How to hide your number to protect your privacy?
4 August 2025 | 6 mins read
Between us… You care about your privacy, right? 😎 So let me share some tips to keep your number from becoming the star of marketing files. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your number roamed free like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Alright, let's dive into the world of hidden numbers!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyperconnected world… It’s great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, especially our phone number, has become a real currency. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, showing how central our smartphones are to our lives. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to know how to hide your number.
Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply keep a clear separation between your professional and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super easy!
✨ The art of making a temporary masked call: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of anonymous calling. Do you have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? Don’t panic, the solution is also very simple.
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat persistent customer service, or respond to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. This is where the prefix #31# will be useful.
How does it work in practice? It’s child’s play!
- Grab your phone (it’ll be better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed, with no spaces, by the phone number you want to reach
- For example, to call 0612345678, you would dial: #31#0612345678
- Initiate the call, and there you go! ✨
Your recipient will see "Private Number", "Unknown", or "Masked Call" on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and totally free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re an Android user or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any carrier.
Anecdote: I have lost count of the times I made jokes to my friends or parents by calling with a hidden number, using an app that changes the voice 😂
It's the ideal solution for a one-time need, but be careful, you need to remember it each time. One forget, and your number will show! If you're looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part will interest you.
🥷 Go ninja mode: permanently hide your number
Tired of dialing #31# every time? You want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It's totally possible, and it can be done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call with a hidden number on Android?
The steps may vary slightly depending on your phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.), but the principle remains the same. Generally:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap on the three little dots in the top right corner to access the Settings.
- Look for an option like "Phone Accounts", "Calling Settings" or "Additional Services".
- Find the line "Show my Caller ID" or "Caller Identity".
- Select Hide number. And there you go, you're all set!
From now on, all your outgoing calls will be anonymous. No more stress! 😎
📱 How to hide your number on iPhone?
With Apple, it’s even simpler, hiding your phone number is even more straightforward:
- Go to your iPhone's Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show my number.
- Simply turn off the switch.
When it’s gray, you’re in hidden number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-time) | Fast, simple, universal | Must be repeated for each call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection. | It can be a barrier to being called back |
🛡️ The alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Do you need to go even further? Perhaps you have a professional activity that requires juggling multiple numbers, or you just want an extra layer of protection. I have solutions for you!
Virtual number apps
Apps like our Anonymous Sms site, TextNow or UnCall allow you to get a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It’s surely the best way to mask your main phone number.
The benefits:
- Separation between work/personal life: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for your loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up on sites or services without ever giving your real number.
- Flexibility: Change your virtual number whenever you like.
It’s like having a disguise for your phone! 🦸♂️
VoIP services
Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobile phones. By purchasing some credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show instead of your personal number.
A true story: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. It allows him to avoid disturbances on weekends and keep his personal number private. Smart, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is an excellent way to protect yourself. Many apps focus on the security and encryption of your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the mirror: managing masked calls that you receive
Now that you are a pro at making masked calls, let’s talk about the opposite situation. What to do when YOU receive a call from a masked number? It’s sometimes intriguing, often very annoying.
Can you call back a masked number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone has taken the trouble to hide their number, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for an individual to call it back directly.
However, some operators offer a service that allows you, within minutes after the call, to call back a masked number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness may vary.
How to unmask masked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it is almost impossible to unmask masked numbers reliably. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only the relevant authorities can potentially trace the origin of a masked call within a specific legal framework.
So, what to do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or masked numbers.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > and enable Silence Unknown Callers.
- On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and enable the option to block unknown callers.
These calls will be sent directly to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Total peace of mind! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is very important for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to mask your number, it’s important to understand the tangible benefits for your peace of mind.
The advantages of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it is protecting your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the number one reason for many of us. By not giving your number out freely, you drastically reduce the number of unsolicited calls.
- Secure your online transactions: When selling an item on a classifieds site, using a private or temporary number prevents being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional distance: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Keep control: Ultimately, you decide who can reach you and when. That’s real luxury!
Privacy protection is not a luxury; it's a fundamental right in the digital age. By learning how to mask your phone number, you take a big step towards reclaiming control over your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It’s your turn, secret agent!
And there you have it! You now have all the cards to master the art of masked calling. We covered together:
- The ultra-simple #31# technique for one-off needs.
- How to configure your iPhone or Android to make masked calls permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to respond to blocked calls you receive and the inability to uncover masked numbers.
- All the benefits you gain from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret to you. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use tool for navigating our connected world more peacefully.
So, the next time you're hesitant to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control over your privacy, one call at a time! Don’t hesitate to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be undercover agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: Questions everyone is asking
Does hiding my number also work for texts?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always show your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated applications, and luckily, that's exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
If I call anonymously, can the person still leave me a voicemail?
Absolutely! If you reach their voicemail, you can definitely leave a message. The only difference is that the person won't see your number displayed.
How can I tell if #31# worked?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You'll see immediately if the call shows up as "Private Number."
Is there a difference between "hidden number" and "private number"?
For the recipient of the call, there is no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.
Is it possible to unlock the "Show my number" feature if it's grayed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, certain providers may block this option. If this is the case for you, a quick call to your customer service could resolve the situation.