Published : August 5, 2025When you get a call, and no caller ID is displayed on it, it can be frustrating. Because you never know if it is an important call or just another spammer. In 2023 alone, more than 55 billion robocalls were made in the U.S., which became a common issue for many phone users.
But if you want to stop these, there are simple ways to do it on both iPhone and Android. In this guide, I will walk you through each method step by step. Plus, there are some smart tricks to handle hidden numbers like an expert.
How to Block No Caller ID on iPhone?
Unfortunately, you cannot just block calls without a caller ID number on an iPhone. The reason is that iOS does not identify these numbers for traditional blocking. However, you can still stop them from disturbing you by using built-in features and some tricks. Let’s explore them below:
1. Use “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature
Apple has a built-in option called Silence Unknown Callers. When you activate this option, calls from numbers that are not in your contacts will be sent straight to voicemail. However, these phone calls will still appear in your contact list.
Follow these steps to activate this feature:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to the Apps section
- Tap on Phone
- Scroll and tap the Silence Unknown Callers slider
- Move the slider to the right to enable it.
Once on, your iPhone automatically silences calls from unknown numbers. As a result, you will only hear calls from your contacts, Siri Suggestions, and recently dialed numbers.
2. Enable Do Not Disturb to Filter Unknown Calls
With the Do Not Disturb feature, you can turn off all notifications. This includes calls, texts, alerts, and more, at specific times. It helps you to focus without getting disturbed. You can also customize this feature to allow calls from people whose number you have saved in your contacts.
To activate Do No Disturb, you simply need to:
- Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb
- Tap People under Allowed Notifications
- Add your saved contacts to allow their calls
- Turn on Do Not Disturb mode
This way, any hidden or unknown numbers would not ring your phone. And only the calls from your important contacts will get through.
3. Create a Dummy Contact to Block No Caller ID Calls
Here is a clever workaround that many iPhone users follow. You can create a fake contact and name it “No Caller ID” with a placeholder number and then just block that contact. So now that one anonymous caller that bothers you the most won’t be able to reach you anymore.
Steps to do this:
- Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
- Tap the + icon to create a new contact.
- Name it “No Caller ID” and add the number 000-000-0000.
- Save it and then select Block this Caller.
This new dummy contact will now appear in your list of blocked callers. Well, this may not be the perfect solution. But with this, you can take advantage of iOS’s blocking feature to reduce unwanted anonymous calls.
- If you are located in the United States, you can minimize unwanted telemarketing calls by signing up your phone number with the official National Do Not Call Registry. This would not block all spam calls, but it can significantly cut down sales and robocalls.
4. iOS Has Limitations in Blocking Hidden Numbers
Even with these tricks, iPhones cannot completely block hidden or private numbers. This is because of how Apple’s telecommunication system works.
Some calls, like emergency services or legitimate businesses, may still be able to bypass these settings.
Spam or scam callers would often employ advanced methods to hide their numbers. This makes it difficult to completely block them.
How to Block No Caller ID on Android Devices?
Android phones give you a bit more control over blocking hidden numbers as compared to iPhones. It also depends on which brand of cell phone you are using. You can use built-in settings or install call-blocking apps. Here is how:
1. Use Built-In Blocking Options
Most Android devices have a feature that lets you block unknown callers:
- Open the Phone app.
- Click on the three-dot menu or Settings.
- Tap Blocked contacts or Call blocking.
- Enable Block unknown/private numbers.
Different brands may have slightly different names for these options, but the process is similar.
2. Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
If you do not have a built-in blocking option in your phone, you can download a call blocking app from Google Play.
Apps like Truecaller or Hiya can automatically detect spam calls and block unwanted calls. With this option, you get more control over who can call you.
3. CallHippo-Supported Android Call Management Tools
CallHippo offers call management tools for businesses and advanced users. This business guide on CallHippo’s tools enables you to screen or block unwanted anonymous calls on Android.
Features included are:
- Smart call routing to filter unwanted calls.
- Caller ID masking for legitimate outbound calls.
- Call Analytics to detect span or foreign caller IDs.
CallHippo makes it easy for businesses to handle calls smoothly. It is a smart choice if you want to block spam and stay connected with real customers.
| Block Unwanted Calls with CallHippo Take control of your business calls with CallHippo’s smart call management tools. |
Can You Block No Caller ID Calls?
Completely blocking “No Caller ID” calls in all cases may not be possible because these calls intentionally hide the caller’s number. However, you can use features like call silencing, Do Not Disturb, or third-party apps. This would reduce interruptions from such calls.
What Does “No Caller ID” Mean?
Basically, when you see No Caller ID, it means the caller has intentionally hidden their phone number. Now, this could be due to privacy, security, or sometimes just to make telemarketing calls and scam calls harder to trace.
