How to Call from a Blocked Number: Techniques and Apps
Are you hesitant to call someone with your real phone number showing up on their screen? Maybe you need to make a business call without revealing your private number. Or maybe you want to prank your friend without them tracing it back to you. No matter what your reasons are, making calls from a blocked number can come in handy. In this article, we’ll explore different techniques and apps that you can use to make anonymous calls.
The Importance of Anonymous Calls and Enabling the “Anonymous Call” Feature
There are situations where making anonymous calls can be necessary or helpful, such as:
- Calling someone who has previously harassed or threatened you
- Business negotiations where you don’t want the other party to have your personal number
- Prank calling your friends without them knowing it’s you
If you’re using a smartphone, enabling the “anonymous call” feature is relatively easy. Here’s how to do it on different phone models:
iPhone
Open the Settings app, tap on Phone, and toggle the “Show My Caller ID” switch off.
Android
Open the Phone app, tap on the three-dot icon on the top-right corner, choose Settings, and then Calls. Under Calls, go to Additional settings, and then Caller ID. Choose “Hide number” to enable anonymous calling.
Using Third-Party Apps for Anonymous or Disguised Calls
If you’re looking for more advanced features, such as temporary numbers or disguised calling, you can use third-party apps. Here are some popular options:
Burner
Burner is an app that allows users to create temporary numbers for calling and texting. The app is free to download and use, but you need to purchase credits for making or receiving calls and texts. With Burner, you can create as many temporary numbers as you want and choose to dispose of them whenever you want.
Hushed
Hushed is another app that lets you create temporary numbers. With Hushed, you can choose from over 300 area codes to create a local phone number. The app also offers voice and text encryption for extra security. Hushed is free to download and comes with a three-day trial period. After that, you need to purchase a plan to continue using the app.
Phoner
Phoner is yet another app for creating temporary numbers. With Phoner, you can choose between real phone numbers or fake numbers to disguise your identity. The fake numbers are AI-generated, so they can be useful for making calls without revealing your real identity. Phoner is also free to download, but you need to purchase credits for making or receiving calls and texts.
Utilizing Online Services for Anonymous or Encrypted Calls
Another option for making anonymous or encrypted calls is using online services. Here are some popular ones:
Skype
Skype is a popular online service that allows users to make voice and video calls. With Skype, you can create a new account with a fake name and email address to keep your identity anonymous. The service also offers end-to-end encryption for all calls and texts.
Signal
Signal is an encrypted messaging app that also offers voice and video calling. The app is free to download and use, and it’s known for its strong encryption and security features. With Signal, you can make anonymous calls with end-to-end encryption to protect your privacy.
Telegram
Telegram is another encrypted messaging app that offers voice calling. The app is free to download and use, and it also offers secret chats with self-destruct timers. With Telegram, you can make anonymous calls with end-to-end encryption for added privacy.
Techniques for Manually Blocking Caller ID
If you’re not comfortable with using apps or online services, you can also manually block your caller ID. Here are some techniques:
*67
You can use *67 before dialing a number to hide your Caller ID. This technique works for most North American carriers, but not all of them support it.
Changing Phone Settings
You can also change the settings on your phone to hide your Caller ID. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off. On Android, go to Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and choose “Hide number.”
Making Calls through a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can also be used to hide your true phone number and location. With a VPN, you can route your calls through a server in a different location and make it appear as if you’re calling from a different number. Here’s how to set up a VPN:
Download a VPN app
There are many VPN apps available for both iPhone and Android. Download and install a VPN app of your choice.
Connect to the VPN
Open the VPN app and connect to a server in a different location. Once connected, you can make a call as usual, and it will appear as if you’re calling from the location of the server.
Tips and Tricks for Getting Around Phone Number Blocking or Call Screening Features
Even if you use all the techniques and apps mentioned above, you may still face some obstacles when making anonymous calls. Here are some tips and tricks for getting around phone number blocking or call screening features:
- Use a different phone number, such as a friend’s phone, a public phone, or a payphone
- Call from a different location to make it harder to trace your identity
- Familiarize yourself with the different call screening features and work around them. For example, if the person you’re calling is screening unknown numbers, try texting or emailing them first to make yourself known.
Conclusion
Making anonymous calls can be useful in many situations, and with the techniques and apps provided in this article, you should be able to do it easily. Experiment with different apps and techniques to find the one that suits your needs the best. And always remember to use anonymous calling responsibly and ethically.
