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 with you a few tips to ensure your number doesn’t become the star of marketing lists. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your mobile number roamed free like a celebrity without a bodyguard! 🕵️♂️ Let’s dive into the world of masked numbers!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyperconnected world… Well, that's great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, especially our phone number, has become a real commodity. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting how central our smartphones are in our lives. It’s now more important than ever to know how to hide your number.
Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply maintain a clear separation between your professional and personal life, hiding your phone number is a crucial skill to master. And the good news? It’s super simple!
✨ The art of making a temporary withheld call: The famous #31#
This is the basic technique, the foundation of anonymous calling. Do you need to make a single call without revealing your precious number? No worries, 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# comes in handy.
How does it actually work? It's a piece of cake!
- Grab your phone (it's better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed immediately, without spaces, by the phone number you wish to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you dial: #31#0612345678
- Make the call, and there you go! ✨
Your contact will see "Private Number", "Unknown" or "Withheld Call" displayed on their screen. It’s quick, efficient, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any carrier.
Anecdote: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve played pranks on my friends or parents by calling from a withheld number, using an app that changes the voice 😂
It’s the ideal solution for a one-off need, but be careful, you need to remember it every time. One forget, and your number is revealed! If you’re looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part should interest you.
🥷 Going into ninja mode: permanently hide your number
Fed up with dialling #31# every time? Want ALL your calls to be private numbers by default? It’s absolutely possible, and it’s done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call with a withheld number on Android?
The steps may slightly vary 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 at the top right to access the Settings.
- Look for an option like "Call accounts", "Call settings" or "Additional services".
- Find the line "Show my caller ID" or "Caller ID".
- Select Hide number. And there you go, it’s done!
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 the Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show my number.
- Simply toggle off the switch.
When it’s grey, it means you’re in withheld number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-off) | Quick, simple, universal | Must be repeated for each call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection | It can be an obstacle to getting a call back |
🛡️ The alternatives: apps and services for custom privacy
Do you 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 probably the best way to mask your main phone number.
The advantages:
- Separation of work/personal life: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for your loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up for websites 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 mobile numbers. By purchasing some credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will display instead of your personal number.
Real-life anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. This way, he isn’t disturbed on weekends and keeps his personal number private. Clever, 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 advantage in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the coin: managing masked calls that you receive
Now that you’re 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’s very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call it back directly.
However, some operators offer a service that allows, in the minutes following 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 nearly impossible to reliably unmask hidden numbers. Services claiming to do so are often ineffective. Only competent authorities can, in a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a hidden call.
So, what can you do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or hidden numbers.
- 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. Pure peace of mind! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is crucial for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, you must 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 means safeguarding your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing 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.
- Secure your online transactions: When selling an item on a classified ads site, using a private or temporary number prevents you from 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 true luxury!
Protecting your 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 hidden calls. We’ve covered:
- The ultra-simple technique of #31# for occasional needs.
- How to set up your iPhone or Android to make hidden calls permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to deal with withheld calls you receive and the inability to unmask hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you gain from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret for you. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use tool for navigating our connected world more peacefully.
So next time you hesitate to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Feel free to share this guide with your friends, they also have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: Questions everyone is asking
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 applications, and conveniently, 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 certainly leave a message. The only difference is that the person will not see your number displayed.
How can I tell if #31# worked correctly?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You will immediately see if the call is displayed as "Private Number."
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.
Is it possible to unlock the "Show my number" function 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 could resolve the situation.