If you don’t wish for others to see your number appear on their caller ID display when placing a call from your Apple iPhone, you can block caller ID on iPhone. Also, you can enable caller ID on your iPhone when you no longer want to make your phone number private.
Your iPhone comes with a handy feature to help you protect your privacy while calling unknown people. Yes, you got that right! It’s the Show My Caller ID feature. By enabling this functionality, you can effortlessly stop making your mobile phone number public, especially if you’re a VIP or simply to avoid the attention of the marketing people. Below, I explain how to block caller ID on iPhone and how to enable it when needed.
What’s Caller ID?
Caller ID is a mobile and home phone telecommunications service that enables you and your caller to know each other’s mobile phone numbers. Some advanced caller ID services can also display the city, state, name, picture, etc., details of the incoming caller. If you’ve already saved the mobile number of the incoming caller with a name, then your smartphone can show the name of the person without relying on any paid services.
What’s Caller ID Blocking?
The Caller ID Blocking service allows you to prevent your phone number from being shown on the recipient’s Caller ID display, either on a temporary or permanent basis, and it’s free of charge. However, it’s worth noting that certain numbers, such as 800 numbers and 911, cannot be blocked. Find below the reasons of blocking caller ID on iPhone:
- Protecting personal privacy
- Avoiding unwanted calls or spam
- Preventing telemarketers from calling back
- Keeping business calls professional
- Maintaining anonymity while making important calls
- Preventing harassment or stalking
- Avoiding international calling fees while traveling
- Preserving the element of surprise for surprise calls or pranks
What’s Show My Caller ID on iPhone?
The Show My Caller ID feature of the iPhone gives you the option to force turn off caller ID on iPhone when you call someone, especially businesses, and retail stores that may sell your number to marketing companies. However, the feature shall only work when the service provider allows the “block caller ID on iPhone” feature. You might want to note that this feature can’t hide your mobile number or email address when using FaceTime messaging or video calling.
Also read: Can iPhone 14 Merge Phone Calls
How to Disable Caller ID on iPhone
Follow these steps to turn off caller ID on iPhone using built-in a built-in functionality:
- Open Settings app.
- Scroll down on the Settings screen to the Phone app and tap on it.
- On the Phone settings screen, scroll down to the Calls section. Touch the Show My Caller ID option.
- Toggle off the Show My Caller ID feature.
You may see the Show My Caller ID feature greyed out and there’s no way to disable the toggle button. It means the mobile carrier company doesn’t allow this functionality.
Block Caller ID on iPhone Using a Short Code
If you like to use the caller ID blocking feature from an iPhone occasionally but not all the time, then try these steps:
- Open the Phone app and type the following:
*67
- Type the mobile phone number you wish to call:
555-123-6666
- The final number being called becomes the following:
*67 5551-236666
- Now, tap the dial button.
This shortcode preceding the actual mobile number activates caller ID blocking. The recipients see Anonymous, Private, Unknown Caller, or some other indication. If *67 doesn’t work, try #31#.
Also read: Access Hidden Menus in iOS iPhone
How to Enable Caller ID on iPhone
If you’ve been hiding the caller ID for a long time and some of the known contacts aren’t happy with it, here’s how to re-enable caller ID on an iPhone:
- Open Settings and select Phone.
- Choose the Show My Caller ID option under the Calls section.
- Slide the toggle button to enable the feature.
Unblock Caller ID on iPhone Using a Short Code
Suppose, you want to disable caller ID permanently and show caller ID manually to a specific contact you call. You can easily do that by following these steps:
- Type the following shortcode:
*82
- Now, type the rest of the mobile phone number and tap the call button.
- This enables the caller ID.
Turn off Caller ID on iPhone: Workarounds
You may not get the caller ID blocking feature on your iPhone in all countries. The telecom regulatory authorities of many countries don’t allow caller ID-blocking. In such a scenario, you can try the following workarounds:
Use an Alternative SIM Card
The best and the most affordable option to disable caller ID on iPhone is using a SIM card for public calls. You can use this SIM when you call business services and unknown people. Use the SIM ejection tool on the iPhone box to open the SIM tray of the iPhone. Then, replace your personal SIM card with an alternative SIM. Make calls and replace them with personal SIM when you need to call close contacts.
Contact Carrier
If none of the above is a suitable option for you, contact the customer service of the mobile network provider and see if they offer any personalized plan that includes caller ID blocking. Here are the support sites of popular mobile carriers in the US:
Final Words
So, now you know how to disable and enable caller ID on your iPhone provided that the mobile carrier company allows this feature. You can use the temporary call-blocking solution to block a few calls to unknown businesses and shops that might disclose your number to telecallers. Alternatively, you can permanently block caller ID for all calls by disabling the Show My Caller ID on the iPhone settings. Then, use a short code to unhide calls to people you know and trust.
Don’t forget to share your comments below about your experience while trying the above tips and tricks to disable and enable caller ID on your iPhone.
Next up, how to fix the no ringer sound on incoming calls on iPhone.
Caron Fitzpatrick says
All my contacts on my phone r showing up as no caller I’d can anybody tell me how I can fix this n be able to c who is ringing. Me
Maria Quezada says
When I go into Settings, then Phone on my iPhone 12, there is no option to enable or disable caller I’d. It simply is not there. I spoke with the carrier’s technicians, I was informed that the account showed that called I’d is enabled. It clearly is not.
Thank you for your help
Justin Frayne Fernandes says
I have IPhone 13pro max and it won’t let me turn my ID off?
Gurpreet singh says
my phone was no show caller id dont show spinning wheel,first i do off caller and then some days later i show on my caller id dont come to spin wheel i don,t no why?
