How to hide your number to protect your privacy?
4 August 2025 | 6 mins read
Between us... You care about your privacy, right? 😎 So let me share with you some tips to keep your number from becoming the star of marketing databases. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your 06 roamed free like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Let’s dive into the world of hidden numbers!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyperconnected world… Well, that’s great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, and especially our phone number, have become a real bargaining chip. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting how central our smartphones are in our lives. Therefore, it is more crucial than ever to know how to hide your number.
Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply keep a clear separation between your professional and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super easy!
✨ The art of temporary masked calling: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of anonymous calling. You have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? No panic, the solution is also very simple…
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat persistent customer service, or respond to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. This is where the prefix #31# will come in handy.
How does it work in practice? It's a piece of cake!
- Take your phone (it’ll be better with 😅)
- Type #31# followed by, without space, the phone number you want to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you would dial: #31#0612345678
- Make the call, and voila! ✨
Your correspondent will see "Private Number", "Unknown" or "Masked Call" displayed on their screen. It's quick, effective, and totally free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re team Android or an unconditional iPhone fan, and with any carrier.
Anecdote: I can't count the number of times I've joked with my friends or parents by calling from a blocked number, using an app that alters my voice 😂
It's the ideal solution for a one-off need, but be careful, you need to remember to do it every time. One forget, and your number shows up! If you're looking for a more "definitive" solution, keep reading, the rest should interest you.
🥷 Go into ninja mode: permanently hide your number
Tired of dialing #31# every time? Want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It's totally possible, and you can do it directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call anonymously on Android?
The steps may slightly vary depending on your phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.), but the principles remain the same. Generally:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three little dots in the top right corner to access the Settings.
- Look for an option like "Phone Accounts," "Call Settings" or "Additional Services".
- Find the line "Show My Caller ID" or "Caller Identity."
- Select Hide Number. And there you go, you're all set!
From now on, all your outgoing calls will be anonymous. No more stress! 😎
📱 How to hide your number on iPhone?
With Apple, it's even simpler, hiding your phone number is even more direct:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Select Show My Number.
- Simply toggle the switch off.
When it's grey, it means you're in hidden number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-off) | Fast, simple, universal | Must be repeated for every call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it," constant protection | May be an obstacle to being called back |
🛡️ The alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Do you need to go even further? Perhaps you have a professional activity that requires juggling multiple numbers, or you just want an extra layer of protection. I have solutions for you!
Virtual number apps
Apps like our site Anonymous SMS, TextNow, or UnCall allow you to get a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It's probably the best way to mask your main phone number.
The advantages:
- Separation of work/personal life: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for your loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up for websites or services without ever giving your real number.
- Flexibility: Change your virtual number whenever you wish.
It's like having a disguise for your phone! 🦸♂️
VoIP services
Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobiles. By purchasing a little credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show up instead of your personal number.
Real-life anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. This allows him to avoid being disturbed on weekends and keep his personal number secret. Smart, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is a great way to protect yourself. Many apps focus on the security and encryption of your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the coin: managing blocked calls we receive
Now that you’re a pro at making anonymous calls, let's talk about the opposite situation. What to do when YOU receive a call from a blocked number? It can be intriguing, often very annoying.
Can you call back a blocked number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone went to the trouble of hiding their number, it's very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call them back directly.
However, some carriers offer a service that allows, within minutes of the call, to call back a blocked number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness may vary.
How to unmask blocked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it's nearly impossible to unmask hidden numbers reliably. Services promising to do so are often ineffective. Only the appropriate authorities can, within a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a masked call.
So, what to do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or hidden numbers.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > and enable Silence Unknown Callers.
- On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and enable the option to block unknown callers.
These calls will go straight to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Total peace!
💪 Why hiding your number is crucial for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to mask your number, it's essential to understand the real benefits for your peace of mind.
The advantages of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Keeping it safe means safeguarding your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the number one reason for many of us. By not giving your number out freely, you drastically reduce the number of unsolicited calls.
- Secure your online transactions: When selling an item on a classifieds site, using a private or temporary number prevents you from being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional distance: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Keep control: Ultimately, it's you who decides who can reach you and when. That’s the real luxury!
Privacy protection isn't a luxury; it’s a fundamental right in the digital age. By learning how to mask your phone number, you're taking a significant step towards reclaiming control of your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It's your time to shine, secret agent!
And there you go! You now have all the tools to master the art of masked calling. We’ve covered together:
- The ultra-simple technique of #31# for occasional needs.
- How to configure your iPhone or Android to call masked permanently.
- Applications and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to react to blocked calls you receive and the impossibility of unmasking hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you gain from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret for you. It's a powerful and easy-to-use tool to navigate more calmly in our connected world.
So, the next time you hesitate to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Don’t hesitate to share this guide with your friends, they also have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: The questions everyone is asking
Does masking my number work for SMS as well?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always show your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated applications and fortunately, that’s exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
If I call anonymously, can the person still leave me a voicemail?
Absolutely! If you reach their voicemail, you can definitely leave a message. The only difference is that the person won't see your number displayed.
How can I tell if #31# worked?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their consent, of course!). You will immediately see if the call displays as 'Private Number'.
Is there a difference between "masked number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there is no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.
Is it possible to unlock the "Show my number" function if it is grayed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, certain carriers might block this option. If that's the case, a quick call to your customer service could resolve the issue.