Ever wondered how to make your calls a little more private? Perhaps you're making a surprise call, or you simply prefer to keep your number under wraps for specific situations. Whatever your reason, controlling your caller ID visibility is a handy trick to have up your sleeve. And if you're a Verizon user, you're in luck! This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to achieve "No Caller ID" on your Verizon device, step by step.
Step 1: Ready to Go Incognito? Let's Start with the Basics!
So, you've decided you want to make a call without revealing your number. Excellent choice! Before we dive into the technicalities, let's understand what "No Caller ID" actually means. When you enable this feature, your recipient's phone will typically display "Private Number," "Restricted," or "Unknown" instead of your actual phone number. It's a great way to add a layer of privacy to your outgoing calls.
Are you ready to learn the different methods to achieve this? Let's get started!
Step 2: The Universal Code: Blocking Your ID for a Single Call
This is by far the simplest and most common method for hiding your caller ID on a per-call basis. It works across almost all carriers, including Verizon.
2a. Dialing the Magic Digits
To hide your number for a single call, you just need to dial a specific prefix before the number you're calling.
Open your phone's dialer application. This is where you usually make your calls.
Enter the blocking code: The code you need to dial is *67.
Immediately after *67, enter the 10-digit phone number you wish to call.
Example: If you want to call 555-123-4567 with No Caller ID, you would dial *675551234567.
Press the call button. Your call will now go through with your caller ID hidden.
Remember: This method only works for the current call. For your next call, your number will be visible again unless you repeat the process. This is perfect for those one-off private calls.
Step 3: Going Stealth Permanently: Blocking Your ID for All Outgoing Calls
What if you want your number to be hidden for every call you make, by default? Verizon offers options for that too, though they involve a bit more digging into your phone settings or contacting customer service.
3a. Adjusting Phone Settings (Device Dependent)
Many smartphones, especially Android devices, have a built-in setting to control caller ID. The exact path may vary slightly depending on your phone's make, model, and Android version.
Open your phone's "Phone" or "Dialer" application.
Tap on the "three dots" or "menu icon" (usually in the top right or bottom of the screen) to access settings.
Look for "Settings" or "Call Settings."
Navigate to "Caller ID" or "Show my caller ID." This might be under a "More settings," "Advanced settings," or "Supplementary services" sub-menu.
You should see options like "Show number," "Hide number," or "Network default."
Select "Hide number" or "Always hide."
Important Note: Not all phones, particularly some iOS devices, have this direct setting. If you can't find it, don't worry, move on to the next step.
3b. Leveraging My Verizon Account or App
Verizon provides tools to manage your account and services, including caller ID preferences.
Log in to your My Verizon account on the Verizon website (verizon.com) or through the My Verizon app on your smartphone.
Navigate to the "Account" or "Manage" section.
Look for "Services," "Features," or "Call Settings."
You might find an option related to "Caller ID Blocking" or "Private Calling."
Follow the on-screen prompts to enable permanent caller ID blocking.
Pro Tip: While convenient, sometimes these online settings can be a bit tricky to locate. If you're having trouble, the next step is your best bet!
Step 4: Calling in the Cavalry: Contacting Verizon Customer Service
For a truly permanent, account-wide caller ID block, contacting Verizon directly is often the most reliable method.
4a. Reaching Out to a Verizon Representative
Dial 611 from your Verizon phone. This connects you directly to Verizon Customer Service.
Alternatively, dial 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
Follow the automated prompts to reach a customer service representative. You'll likely need to navigate through options related to "Account Management" or "Technical Support."
Once connected, clearly state your request: "I would like to enable permanent caller ID blocking for all outgoing calls on my account."
The representative will guide you through the process. They may need to verify your identity.
Confirm that the feature has been successfully applied. Ask for a confirmation number or note of the change.
Be aware: Once permanent caller ID blocking is enabled, you'll need to use a specific code to unblock your number for individual calls if you ever want your recipient to see it. The code for this is usually *82 followed by the number.
Step 5: Verifying Your Anonymity (Crucial Step!)
After you've applied any of the above methods, it's absolutely essential to verify that your caller ID is indeed hidden.
5a. The Test Call
Call a friend, family member, or another phone you have access to. Make sure it's someone who won't be surprised by an unknown call.
Ask them what appears on their screen. They should see "Private Number," "Restricted," or "Unknown" instead of your actual phone number.
If your number still appears, revisit the steps you took or try a different method. Don't assume it's working until you've verified!
Always test before making important private calls!
Important Considerations and Etiquette:
Emergency Services (911): Dialing *67 will NOT hide your number when calling 911 or other emergency services. Your number will always be transmitted to emergency operators. This is for your safety and allows them to locate you if needed.
Return Calls: When your number is hidden, it makes it impossible for the recipient to call you back directly. If you want a return call, you'll need to provide your number verbally.
Call Blocking: Some individuals or businesses have call blocking features enabled that automatically reject calls from unknown or restricted numbers. If your call isn't going through, this could be a reason.
Professionalism: While useful for personal privacy, hiding your caller ID might not always be appropriate in professional settings. Consider the context of your call.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How to block my number for a single call on Verizon?
Simply dial *67 before the 10-digit number you wish to call (e.g., *675551234567).
How to permanently hide my caller ID on Verizon?
You can try adjusting your phone's call settings, using the My Verizon website/app, or most reliably, by contacting Verizon Customer Service to request account-wide caller ID blocking.
How to unblock my number for a single call if I have permanent caller ID blocking enabled?
If your caller ID is permanently blocked, dial *82 before the 10-digit number for that specific call (e.g., *825551234567).
How to know if my caller ID is hidden on Verizon?
Make a test call to a friend's or family member's phone and ask them what appears on their screen. It should show "Private Number," "Restricted," or "Unknown."
How to find the caller ID settings on my Android phone for Verizon?
Open your phone's "Phone" or "Dialer" app, tap the menu/three dots, go to "Settings" or "Call Settings," and look for "Caller ID" or "Show my caller ID" under various sub-menus.
How to hide caller ID for international calls on Verizon?
The *67 prefix generally works for international calls as well, but permanent blocking might require confirmation with Verizon Customer Service as international dialing rules can sometimes differ.
How to block my number for texts on Verizon?
Caller ID blocking only applies to voice calls. There is no direct way to hide your number for SMS/MMS messages. Your number will always be visible to the recipient of a text message.
How to stop someone from seeing my name when I call them on Verizon?
Caller ID blocking primarily hides your number. Your name being displayed is often tied to how the recipient has your number stored in their contacts or sometimes by CNAM (Caller Name) lookup services. Hiding your number usually prevents your name from appearing unless they have you saved.
How to make a private call to 911 on Verizon?
You cannot hide your number when calling 911. Your number will always be transmitted to emergency services for your safety and location tracking.
How to reverse permanent caller ID blocking on Verizon?
You will need to contact Verizon Customer Service again and request that they disable the permanent caller ID blocking feature on your account.
