Block your number from showing on outgoing calls

Samsung phones let you hide your number so the person you call sees "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number. The method depends on whether you want to hide it on every call or just some calls.

To hide your number on all outgoing calls, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu (or settings icon), and look for Settings. Scroll down to find Supplementary Services or Call Settings. Tap Show My Caller ID or Caller ID and select Hide Number. The exact wording varies by carrier and Android version, but the setting is always in the phone app's settings, not in your general device settings.

If your carrier does not offer this setting in the phone app, you can dial *67 before the phone number on a per-call basis. This works on most carriers and hides your number for that single call only. Dial *67, then the number, then press call.

Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking, while *67 is usually free. Check with your carrier if you do not see the option in your phone settings—some carriers disable it or require you to request it separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Phone app, go to Settings, find Supplementary Services or Call Settings, and toggle Show My Caller ID to Hide Number to block your number on all calls.
  • Dial *67 before any phone number to hide your number for that single call without changing your settings.
  • The exact menu names vary by carrier and Android version, so look for "Caller ID" or "Show My Number" if the exact names do not appear.
  • Your carrier may charge a fee for permanent blocking or may not offer the feature at all—contact them if the setting does not appear in your phone app.
  • Hiding your number does not prevent the recipient from calling you back; it only hides the number that appears on their screen.

What happens when you hide your number

When you hide your number, the recipient sees "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "No Caller ID" on their phone screen instead of your actual number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. The call goes through exactly as it would if your number were visible—hiding it only changes what appears on their end.

Some people do not answer calls from hidden numbers, so be aware that hiding your number may increase the chance they will not pick up. If you need them to know it is you, you can tell them your name when they answer, or you can use *67 only for calls where you do not mind if they screen it.

Hide your number on text messages

Samsung's default messaging app does not have a built-in setting to hide your number on text messages the way you can on calls. Text messages always show your phone number or the name associated with your contact card on the recipient's phone.

If you want to send a text without revealing your number, you can use a third-party messaging app like Google Messages, Signal, or WhatsApp, which use internet data or Wi-Fi instead of your carrier's SMS network. These apps show the recipient your username or display name instead of your phone number, but they only work if the recipient also has the same app installed.

Carrier-specific settings and limitations

Your carrier controls whether caller ID blocking is available on your account. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers support it, but some prepaid carriers or smaller providers do not. If you do not see the option in your phone settings, contact your carrier's customer service to ask if they offer caller ID blocking and whether there is a fee.

Some carriers require you to dial a code to enable the feature before you can use it. For example, you may need to dial *67 once to set up it, or contact customer service to turn it on. A few carriers charge $3 to $5 per month for permanent blocking, while others include it free with your plan.

If you are on a business plan or a plan with restrictions, your carrier may have disabled caller ID blocking entirely. In that case, you can only use *67 on a per-call basis, and even that may not work.

When your hidden number may not work

Some phone systems do not accept calls from hidden numbers. Government offices, banks, hospitals, and customer service lines often reject or do not ring through calls from blocked or private numbers as a security measure. If you are calling one of these places, you may need to show your number so they can reach you back if the call drops.

Emergency services (911) always receive your real number regardless of your settings. This is a legal requirement—you cannot hide your number from 911.

If you are calling someone who has set their phone to reject unknown callers, they will not receive your call at all if your number is hidden. Some phones have a setting that automatically sends hidden-number calls to voicemail.

Temporarily hide your number with *67

The easiest way to hide your number on a single call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most carriers and does not require any setup or changes to your account settings.

The steps are straightforward: open the Phone app, tap the keypad, dial *67, then dial the full phone number you want to call (including the area code), then press the call button. The recipient will see a private or blocked number instead of yours.

This method works on a per-call basis, so your number will show normally on your next call unless you dial *67 again. It is free on most carriers, though a few charge per use. If *67 does not work on your carrier, try *141 instead, which works on some networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my number on some calls but not others?

Yes. Use *67 before the number on calls where you want to hide it, and make normal calls without *67 when you want your number to show. If you want your number hidden on all calls, change the setting in your phone app's Call Settings instead.

Will the person I call be able to call me back?

Yes. Even though they cannot see your number, they can still call you back if you give them your number during the conversation, or if they have your contact saved in their phone. Hiding your number only affects what appears on their screen when you call them.

Does hiding my number work on international calls?

It depends on the country you are calling. Some countries do not support caller ID blocking, and some carriers block the feature for international calls. Try *67 first; if it does not work, contact your carrier to ask whether they support it for the country you are calling.

What if *67 does not work?

Your carrier may not support it, or it may be disabled on your account. Try *141 instead, which works on some networks. If neither works, go to your phone app settings and look for the permanent caller ID blocking option, or contact your carrier to ask if they offer the feature.

Can I hide my number on group calls or conference calls?

No. On group or conference calls, your number is typically visible to all participants regardless of your settings. If you need privacy on a group call, use a third-party app like Google Meet or Zoom instead, which can mask your phone number.