Introduction
It’s common to want to block your phone number when making a call for privacy, security, or other reasons. While some people may think it’s a complicated process, blocking your number is a straightforward task that can be done in a number of ways. In this article, we’ll cover the many ways to block your number, including both temporary and long-term methods, for both iPhone and Android devices.
How to Block Your Number Before Calling Someone: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to block your number before making a call, there are several ways to do it. Here are three of the most common methods:
Using a Carrier’s Built-in Call Block Feature
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to block unwanted calls, contacting your carrier is your best bet. Many phone companies offer built-in call block features that are easy to use. Typically, you can contact your carrier and request that they add specific numbers to a call block list. This method will prevent all future calls from the blocked number from reaching your phone.
Dialing the Code to Block Your Number Temporarily
If you want to hide your phone number for one call, this method can work well. Dialing *67 (or #31# for some carriers) before entering the number you want to call will keep your phone number hidden just for that one call. This method is simple to use and doesn’t require any change in phone settings.
Changing Your Phone’s Settings to Block Your Number
You can also permanently block your number by changing your phone settings. Here’s how you can do this on both Android and iOS devices:
- Android: Open the Phone app and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select ‘Settings’ and select ‘Call Settings.’ Select ‘Additional Settings’ and then ‘Caller ID.’ Select the option to ‘Hide Number’ and your number will be blocked going forward.
- iPhone: Open the Settings app and select ‘Phone.’ Tap ‘Show My Caller ID’ and toggle the switch to ‘off.’ Your number will now be blocked on all outgoing calls.
These are some of the easiest and most effective methods to block your number before making a call.
Top 3 Apps to Block Your Number on iPhone and Android
If you’re looking for added protection, using a third-party app can be an effective solution. Here are three of the top apps to block your number:
Number Shield
Number Shield is a popular app that blocks unsolicited calls and spam messages. You can choose to block calls from specific contacts, or choose from pre-made lists such as telemarketers, debt collectors, and political calls. The app also blocks calls from withheld numbers and fake caller IDs. Number Shield is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and offers a free trial.
TrapCall
TrapCall is another app that prevents unwanted calls. It automatically blocks known spam callers and allows you to blacklist any numbers that bypass the automatic block. The app also offers a feature called ‘Caller ID unmasking’, which identifies the number behind private calls and blocked numbers. TrapCall offers a free version with limited features, as well as several subscription plans.
Hiya
Hiya is a caller ID and spam blocking app that identifies incoming calls from known spammers and scammers. The app also identifies calls from unknown numbers and notifies you if the calls are suspected spam. Hiya is available for both Android and iOS devices and has a free version as well as a subscription option with more features.
Hide Your Caller ID: Exploring Different Methods to Block Your Phone Number
If you want to hide your caller ID for a particular call, here are some methods you can use:
Disabling Your Caller ID with *67 or #31#
The easiest way to hide your caller ID for one call is to dial *67 (or #31#) before entering the number you want to call. This will block your caller ID from being displayed. This method can work for either incoming or outgoing calls.
Changing Your Phone’s Settings to Hide Caller ID by Default
You can also set your phone to hide your caller ID by default. Here is how you can do it:
- Android: Open the Phone app and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select ‘Settings’ and select ‘Call Settings.’ Select ‘Additional Settings’ and then ‘Caller ID.’ Select the option to ‘Hide Number’ to apply this setting to all outgoing calls.
- iPhone: Open the Settings app and select ‘Phone.’ Tap ‘Show My Caller ID’ and toggle the switch to ‘off’ to hide your number for all calls.
Using Third-party Caller ID Blocking Apps
The third option available to you is to use a third-party app to hide your caller ID. These apps can be useful if you need to hide your caller ID frequently. Most of the apps mentioned earlier, like Number Shield and Hiya, can also be used to hide your caller ID.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons. Using *67 is the easiest way to hide your caller ID for one call, but it can get tedious to enter the code before each call. Changing your phone’s settings is more convenient, but you’ll need to remember to turn it off whenever you need to display your number. Finally, a third-party app may provide the most consistent protection, but it can be costly.
