What you can and cannot change about your caller ID

Your caller ID on iPhone is controlled by your carrier — the company that provides your phone service. You cannot change what appears on someone else's phone when they receive your call. What you can do is hide your number entirely, show a different number if your carrier allows it, or use a third-party app that displays a different name or number to people you call.

The built-in iPhone settings let you toggle your number on and off for outgoing calls. Some carriers offer the option to display a business number instead of your personal line. Apps like Google Voice, Skype, and others let you make calls through a different number that you control. Which option works for you depends on what you actually need to hide or change and whether your carrier supports it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can hide your number on every call by turning off "Show My Caller ID" in Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID.
  • Some carriers let you set a business or alternate number as your caller ID through their own app or website, not through iPhone settings.
  • Third-party apps like Google Voice and Skype let you make calls from a different number that you own and control.
  • Hiding your number works on most calls, but emergency calls (911) will always show your real number to dispatchers.

Hide your number on all outgoing calls

The simplest way to change your caller ID is to hide your number completely. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle it off. From that point forward, your number will not appear on anyone's phone when you call them — they will see "Unknown" or "Private Number" instead.

This setting applies to all calls you make through the Phone app. It does not affect calls you make through other apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or FaceTime. If you turn it back on, your number will show again on the next call. You can toggle this on and off as often as you need.

Use your carrier's alternate number option

Some carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, let you display a different phone number as your caller ID — usually a business line or a second number you own. This is different from hiding your number; instead, a specific alternate number shows up. The process varies by carrier.

Contact your carrier directly or open their app to see if this option is available on your account. AT&T offers this through their website or the AT&T Mobile app under account settings. Verizon has a similar feature in the My Verizon app. T-Mobile's process depends on your plan. You will need to own or have permission to use the alternate number, and your carrier may charge a monthly fee for this service.

Make calls through Google Voice

Google Voice is a free service that gives you a separate phone number you control. When you make calls through Google Voice, that number appears as your caller ID instead of your real phone number. You can set it up on iPhone through the Google Voice app, available in the App Store.

read the app, sign in with a Google account, and follow the setup steps to claim a new number or port an existing one. Once set up, open the app and dial from there instead of using the Phone app. The number you chose in Google Voice will show on the recipient's phone. You can use this number for texts and calls, and you control who has access to it.

Use Skype or similar calling apps

Skype, available free in the App Store, lets you make calls through a Skype number that you purchase or already own. When you call someone through Skype, your Skype number shows as the caller ID. This works similarly to Google Voice but through Microsoft's platform.

read Skype, create an account, and purchase a Skype number if you do not already have one. Make calls through the Skype app rather than the Phone app, and your Skype number will appear. Other apps like Viber and WhatsApp also let you make calls, though they typically show your name or username rather than a phone number.

Why your real number still shows on emergency calls

No matter which method you use to hide or change your caller ID, emergency calls to 911 will always display your real phone number and location to the dispatcher. This is a legal requirement that overrides all caller ID settings and apps. You cannot hide your number from emergency services.

If you are in a situation where you need to call 911, your actual identity and location will be transmitted to emergency responders. This is true whether you have "Show My Caller ID" turned off, whether you are using Google Voice, or whether you are using any other app or service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will people know I hid my number if I call them?

Yes. When you hide your number, they will see "Unknown," "Private Number," or "Blocked" on their phone instead of your number. They will know a call came through, but not who it was from. Some people automatically decline unknown calls, so hiding your number may result in your call going to voicemail.

Can I hide my number on just one call instead of all calls?

Yes. Before you dial, type *67 followed by the phone number you want to call. This hides your number for that single call only. Your regular caller ID setting remains unchanged. This works on most carriers in the United States.

Does hiding my caller ID work on text messages?

No. Text messages do not have a caller ID setting. Your phone number will always appear as the sender of any text you send through the Messages app. Third-party apps like WhatsApp or Signal show your name or username instead, depending on what you set in your profile.

What happens if someone blocks my hidden number?

If you call from a hidden number, the recipient cannot block it because they do not see a number to block. However, they can block "Unknown" or "Private" calls through their phone settings, which will prevent any hidden calls from reaching them.

Is it legal to hide my caller ID?

Hiding your caller ID is legal for personal use in most situations. However, some states have laws against hiding your number when calling businesses, government agencies, or for certain types of calls. Caller ID spoofing — making it appear that a call came from a number that is not yours — is illegal under federal law.