How to Make an Anonymous Call

This How.com.vn teaches you how to call someone without them being able to see your real number. The easiest way to do this on any phone is by dialing a prefix (such as *67) before dialing the phone number in question. If you have a smartphone, you may have the option of making all of your outgoing calls anonymous from within the Settings app, though not all phones have this option. Finally, you can use the free Google Voice app to call using a number other than your own, which will protect your true phone number even if the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking program.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Prefix

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1
Figure out your prefix. To make an anonymous call with a prefix, you'll enter the prefix, enter the ten-digit phone number (or eleven-digit phone number if you're using a country code), and press the "Dial" button. Common prefixes include the following:^{[1]XResearch source}
- *67 - Most North American mobile phones and landlines, as well as Canadian landlines.^{[2]XResearch source}
- #31# - Some North American mobile phones (i.e., AT&T), and some Canadian mobile phones.^{[3]XResearch source}
- 141 - Most UK mobile phones and landlines.
2
Open your phone's Phone app. This app usually looks like a phone receiver on a colored background, and is usually found on your smartphone's home screen.
- If you're using a landline phone or a non-smartphone cellphone, just prepare to dial.
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3
Tap the "Dialpad" icon. If your smartphone's Phone app doesn't open to a keypad, look for the "Dialpad" icon or tab and then tap it. This icon usually resembles a keypad's shape.
- Skip this step on landlines and non-smartphone cellphones.
4
Enter your prefix. Type in the prefix for your area. For example, if you're dialing from a North American phone, you'll most likely enter *67.
- Do not press the "Call" button yet.
Enter the phone number that you want to call anonymously. When done, the whole number should resemble the following: *678085031234
6
Press the "Call" button. This will call the number in question while masking your number. The recipient will see something like "BLOCKED", "RESTRICTED", or "CALLER ID UNAVAILABLE" on their phone's screen or LCD display.
- Keep in mind that some people will have call-unmasking apps installed on their phones, meaning that they'll be able to see your number regardless of this prefix.^{[4]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Google Voice

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1
Open Google Voice. Tap the Google Voice app icon, which resembles a white phone receiver on a blue chat bubble. This will open Google Voice to the chat page if it isn't already open.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you don't have the Google Voice app, you'll need to download it for iPhone or Android. It's free to use.
- If you don't have a Google Voice account, you'll be prompted to set up your account the first time you open the app (you can also tap SIGN UP). Do so by following the on-screen instructions before continuing.
- If you aren't signed into Google Voice, select an email account, or enter your email address and password when prompted.
It's a phone receiver-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or at the top of the screen (Android).
3
Tap +. This option is in the lower-right corner of the screen. On iPhone, a pop-out menu will appear.
- On Android, this button resembles a phone receiver instead.
4
Tap Make a call. It's in the pop-out menu. Doing so opens the caller page.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Skip this step on Android.
Type in the number of the person whom you want to call anonymously.
This option is in the drop-down menu below the text field that's at the top of the screen.
Doing so will call the number that you selected. Your recipient will be able to see a phone number, but not your actual number.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Settings on Android

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Tap the Phone app icon, which generally resembles a phone receiver icon on a colored background.^{[7]XResearch source}
2
Tap ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
- On some phones, this option will say MORE instead.
This option is in the drop-down menu. Doing so will open the Phone settings page.^{[8]XResearch source}
Look for a Calls, Outgoing, or Call settings option in this menu, then tap it.
5
Tap Caller ID. You should see this option in the Calls menu.
- You may first have to tap Additional settings or a different option in order to view this setting.
6
Tap Hide number. It should be in the Caller ID settings menu. If you don't see this option, you can't mask your outgoing calls from your Android's settings.^{[9]XResearch source}
- This option may be titled differently (e.g., HIDE).
- If call masking isn't built into your Android's settings, you may still be able to purchase the option to block outgoing caller ID. Call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Settings on iPhone

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Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it. You'll usually find this on your iPhone's Home Screen.^{[10]XResearch source}
This option is about a third of the way down the page, to the right of a green-and-white, phone receiver-shaped icon.^{[11]XResearch source}
3
Tap Show My Caller ID. It should be in the middle of the screen. If you don't see this option or a similarly titled one (e.g., Caller ID), you cannot mask your caller ID from your iPhone's Settings app.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If you caller ID-masking isn't an option on your iPhone, you can call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.
4
Tap the green "Show My Caller ID" switch
. It will turn white
.^{[13]XResearch source}
- You may be prompted to confirm this action.
5
Exit the Settings app. All outgoing calls that you make from your iPhone's built-in Phone app will now hide your number rather than displaying it on your recipient's phone.
- If the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking app installed, they may still be able to see your phone number.

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Question
How do I make an anonymous call?
Community Answer
Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
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How do I block an anonymous call?
Community Answer
You can block an anonymous call by using the 'Anonymous call rejection' feature.
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What is an anonymous number?
Nicholas Deckman
Community Answer
A number that cannot be tracked and when using Caller ID does not show up with anything other than "BLOCKED" or "PRIVATE CALLER."
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Tips

Anonymous calling is ideal for temporary contacts, such as arranging a Craigslist transaction or talking to classmates for a group project.
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Warnings

Never use anonymous calling to stalk, threaten or harass other people. Even if you try to hide your phone number, the police can still trace abusive calls directly to you.
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Never use anonymous calling to make inappropriate calls to emergency services. Not only does this put people's lives at risk - you can still be tracked down by the police and given large fines or even a jail sentence.
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