How to Hide Your Phone Number and Identify Unknown Callers

In the past, we’ve shared information on how to text and call people anonymously and how to block spam calls. Today we will review the basics of how to hide your phone number when making calls. Since, in some cases, it’s possible for the recipient to identify a hidden phone number, we’ll also share some apps that do just that.

Why hide your number when making a call? It may be advantageous for a variety of reasons. Concealing your number can help protect your privacy and identity which could be helpful when dealing with sensitive matters. A private number can also prevent unwanted callbacks. This feature is especially helpful for professionals who wish to contact clients or patients without revealing their personal or work numbers.

4 Ways to Hide Your Number When Making a Call

Remember, with some carriers, a person can dial *69 to call and possibly reveal the number of the last call received. This means that options 1-3 aren’t foolproof. If you wish to conceal your number with 100% certainty, see option 4.

1. *67. Dialing *67 before the number you’re calling conceals your number and name.
2. Block your iPhone number by default. To do this go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle on or off based on your preference. Note, Show MY Caller ID is dependent on carrier, so it may not be available everywhere. Verizon is one carrier that notably excludes it from the iPhone settings, requiring you to use their “My Verizon” app to set it up instead.
3. Contact your carrier. If you don’t want to dial *67 with every call, and you can’t permanently hide your caller ID in iOS, contact your carrier. They should be able to permanently block your number for all outgoing calls.
4. Use a burner app like Hushed, Burner, or Google Voice. These apps route your number through a permanent or temporary secondary number. This allows your primary number to remain concealed. If you use one of these apps, you don’t have to worry about *69, as that will give the person you’re calling the secondary number that you placed the call through.

How to Identify an Unknown Caller

Beyond contacting your provider directly to help block a persistent anonymous caller, here are two apps that may be able to unmask unknown callers.

TrapCall

TrapCall. TrapCall is free for a week and $9.99/monthly thereafter. With TrapCall, when you receive a call from a “Private” or “Unknown” number, simply decline it. TrapCall will work quickly to identify the number, name, and even address and photo associated in some cases before your phone rings again with the number revealed. You can receive the name and address of the caller via text. If you wish, TrapCall allows you to block the caller permanently and records all details in the event a record is needed for a police report. TrapCall allows calls to be recorded as well.

TrueCaller

TrueCaller identifies unknown callers before you answer. It’s been used by over 368 million people. The app also includes a database where you can look up info on both domestic and international numbers. You can search the database and search the database to see if you’ve been searched yourself. Record calls, send them to voicemail, and screen calls with an AI virtual assistant with a customized voice that answers calls for you. Plans range from $4.99/month to $14.99/month or save with annual subscriptions.

Protect Your Privacy

Hiding your phone number and screening calls can both be crucial for the same reasons. The practices help protect your privacy and personal information.

With the rise in spam and scam calls, hiding your number and screening calls can also help to prevent potential fraud and identity theft. It’s also valuable for busy people seeking to avoid distractions.

Finally, call screening can reduce stress and anxiety associated with receiving calls from unknown numbers, especially for those who may have concerns about harassment or unwelcome contacts.