How to block your number and caller ID on your phone

There are plenty of legitimate reasons that you might want to temporarily or permanently block your caller ID so that your phone number is not displayed to whoever you’re calling. Here’s how to do that on your home phone or mobile phone.
· 11 May 2022 · 3 minute read

Change your caller ID on a home phone

To block your number on a call by call basis when you’re making a call from your home phone service, first dial 1 8 3 1 and then dial the number that you want to call. When you do this, your caller ID won’t be displayed.

You can find out more of the features that your home phone service is capable of, like Call Waiting and Call Return, at our Home Phone Features page.

If you wish to block your caller ID on a permanent basis, we call this an ‘unlisted service’; you can enable this feature in My Telstra – a guide on how to do so can be found on our Silent Line page.

Change your caller ID on an Android phone

Blocking your caller ID on an Android phone varies depending on what device you’re using, but the below is a general guide – it will work on most current Android phones including Google’s Pixel range.

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the three dots to open the menu, then tap ‘Settings’
  3. Tap ‘Calls’
  4. Tap ‘Additional settings’
  5. Tap ‘Caller ID’, then select whether you want to hide or show your number when calling.

To check the network default setting, dial * # 3 1 # in the Phone app and tap the call button – you’ll then see a pop-up message that tells you whether your caller ID is restricted or unrestricted by your mobile provider.

How to change your caller ID on an iPhone

Blocking your number on an iPhone is quite straightforward – there’s only one setting that you need to change to decide whether you want your caller ID displayed when you’re making a phone call.

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Tap ‘Phone’
  3. Tap ‘Show my Caller ID’ to switch between displaying or hiding your caller ID every time you call.

To check the network default setting, dial * # 3 1 # in the Phone app and tap the call button – you’ll then see a pop-up message that tells you whether your caller ID is restricted or unrestricted by your mobile provider.

By Campbell Simpson

External Editorial Lead

Campbell is our External Editorial Lead and manages the Telstra Exchange website. He came to Telstra with over a decade of experience in technology journalism at websites like Gizmodo, CNET and PC World, and has a long-time love of tech and gadgets of all kinds. When he's not writing, Cam spends his downtime outdoors whenever possible.