Keeping your phone number private can prevent unwanted calls protect your identity and give you peace of mind when communicating with unknown or untrusted contacts.Each country might have slight variations in how this can be done especially with different mobile codes and available apps.
Why Hiding Your Phone Number is Important:
Here Are Some BENEFITS:
1:Improved Privacy Keeping your phone number secret shields your private information from prying eyes and guards against possible abuse by scammers or telemarketers.
2: Increased Anonymity:
You can communicate with people or companies without disclosing who you are which can be helpful in a variety of situations.
3: Enhanced Security:
You can protect yourself from unsolicited calls and possible harassment by making sure that your phone number is hidden.
4: Work-Life Balance:
By keeping your personal number apart from work related contacts you may manage work-life balance when taking business calls while respecting your privacy.
5: Confidential Conversations:
Maintaining confidentiality is essential when talking about delicate or private topics, such personal or professional discussions.
Country-Specific Codes:
For those who prefer not to change the settings permanently, you can hide your number on a per-call basis by using specific codes:
- Pakistan: To make your number private, first thing you need to do is dial this code#31# before dialing any number which will put your number in private mode, it works on all networks anywhere in Pakistan.
- India: Any number to which you do not want to give your identity and you want to make your number private, then before dialing the number you have to dial from your mobile phone #31# then your number will be private this code will be used on any network.
- United States: To Protect yourself from unsolicited and possibly harassment calls simply dial *67 from your mobile phone before dialing the number and your number will be hidden this code is working on all mobile networks.
- United Kingdom: To keep your number secret and guard against abusing scammers and telemarketers simply you have to do is to dial 141 before dialing any number your number will be get into private mode.This code will be work on any network.
- Australia:To maintain confidentiality such as professional or personal discussion you have to dial 1831 before dialing any number it will make your number private and it works on any network
- Germany: To make your number hidden and to communicate with the person or a company without disclose your identity dial *31# before dialing the number.it works on any network.
This will keep your caller ID hidden only for that particular call:
You can make your number private by mobile apps also.
Here are some mobile apps:
1.Burner
2: Hushed
3:Google Voice
4:Text Now
5: Line2
6: SideLine
7: CoverMe
8: PrivateLine
9: 2ndLine
10: Numero eSIM
Features Of These Mobile Apps:
1. Burner
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Burner allows you to create temporary disposable phone numbers that can be used for calls and texts keeping your real SIM number private.You can manage multiple numbers and once you’re done with a number you can burn it making it disappear.
- Availability: Subscription based with a free trial.
- Best For: United States-United Kingdom-Australia-Germany.
2. Hushed
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Hushed provides private secondary phone numbers for calling and texting. You can choose from numbers in different countries and keep your SIM number hidden. The app also offers features like call forwarding auto reply messages and voicemail.
- Availability: Subscription based with a free trial.
- Best For: United States-United Kingdom-Australia-Canada.
3. Google Voice
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Google Voice gives you a secondary number for calling texting and voicemail allowing you to keep your SIM number private.The service is especially useful for those in the United States where it’s most widely available.
- Availability: Free but primarily available in the United States.
- Best For: United States.
4. TextNow
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: TextNow provides a free phone number for calling and texting over Wi-Fi or mobile data.This app lets you keep your SIM number private while still making and receiving calls.It’s a good option for those looking for a cost effective solution.
- Availability: Free with ads or adfree with a subscription.
- Best For: United States-Canada.
5. Line2
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Line2 offers a second phone line for business or personal use allowing you to keep your primary SIM number private.The app includes features like voicemail call forwarding and group calling.
- Availability: Subscription based.
- Best For: United States-Canada-United Kingdom.
6. Sideline
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Sideline gives you a second phone number that works alongside your existing SIM. It’s designed for business users but can be used by anyone wanting to keep their SIM number private.Sideline includes features like voicemail text messaging and auto reply.
- Availability: Subscription based.
- Best For: United States.
7. CoverMe
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: CoverMe offers private phone numbers for secure calling and texting.The app provides end-to-end encryption and self destructing messages making it ideal for those who prioritize security along with privacy.
- Availability: Subscription based with a free trial.
- Best For: Global.
8. Private Line
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Private Line offers a second UK based phone number to keep your SIM number hidden.It’s perfect for personal or business use ensuring that your private number stays confidential.
- Availability: Subscription based.
- Best For: United Kingdom.
9. 2ndLine
- Platform: Android
- Features: 2ndLine provides a secondary phone number that you can use for calling and texting separate from your SIM number.The app is tailored for North American users and includes features like voicemail and call forwarding.
- Availability: Subscription based.
- Best For: United States-Canada.
10. Numero eSIM
- Platform: Android / iPhone
- Features: Numero eSIM offers virtual numbers from various countries allowing you to keep your SIM number private.You can also use it as an eSIM on compatible devices adding even more layers of privacy and flexibility.
- Availability: Subscription based with pay as you go options.
- Best For: Global.
Global Steps For All Regions: Using Phone Settings
1: Open the Phone App:
Launch the Phone app on your Android device.
2: Access Settings:
Tap on the three vertical dots (menu)in the top right corner and select Settings.
3: Call Settings:
Navigate to Calls or Call settings.
4:Additional Settings:
Tap on Additional settings or More settings.
5:Caller ID:
Choose Caller ID and select Hide number.
This will hide your number for all outgoing calls.If you want to reverse this you can go back and select Show number.
Methods to Make Your Number Private on iPhone:
Global Steps (For All Regions)
1: Open Settings:
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2: Phone Settings:
Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3: Show My Caller ID:
Tap Show My Caller ID and toggle it off.
If you want to hide your number only for specific calls you can use these codes.This will hide your number for all outgoing calls.
Advantages:
Helps protect your number guard from possible harassment issues,Telemarketing and unsolicited calls.
Here Are Some Advantages Of Making Number Private:
- Safeguards Personal Information
- Preserves Confidentiality
- Prevents Unwanted Interruptions
- Boost Security
Keeps Work And Personal Life Apart
1:Trust Issues Due to concerns about spam or telemarketing calls people may be less inclined to answer calls from private numbers.
2: Preserves Confidentiality Helpful for professional conversations or when reaching out to someone for the first time guaranting that your personal number stays private
3: Prevents Unwanted Interruptions You can prevent unwanted calls and interruptions by keeping your phone number hidden.
4: Boost Security It lessens the possibility of unsolicited call spam and possible harassment.
5: Keeps Work And Personal Life Apart By keeping work related calls apart from personal ones using a private or secondary number can help you manage work-life balance.
Disadvantages:
Private phone numbers can come with a variety of drawbacks.Here Are Some Disadvantages Of Making The Number Private:
- Trust Issues
- Limited Anonymity
- Professionalism
- Inconvenience
1:Trust Issues Due to concerns about spam or telemarketing calls, people may be less inclined to answer calls from private numbers.
2:Limited Anonymity Your number isn’t completely anonymous because it can still show up in phone carrier logs even if it won’t appear on caller ID.
3:Professionalism Making a call from a private number in a business setting can come across as unprofessional which could result in lost chances or client mistrust.
4:Inconvenience It can be difficult to turn the setting on and off if you frequently need to have your number visible for specific calls.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re in Pakistan or India the United States the United Kingdom Australia or Germany keeping your phone number private is crucial for maintaining your privacy.By following the steps outlined in this article you can easily hide your caller ID on both Android and iPhone.With region specific codes and apps you can ensure your privacy is protected no matter where you are.
