Dialing *67 is one of the oldest and most reliable methods for maintaining privacy during a telephone call. This simple three-digit prefix, known in technical terms as a vertical service code, instructs your telecommunications provider to withhold your phone number and name from the person you are calling. Instead of your personal details appearing on their screen, the recipient typically sees a generic label such as "Private," "Blocked," "Restricted," or "No Caller ID."

In an era dominated by data privacy concerns and the persistent threat of telemarketing and spam, understanding how these legacy tools function alongside modern technology is essential. Whether you are using a 2026-model smartphone or a traditional copper-wire landline, the fundamental utility of *67 remains a cornerstone of consumer-end privacy management.

The core function of *67

The primary purpose of *67 is to provide per-call anonymity. When you enter this code before dialing a ten-digit phone number, you are sending a specific signal to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or your mobile carrier’s IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). This signal tells the network to strip away the Calling Party Number (CPN) information before the call is routed to its final destination.

It is important to distinguish that *67 is a temporary solution. It does not permanently hide your number for all future calls; it only applies to the specific call where the prefix was used. This makes it a flexible tool for one-off interactions, such as calling a marketplace seller, contacting a business without wanting to be added to their marketing database, or making a professional inquiry from a personal device.

How to use *67 on various devices

Using *67 is straightforward, but the format must be exact for the network to recognize the instruction. The process involves entering the code followed immediately by the number you wish to reach.

Using *67 on an iPhone

On an iPhone, you do not need to change any permanent settings to use *67. You simply open the Phone app and navigate to the Keypad. Dial *67 followed by the full area code and phone number. For example, if you are calling (555) 123-4567, you would type *675551234567 and then press the green call button.

Your iPhone will process the call normally, but the outgoing signal will carry the privacy flag. It is worth noting that some users prefer this manual method over the built-in iOS toggle because it allows for selective privacy rather than a blanket block on all outgoing calls.

Using *67 on Android devices

Android users follow the same logic. Open the dialer, type *67, and then the number. In some regions or with specific carriers, the phone might briefly display a message like "Caller ID hidden" or "Outgoing call restricted" to confirm the code was accepted. If you find that *67 is not working on your specific Android model, it may be due to carrier-specific restrictions on vertical service codes, though this is rare in North American markets.

Using *67 on landlines and VoIP phones

For those still using traditional landlines or modern Voice over IP (VoIP) home phone systems, *67 works just as it did decades ago. Pick up the receiver, wait for a dial tone, press *67, and then dial the number. You will often hear a stuttered dial tone or a brief silence after pressing the code, which serves as a confirmation that the privacy feature has been activated for that specific session.

The technical mechanics of caller ID masking

To understand why *67 works—and why it sometimes fails—one must look at the backend of the telecommunications infrastructure. When a call is placed, two distinct pieces of information are sent: the Calling Party Number (CPN) and the Automatic Number Identification (ANI).

CPN vs. ANI

The Calling Party Number (CPN) is what powers standard Caller ID. This is the data that *67 is designed to mask. When the *67 signal is received by the carrier, the CPN is flagged as "presentation restricted." The receiving carrier sees this flag and replaces your number with the "Private" label on the recipient's handset.

However, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) is a separate system used primarily by billing departments and emergency services. ANI was developed to ensure that toll calls could be billed to the correct party. Unlike the CPN, the ANI is much harder to mask. This is why *67 is ineffective when calling specific types of numbers, which will be discussed in the limitations section.

Why *67 remains relevant in 2026

You might wonder why a legacy code from the 20th century is still functional in the age of advanced digital communication. The reason is interoperability. The global telephone network is a patchwork of old and new technologies. For a call to travel from a cutting-edge 5G network to an older rural exchange, there must be a common language of signaling codes. Vertical service codes like *67 are part of that universal standard.

Furthermore, modern privacy features on smartphones can sometimes be cumbersome. Navigating through multiple layers of settings to hide a caller ID for a single call is less efficient than simply typing three characters. *67 provides a friction-less, on-demand privacy layer that does not require an internet connection or a third-party application.

Critical limitations: When *67 will not work

While *67 is a powerful tool for general privacy, it is not an all-access pass to anonymity. There are several scenarios where your number will still be revealed despite using the code.

Emergency Services (911)

You cannot use *67 to hide your number from emergency dispatchers. When you dial 911 (or your local equivalent), the system prioritizes life safety over privacy. Emergency centers use Enhanced 911 (E911) technology that pulls your ANI and location data directly from the carrier's infrastructure. This ensures that help can be sent even if the caller is unable to speak or provide their location.

Toll-Free Numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.)

When you call a toll-free number, the recipient of that call is paying for the connection. Because they are the ones being billed, they have a legal right to know who is calling them. Systems that handle toll-free calls are equipped to read the ANI, which bypasses the *67 masking. If you call a large corporate call center or a customer support line using *67, don't be surprised if the agent greets you by name or already has your account pulled up based on your phone number.

Anonymous Call Rejection

Many people and businesses use a feature called "Anonymous Call Rejection." If a recipient has this active, their phone will automatically block any incoming calls that do not have a visible Caller ID. Instead of your call going through, you might hear a recorded message stating: "The party you are calling does not accept blocked calls. Please hang up, unblock your number, and dial again."

