The need to maintain confidentiality when making telephone calls arises for various reasons: from a call to support with a complaint about a low-quality product to negotiations with a potential buyer or seller on a bulletin board. In today's world, where the digital footprint is tracked everywhere, the function hiding a number becomes an important tool for protecting personal information. The operating system Android provides users with flexible options for controlling the display of their subscriber ID, however, the settings may vary significantly depending on the device model and firmware version.
Many users mistakenly believe that disabling number identification is only possible by contacting a communication shop or calling an operator. In fact, most modern smartphones have built-in tools for this task right in the call menu. Understanding the principles of operation GSM networks and data transfer protocols will help you choose the most suitable method. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from standard system settings to using third-party software.
It is worth considering that the ability to hide a number depends not only on your phone, but also on the tariff plan, as well as on the policy of your mobile operator. Some providers block this feature at the network level for certain categories of subscribers or tariffs. Therefore, if standard methods do not work, deeper intervention in the settings or the use of alternative communication channels will be required.
Built-in smartphone settings for hiding the number
The easiest and most reliable way to make your number invisible to the interlocutor is to use the standard phone settings menu. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works at the level of the "Phone" system application. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS), but the general logic remains the same for the entire ecosystem Android.
First, you need to open the application through which you usually make calls. Find the menu button, which is most often indicated by three dots in the upper or lower right corner of the screen. Select "Settings" from the drop-down list. Next, the interface may offer you a choice of SIM card if the device has two communication modules installed. Select the card with which you plan to make anonymous calls.
In the menu that opens, look for the section related to additional services or call parameters. It can be called Additional settings, Advanced settings or simply Calls. Inside this section, find the option Number identification or CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction). By clicking on this item, the system will offer you three behavior options:
- 📱 Show number: your identifier will be visible to all subscribers by default.
- 🙈 Hide number: Your number will be hidden for all outgoing calls permanently.
- ⚖️ Network request: Use the default settings set by your telecom operator.
Select item Hide number. After this, the system will send a request to the operator’s server to activate the service. The process may take a few seconds. If the setting was applied successfully, you will see a corresponding notification or simply return to the previous menu and save the selected value.
If the "Caller Identification" item is missing or inactive (blocked in gray), this means that your telecom operator prohibits changing this parameter through the phone menu. In this case, you need to use USSD commands or the operator's application.
For example, on devices Samsung with a shell One UI the path often looks like Settings → Applications → Phone → Three dots → Settings → Additional services → Show number ID. On smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi this option is usually located immediately in the dialing menu under the item Accounts for calls or Advanced settings.
Using USSD commands to manage the identifier
If the graphical interface does not provide the desired option or you prefer quick solutions, you can use USSD requests. These are special codes that are sent directly to the mobile operator’s server, bypassing the phone settings. This method is universal and works even on push-button phones, not to mention modern smartphones based on Android.
To control the number hiding service in the networks of most operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2), a standard code is used #31#. However, to change the permanent display status of the number, modified commands are used. Below is a table with the main codes that will help you manage this function:
| Action | USSD command | Result description |
|---|---|---|
| Hide number permanently | *31# or #31# |
Activation of anonymity mode for all calls |
| Show the number permanently | #31# |
Disable hiding, the number is visible to everyone |
| Hide the number for one call | #31#SUBSCRIBER_NUMBER |
Anonymous call to a specific contact |
| Check service status | *#31# |
Request the current state of number identification |
Please note that the command syntax may vary slightly among different operators. For example, to send a one-time call with a hidden number, you need to enter the code #31#, immediately followed by the phone number of the interlocutor (without spaces or dashes) and press the call button. On the dial screen this will appear as a single line. After making such a call, the settings will return to their original state.
⚠️ Attention: Some telecom operators may block the execution of USSD commands to change the CLIR status if you have activated the paid service "Caller Identifier" or, conversely, the "Open Number" service. In such cases, the system will generate a request execution error.
Using codes is especially convenient when you need to quickly switch between modes. For example, you want to make an anonymous call and then return to normal mode. Entering the command *31# enables hiding, and #31# turns it off. This is faster than going into the deep settings menu of your smartphone every time.
Hide the number for a specific subscriber
Often users do not need to hide their number all the time, but only when calling a specific person or organization. In such situations, there is no need to change global phone settings or send complex USSD requests to activate the service. It is enough to use a prefix when dialing a specific number.
The technology is simple: before the main phone number you enter a special code that instructs the network not to transmit your CID (Caller ID) when establishing a connection for this particular call. In most countries, including Russia, this prefix is the combination #31#. You don't need to save this code to your contacts; it is entered manually immediately before the call.
Imagine a situation: you need to call the number +79991234567, but you want to remain incognito. In the dialing field you enter the following sequence:
#31#79991234567After entering this line, press the call button. The network will recognize the prefix, establish a connection, but replace your number with the words “Private number”, “Unknown” or “Anonymous” on the receiving side’s screen. After the call ends, the next call made in the normal way (without a prefix) will again display your real number.
This method has a number of advantages. Firstly, it does not require superuser rights or modification of system files. Secondly, it works regardless of the phone model - be it budget Doogee or flagship Google Pixel. The main condition is that your telecom operator supports this function, which is a standard for GSM networks.
What does the telecom operator see when using a prefix?
Even if you hide the number from the subscriber, your telecom operator and the operator of your interlocutor still see your real number in their logs. Anonymity only applies at the level of displaying information on the phone screen of the person receiving the call. If necessary, law enforcement agencies can request this data from the provider.
