Introduction
Are you tired of receiving unsolicited calls and text messages from unknown phone numbers? Or maybe you want to keep your phone number private to protect your privacy? Whatever the reason may be, there are several ways to hide your phone number when making a call or sending a text message. According to a recent survey, 90% of Americans are concerned about their privacy when making phone calls. In this article, we will explore different methods on how to hide your phone number to ensure your personal information is protected.
How to Block Caller ID on iPhone/Android devices: A Step-by-Step Guide
Blocking caller ID is one of the easiest ways to hide your phone number when making a call. When caller ID is blocked, the recipient of the call will see “Private” or “Unknown” instead of your phone number. Here’s how to block caller ID on iPhone and Android devices:
1. On iPhone devices, go to “Settings” > “Phone” > “Show My Caller ID”. Toggle the switch off to block your caller ID.
2. On Android devices, open the “Phone” app, click the three dots in the top right corner, select “Settings” > “Calls” > “Additional Settings” > “Caller ID”. Choose “Hide number” to block your caller ID.
It’s important to note that some calls, such as emergency calls, cannot be made with a blocked caller ID. Additionally, some people might not answer calls from private or unknown numbers, so blocking caller ID might not be the best option in certain situations.
Simple Steps to Make Private Calls Using *67
Another way to hide your phone number is to use *67, a code that blocks your caller ID on a per-call basis. Here’s how to use it:
1. Dial *67 before the phone number.
2. Make the call as usual.
The recipient of your call will see “Private” or “Unknown” instead of your phone number. One advantage of using *67 is that it works with most phones and carriers. However, some people might not answer calls from blocked numbers, and some carriers charge extra for this feature.
How to Change the Phone Number that Appears on Caller ID
Sometimes, you might want to change the phone number that appears on caller ID to protect your privacy or to avoid giving your personal phone number. Here’s how to do it:
1. Contact your phone carrier and request a new phone number.
2. Wait for the carrier to assign you a new phone number.
3. Go to “Settings” > “Phone” > “My Number” on iPhone devices and change the phone number.
4. On Android devices, go to “Settings” > “About Phone” > “Status” > “Phone number” and change the phone number.
It’s important to consider that changing your phone number might affect your contacts and could result in missed calls, so it’s important to inform your contacts about your new number.
Using Secondary Numbers or Burner Apps to Conceal Your Real Phone Number
Another option is to use secondary phone numbers or burner apps to conceal your real phone number. Secondary phone numbers are extra numbers that can be added to your existing device, while burner apps are applications that allow you to get a disposable phone number. Examples of popular secondary number and burner apps include Google Voice, Burner, and Hushed.
One advantage of using secondary numbers or burner apps is that you can easily dispose of them if you start receiving unwanted calls or messages. However, some of these services might require you to pay for additional features or expenses, so it’s important to research and compare different options before choosing one.
How to Disable Outbound Caller ID on Your Smartphone
If you don’t want your phone number to appear on outgoing calls, you can disable outbound caller ID. Here’s how to do it on various smartphone models and operating systems:
– iPhone: Go to “Settings” > “Phone” > “Show My Caller ID”, toggle off the switch.
– Android: Open the “Phone” app, click the three dots in the top right corner, select “Settings” > “Calls” > “Additional Settings” > “Caller ID”. Choose “Hide number”.
– Samsung Galaxy: Go to “Phone” > “More” > “Settings” > “Show my caller ID”. Choose “Hide number”.
– LG: Go to “Phone” > “Call Settings” > “Additional Settings” > “Caller ID”, and choose “Hide number”.
– Motorola: Go to “Phone” > “Settings” > “Calls” > “Caller ID”, and choose “Hide number”.
It’s important to note that disabling outbound caller ID might result in your calls being blocked or rejected, so it’s important to inform your contacts beforehand.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with useful tips on how to hide your phone number to protect your privacy. Whether you choose to block caller ID, use *67, change your phone number, or use secondary numbers or burner apps, it’s important to be cautious about sharing personal information over the phone. If you’re still unsure about which method to use, consult with your phone carrier or do further research online. Remember, protecting your personal information is crucial in today’s digital age.
