Introduction
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to make a phone call without revealing your number? Perhaps you want to play a prank on a friend, protect your privacy from telemarketers, or stay anonymous while contacting someone. Whatever the reason may be, there are several ways to hide your number when calling that can help you achieve anonymity and security.
In this article, we’ll explore seven methods for hiding your phone number when making calls. We’ll also provide step-by-step instructions for each method, discuss the pros and cons of each approach, and offer expert tips for maximizing your privacy and security. Let’s get started!
7 Ways to Hide Your Number When Making Calls
There are several ways to hide your phone number when making calls. Here are the seven most common methods:
1. Blocking Caller ID
One of the simplest ways to hide your number when calling is to block your caller ID. This prevents your phone number from being displayed on the recipient’s phone. However, it’s worth noting that some service providers may charge an extra fee for this feature.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- Available on most phones and with most service providers.
Cons:
- Some service providers may charge an extra fee.
- May be ineffective against certain types of caller ID systems.
Step-by-step instructions:
To block your caller ID on an iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Click Phone.
- Click Show My Caller ID.
- Switch the toggle to off.
To block your caller ID on an Android phone:
- Open the Phone app.
- Click the three-dot menu.
- Click Settings.
- Click Calls.
- Click Additional Settings.
- Click Caller ID.
- Select Hide number.
2. Dialing *67 Before Making the Call
Another way to block your number when calling is to dial *67 before making the call. This will prevent your phone number from being displayed on the recipient’s phone. However, it’s worth noting that this method may not work in all countries.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- No additional fees required.
Cons:
- May not work in all countries.
- May be ineffective against certain types of caller ID systems.
Step-by-step instructions:
To block your number and conceal your identity when making a call using *67:
- Dial *67 before dialing the phone number.
- Make the call.
3. Using a Disposable Phone Number
If you want to make a call without revealing your real phone number, you can use a disposable phone number. This is a temporary number that can be used for a short period of time and then discarded.
Pros:
- Provides complete anonymity.
- Effective against most caller ID systems.
- Can be used for a short period of time.
Cons:
- May require additional fees to use.
- May not be suitable for long-term use.
Step-by-step instructions:
There are several apps and services that offer disposable phone numbers, such as Burner, Hushed, or Sideline. Here are the general steps:
- Download and install the app or service that offers disposable phone numbers.
- Follow the setup instructions to create a temporary phone number.
- Make a call using the temporary phone number.
- Discard the temporary phone number when you no longer need it.
4. Using a Calling Card
Another way to hide your phone number when calling is to use a calling card. This is a pre-paid card that can be used to make calls without revealing your real phone number.
Pros:
- Effective against most caller ID systems.
- No need to use your real phone number.
- Can be used for long-term use.
Cons:
- May require additional fees to use.
- Requires the purchase of a physical calling card.
- May not be suitable for short-term use.
Step-by-step instructions:
To use a calling card to make a call:
- Purchase a calling card from a retailer or online.
- Follow the instructions on the card to activate it.
- Dial the access number provided on the card.
- Enter the phone number you wish to call.
- Follow the instructions on the card to make the call.
5. Using a Third-Party App
There are several third-party apps that offer the ability to hide your phone number when calling, such as SpoofCard or Phoner. These apps work by masking your real phone number and displaying a different one to the recipient.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- No need to use your real phone number.
- Can be used for long-term use.
Cons:
- May require additional fees to use.
- May not be effective against all caller ID systems.
Step-by-step instructions:
To use a third-party app to make a call:
- Download and install the app that offers the ability to hide your phone number.
- Follow the setup instructions to create an account.
- Dial the phone number you wish to call using the app.
- Enter the number you want to display as your caller ID.
- Follow the instructions on the app to make the call.
6. Using a Temporary Number
A temporary number is a phone number that can be used for a short period of time. This is a good option if you only need to make a few calls and want to maintain your privacy.
Pros:
- Provides complete anonymity.
- Effective against most caller ID systems.
- Can be used for a short period of time.
Cons:
- May require additional fees to use.
- May not be suitable for long-term use.
Step-by-step instructions:
To use a temporary phone number:
- Download and install an app or service that offers temporary phone numbers, such as Burner or Hushed.
- Follow the setup instructions to create a temporary phone number.
- Make a call using the temporary phone number.
- Discard the temporary phone number when you no longer need it.
7. Contacting the Carrier
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to hiding your phone number, you can contact your carrier and ask for your number to be permanently blocked. However, this may not be possible with all carriers or in all countries.
Pros:
- Provides complete anonymity.
- Covers all future calls made from your phone.
- May be available at no additional cost.
Cons:
- May not be possible with all carriers or in all countries.
- May require a phone call or visit to a carrier store to implement.
Step-by-step instructions:
To block your phone number permanently:
- Contact your carrier’s customer service department.
- Request for your number to be permanently blocked.
- Follow any additional instructions provided by the carrier.
The Simple Hack Everyone Should Know: How to Hide Your Number When Calling
There’s a simple hack that can help you hide your number when calling on iPhones. This involves adding the recipient’s phone number to your contact list and editing the contact to include a prefix before the number.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- No additional fees required.
Cons:
- Only available on iPhones.
- May be ineffective against certain types of caller ID systems.
Step-by-step instructions:
To use this hack to hide your number when calling:
- Add the recipient’s phone number to your contacts list.
- Edit the contact to include a prefix before the number, such as *67 or #31#.
- Make the call using the contact list entry.
The Ultimate Guide to Anonymity: How to Hide Your Number on Phone Calls
If you’re looking to achieve the ultimate level of anonymity when making phone calls, there are several methods you can use. These range from simple methods, such as blocking caller ID, to more complex methods, such as using a virtual private network (VPN) or making calls through a satellite phone.
Levels of Anonymity
There are three levels of anonymity:
- Basic anonymity – hides your real phone number.
- Intermediate anonymity – hides your location and identity.
- Advanced anonymity – hides your call content and metadata.
Methods for Achieving Anonymity
Here are some methods for achieving anonymity:
- Blocking caller ID.
- Using a disposable phone number.
- Using a calling card.
- Using a third-party app.
- Using a temporary number.
- Using a VPN.
- Making calls through a satellite phone.
How to Determine Which Method is Right for You
The method you choose will depend on your level of privacy needs and your budget. If you’re looking for basic anonymity and don’t want to spend any money, blocking caller ID or using a disposable phone number may be sufficient. If you’re looking for advanced anonymity and are willing to invest money, using a VPN or a satellite phone may be a better option.
Expert Tips for Keeping Your Number Private: How to Hide Your Number While Calling
Here are some expert tips for keeping your number private while calling:
Protecting Your Privacy
- Use a VPN to encrypt your calls and protect against eavesdropping.
- Be cautious when giving out your phone number online or to strangers.