What happens if you dial *68?

What Happens When You Dial *68?

Ever wondered what happens if you dial *68 on your phone? It’s a handy feature many people don’t know about. If you're using a business or landline system that supports feature codes, dialing *68 temporarily blocks your Caller ID for the next outgoing call only.

Here’s how it works: after dialing *68, your phone will usually respond with both a spoken message and a display prompt—something like, “Caller ID is BLOCKED for the next outbound call only.” From there, when you make your call, the person on the other end will likely see “Private Number,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown Caller” instead of your actual phone number.

This feature is useful in situations where privacy matters—maybe you're calling a service and prefer not to share your number, or you're in a sensitive work context. The key thing to remember is that the block only applies to the very next call. After that, your Caller ID automatically reverts to normal. You won’t stay hidden on future calls unless you dial *68 again.

It’s important to note that not all phone systems support this code, and effectiveness can vary depending on your provider or phone type. Mobile phones often use different methods (like *67 in the U.S.) to hide your number. But on compatible office or home systems, *68 offers a quick, temporary solution.

So if privacy is a priority for one specific call, try *68. It’s a small trick, but in the right situation, it can make a real difference.