Preserving privacy in the digital age is becoming an increasingly pressing task for mobile device users. Sometimes it becomes necessary to make a call without revealing your identity or main phone number to the interlocutor. In the operating system Android this function is implemented at a deep level and is available on almost all modern smartphones, be they budget models or flagships. However, the mechanism of operation may differ depending on the device manufacturer and the conditions of your mobile operator.
Hiding your number allows you to protect your personal data from unwanted attention, avoid spam, or resolve sensitive issues anonymously. The standard cellular protocol supports status transmission CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction), which blocks the display of numbers on the screen of the receiving device. It is important to understand that complete anonymity with the telecom operator is not guaranteed, since billing still records the fact of the connection, but for the interlocutor you will remain an unknown subscriber.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for activating incognito mode when making calls. We will look at both the built-in system settings and specific codes, and also discuss the nuances associated with different firmware versions. You will learn why in some cases the function may not be available and what alternative solutions exist to achieve your goal.
Activating number hiding through system settings
The most reliable and correct way to hide your ID is to use the standard phone settings menu. This method does not require the installation of third-party software and works at the device modem level. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell, but the logic of action remains the same for the entire ecosystem Android. You will need to go to the Phone application, which usually has a green handset icon.
After launching the application, find the additional options menu. Most often it is hidden behind three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the screen or the “More” button. In the drop-down list, select “Settings”. Next, the system will offer you a list of parameters, among which you need to find the section responsible for additional services or accounts for calls. In some versions of the OS, this item is called Advanced settings or Advanced settings.
Inside this section you will see the option “Caller ID” or “Show number”. By clicking on it, the system will offer three options: show the number, hide the number or use the default network settings. Select mode Hide number. After this, all outgoing calls will be made without transmitting your ID. If you have a dual-SIM device, make sure that the setting is applied to the SIM card with which you plan to call.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS shell, the path may be different:
Settings → Applications → Settings applications → Phone → incoming calls → Additional settings → Caller ID.
If the “Caller ID” item is inactive (gray), it means that your mobile operator is blocking this function at the network level. In this case, you will need to use USSD codes.
Using USSD codes for identity management
USSD requests are a universal tool for managing communication services. These codes work on any phone, even if it doesn't have internet access or a touch screen. To control the number display status, there are three main commands that are standard in the GSM network. They allow you not only to enable anonymity mode, but also to check the current status of the service or disable it.
To activate hiding the number for all subsequent calls, you need to dial the combination #31# and press the call button. A notification about successful activation of the service will appear on the screen. If you want to return everything as it was and show your number again, use the command #30#. An intermediate option - checking the status - is performed by a code *#31#, after sending which the system will inform whether the identification restriction service is active.
It is also possible to hide the number for only one specific call, without changing global settings. To do this, before dialing the other person's number, enter the prefix #31#. For example, if you need to call 89001234567 anonymously, dial #31#89001234567 and initiate the call. This method is convenient for one-time actions when you do not want to constantly remain invisible to all contacts.
- 📞
#31#— forcefully enable number hiding for all outgoing calls. - 👁️
#30#— disable the function and return to the default number display. - ❓
*#31#— request the current service status from the telecom operator.
Specifics of work different mobile operators
Despite the presence of GSM standards, each cellular operator may have its own characteristics of providing the Caller ID service. For some providers, this function is enabled by default, for others it requires connecting a paid option or writing an application. In addition, the names of services in personal accounts may differ significantly from the technical terms used in the phone menu.
For example, the MTS operator may call the service “Anti-Caller Identifier”, while MegaFon may call it “Anti-AON”. At Tele2, this function is often included in tariff plans or connected separately through the app. It is important to consider that even if you have activated hiding on the device itself, the operator’s network settings take precedence. If there is a ban on the provider's side, the phone will not be able to broadcast a signal to hide the number.
Below is a table with the main codes and service names for popular operators in the Russian Federation, which may differ from standard GSM codes. Using operator commands is often a more reliable method, since they are guaranteed to work on a specific network.
| Operator | Service name | Enable command | Disable command |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | Anti-Caller Identifier | *111*145# |
*111*146# |
| MegaFon | AntiAON | *105*051# |
*105*050# |
| Beeline | Anti-Caller Identifier | *110*070# |
*110*071# |
| Tele2 | Anti-Caller Identifier | *155*0011# |
*155*0010# |
⚠️ Attention: Terms of service and tariffs may change. Before connecting, check the latest information in the official application of your operator or on the website in the “Services” section.
Why does the code not work?
If the USSD code returns an error or the message “Service unavailable,” your tariff plan may not support the function of hiding the number. Some budget plans block this feature to prevent fraudulent activity. In this case, the only solution is to change the tariff or use third-party applications.
