Ever wish you could make a call from your iPhone without your phone number showing up on the other end? You’re in luck because there’s a very simple setting to turn your iPhone’s caller ID OFF.
Why turn your Caller ID off? I dunno. Maybe you have to call somebody that you don’t want to talk to… And you know this person doesn’t ever answer blocked phone calls. BINGO! Now you can call that bastard and safely leave a message without talking to them.
TIP: When leaving the message, DON’T give your number! Instead, say something like “I’m sure you’ve got caller ID. This is my cell phone number so call me back…”
Open Settings
Tap the Settings button on your iPhone.
Phone Settings
Tap the Phone button
Show My Caller ID Setting
Now tap Show My Caller ID
Switch Caller ID to OFF
Now move the slider to OFF
Your Caller ID Is Blocked!
Now your caller ID will be blocked for every call you make on your iPhone. To turn your caller ID ON, go back to the slider and move it back to ON.
Good or Evil?
1. Call up your ex and tell ‘em what a @*&^ing @!&*(#&$) they are.
2. Call your current boy/girlfriend at the wee hours of the morning just to make sure they’re not cheating on you.
3. Call a friend over and over just to drain their cell battery
Those are just a few ideas I came up with really quick. I’m sure you’ve got some too. Let loose – go wild. Nobody will know…
Will you use this Caller ID Tip for good or for evil? Let me know in the comments.
P.S. I’m not responsible if this blocked caller ID doesn’t work on other phones. I only tested it on an iPhone…. So it should work because everybody has an iPhone, right? Even if it doesn’t work and you get busted, you’re on your own, pal.
Why would the iPhone control the blocked / not blocked number? You’d think a blocked number would be against the rules of the telcom giants.
Not sure Zac – I thought that was strange too. But you gotta give AT&T some credit for allowing the iPhone to block the caller ID, right?
Yes – thanks! That was easy!
When I get to the Show My Caller ID screen, the button is locked. Meaning, I can’t turn it on or off, so now it’s just On.
How can I fix this?
I followed your directions and made a test call to a friend, it does not show my name, BUT, it did show my phone number.. Which means they can still know who you are.. I need something that will block my name and my phone number..
Someone stole my iPhone and I want to know how to block it completely. PLEASE HELP ME DO THIS!
If you have a MobileMe account, then you can erase your phone.
If you don’t have a MobileMe account, then you can’t do anything.
Holy smokes, that was easy! Thanks alot!!
You can do this on any phone from any provider by putting *67 before the number you call……
I have the same problem. When I get to the Show My Caller ID screen, the button is locked. Meaning, I can’t turn it on or off, so now it’s just On. How can I fix this? And i try *67 before the number I call. Call failed. How can i do it ???
Hi Ismail – My iPhone still has the option to turn the Caller ID On and Off. Sorry, don’t know what the problem is with your phone.
thanks Tony. it seems like carrier policy – I’m in Egypt. It’s to boring here
What about Verizon? I don’t have an opition for it.
Hi Lisa – I think the caller ID feature is specific to the AT&T network. I’m on AT&T and still have the option. Sorry!
When I turn “Show my Caller ID” off, my # will be blocked to EVERY # I call…. Even people who have my contact info saved to their phone? Seems like it might be useful occasionally, but a hassle to switch back and forth. Logic tells me that my number would still show up on text messages, correct?
Hi KGallagher – Great question. I haven’t tried blocking the number when sending text messages. I’m looking into that now.
I can’t slide the from ON to OFF at the Show my caller ID please help me what to do?
Hi Dannah – I’ve heard that the on / off caller ID switch only works on AT&T. I’m on AT&T, so I can’t test the other networks.
I don’t have call waiting, call fowarding or show my caller I’d options on my iPhone 4. Why not?
Hi Anna – I don’t know why you don’t see the same options. It could be this is an AT&T only feature.
I have bell and it works just fine for me
i cant able to off my caller id…. its still on ..help me..
In middle east the serivce doesn’t work if there is a special software you guys can guide me to
Thanks inadvanced for worth information
I have an iphone 4, I go to Settings, go to my phone, and it shows My Number (But it doesn’t allow me to turn it off or on, something below that it says TTY, And Change Voicemail Password, next one says international calls.. and last thing says Verizon Services.. is there a quick fix so i can block my # from showing up on peoples caller ID?
This feature is turned off for Sprint
Being in the public safety sector “Fire/EMS”, I have on occasion needed to allow patients or citizens to use my cell to call a family member or friend. I really don’t want them having my number!!! Now that I am no longer with AT&T I won’t give my patients or citizens this option!!!
Hey what is AT&T can u please say
Rehan – AT&T is one of the mobile phone carriers in the United States.
Hi! I have problem as well . My caller ID is off!!! Nobody can see my number and if somebody ring to my as well I don’t see name or number. Strange. I don’t know what to do, never knows who ring me and when I’m ringing:(
Hi there
Does that work for international calls ,I mean if am on Asia and want to call someone in austriala does it work and hide my caller ID?
Hi Lele – I’ve never made an international call with my iPhone. You’ll have to try it.
Thanks Tony, it’s so great to have a simple question and then find a simple and straight forward answer.