How to mask your number to protect your privacy?

🤫 How to mask your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!

As you know today, we live in a hyperconnected world… That’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 just how central our smartphones are to our lives. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to know how to mask your number.

Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply keep a clear separation between your personal and professional life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super easy!

✨ The art of temporary masked calling: 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. That’s where the prefix #31# will come in handy.

How does it work in practice? It’s child’s play!

• Grab your phone (it’ll be better with it 😅)

• Type #31# followed by the phone number you want to contact without spaces.

• For example, to call 0612345678, you dial:#31#

• Make the call, and there you go! ✨

Your correspondent will see "Private number", "Unknown" or "Blocked call" displayed on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and totally free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re an Android user or an iPhone enthusiast, and with any operator.

Anecdote: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve pranked my friends or parents by calling from a hidden number, using an app that modifies my voice 😂

It’s the perfect solution for a one-time need, but be careful, you have to remember to do it every time. One slip, and your number shows up! If you’re looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part should interest you.

🥷 Go into ninja mode: permanently hide your number.

Tired of typing #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private numbers by default? It’s totally possible, and it’s 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:

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Tap the three little dots at the top right to access the Settings.

3. Look for an option like "Phone accounts", "Call settings" or "Additional services".

4. Find the line "Show my caller ID" or "Caller identity".

5. 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:

1. Go to the Settings of your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.

3. Select Show my number.

4. Simply toggle the switch off.

When it’s gray, it means you’re in hidden number mode. Easy, right?

Quick comparison of anonymous SMS sending solutions

A little friendly advice: If you mask your number permanently, remember to temporarily reactivate it if you're expecting an important call and want the person to identify you. It will save you from ending up in blocked numbers!

🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for customized privacy

Need to go even further? Maybe 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 site Anonymous SMS, 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 masquerade your main phone number.

The advantages:

• Work/life separation:

  Use one number for work and keep your personal number for loved ones.

• Online protection:

  Sign up for sites or services without ever giving your real number

• Flexibility:

  Change your virtual number whenever you want

It's like having a disguise for your phone! 🦸‍♂️

VoIP services (Voice over IP)

Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobiles. By purchasing some credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show instead of your personal number.

Real-life anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. It allows him not to be disturbed on weekends and keeps his personal number private. Smart, right?

An important point to note: Using a private number is an excellent way to protect yourself. Many applications 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 the masked calls 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?

In general, 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 of 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? A (nearly) impossible mission!

Let’s be clear: it is almost impossible to unmask masked numbers reliably. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only the competent authorities can, within a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a masked call.

So, what to do?

The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or masked numbers.

The advantages:

• On iPhone:

  Go to Settings > Phone > and enable Silent 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. Royal peace! 🧘‍♀️️

💪 Why hiding your number is very important for your privacy

Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it’s essential to understand the concrete benefits for your peace of mind.

The advantages of phone anonymity:

• Protecting your personal data:

  Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it means protecting your digital identity.

• Avoiding marketing and spam:

  This is the number one reason for many of us. By not giving out your number freely, you drastically reduce the number of unsolicited calls.

• Securing your online transactions:

  When you sell an item on a classifieds site, using a private or temporary number prevents you from being contacted months later.

• Maintaining professional distance:

  Ideal for professionals who contact clients from their personal mobile.

• Keeping control:

  In the end, it's you who decides who can reach you and when. That's true luxury!

Protecting privacy is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental right in the digital age. By learning how to hide your phone number, you take a significant step towards regaining control of your data.️

🕵️‍♀️ Conclusion: It's your turn, secret agent!

And there you have it! You now have all the cards in hand to master the art of masked calling. We've seen together:

• The ultra-simple technique of #31# for occasional needs.

• How to set up your iPhone or Android to always call masked.

• The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.

• How to react to masked calls you receive and the impossibility of unmasking masked numbers.

• All the benefits you gain from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.

Masking your phone number is no longer a secret for you. It's a powerful and easy-to-use tool to navigate more smoothly in our connected world.

So, next time you're hesitant to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Don't hesitate to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be secret agents! 😉

🤔 FAQ: The questions everyone is asking.

Q1: Does masking my number also work for SMS?

No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always display your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated apps, and luckily, that's exactly what our service Anonymous SMS offers.

Q2: If I call masked, 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.

Q3: How can I know if #31# worked?

The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You will immediately see if the call shows up as "Private Number".

Q4: Is there a difference between "masked number" and "private number"?

For the user receiving the call, there is no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.

Q5: Is it possible to unblock the "Show my number" feature if it is greyed out on my iPhone?

Sometimes, certain operators may block this option. If that's the case for you, a quick call to your customer service might resolve the issue.

🔎 Sources

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