How to mask your number to protect your privacy?
4 August 2025 | 6 mins read
Between us… You care about your privacy, right? 😎 Let me share with you some tips to ensure your number doesn’t become the star of marketing files. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your 06 was roaming around like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ 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, it’s great, but it also has its downsides. Our personal information, and especially our phone number, have become a true currency. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobiles, demonstrating just how central our smartphones are to our lives. Therefore, it’s 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 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. You have one call to make without revealing your precious number? No worries, the solution is very 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. This is where the prefix #31# comes in handy.
How does it work in practice? It’s child’s play!
- Take your phone (it’ll be better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed, without spaces, by the phone number you want to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you dial: #31#0612345678
- Make the call, and voilà! ✨
Your correspondent will see "Private number", "Unknown" or "Masked call" on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you’re team Android or an iPhone enthusiast, and with any operator.
Anecdote: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve pranked my friends or parents by calling from a hidden number, using an app that alters my voice 😂
It’s the ideal solution for occasional needs, but be careful, it’s something you need to remember each time. One slip-up, 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 dialing #31# every time? Want ALL of your calls to be private number by default? It’s completely possible, and it can be done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call from a hidden number on Android?
The steps may vary slightly depending on the brand of your phone (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.), but the principle remains the same. Generally:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap on the three small dots at the top right to access Settings.
- Look for an option like "Call accounts", "Call settings" or "Additional services".
- Find the line "Show my caller ID" or "Caller identification".
- Select Hide number. And that’s it, you’re 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 more straightforward:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show my number.
- Simply turn off the switch.
When it’s grey, that means 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. | May be an obstacle to being called back |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Do you need to take it 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 Anonymous SMS, TextNow, or UnCall allow you to obtain a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It is definitely the best way to mask your primary phone number.
The benefits:
- Separation of work and 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 wish
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 phones. 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 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 apps focus on securing and encrypting your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the mirror: managing withheld calls that you receive
Now that you are a pro at making masked calls, let’s talk about the opposite situation. What to do when YOU receive a call from a withheld number? It can be intriguing, often very annoying.
Can you call back a withheld number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone has taken the time to hide their number, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for a regular person to call them back directly.
However, some operators offer a service that allows you, within minutes of the call, to call back a withheld number. But this is not a universal solution, and its effectiveness can vary.
How to unmask withheld 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 should 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 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
Besides the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it's essential to understand the tangible benefits for your peace of mind.
The benefits of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it is safeguarding your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the number one reason for many of us. By not giving out your number indiscriminately, 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 prevents you from being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional boundaries: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Stay in control: Ultimately, you decide who can reach you and when. That’s true luxury!
Protecting privacy is not a luxury, it is a fundamental right in the digital era. By learning how to hide your phone number, you take a significant step toward regaining control of your data.️
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: Now it's your turn, secret agent!
And there you go! You now have all the cards in hand to master the art of masked calling. We've covered together:
- The ultra-simple technique of #31# for occasional needs.
- How to set up your iPhone or Android to call masked permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to react to blocked calls you receive and the inability to uncover 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 peacefully.
So, the next time you hesitate to make a phone 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 also 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 that’s exactly what our Anonymous SMS service 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 they 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 immediately see if the call shows as "Private Number".
Q4: Is there a difference between "blocked number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there’s 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's grayed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, certain operators may block this option. If that’s the case, a quick call to your customer service might resolve the issue.