Sam says
I have IPhone 13pro max and it won’t let me turn my ID off? How to overcome this please thanks
Majed says
I can’t maker turn off of show caller id in iphone 8
Help plz
Grainne Curran says
I switched my caller ID to off for a work call. When I have gone to switch it back the button to do so is not available
Jon says
Will this also hide my number when sending text messages?
Ana says
I have the setting show my id off, however, someone got my number from a call I placed. What happened?
Angela Stevens says
Caller id on or off has disappeared from my settings. How do I get it. Back I want to make changes
Sara says
Hi I turned caller ID off to make a call. When I turn it back on with the person I called with caller ID off then see it was me that rang them?
Mohamed Awad says
I have I phone 12 bro max and can’t make off caller ID why !!
Rojith Munasinghe says
I am using iphone 7…It’s on 14.6 software version…and my caller id is ON but showing it in low transparency on my iPhone settings and I can’t turn it ON/OFF…And I turn on incoming calls as FULL SCREEN , but I can’t see anyone’s caller ID on my iphone’s display.
how can I solve this problems ??? please tell me !!!
Rojith Munasinghe says
I am using IPhone 7…It’s on 14.6 software version…and my caller id is ON but showing it in low transparency on my iPhone settings and I can’t turn it ON/OFF…And I turn on incoming calls as FULL SCREEN , but I can’t see anyone’s caller ID on my iphone’s display.
Shoud I solve this problems ??? please tell me !!!
Rob says
Try calling Apple Support with your Show Caller ID turned off. I did and the Apple AVR system still knew it was my number and linked it to all of my Apple account activity.. Apple talks about privacy but obviously the rules don’t apply to them. My carrier doesn’t even see my number when I call with show number turned off.
Zainab says
I am using IPhone 7 and my caller id isnt showing on my iPhone settings and I can’t turn it on or toggled with it
I want to turn on it please how should I do it
Beatrice says
Can’t hear sound when there’s in coming calls also it tells me I am on another call so I should end the other caller before answering new one
Michaela says
I have an iPhone 8 and my caller ID is off but I want to turn it on because no one answers my calls when they don’t know that it is me. If I go into settings the Caller ID section won’t load – I think it is because I changed phones and it doesn’t know if it is on or off. How do I turn it on?
Tyra Harris says
My caller I’d take to long for it to load 🤬🤬 so is there a other way for me to turn it on 😡
Linda says
Help
I need to turn on my caller ID but I don’t have the option to turn on/off caller ID on my iPhone 6 / 6s.
I need to know how for a dating app. I have straight talk service NC
Kathy Aston says
I don’t have the option to turn on/off caller ID on my iPhone. When people call me, they see the name of my previous company. How do I change my caller ID? I have an iPhone 8.
Jennifer Harley says
HERE IS THE BUMMER.
VODACOM… OVERRIDES CALLER ID RECOGNITION BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO *PAY* .
OKAY ITS ONLY r10.00 / MONTH BUT HOW DARE THEY
I RECENTLY GOT A VODA CONTRACT BUT I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THIS KIND OF ACTIVITIES.
IT’S BORDERS ON EXTORTION
Alma F Forte says
When I go into Settings, then Phone on my iPhone 11, there is no option to enable or disable caller I’d. It simply is not there!!!! In a chat session with the carrier’s technicians, I was informed that the account showed that called I’d is enabled. It clearly is not. Enabled on my phone as recipients of my calls see my number come up.as private or restricted. Help please!!!!
Athi says
My incoming calls doesn’t show the caller Id whereas my caller Id is enabled but still doesn’t appear who’s calling what must I do to fix that it’s irritating😊
Bikram Singh says
i can not disabled shoow my id? How can i do it?
Luke says
Every time someone calls my phone and the number comes up private even though they don’t have caller I’d turned on it still comes up as no caller I’d on my phone how do I fix this
jennifer says
what happens if your iphone xr doesnt have the “show my Id” option???
Tay Johnson says
This is was helpful. My Caller ID is my phone number. How do I change it to my name? Thank you!
Dulani says
Show my caller id is not working.show my caller id is on but not off
Andile says
Hey i am using iphone 6 and using vodacom number of South Africa now what should i do to activate show my caller id if it’s toggled on but doesn’t show whose calling?
Sagar Bhaltadak says
I want to turn off my show my caller ID ,but I can not get off…why it is happening so??
Ruby saini says
I want to turn off my show my caller ID ,but I can not get off…why it is happening so??
Martie says
Hi I have a Iphone 11 pro max and I’m nor abe to disable my caller id, It is greyed out???
How can I fix it????
.
Shelley says
The caller ID will not toggle off on My I ph xr. I have reset all settings,l which made no differenice.
Rishi Rishad says
Why I can’t desable caller ID on my phone
Revathi says
Is there any problem, if i enable caller ID?
Abhishek says
Show my caller Id is not working Show my caller Id is on but not off
MS says
If you don’t see the “Caller ID” setting on your iphone or you can’t toggle it as it is greyed out, you may have inadvertently disabled it with your carrier. Log in to enable it, wait 5 minutes, and redo on you phone. Voila it appears!
Steve Zielinski says
My sprint carrier for my iPhone 7 does not seem to have the option to turn on caller ID. Everyone in my contact list says I show up as unknown. Help!!!
Nancy says
Am using Iphone 6s on Tigo carrier in Tanzania and i can not toggle it on or off. Neither does the *67 add number works for me?. What can i do?
Shiven says
i am using iphone 7 and using vodafone number of delhi ncr now what should i do to activate show my caller id if i am unable to toggle it while want to activate.
Rohit Arora says
Hey i am using iphone 6 and using vodafone number of delhi ncr now what should i do to activate show my caller id if i am unable to toggle it while want to activate.