What does *67 do on your phone?

What Happens When You Dial *67 Before a Call?

Ever wanted to make a call without revealing your number? That’s exactly what *67 is for. This simple code, when entered before a phone number, blocks your caller ID from appearing on the recipient’s screen.

Here’s how it works: before dialing the number you want to reach, just type *67, then the full phone number. For example, *67 555-123-4567. Once you place the call, the person on the other end won’t see your identity. Instead, their phone will display something like “Blocked,” “Private Number,” or “Unknown.”

This feature is useful in situations where privacy matters—like when calling a business for the first time or reaching out to someone you don’t know well. It’s a temporary solution, though: you need to enter *67 each time you make a call. If you want a more permanent fix, most smartphones have built-in settings to hide your caller ID across all calls.

It’s worth noting, however, that *67 doesn’t work on all calls. Some services—like toll-free numbers or emergency lines (e.g., 911)—may still capture your number for security reasons. Also, recipients who have call-blocking apps or enhanced caller ID services might still trace or flag the call as suspicious.

While *67 is widely supported on both landlines and mobile networks in the U.S., availability can vary by carrier and region. It's a small but handy tool in your phone’s feature set—perfect for keeping your number private when you need to.