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 give you some tips to ensure your number doesn’t become the star of marketing databases. 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 bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ 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 hyper-connected world... Well, that's great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, especially our phone number, has become a true commodity. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobiles, highlighting how central our smartphones are to our lives. Therefore, it is 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 personal and professional life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It's super simple!
✨ The art of temporary withheld calls: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of incognito calling. Do you have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? No worries, the solution is quite simple.
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat pushy 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 work in practice? It's child's play!
- Grab your phone (it'll be better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed, without spaces, by the phone number you wish to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you dial: #31#0612345678
- Make the call, and voilà! ✨
Your contact will see "Private number", "Unknown", or "Withheld call" on their screen. It's quick, efficient, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you're team Android or an unwavering iPhone fan, and with any operator.
Anecdote: I have lost count of the times I've made jokes to my friends or parents by calling from a withheld number, using an app that changes the voice 😂
It's the ideal solution for occasional needs, but be careful, you need to remember every time. One slip, and your number shows! 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 dialling #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It's completely possible, and it’s done directly in your smartphone's settings.
📱 How to call from a withheld 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 the three little dots at the top right to access Settings
- Look for an option like "Phone Accounts", "Call Settings", or "Additional Services"
- Find the line "Show my Caller ID" or "Caller Identity"
- Select Hide Number. And there you go, job 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 your iPhone's Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show My Number.
- Simply toggle the switch off.
When it’s grey, you're in hidden number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (occasional) | Quick, simple, universal | Must be repeated for every call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection | This can be a barrier to getting a callback |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
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 site Sms Anonyme, TextNow, or UnCall allow you to obtain a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It’s surely the best way to mask your primary phone number.
The benefits:
- Work/life separation: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for your loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up for sites or services without ever giving your real number.
- Flexibility: Change your virtual number whenever you wish.
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 mobiles. By buying a bit of 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. It allows him not to be disturbed on weekends and to keep his personal number a secret. Clever, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is an excellent way to protect yourself. Numerous apps focus on securing and encrypting your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the mirror: managing hidden calls you receive
Now that you’re a pro at making blocked calls, let’s talk about the opposite situation. What to do when YOU receive a call from a hidden number? It’s sometimes intriguing, often very annoying.
Can you call back a hidden number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone has taken the time 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, within minutes of the call, to call back a hidden number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness may vary.
How to uncover hidden numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it is nearly impossible to unmask hidden numbers reliably. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only competent authorities can potentially trace the origin of a masked call within a specific legal framework.
So, what can you 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. Pure bliss! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is crucial for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it's important to understand the concrete 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 protecting 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 classifieds site, using a private or temporary number helps you avoid being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional boundaries: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Keep control: In the end, you decide who can reach you and when. That’s the real luxury!
Privacy protection 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 toward regaining control of your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It’s your turn, secret agent!
And there you have it! You now have all the tools to master the art of masked calling. We’ve covered together:
- The ultra-simple #31# technique 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 blocked calls you receive and the inability to unmask masked numbers.
- All the benefits of 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 comfortably.
So, the 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: The questions everyone is asking
Does hiding my number work for SMS too?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only apply to voice calls. Your SMS will always display your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated apps, and that’s exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
If I call with a hidden number, 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 they won't see your number displayed.
How can I tell if the #31# worked correctly?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You will see immediately if the call shows up as "Private Number".
Is there a difference between "hidden number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there is practically no 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 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 issue.