Want to hide your number when calling and texting? Be it to send an anonymous text to a crush, play a harmless prank on your friends or for whatever reason(only the right reason). I've got you covered!

Reasons to hide your phone number

The main reason to hide your phone number is to protect your personal information and privacy. Our phone numbers have somewhat become part of our identity and are tied to many of our personal information such as our house addresses, email accounts, social media accounts etc. Having a secret phone number may save you from having your personal information leaked. Other reasons to not give out your personal number includes:

  • Work: Selling on craigslist or making cold-calls that may require you to give out your personal phone number to strangers might not be such a great idea.
  • Online dating: You may not be quite ready to share your personal number with the person you are connecting with until you are committed.
  • Privacy: Joining an interest group or online shopping platform may require you to share your personal number, so, why not mask your number and skip the annoying marketing text and messages.

What are hidden phone numbers?

Before we explore what are the ways to hide your phone number, let us learn what are hidden phone numbers. Essentially, they are know as 'private numbers', when a call is made it does not show the registered number.

Some conventional ways of masking your phone number are, getting burner phones, purchasing a dual SIM card mobile phone and calling through Payphones. They are all great ways of masking your phone numbers, but they can be slightly inconvenient or expensive. Let's explore 3 ways how you can conceal your phone number!  

1. Change the "Caller ID" setting in your smartphone

Directly from your device, you are able to change your Caller ID to appear as "Private Number". As listed below, here are the step-by-step guide on how you can get a hidden phone number for iPhone and Android. Take note that not all mobile carriers allow this feature.

For iPhone

Step 1: Go to your phone's setting menu

Step 2: Select "Phone"

Step 3: Select "Show My Caller ID"

Step 4: Slide the "Show My Caller ID" to off

For Android

Step 1: Go to your phone's setting menu

Step 2: Select "Call settings"  or "Calls"

Step 3: Select "Additional settings"

Step 4: Select "Caller ID"

Step 5: Select "Hide number"

2. Use a Caller ID Block code

A blocking code blocks your number from being displayed through Caller ID temporarily or permanently, showing "Unknown number". If you want to mask your phone number,  simply dial the the Blocking code before entering the number you wish to contact. Take not that it can't block certain numbers such as 911 and this only works for ordinary calls.

A common Blocking code in North America is *67. Blocking codes vary based on countries and carriers. To find out what is your Blocking code, search for "Block code" followed by your phone model, country, and carrier information. For example, you would type "United states AT&T iPhone caller id block code" into a search engine.

3. Use a temporary number

However, if you really require an anonymous phone number, you should get a disposable second phone number. There is a better way of getting a disposable number without the hassle of running down to the store to purchase a second phone or SIM card. There are various apps available on the market for you to get a disposable private phone number.

Second or multiple phone number apps enable you to have more control over your personal phone number by offering a disposable or permanent number. These apps will generate a new number for you, allowing you to make an anonymous two-way communication without revealing your personal number.

How to buy hidden phone numbers?

I would encourage you to check out all the other apps for hidden phone numbers available on the market and decide which one suit your needs and wants base on their offered features.

If you are looking for a reliable app that puts your privacy and security first, you have to check out Phoner! With Phoner you are able to create a second phone number or multiple number with just 1 device, contract-free. Phoner supports phone calls and text internationally in over 35 countries, free Phoner to Phoner messaging, and the best part it is FREE to start using!

Download Links:

Get hidden phone numbers for iPhone

Get hidden phone number for Android

Start using your hidden phone number!

Now you know how to hide your phone number when calling and texting, but be sure to always protect your privacy and security at all times! We wouldn't want your personal information landing in the wrong hands. Go on and protect yourself and only use it for the right reasons.