What you can and cannot change about your caller ID

Your carrier controls what name and number appear when you call someone. You cannot change what shows up on the other end — that is set by your phone company's systems, not your iPhone settings. What you can do is change how your own number displays to you in the Phone app, and you can hide your number from outgoing calls on a per-call basis or for all calls.

If you want to change the actual caller ID information your carrier broadcasts (your name or number as others see it), you will need to contact your phone company directly. They manage that data in their network. But if you want to control how calls appear on your own phone, or prevent your number from showing to recipients, your iPhone has built-in settings for both.

Key Takeaways

  • Your carrier controls what name and number appear when you call someone else — you cannot change this from your iPhone, only by contacting your phone company.
  • You can hide your number from outgoing calls by turning on "Show My Caller ID" toggle in Settings > Phone, or block it for a single call by dialing *67 before the number.
  • To change how your own number displays in your Contacts or Recents list on your iPhone, edit the contact card or use the Phone app settings.
  • If your carrier shows the wrong name or number for your account, contact them directly — they maintain that information on their servers.

Hide your number from outgoing calls

Open Settings and tap Phone. Scroll down and look for Show My Caller ID. Toggle it off to hide your number from everyone you call. When this is off, recipients will see "Unknown," "Private," or "No Caller ID" instead of your number.

This setting applies to all your outgoing calls. If you want to hide your number for just one call, hang up and dial *67 before the phone number, then press call. That single call will be blocked. The next call you make will show your number again (unless you have the toggle permanently off).

Be aware that some services — banks, government offices, customer support lines — may not accept calls from blocked numbers. They may hang up or ask you to call back with your number visible.

Change how a number displays in your Contacts

If a contact's number is showing incorrectly in your Phone app, open the Contacts app and find the person. Tap Edit in the top right corner. You can change the phone number field, add a label (like "Mobile" or "Work"), or delete and re-enter it. Tap Done when finished.

This only changes what appears on your phone — it does not change what the other person's phone shows when you call them, and it does not change your own caller ID as seen by others.

Contact your carrier to change your actual caller ID

If you need to change the name or number that appears when you call someone else, you must contact your phone company. They maintain your caller ID information on their network servers. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask to update your caller ID name or number.

You may need to provide identification and explain why you want the change. Some carriers charge a fee for this service; others do it at no cost. The change typically takes a few hours to a few days to take effect across their network.

If you use a VoIP service (like Google Voice or Skype) instead of a traditional carrier, those apps have their own caller ID settings. Open the app's settings or account page and look for "Caller ID" or "Display Name" options.

Use *67 to block your number on a single call

If you do not want to permanently hide your number but need to block it for one call, dial *67 followed by the phone number, then press call. Your number will not display to that recipient. This works on most carriers in the United States and Canada.

Some phone systems do not respect *67 — emergency services, toll-free numbers, and some business lines may still see your number even if you use it. If the call does not go through, try again without *67 or contact your carrier to ask if they support this feature.

Check if your carrier supports caller ID changes

Not all carriers offer the same caller ID options. Some allow you to change your display name; others only let you hide your number. A few carriers charge for caller ID changes or restrict them to business accounts.

The fastest way to find out what your carrier supports is to call their customer service line. Have your account number ready. Ask whether they allow caller ID name changes, whether there is a fee, and how long the change takes. If they do not support what you need, ask if they offer any alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my caller ID name on iPhone?

No, your iPhone cannot change the name your carrier broadcasts. Only your phone company can update that. Contact them directly with your account information and the new name you want to display.

Does *67 work on all calls?

*67 works on most standard calls, but emergency services, toll-free numbers, and some business lines may ignore it and still see your number. If a call does not go through with *67, try without it.

Will hiding my caller ID affect incoming calls?

No. The "Show My Caller ID" toggle only affects calls you make. It does not change how you receive calls or how your number appears in other people's contact lists.

How long does it take for a carrier to change my caller ID?

Most carriers process caller ID changes within a few hours to a few days. Ask your carrier for a specific timeline when you request the change. Some may do it when ready; others may take up to a week.

What if my carrier says they cannot change my caller ID?

Some carriers restrict caller ID changes to business accounts or do not offer the service at all. Ask if they have any alternatives, or consider switching carriers if this feature is important to you.