In this situation, the only way to reach the person is to dial them normally without the *67 prefix. This creates a trade-off between your privacy and the recipient's desire to filter out potentially anonymous or spam callers.

International Calls

*67 is a standard primarily used in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean nations. If you are calling a number in Europe, Asia, or South America, *67 may not be recognized by the international gateways. Different regions use different codes; for instance, #31# is a common equivalent in many GSM-based networks worldwide.

Modern alternatives to *67

If you find that *67 is too manual or if you need a higher level of privacy, there are several modern alternatives that offer more robust features.

Device-level settings

Both iOS and Android offer the ability to hide your Caller ID for every outgoing call.

  • On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle the switch off.
  • On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Supplementary Services (or Calling Accounts) > Caller ID and select "Hide Number."

This is a "set it and forget it" method. However, remember that many people will not answer calls from blocked numbers, so you may find yourself constantly toggling this setting back and forth to ensure your friends and family actually pick up the phone.

Virtual and Burner Numbers

For users who need a persistent but separate identity, virtual number services like Google Voice or dedicated "Burner" apps are superior to *67. These services provide you with a second, fully functional phone number. When you make a call through these apps, the recipient sees the virtual number rather than your primary cell phone number. This allows you to receive return calls and text messages without ever revealing your underlying personal data. This is particularly useful for professional freelancers or individuals active in the online dating scene.

eSIM Technology

With the widespread adoption of eSIMs in 2026, many smartphones now support multiple active lines simultaneously. You can easily add a second, low-cost prepaid line to your device specifically for "public" use, keeping your primary line reserved for trusted contacts. This provides physical separation of your data, which is more secure than a software-based mask like *67.

Troubleshooting common *67 issues

Even though the code is simple, issues can arise. If you find that *67 is not behaving as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  1. Format Check: Ensure you are not putting a pause or a space between the *67 and the phone number. It should be entered as one continuous string of digits.
  2. Carrier Support: Some prepaid carriers or MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) disable vertical service codes to simplify their network traffic. Contact your carrier’s support if the code fails to hide your number on a test call to a friend.
  3. Conflict with Settings: If you have already turned off your Caller ID in your phone's system settings, adding *67 on top of that can sometimes confuse the carrier switch, leading to a failed call connection. Use one method or the other, but not both simultaneously.
  4. Network Type: While *67 works on 5G and LTE, it relies on the carrier properly translating the code into the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) headers used in modern digital calling. In very rare cases of network congestion or local outages, these headers might be dropped.

Privacy and Ethical Considerations

While *67 is a tool for privacy, it is often associated with prank calls or harassment due to its history in popular culture. It is important to use this feature ethically. Masking your caller ID to avoid unwanted data collection is a legitimate use of the technology. However, using it to circumvent a block or to harass individuals can lead to legal consequences.

Law enforcement agencies can easily obtain your true phone number from the carrier with a subpoena, even if *67 was used. Anonymity on the user end does not equate to anonymity on the network end. All calls are logged by carriers for billing and routing purposes, and those logs remain accessible to the proper authorities.

The Psychology of the "Private Call"

One often overlooked aspect of using *67 is how the recipient perceives the call. In 2026, with the prevalence of sophisticated AI voice scams and automated robocalls, many users have a strict policy against answering anything that says "Private" or "Unknown."

By using *67, you might be significantly reducing the chance that your call is answered. If you are calling a business or a service provider, they might even have automated systems that route private calls directly to voicemail or a spam filter. Therefore, while *67 protects your identity, it may also act as a barrier to effective communication. In cases where the call is urgent, it may be better to use a virtual number that displays an actual (but secondary) caller ID rather than a blocked one.

Summary of *67 Usage

To recap, *67 is a free, temporary way to hide your phone number from the person you are calling. It is a universal code in North America that works across iPhones, Androids, and landlines. Its primary utility lies in its simplicity and the fact that it requires no setup.

However, it is not a foolproof privacy shield. It fails when calling 911 or toll-free numbers, and it can be bypassed by anyone with the right technical tools or legal standing. As we move further into a digital-first communication landscape, tools like *67 serve as a reminder of the foundational protocols that keep our global network connected while providing a small but necessary layer of personal control over our digital footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Does 67 hide my number on text messages? No. *67 only works for voice calls. If you send a text message, your phone number will always be visible to the recipient. To text anonymously, you would need to use a third-party app or a virtual number service.

*Is there a cost to using 67? In almost all cases, *67 is free to use. It is a standard feature provided by the carrier. However, you should check with your specific service provider if you are on a highly restrictive prepaid plan.

*Can someone find out who called them using 67? The average person cannot unmask a *67 call. There is no "reverse lookup" for a private number. Only the carrier and law enforcement (with a warrant) can see the original number behind the mask.

*Does 67 work for international calls? It is generally not recommended for international calls as different countries use different signaling standards. If you are outside North America, look for the local prefix, which is often #31#.

By understanding these nuances, you can better navigate the complexities of modern phone privacy and ensure that your personal information is shared only when you choose to do so.