How to Change Your Caller ID on iPhone

What you can and cannot change about your caller ID

You cannot change what number appears when you call someone — that is controlled by your phone carrier and tied to your account. What you can change is the name that displays next to your own number in other people's phones, and you can set a custom caller ID name for calls you make through FaceTime Audio or certain VoIP apps.

If you want to change how your number appears to others, you need to contact your carrier directly. If you want to change what name shows up when you receive calls, or customize how calls appear when you use internet-based calling, those changes happen on your iPhone itself.

Key Takeaways

Your actual phone number cannot be changed through your iPhone — your carrier controls what number appears when you call someone.
You can change your own contact name in the Contacts app, which affects how your number appears to people who have saved you.
FaceTime Audio and some third-party calling apps let you set a custom caller ID name in their settings.
If you want your carrier to display a different name or number, you must call your carrier's customer service directly.

Changing your name in the Contacts app

The simplest change is updating your own contact card. Open the Contacts app, tap your own name at the top of the list (usually marked "Me"), and tap Edit. Change your name to whatever you want to appear when you call people who have you saved in their phone.

This only affects people who already have your number stored with your name. If someone receives a call from you and you are not in their contacts, they will see your number only, not a name. This change does not affect what your carrier sends to the phone network.

Setting a caller ID name in FaceTime

Open Settings, scroll down to FaceTime, and tap it. Look for "Caller ID" or "Show My Caller ID" — the exact wording depends on your iOS version. You can choose to display your phone number, your email address, or a custom name you enter.

This setting only applies to FaceTime Audio calls, not regular phone calls. When someone receives a FaceTime Audio call from you, they will see whichever option you selected here. Regular calls still show what your carrier sends.

Using third-party calling apps

Apps like Google Voice, Skype, WhatsApp, and Telegram let you make calls over the internet. Many of these apps have their own caller ID settings in their preferences or account settings. Open the app, find Settings or Account, and look for "Caller ID" or "Display Name."

What appears depends on the app and the recipient's phone. Some apps display your username, others display a number you chose during setup, and some let you enter a custom name. The person receiving the call will see whatever that app sends, not your carrier's information.

Contacting your carrier to change your official caller ID

If you want to change the name or number your carrier displays when you call anyone, you must call your carrier's customer service. This is the information that appears on the receiving phone when you are not saved in their contacts.

Call the number on the back of your SIM card or your bill. Tell them you want to change your caller ID name or request a different outbound number if your plan allows it. Some carriers charge a fee for this change, and some do not allow it at all depending on your account type. Ask what options are available and what the process takes.

Why your caller ID might show a different number

Sometimes your iPhone shows a different number than what you expect. This usually happens because your carrier is routing calls through a different number, or you have multiple numbers on your account and the wrong one is set as the default outbound line.

Check Settings > Phone > My Number to see what number your iPhone thinks is yours. If it is wrong, call your carrier and ask them to update it in their system. If you have a business line or a second number through your carrier, make sure the correct one is selected as your primary outbound number.

Blocking your caller ID from showing

If you want to hide your number entirely on a single call, dial *67 before the number on most carriers in the United States and Canada. The call will show as "Unknown" or "Private" on the receiving phone.

To hide your number on all calls, open Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it off. This works on most carriers, though some business accounts or VoIP services may not support it. Your number will still be visible to emergency services, toll-free numbers, and some businesses even if you block it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my number show up as a different number entirely?

Not through your iPhone settings. Your carrier controls what number appears on the receiving end. If you have a second number through your carrier or a VoIP service, you can choose which one to use for outgoing calls, but you cannot make a completely different number appear. Contact your carrier to see what options exist for your account type.

Why does my caller ID show my name but my friend's shows just a number?

Your friend does not have you saved in their contacts. When someone receives a call from you, they see your name only if you are already in their phone. Otherwise they see the number your carrier sends. Ask them to save your contact and your name will appear next time.

Does changing my contact name in my own phone affect what others see?

No. Changing your name in your Contacts app only changes how your own phone displays information. It does not change what appears on other people's phones when you call them. Other people see what their own phone has saved for you, or what your carrier sends if you are not in their contacts.

Can I use a fake name as my caller ID?

Your carrier will not allow you to display a name that is not associated with your account. Attempting to spoof a caller ID — making your call appear to come from a different person or company — is illegal under the Truth in Caller ID Act. You can change your display name to a nickname or business name if it is registered to your account, but not to someone else's name.

Will changing my caller ID affect my voicemail?

No. Your voicemail greeting and setup are separate from your caller ID. Changing your name in Contacts or your FaceTime caller ID does not change your voicemail. If you want to update your voicemail greeting, call your voicemail box and follow the prompts to record a new message.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.