How to Turn Off Caller ID on iPhone

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Turning off caller ID on your iPhone is useful for maintaining privacy or avoiding unwanted sales calls. This in-depth guide will explain multiple methods to easily hide your number when making calls.

Overview of Hiding Caller ID on iPhones

Caller ID displays your name and phone number to recipients when you call them. This allows them to screen incoming calls.

You may want to disable caller ID on specific calls or all calls made from your iPhone to:

• Keep your mobile number private
• Prevent targeted sales calls
• Stop abusive callers from tracing your location
• Report issues without revealing your identity

I‘ll provide step-by-step instructions for these easy methods to hide caller ID before making calls from an iPhone:

• Turn off using iOS Settings
• Dial *67 prefix to block per call
• Contact carrier support to permanent block

I‘ll also compare the pros and cons of hiding your number so you can decide what works best based on who you are calling.

Let‘s start by reviewing what caller ID is and how it works when enabled.

What is Caller ID and How Does it Work?

Caller ID and its companion name identification are telephone company services. When activated, they display your telephone numbers and/or the registered names of callers as calls come in.

Here is a more detailed explanation of this system:

Your iPhone has a unique phone number and mobile ID tied to your cellular plan and SIM card. This number helps route calls to your device.

By default, your cellular carrier also sends this number to the other party whenever you make phone calls from your iPhone. This process of transmitting your ID is called "outbound caller ID".

The recipient‘s phone receives this signal and displays your telephone number and sometimes name on their incoming call screen. This allows them to identify who is calling before answering.

So caller ID allows others to see your number when you contact them via call or text message from your iPhone.

When Might You Want to Disable Outbound Caller ID?

Here are some of the most common reasons for wanting to hide your iPhone number and block caller ID when making certain calls:

• Avoid targeted sales calls
  • Businesses buy lists of known cell phone numbers
  • They use caller ID to identify potential customers
  • Hiding your number prevents this unwanted targeting
• Maintain personal privacy
  • Keep work and personal contacts separate
  • Prevent people you call casually from getting your number
  • Protect identity when reporting tips, grievances or hazards anonymously
• Stop call tracing and harassment
  • Abusive callers exploit caller ID to continually call back and find your location
  • Blocking caller ID hides details that allow tracing

Now that you understand how outbound caller ID works and why you may want to disable it let‘s explore some easy ways to hide your caller ID on an iPhone.

3 Methods to Turn Off Caller ID on iPhone

You have a few options to disable caller ID and block your iPhone number from being shown when placing calls. I‘ll explain how to use:

• Device Settings: Turn off iPhone-wide in iOS
• Star Codes: Hide number before individual calls
• Carrier Services: Request permanent block through provider

Review each to pick the technique that best matches your specific needs.

Method 1: Turn Off Caller ID in iOS Settings

The quickest way to disable caller ID system-wide is directly through your iPhone Settings.

Here is how:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Scroll down and tap Phone
3. Select Show My Caller ID
4. Move the toggle left to disable and hide ID

Follow these same steps to re-enable caller ID when wanted.

I recommend this universal block if you need to anonymously call businesses, support lines, or public services on an ongoing basis.

The change takes effect instantly across all outbound calls from that device until you manually turn it back on.

Tip: You can create a Restricted contacts group in your iPhone address book. Add numbers to this group that you want to always call with caller ID blocked.

Then simply enable the setting above to hide your number on all calls except to your Favorites contacts.

Method 2: Dial Star 67 Per Call

You can also easily block your number before individual calls using these steps:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Dial *67 using the numeric keypad
3. Immediately enter the full telephone number
4. Tap the green Call button

So to hide your caller ID when ringing 555-1234, you would dial:

*675551234

Then tap Call to place the call with your number blocked for that instance only.

This star code essentially overrides your caller ID per call. It works even if you have showing your number enabled in iOS settings.

I recommend remembering *67 to quickly hide your identity when reporting tips or calling unfamiliar parties once.

Method 3: Contact Carrier Support for Permanent Block

For a complete block, contact your mobile carrier such as Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile.

Most major providers offer paid services that permanently prevent your iPhone caller ID details being transmitted:

• This overrides individual call settings for a complete block
• Small recurring fees may apply
• Confirm availability for your cellular plan

Check with your carrier‘s customer support for specifics in your region.

A carrier-level block gives you an extra layer of protection from your number accidentally being revealed. It also prevents the iPhone settings from being turned back on.

I suggest exploring this option if you need to routinely make sensitive, anonymous calls from your device.

Comparison of Caller ID Blocking Approaches

Here is a quick overview comparing the different techniques to help decide which fits your needs:

As you can see, the settings change blocks for all calls device-wide. The star code hides just the next outgoing call. And the carrier request secures a permanent, ongoing block not controlled through iPhone options.

What Name is Displayed When Caller ID is Off?

With your iPhone caller ID disabled, instead of your real telephone number, recipients will see:

• Private
• Anonymous
• No Caller ID
• Blocked Caller
• Unavailable

The exact phrase depends on both your and their telephone carrier and model of cell phone.

In most cases, "Private Number" or "No Caller ID" will be displayed when you call another mobile device with your caller identification hidden.

Important: Even with caller ID blocked, contacts who already have your number stored in their iPhone address book may still see your name on incoming calls. So remember this if wanting to call completely anonymously.

To be extra safe, you can change the name stored with your mobile number in your contacts‘ address books beforehand. Temporarily change it to initials or "Support Rep" for example.

Now let‘s compare some benefits against potential drawbacks of blocking iPhone outbound caller ID.

Pros vs Cons of Disabling Caller ID

Hiding your mobile number when making calls has advantages but also some possible disadvantages depending on who you are calling and why:

Potential Benefits

• Maintains personal privacy
  • Controls who has access to your mobile number
• Avoids targeted telemarketing
  • Hinders junk callers using your number
• Provides anonymous tip line
  • Lets you safely report issues or grievances
• Reduces call tracing harassment
  • Blocks abusive people from tracking your location

Potential Drawbacks

• Emergency services cannot identify your location
  • Be sure to re-enable caller ID first when dialing 911
• Contacts may ignore unknown callers
  • Friends may not answer calls lacking your ID
• Voicemail may not identify you
  • Outbound messages don‘t record blocked ID details

I recommend keeping your caller ID on by default for convenience and emergencies.

But hourly workers, domestic abuse victims, or professional informants can benefit from hiding their mobile number occasionally or routinely.

Tip: Store emergency service numbers in your Favorites so they automatically override any caller ID block settings when dialed.

What Should I Do If My iPhone Number Gets Leaked?

No privacy system is foolproof. So even with caller ID blocked, there is still a chance your mobile number gets shared or leaked accidentally through other means.

Here are some tips if this occurs:

• First try contacting the person or company that ended up with your number. Politely ask them to remove it from their records.

• If digital like a website or database, follow their official process for submitting take down requests.

• Notify your mobile carrier. They can change your number for free if needed as a security measure.

• Consider adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. While not flawless, this reduces unsolicited telemarketing calls.

• As a last resort, you can change cell phone carrier networks for a true fresh start. Port your contacts over during setup of the new mobile account.

Be cautious about number leaks, but don‘t stress excessively. Even exposed, there are still resolution options to regain control of your privacy.

In Closing

I hope this guide gave you a good overview of why you may want to disable iPhone outbound caller ID and how to easily do it using:

• Settings App: Block caller ID device-wide
• *67 Code: Hide number before individual calls
• Carrier Request: Pay for permanent number blocking

Just be conscious of the limitations around emergency response and contacts missing your calls if anonymized.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to chat more about managing privacy settings on iPhones.