carrier.
To try the setting:
- Open the Phone app you use to place calls.
- Tap the three-dot menu, then open Settings.
- Look for Calling accounts, Supplementary services, or a similar option.
- Choose the relevant SIM or calling account if prompted.
- Open Caller ID and select Hide number, if available.
If you use two SIMs, check which one is selected for outgoing calls. A setting for one calling account may not apply to the other. If the menu has a carrier-loading delay or returns an error, try again when connected to the mobile network, then contact your carrier if the setting still fails.
To show your number again, return to the same menu and choose Show number or Network default, if offered. The wording varies. If the setting appears to change but calls still show your number, ask the carrier whether suppression is active on your line.
Use a per-call prefix when supported
A per-call prefix requests caller-ID blocking for one call rather than changing a general setting. Prefixes depend on the country and carrier, so confirm the correct code before using it. The familiar US and Canadian code is *67; some GSM networks in some regions use #31#.
In the US and Canada, *67 is commonly used before the number you are calling. In some regions using GSM networks, #31# may be supported. These codes are not universal, and a prefix that works in one country or on one carrier may fail elsewhere.
Use the carrier’s instructions for the exact format. For example, it may specify entering the prefix directly before the destination number. Do not assume that every dialing format, such as a saved contact or an international number, will work the same way.
| Method | What it requests | Best fit | Key limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android caller-ID setting | Hides your number on eligible outgoing calls | You want a general setting | Carrier support is required |
| *67 | Common per-call request in the US and Canada | You want to hide the number for one call | Confirm support with your carrier |
| #31# | Used on some GSM networks in some regions | Your carrier documents this code | Not a universal code |
| Caller-ID spoofing service | Displays a different number | Not a safe way to hide your own number | Can enable impersonation and may break laws or carrier terms |
If a prefix is not recognized, do not keep trying codes found for other regions. Ask your carrier which code, if any, works for your line.
Understand when caller ID may still be visible
A suppressed caller ID does not guarantee that every recipient sees the same thing. The receiving network or service may handle blocked calls in its own way. Some calls may be rejected, and certain destinations may still identify or route the call under their own rules.
A person you call may see a label such as Private, Unknown, or No Caller ID, but the wording varies. Their phone or service may also block calls with hidden caller ID. If the call does not connect, the recipient may have a setting that rejects anonymous calls.
Toll-free numbers and special destinations can behave differently. Some networks or services may reject suppressed calls or still identify the caller. Do not rely on caller-ID blocking for these calls; check the destination’s instructions or call from a number you are willing to share.
Emergency calls are another key exception. Caller-ID suppression may not apply, and you should never rely on it to conceal your identity from emergency responders. Your carrier retains account and call-routing records, and emergency or legally authorized processes may identify the subscriber.
Test the result and troubleshoot
A test call can show what a recipient’s phone displays, but it cannot prove that your number is hidden from every network or destination. Test only with a person who agrees to help, or with a test service your carrier provides. If your number still appears, check the carrier setting before changing other phone options.
Try this sequence:
- Confirm that caller-ID suppression is supported for your country, carrier, and plan.
- Check that the correct SIM or calling account is selected.
- Set Caller ID to Hide number, if your Phone app offers that option.
- If needed, try the per-call prefix documented by your carrier.
- Call a consenting contact and ask what appears on their screen.
- If the number is still shown, contact your carrier and ask it to enable or troubleshoot suppression.
A single test only reflects that call, recipient, and route. If your contact sees your number, note whether you used the Android setting or a prefix and which SIM placed the call. This gives carrier support a clear starting point.
If the number is hidden but the person cannot answer, ask whether their phone or service blocks calls marked private or unknown. Do not use another person’s number as a workaround. If you need the recipient to recognize you, consider asking permission to call from your normal number or use another contact method they approve.
Use suppression without mistaking it for anonymity
Caller-ID suppression limits what may appear on the recipient’s screen; it does not erase your identity from the phone system. Your carrier still needs account and routing information to provide service, and lawful processes may allow identification. Treat the feature as a privacy choice for a call, not as a way to avoid accountability.
A typical, safe use might be calling a person or organization while choosing not to display your personal number. First confirm that the call is appropriate and that the recipient can accept private calls. If the call requires identity verification or a return call, hiding your number may prevent it from working smoothly.
In my troubleshooting approach, I separate three questions: does the carrier support suppression, did the phone send the request, and what did the receiving service display? That keeps the steps practical without assuming a setting can control every part of the call.
Avoid caller-ID spoofing apps or services that let you display a number you do not control. That is not the same as hiding your number and can enable fraud or impersonation. It may also violate laws or carrier terms. For legitimate privacy, use only the suppression options your carrier supports.
Next step: Check your carrier’s instructions, then test the supported method with a consenting contact. If it fails, ask the carrier to check your line rather than relying on an unverified app or code.
Frequently asked questions
These short answers cover common questions about hiding caller ID on Android. The exact result depends on your carrier, region, and the receiving service, so verify local support before relying on a setting or prefix.
Can I hide my number on Android?
Often, if your carrier supports caller-ID suppression. Look for Caller ID → Hide number in the Phone app, or ask your carrier about its supported method.
Where is the caller-ID setting on Android?
On supported phones, try Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calling accounts or Supplementary services → Caller ID. Menu labels and availability vary by device and carrier.
Does *67 work on Android?
*67 is commonly supported for per-call blocking in the US and Canada. It is carrier- and country-dependent, so check your carrier’s instructions before using it.
What does #31# do?
Some GSM networks in some regions use #31# to request caller-ID suppression for a call. It is not universal; confirm the code with your carrier.
Will hiding caller ID make me anonymous?
No. It may hide your number from the recipient’s caller-ID display, but your carrier retains account and call-routing records. Emergency or legally authorized processes may identify the subscriber.
Can I hide my number for only one call?
If your carrier supports a per-call prefix, you may be able to request suppression for one call. Use only the prefix and format your carrier documents.
Why can’t I select “Hide number”?
Your carrier may not support the feature, may not expose it in the Phone app, or may require a different setup. Ask the carrier to check your line.
Can emergency services see my number if I hide it?
Do not rely on caller-ID suppression for emergency calls. It may not apply, and responders may be able to identify the subscriber through network processes.
Why do some people reject calls from a hidden number?
Their phone or calling service may block calls marked private, unknown, or anonymous. They may need to change that setting if they want to receive such calls.
Is caller-ID spoofing the same as hiding my number?
No. Hiding requests that your own number not be displayed. Spoofing presents a different number and can enable impersonation; do not use it to mislead others.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Samuel Thornton. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