Disabling Caller ID: Use These Methods to Keep Your Number Private
There may be times when you want to prevent your caller ID from being displayed to the person you’re calling. Here are some methods you can use:
Caller ID Blocking for One Call
To disable your caller ID for one call, simply enter *67 (or #31#) before entering the phone number. You can do this for both incoming and outgoing calls.
Blocking Your Number for Multiple Calls
If you want to block your number for all calls, you can change your phone settings to hide your caller ID by default. This way, your number will automatically be blocked for all calls you make. You can always turn this off if you need to display your number.
Enabling Caller ID After Blocking It
To enable caller ID again, you can simply turn on the ‘Show My Caller ID’ setting in your phone’s settings. This will allow your caller ID to be displayed again on all calls.
If you want to make sure your caller ID is hidden, you can call another phone line you have access to and check to see if your number is blocked. If it is, your caller ID is successfully disabled.
The Importance of Blocking Your Number and How to Do It Safely
Blocking your number may seem like a small thing, but it can be crucial for your privacy and security. Here are some reasons why:
Protect Your Identity
By blocking your number, you can protect your identity from people who may use it for malicious purposes. Protecting your privacy will help you avoid potential scams, spam calls, and other unwanted contact.
Avoid Harassment
If you have received unwanted calls in the past, blocking your number could be the solution to preventing further harassment. Blocking your number will prevent those people from calling you back again if they do not have your phone number stored.
Keep Your Business Private
If you’re contacting someone for business reasons, you may not want to disclose your personal phone number. By using one of the above methods to block your number, you can keep your business and personal life separate. This is especially important if you run your own business and need to make business calls from your personal phone.
Protect Yourself from Scammers
Scammers sometimes use a technique known as ‘spoofing’ to impersonate other people or organizations by changing the Caller ID that displays when you get a call. If you block your number, you make it harder for these scams to impersonate you and trick others.
Safety Tips When Blocking Your Number
While it’s important to protect your privacy, it’s also essential to practice good safety habits when you block your number. Here are tips to keep in mind:
- Never give out personal information over the phone unless you are sure who you are talking to
- If you’re blocking your number to make a call because you feel unsafe, ask a friend or family member to be nearby in case of an emergency.
- Don’t use the same phone number for personal and business purposes.
- Be aware that blocking your number does not protect you from emergency services including 911.
- Always screen calls before returning them, especially if you don’t know the number.
Avoiding Unwanted Calls: Learn How to Block Your Phone Number and Protect Your Privacy
Blocking your number isn’t the only step you can take to protect your privacy. Here are some additional tips:
Identify the Types of Unwanted Calls You Receive
Understanding the types of calls you’re getting will help you take appropriate steps to stop them. Here are some common types of unwanted calls:
- Telemarketing calls
- Robocalls
- Calls from creditors or debt collectors
- Scam calls
- Harassing or threatening phone calls
How to Block Unwanted Calls
Blocking calls is the best way to prevent unwanted numbers from calling you again. Here are some ways to block calls:
- Block numbers through your carrier
- Block numbers through your phone settings
- Use a third-party app to block calls
Other Tips for Protecting Your Privacy
In addition to blocking your number and unwanted calls, here are some other ways you can protect your privacy:
- Never give out personal information over the phone unless you are sure who you are talking to
- Use strong passwords for all of your accounts
- Be cautious when sharing information online, especially on social media
- Keep your phone’s operating system and all apps up-to-date
Conclusion
Blocking your phone number can prevent unwanted calls, protect your privacy, and prevent scams. There are several ways to block your number, including using your carrier’s built-in call block feature, dialing the code to block your number temporarily, changing your phone’s settings to block your number, and using third-party apps. Additionally, there are several additional steps you can take to protect your privacy including blocking unwanted calls and protecting your personal information. By taking these steps to protect your phone and personal information, you can enjoy increased privacy and peace of mind in all areas of your life.