How do I withhold my mobile number?

There are times when making calls from your mobile phone that you may want to hide your number. Anonymously reporting something to the authorities, ringing a business that you’re worried may harvest the number for marketing purposes, or even making a prank call to someone who will already have your number stored. So how do you withhold your mobile number when making a call in the UK?

Related reading: What is App Cloud? How do I delete it?

How to withhold your mobile number before making a call

If you don’t want to withhold your number permanently, but only before making a particular call, it’s dead easy to do.

Simply type the numbers 141 before the phone number you plan to call.

So, if you were calling 07834 343434, you would enter the following number into your handset: 14107834343434.

This is the same system used on landlines, first introduced to stop people from getting your number when they dialled 1471. You can do the same on a mobile.

How to permanently hide your mobile number on Android

If you don’t want anyone to see your number when you call, you can tweak your Android phone’s settings to stop this happening.

The instructions on how to do this may vary depending on your manufacturer and version of Android, but it should be broadly similar. On a Samsung Galaxy handset, you change the settings as follows:

1. Click on the Phone app
2. Press the three-dots menu button in the top-right of the screen and choose Settings
3. Click on Supplementary Services
4. Click on Show My Caller ID and select Hide number

How to permanently hide your mobile number on an iPhone

The drill is a tad simpler on an iPhone:

1. Open Settings
2. Choose Phone
3. Untick Show My Caller ID

Reasons not to withhold your mobile number

Most obviously, people who have your mobile number saved in their handsets will no longer be able to tell who you are before they decide to accept the call.

That might be a problem as hidden caller IDs are often associated with spam callers these days, and some people choose not to answer calls unless the caller is identified. You can even set your phone to automatically reject anonymous calls and send them to voicemail, letting you sort the wheat from the non-wheaty bits.

If you want to block all calls from withheld numbers in Android, open the Phone app, click Settings > Block numbers and then flick on the option to “Block unknown/private numbers”.

The final reason not to hide your number is that someone won’t be able to call you back if the line drops. That could be critical if you’re calling someone in an emergency situation, so definitely think twice before putting a block on your number.

Additional considerations for withholding your mobile number

Carrier-specific limitations

While most smartphones offer settings to hide your caller ID, some mobile carriers may override these settings. For instance, certain carriers might not support the suppression of caller ID for outgoing calls, or they may require you to enable this feature through their customer service or account settings. It’s advisable to check with your carrier to understand any limitations or requirements they might have regarding caller ID suppression.

Using temporary codes for one-time calls

If you prefer not to hide your caller ID for all calls, you can use specific codes to suppress your number on a per-call basis. For example:

• In the United States and Canada, dial *67 before the phone number you’re calling.
• In the United Kingdom and Ireland, dial 141 before the number.

This method allows you to choose when to hide your number without changing your phone’s settings permanently.

Third-party applications for enhanced privacy

For users seeking more control over their caller ID and privacy settings, several third-party applications can help:

• Google Voice: Allows you to make calls using a different number, effectively masking your personal number.
• Burner: Provides temporary phone numbers for calls and texts, ideal for situations where you want to maintain anonymity.

These apps can offer additional features like call recording, voicemail transcription, and more, depending on your privacy needs.

Impact on receiving calls

Be aware that hiding your caller ID might lead to your calls being declined or sent to voicemail, as some individuals and businesses automatically block calls from unknown or private numbers. If you’re trying to reach someone who doesn’t accept anonymous calls, consider temporarily disabling caller ID suppression for that call.

Legal and ethical considerations

While withholding your number is legal in many jurisdictions, it’s essential to use this feature responsibly. Avoid using anonymous calls for harassment, fraud, or other malicious activities, as this can lead to legal consequences. Always respect others’ privacy and preferences when making anonymous calls.

Related reading: TAPPED Out report reveals why we make bad security decisions: phones, location and lunch

This article was updated on the 5th June 2025 with additional considerations to be had when witholding a mobile number.