Third-party applications for anonymous calls
If the standard smartphone tools do not give the desired result, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. These apps operate on the principle of VoIP (voice over the Internet) or use call forwarding technology through their own intermediary server. When using such services, your real number is replaced with a virtual one or completely hidden before establishing a connection.
One of the popular solutions is to use applications like Hide My Number or analogues that offer temporary numbers. The principle of their operation is that you do not call the subscriber directly, but first connect to the application server, which already connects you with the desired contact. As a result, the server number or a random set of numbers is displayed on the interlocutor’s screen, and not your personal contact.
It is worth noting that most high-quality services of this kind are paid or operate on a subscription model. Free versions often have limits on talk time or number of calls per day. In addition, when using such applications, the quality of the Internet connection is critically important, since voice traffic is transmitted over a Wi-Fi network or mobile data, and not through the classic GSM voice network.
- 🛡️ Security: Applications encrypt voice traffic, providing additional protection from eavesdropping.
- 💰 Payment: Most services require the purchase of credits or a monthly subscription subscriptions to access the hiding function.
- 🌐 Network dependence: A stable Internet connection is required for operation, unlike standard calls.
Third-party applications are an excellent solution for international calls or when the operator blocks the system hiding function, but they require Internet access and often are paid.
Incognito mode for one-time calls
It is not always necessary to hide the number all the time. There are situations when you need to anonymously contact a courier, message board seller or support service, without wanting to leave your contact in their database. For such cases, the one-time hiding method is ideal, which we partially touched upon when describing USSD codes, but it also has a software implementation.
In the standard dialing of most smartphones, you can simply add a special prefix before the main number. As already mentioned, these are symbols #31#. You enter them, then immediately dial the recipient's phone number and press the call button. The system automatically interprets this prefix as a command to “hide the number for this call only.” After the conversation ends, the settings are automatically reset, and the next call will be made with your ID displayed.
This method is good because you do not risk forgetting to turn the number display back on and missing an important call from a courier or doctor who will not reach the “unknown subscriber”. This is the most flexible approach to managing your privacy, allowing you to control the situation in real time without digging deep into the settings menu.
#31# + 79990000000⚠️ Attention: The prefix may differ on some devices. If
#31#does not work, try*31#or check the code with your operator, since the syntax may depend on the region of registration of the SIM card.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often encounter situations when the number is still displayed to the interlocutor. The most common reason is a settings conflict between the phone and the operator's network. If “Hide number” is set in the smartphone menu, and the operator forcibly broadcasts the ID (for example, due to tariff features), priority is usually given to network settings. In this case, the system menu may show that the function is active, but in fact it does not work.
Another problem is the function does not work correctly on dual-SIM devices. The user can configure hiding for the first SIM card, and make a call from the second. Always check which line is active at the time of the call. It is also worth considering that emergency services (112, 102, 103) always see the caller's number regardless of any privacy settings; this is a legal requirement to ensure security.
If all else fails, try resetting your call settings. To do this, go to the phone menu, find the “Reset call settings” item or similar, and confirm the action. This will return all call parameters to factory defaults, after which you can try setting up hiding the number again. In rare cases, the problem may lie in an outdated version of the firmware, and updating the software to the latest version can correct the error in working with network protocols.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with hiding the number
Will my number be hidden if I calling via instant messenger (WhatsApp, Telegram)?
No, in messengers the concept of hiding a number works differently. There you are identified by your profile. To hide your identity, you need to set up privacy within the application itself by hiding your phone number from all or selected contacts in the “Privacy Settings” section of the messenger. Standard Android call settings do not apply to VoIP calls.
Is it possible to hide a number when calling a landline phone?
Yes, the function also works when calling landline numbers. The interlocutor will see the inscription “Unknown number” or “Hidden number” on his identifier. However, some office PBXs may automatically reject calls from hidden IDs for security purposes.
Will the police or intelligence agencies see my number if it is hidden?
Yes, definitely. Hiding a number only works at the level of displaying information for a regular subscriber. The cellular operator records all traffic, and at the request of authorized authorities, the identity of the caller can be established at any time.
Why did the setting to hide the number disappear after updating Android?
In new versions of Android (starting from 10 and higher), Google has changed the location of some menu items. The feature may have moved to the "Advanced" section within Call Settings or been hidden by the shell manufacturer. It is also possible that the update reset your preferences to “Default”, and you need to activate hiding again.
Does hiding a number affect the cost of a call?
The fact of hiding a number in itself does not affect the tariff. A minute of conversation costs the same as for a regular call according to your tariff plan. The exception is cases when you use paid third-party applications to spoof a number - where you pay for the service, and not for the operator’s minutes.