Third-party applications for anonymous calls
If the built-in Android tools for some reason are not suitable for you or are blocked by the operator, applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. There are many apps that position themselves as privacy protection tools. They work on different principles: some replace the number through their servers, others simply automate the entry of USSD codes.
One of the popular types of such applications are virtual number services. They provide you with a temporary phone number (often another country or city), from which the call is forwarded to your real phone or the call is made directly through the Internet channel (VoIP). This allows you to completely break the connection between your main number and the interlocutor.
- 🛡️ TextNow: allows you to call and write messages using a virtual number linked to an account in the application.
- 📞 Burner: a service for creating temporary numbers that can be “burned” (deleted) after use.
- 🌐 Hide My Number: an application that helps manage definition settings numbers and offers additional security features.
You should be careful when choosing an application. Many free apps collect user data that can be sold to third parties, which completely eliminates the idea of anonymity. Always check the permissions that the application asks for during installation. If a simple “dialer” needs access to your contacts, geolocation and microphone in the background, this is a reason to think about it.
⚠️ Attention: Using applications to spoof a number (spoofing) may violate the laws of your country and the rules for the use of communication services. Operators can block such calls, and in some jurisdictions this can result in fines. Use such tools only for legal purposes.
There are also call wrapper applications that have a built-in function to hide the number in their settings. They intercept the outgoing call and modify it before sending it to the network. The effectiveness of such apps depends on the version of Android: on new versions of the system (Android 10 and higher), access to call management for third-party applications is severely limited for security reasons.
Third-party applications are a good solution if the standard settings are blocked, but they may require a paid subscription and do not guarantee 100% anonymity at the operator network level.
Features of working with two SIM cards
Owners of smartphones with support for two SIM cards are faced with additional nuances when setting up anonymity. The Android system allows you to configure the number display parameters for each card independently of each other. This is extremely convenient if you use one card for work and the other for personal purposes.
When you enter the call settings menu (Settings → Applications → Phone → Call settings), you will see a list of installed SIM cards. You need to select a specific card (SIM 1 or SIM 2) and apply the number hiding settings only to it. Changes made for the first card will not affect the second in any way.
However, there is one important point: when making a call, the system may by default offer to select a card if a rule has not been set for a specific contact. If you forget which card has hidden enabled and choose the wrong one, your number may be revealed. Therefore, it is recommended to use the “Always Ask” function only in extreme cases, and for anonymous purposes, set up automatic selection of the desired SIM card in the contact profile or in general call settings.
In addition, some operators provide the “Virtual Number” or “Additional Number” service within the same physical SIM card. In this case, you may have two different numbers, but their display is controlled through the operator’s personal account or special USSD commands associated with each of the virtual profiles. In this case, the settings in the phone itself may not work correctly.
☑️ Checking the settings for two SIM
Why the number may remain visible
There are situations when you have followed all the instructions and selected the “Hide number” mode, but the interlocutor still sees your numbers. Why is this happening? There may be several reasons, and they are not always related to a malfunction of your smartphone. Most often, the problem lies on the side of the telecom operator or the receiving device.
Firstly, your mobile operator can forcibly disable the ability to hide a number at the network level. This is often found in corporate or "Open Room" rates, which are cheaper than standard rates. In such cases, any attempt to change the status via the phone will be ignored by the network equipment.
Secondly, some modern smartphones and caller ID applications (for example, GetContact, NumBuster or built-in databases in MIUI i EMUI) can bypass standard hiding protocols. They use their databases, where numbers are entered on the first call or through synchronizing the contacts of other users. Even if the network transmits the status "Anonymous", the application on the interlocutor's phone can pull up the name from its database.
Thirdly, emergency services (102, 103, 104, 112) always see your number, regardless of the settings. This is a safety requirement established by law. Also, banking security services and some government agencies have the technical ability to identify the caller even with the CLIR mode activated.
⚠️ Attention: Tariff plans and technical capabilities of telecom operators may change. If the number hiding function suddenly stops working, check the terms of your tariff in the official application of the operator or contact support, as the rules for providing the service may have been updated.
Sometimes the problem is solved by simply rebooting the device or reconnecting the SIM card. The network flag responsible for displaying the number may be stuck in the old state. Try turning off the phone, removing the SIM card, wiping the contacts and inserting it back, then check the settings again.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to hide a number if it is blocked by the operator in the phone settings?
Yes, in most cases you can bypass the phone menu blocking using USSD commands (for example, *31#). However, if the number hiding service is paid or prohibited by your tariff plan at the operator network level, then neither the phone settings nor the codes will help. In this case, you will need to change the tariff or connect the corresponding option through your personal account.
Will a person who has GetContact or an analogue installed see my number?
The standard number hiding protocol (CLIR) hides the number from being displayed on the phone screen. However, detection apps work differently: they check the incoming call against their huge database. If your number was previously saved in the contacts of other users of this application, it can be identified and shown, despite the anonymity settings.
Do operators charge for the number hiding service?
In most basic tariffs of Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2), the number hiding service is provided free of charge. However, there are special tariff options (for example, "Anti-determinant" with additional functions), which may be paid. Always check the current conditions in your personal account.
How to return the display of a number after hiding?
To show the number again, go to the call settings and select "Show number" or "Request network". Or use the USSD shutdown command: #31#. After this, all outgoing calls will broadcast your real number to the interlocutor.
Does hiding a number work when calling via WhatsApp and Telegram?
No, the settings for hiding a number in Android apply only to traditional cellular communications (GSM/3G/4G). In instant messengers, your anonymity depends on the privacy settings within the application itself. In WhatsApp, for example, you can hide a number in the privacy settings by selecting “Nobody” to display the phone number, but this only works for those who are not in your contacts.