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… 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 mobile devices, highlighting how central our smartphones are to our lives. 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 maintain a clear separation between your work and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super simple!

✨ The art of temporary masked calling: 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? 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, without spaces, by the phone number you want to contact

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

• Make the call, and there you go! ✨

Your contact will see "Private number", "Unknown" or "Blocked call" displayed on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any operator.

Anecdote: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve pulled pranks on my friends or parents by calling from a hidden number, using an app that alters my voice 😂

It’s the perfect solution for a one-off 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.

🥷 Switch to ninja mode: permanently hide your number

Tired of dialing #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private numbers by default? It’s entirely possible, and it’s done directly in your smartphone settings.

📱 How to call from 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 on the three little dots in the top right corner 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 on your iPhone

2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.

3. Select Show my number.

4. Simply turn off the switch.

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

Quick comparison of anonymous SMS sending solutions

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

🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored 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 obtain a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It's surely the best way to mask your main phone number.

The advantages:

• 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 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 appear instead of your personal number.

Anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. This allows him not to be disturbed on weekends and keep his personal number secret. Clever, 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 blocked calls you receive

Now that you’re a pro at making blocked calls, let’s talk about the opposite situation. What should you do when YOU receive a call from a blocked number? It can be intriguing at times, often very annoying.

Can you call back a blocked 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, within minutes of the call, to call back a blocked number. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness can vary.

How to unmask blocked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!

Let’s be clear: it is almost impossible to unmask blocked 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 blocked call.

So, what to do?

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

The advantages:

• 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. Royal peace! 🧘‍♀️️

💪 Why hiding your number is very important 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 benefits 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 calls 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 selling an item on a classifieds website, using a private or temporary number prevents you from being contacted months later.

• Maintaining a 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 the real 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 big step towards regaining control of your data.

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

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

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

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

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

• How to react to masked calls you receive and the impossibility of unmasking 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 to navigate our connected world more smoothly.

So, the next time you hesitate 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 hiding 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 conveniently, that’s exactly what our service Anonymous Sms offers.

Q2: If I call anonymously, 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 tell if #31# worked?

The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You'll see immediately if the call displays 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 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 issue.

🔎 Sources

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