No Caller ID vs Unknown Caller vs Private Number: Key Differences
How the three terms differ from each other is explained in the table below:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No Caller ID | The caller has intentionally hidden their phone number from being displayed. |
| Unknown Caller | The phone service provider cannot recognize the number because of network issues or foreign caller IDs. |
| Private Number | This is similar to No Caller ID, but it is shown differently depending on your phone model or carrier. |
How to Hide Your Caller ID (If Needed)?
Sometimes, when you are making a call, you may want to keep your number private. On both devices, Android and iPhone, you can hide your caller ID easily.
Steps to Hide Caller ID on iPhone and Android
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Tap Phone.
- Select Show My Caller ID.
- Toggle it off to hide your number.
On Android
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu and go to Settings.
- Select Caller ID.
- Choose Hide number.
CallHippo’s Custom Caller ID Masking for Outbound Business Calls
For businesses, CallHippo offers custom caller ID masking. With this feature, you can display your business number or a local number when making outbound calls. It helps to maintain your caller ID reputation and ensures that customers recognize and trust the call.
Hiding your caller ID contact is legal in most places, but only when you do it for privacy or personal reasons. Its use shall be considered illegal when used for scams, fraud, or harassment. This can lead to penalties from your phone company or law enforcement.
How to Deal with No Caller ID or Anonymous Calls?
As discussed above, the blocking methods can be bypassed, and you may still receive occasional anonymous calls. Sometimes, all you need to do is just smartly handle them:
1. Answer or Ignore
Well, it’s also true that not all hidden incoming calls are spam. Sometimes, real people or legitimate businesses may hide their number for privacy. Still, if you are not sure, you can let the call go to voicemail and check if it is important before calling back.
- Repeated calls from hidden numbers often indicate spam. Use your phone’s log to track such patterns before blocking.
2. Identifying Spam vs. Legitimate Calls
Spam or scam calls are often short. They sound robotic. They push you to take urgent action. But the legitimate callers usually leave a voicemail or follow up with an identifiable number later.
Using caller ID apps or phone service provider tools can help you spot suspicious calls more easily.
3. When to Block or Report?
If the same hidden number repeatedly calls or you suspect it is telemarketing or a scam:
- Add it to your blocked contacts list.
- Report it to your phone company or a spam reporting service.
- Use a call blocking app for stronger filtering.
How CallHippo Helps Businesses Handle Anonymous Calls?
Businesses that deal with anonymous or spam calls can waste time and hurt customer service. CallHippo helps you to manage these calls in a simple and effective manner.
1. Smart Call Routing and Analytics
Smart call routing is a feature that automatically directs legitimate calls to the right team member to attend. While in the process, it filters out the unwanted or suspicious calls.
And combined with the real-time call analytics feature, you can track call patterns. Plus, this helps you to identify spam or foreign caller IDs quickly.
2. System-Level Call Blocking
With this feature, CallHippo stops unwanted calls before they reach your team. This guarantees that your agents only dedicate their time to meaningful conversations. Due to this, the overall productivity increases, and so does the customer experience.
These tools, along with others, make CallHippo a practical solution for businesses for handling anonymous calls efficiently.
Conclusion
It can be inconvenient and sometimes even disruptive to receive calls without caller ID. Fortunately, there are features on both Android and iPhone devices to block or silence these calls.
No method completely promises to 100% block all your calls. But built-in settings, third-party apps, and smart tools like CallHippo can make a big difference.
Follow the methods and tips given in this blog to stay in control of your phone communication.
FAQs
1. How do you block No Caller ID calls on an iPhone?
You cannot block them directly. But there are features you can use, like Silence Unknown Callers, Do Not Disturb, or create a dummy contact and block it. These tricks reduce unwanted anonymous calls.
2. Can you block No Caller ID calls on Android phones?
Yes. Most Android phones have a built-in option to block unknown or private numbers. You can also use third-party call blocking apps like Truecaller for extra protection.
3. How can I hide my own caller ID before making a call?
On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it off.
On Android, open the Phone app > Settings > Caller ID and choose Hide number.
4. What is Star 67, and does it still work on smartphones?
Star 67 (*67) is a code you can dial before a phone number, which will temporarily hide your caller ID. Star 67 does work on most smartphones and landlines in the U.S. When used, the recipient will see “Private” or “Blocked” instead of your number.
5. Does CallHippo offer tools to manage hidden or anonymous calls?
Yes. CallHippo provides features like smart call routing, call blocking, and caller ID masking. This helps businesses handle anonymous calls more effectively.
6. Will blocking unknown calls prevent all spam or robocalls?
Not completely. Some spam calls may still bypass these filters. Using call blocking apps or solutions like CallHippo can further reduce unwanted calls.
Updated : August 5, 2025
Anant Berge is a B2B SaaS content writer who creates engaging, user-focused, and SEO-driven content for tech businesses. With a knack for simplifying complex ideas and a passion for storytelling, Anant crafts narratives that help brands connect with their audience through blogs and website content.
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