Published : March 5, 2025Have you ever needed to reach out to someone without disclosing your identity?
You may be trying to avoid spam or keep your phone number private. Or you may be making a business inquiry and do not want to share your details. Whatever the reason, the caller ID can be hidden. Fortunately, there are many ways to make anonymous calls, and they are easier than you think.
In this blog, we’ll walk through 5 easy ways to make an anonymous call.
How to Anonymously Call Someone?
Hiding your phone number protects your privacy and avoids unwanted return calls. There are various methods to make an anonymous call without revealing your identity. Let’s understand each one in detail:
Hide Your Caller ID in Phone Settings
One of the simplest ways to call someone anonymously is to turn off the caller ID. Once you do so, your outgoing phone calls will appear to the recipient as an unknown caller.
The feature setting to make anonymous calls is different in each device.
1. On iPhone
Due to its software, it is quick to hide your caller ID on an iPhone device. It stops your number from being visible on the recipient’s display.
- Step 1: Open the Settings app.
- Step 2: Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Step 3: Select the option- Show My Caller ID.
- Step 4: Switch it off.
Now, your phone number will not show up on the recipient’s phone when you make calls.
2. On Android
Android devices offer flexibility in hiding caller IDs. It makes it easy to manage privacy settings in different situations.
- Step 1: Open the Phone app.
- Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu and go to Settings.
- Step 3: Select Calls > Additional Settings.
- Step 4: Tap Caller ID and choose Hide Phone Number.
This will now ensure that your phone number remains hidden from recipients during phone calls.
- This option to turn off the caller ID may not be available on all Android devices. Plus, the steps can vary based on your specific Android phone model or software version.
3. On Landline
Landline technology is undoubtedly outdated nowadays. However, it does allow you to call anonymously, and the way here is different from others.
For landline phones, dial *67 before dialing the phone number. For the time being, this will block your caller ID.
You can verify this by calling a friend or another device to see if your phone number appears as “Private” or “Unknown Caller.”
- One other way to make a private call is to reach out to your landline service provider and request permanent caller ID blocking.
Use a VoIP Service or Anonymous Calling App
One way to make anonymous calls is through your phone settings app. However, if you need to make frequent calls anonymously, a VoIP service or anonymous phone app is a great alternative.
These services offer temporary or alternative phone numbers for confidential calls. It also has extra features such as call recording and self-destructing messages.
: What Is a Restricted Call, and How to Block It?Top Voip and Anonymous Calling Apps Are:
1. Google Voice
Google Voice provides a free and anonymous phone number that can be used for calling and texting. Plus, Google Voice has voicemail transcription and call forwarding, which makes it a versatile option for privacy-conscious users.
2. Burner
Burner app provides disposable phone numbers that can be used for calls and texts. Once you’re done, you have the option to delete the number permanently. This feature makes it perfect for maintaining short-term anonymity.
3. Hushed
This phone app allows you to make private calls. It also has an auto-delete feature that removes your call history after a certain period.
4.TextNow
TextNow offers free anonymous calling with an extra phone number. It provides both calling and texting options, making it convenient for those who need an additional layer of privacy.
- Caller ID technology was first introduced in the late 1980s to help people screen incoming calls. However, methods to block caller IDs, such as *67, have been available since the 1990s, and they allow users to make anonymous calls when needed.
Get a Burner Phone or Prepaid SIM
A prepaid phone or a burner phone is a cheap mobile phone that is built for temporary use. It can be easily bought and disposed of once the work is done.
The identity of the user cannot be traced as these prepaid phones are not linked to their personal accounts.
First, you need to purchase a prepaid phone or SIM card. Do not register it with personal details, as doing so could link the number to your identity. Plus, use this phone only to make private calls or for temporary purposes to remain unidentified.
Once you no longer need it, either discard the phone or do a factory reset to erase the stored data.
This approach guarantees that your existing phone number remains separate from the prepaid device.
Ask Your Carrier to Block Caller ID
One more option to call someone anonymously is to ask your carrier to block your Caller ID straight away.
This is also called call masking, and enabling it will prevent the person receiving the call from knowing your identity.
Contact your customer service toll-free number and request to keep your number hidden.
- If you need to reveal your private number for specific calls temporarily, dial *82 before the number.
Why Would You Want to Make an Anonymous Call?
Anonymity becomes essential in many situations. For some businesses, making a private call is all about keeping their conversations private. They just want to talk without being traced back. On the other hand, some might just need to avoid those unwanted callbacks.
Businesses often take advantage of anonymous calling to keep their personal and work numbers separate.
Others use it to avoid spam calls or telemarketing traps. Caller ID masking benefits even individuals who are organizing a surprise or managing confidential matters.
Legal and Ethical Considerations of Anonymous Calling
Using the call-masking feature is legal when it is done for privacy or legitimate business purposes. However, laws strictly prohibit users from hiding numbers for unethical and fraudulent activities.
- In 2009, laws were introduced to combat phone scams, his law was brought to stop scammers from calling in the name of banks and government agencies.
Businesses in the financial sector must follow these rules when making anonymous calls.
For example, financial institutions that make automated calls must comply with these federal regulations. For security reasons, they can utilize masked numbers. However, they must get the customer’s permission before sending any sensitive or promotional automated messages.
Conclusion
To conclude, maintaining privacy while making phone calls is essential for many users.
Whether using phone settings, a burner phone, or a VoIP service, each method provides a way to hide your phone number. However, anonymous calling should always be used responsibly. Understanding the legal and ethical considerations ensures compliance while safeguarding your privacy.
By following these steps, you can control when and how your number is shared, ensuring secure and responsible communication.
FAQs
Does *67 work on all phones?
*67 works on most mobile and landline phones, but some carriers or businesses may block restricted phone calls.
Does *69 reveal an anonymous number?
No, *69 only calls back the last incoming number but does not disclose blocked caller IDs.
What is the difference between *67 and *141?
*67 hides your caller ID in North America, while *141 serves the same function in the UK and other countries.
Updated : March 6, 2025
Supriya Bajaj is a senior content developer with immense experience in the VoIP telephony domain. With a deep knowledge of VoIP systems and emerging technologies in the field, she provides insightful and targeted content. Known for simplifying complex topics and her thought-leadership articles, Supriya delivers actionable content for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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