How to Make an Anonymous Call

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to call someone without them being able to see your real number. The easiest way to do this on any phone is by dialing a prefix (such as *67 ) before dialing the phone number in question. If you have a smartphone, you may have the option of making all of your outgoing calls anonymous from within the Settings app, though not all phones have this option. Finally, you can use the free Google Voice app to call using a number other than your own, which will protect your true phone number even if the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking program.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using a Prefix

PDF download Download Article
  1. To make an anonymous call with a prefix, you'll enter the prefix, enter the ten-digit phone number (or eleven-digit phone number if you're using a country code), and press the "Dial" button. Common prefixes include the following: [1]
    • *67 - Most North American mobile phones and landlines, as well as Canadian landlines. [2]
    • #31# - Some North American mobile phones (i.e., AT&T), and some Canadian mobile phones. [3]
    • 141 - Most UK mobile phones and landlines.
  2. This app usually looks like a phone receiver on a colored background, and is usually found on your smartphone's home screen.
    • If you're using a landline phone or a non-smartphone cellphone, just prepare to dial.
    Advertisement
  3. If your smartphone's Phone app doesn't open to a keypad, look for the "Dialpad" icon or tab and then tap it. This icon usually resembles a keypad's shape.
    • Skip this step on landlines and non-smartphone cellphones.
  4. Type in the prefix for your area. For example, if you're dialing from a North American phone, you'll most likely enter *67 .
    • Do not press the "Call" button yet.
  5. Enter the phone number that you want to call anonymously. When done, the whole number should resemble the following: *678085031234
  6. This will call the number in question while masking your number. The recipient will see something like "BLOCKED", "RESTRICTED", or "CALLER ID UNAVAILABLE" on their phone's screen or LCD display.
    • Keep in mind that some people will have call-unmasking apps installed on their phones, meaning that they'll be able to see your number regardless of this prefix. [4]
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Google Voice

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tap the Google Voice app icon, which resembles a white phone receiver on a blue chat bubble. This will open Google Voice to the chat page if it isn't already open. [5]
    • If you don't have the Google Voice app, you'll need to download it for iPhone or Android . It's free to use.
    • If you don't have a Google Voice account, you'll be prompted to set up your account the first time you open the app (you can also tap SIGN UP ). Do so by following the on-screen instructions before continuing.
    • If you aren't signed into Google Voice, select an email account, or enter your email address and password when prompted.
  2. It's a phone receiver-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or at the top of the screen (Android).
  3. This option is in the lower-right corner of the screen. On iPhone, a pop-out menu will appear.
    • On Android, this button resembles a phone receiver instead.
  4. It's in the pop-out menu. Doing so opens the caller page. [6]
    • Skip this step on Android.
  5. Type in the number of the person whom you want to call anonymously.
  6. This option is in the drop-down menu below the text field that's at the top of the screen.
  7. Doing so will call the number that you selected. Your recipient will be able to see a phone number, but not your actual number.
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Settings on Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tap the Phone app icon, which generally resembles a phone receiver icon on a colored background. [7]
  2. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
    • On some phones, this option will say MORE instead.
  3. This option is in the drop-down menu. Doing so will open the Phone settings page. [8]
  4. Look for a Calls , Outgoing , or Call settings option in this menu, then tap it.
  5. You should see this option in the Calls menu.
    • You may first have to tap Additional settings or a different option in order to view this setting.
  6. It should be in the Caller ID settings menu. If you don't see this option, you can't mask your outgoing calls from your Android's settings. [9]
    • This option may be titled differently (e.g., HIDE ).
    • If call masking isn't built into your Android's settings, you may still be able to purchase the option to block outgoing caller ID. Call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.
    7. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Settings on iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it. You'll usually find this on your iPhone's Home Screen. [10]
  2. This option is about a third of the way down the page, to the right of a green-and-white, phone receiver-shaped icon. [11]
  3. It should be in the middle of the screen. If you don't see this option or a similarly titled one (e.g., Caller ID ), you cannot mask your caller ID from your iPhone's Settings app. [12]
    • If you caller ID-masking isn't an option on your iPhone, you can call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.
  4. It will turn white
    iPhone Switch Off Icon
    . [13]
    • You may be prompted to confirm this action.
  5. All outgoing calls that you make from your iPhone's built-in Phone app will now hide your number rather than displaying it on your recipient's phone.
    • If the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking app installed, they may still be able to see your phone number.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I make an anonymous call?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 32
  • Question
    How do I block an anonymous call?
    Community Answer
    You can block an anonymous call by using the 'Anonymous call rejection' feature.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 21 Helpful 44
  • Question
    What is an anonymous number?
    Nicholas Deckman
    Community Answer
    A number that cannot be tracked and when using Caller ID does not show up with anything other than "BLOCKED" or "PRIVATE CALLER."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 34
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Anonymous calling is ideal for temporary contacts, such as arranging a Craigslist transaction or talking to classmates for a group project.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never use anonymous calling to make inappropriate calls to emergency services. Not only does this put people's lives at risk - you can still be tracked down by the police and given large fines or even a jail sentence.
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
      • Never use anonymous calling to stalk, threaten or harass other people. Even if you try to hide your phone number, the police can still trace abusive calls directly to you.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Your Mobile Phone Number Appear As a Private Number
      How to
      Block Unknown Callers
      How to
      Call a Person That Has Blocked Your Number
      Your Call Has Been Forwarded: What It Really Means
      How to
      Trace the Location of a Phone Number
      What Does the “This Number Is Disconnected” Message Mean?
      What "The Number You Have Dialed Has Calling Restrictions" Means & How to Fix It
      How to
      Make a Phone Call: Smartphone, Computer, Landline
      How to
      Find a Lost Cell Phone Quickly: Step-by-Step Guide
      Speak to a Real Person when Calling a Business: Easy Guide
      How to
      Talk to a Girl over the Phone
      How to
      Move Photos from a Phone to an SD Card
      How to
      Upload Photos from a Cell Phone
      How to
      Fake a Cell Phone Call
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      2. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/caller-id-block-faqs/
      3. ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1358182/Apple/iPhone11
      4. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/caller-id-how-unmask-blocked-unknown-calls-mike-carthy/
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/165221?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/3379129?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      7. ↑ https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-android/how-hide-your-number-in-android-3601103/
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      1. ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
      2. ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
      3. ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
      4. ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1358182/Apple/iPhone11

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,879,870 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement