Maintaining anonymity when making voice calls remains a pressing task for many mobile users. There is often a need to call a support service, individual or organization without disclosing your personal ID. The operator MegaFon provides its subscribers with several effective tools for implementing this function, most of which are available completely free of charge and do not require paid options.

Owners of modern brand smartphones Samsungrunning the operating system Android, have the ability to control the display of the number directly through the device settings. However, it is important to understand that the capabilities of the handset (the phone itself) are closely related to the operator’s network settings. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods of hiding a number, from the built-in functions of the One UI shell to universal USSD commands.

You must take into account that some methods may work differently depending on the firmware version of your Samsung Galaxy and the current conditions of the tariff plan. We'll look at both temporarily hiding one call and permanently setting privacy for all outgoing calls. This will allow you to flexibly manage your digital privacy without extra financial costs.

Using the built-in settings of a Samsung smartphone

The easiest and most accessible way to hide your number is to use the native settings of the “Phone” application, which is preinstalled on all devices Samsung. The shell interface is intuitive, but the location of the required item may vary slightly depending on the version. To begin, open the standard calling application, which usually has a green handset icon. One UI intuitive, but the location of the required item may vary slightly depending on the version Android. To get started, open your standard calling app, which usually has a green handset icon.

In the upper right corner of the screen you will see an icon with three vertical dots. Clicking on this element opens a drop-down menu where you need to select the item Settings. Next, scroll down the list of options to the section that controls additional features or services. This is where the key option for managing the subscriber ID is hidden.

Find the item named Other settings or Additional services. Inside this section, the option Display numberwill be available. When you click on it, the system will offer you three behavior options: show the number, hide it, or use the default network settings. Selecting a mode Hide number activates the function for all subsequent calls.

⚠️ Attention: If the “Display number” item is inactive (grayed out) or an error appears when selecting the hide mode, this means that the setting is blocked on the telecom operator’s side. In this case, you need to use USSD commands or contact MegaFon support.

It is worth noting that this method is the most convenient for regular use, since it does not require entering combinations before each call. However, if you are traveling abroad, your roaming settings may automatically reset the display option to "Online". In such a situation, it is recommended to recheck the configuration after returning to your home region.

📊 How often do you need to hide the number?
Only for important calls
Constantly
Never hide
Only for spammers

Use of USSD commands to manage the service

A universal method that works on any mobile device, including budget models Samsung and push-button phones, is the use of special USSD requests. These commands are sent directly to the operator’s servers MegaFon and instantly change the status of the number display service. This method is especially relevant if the phone settings menu is inaccessible or does not work correctly.

To temporarily hide a number before making a specific call, a special prefix combination is used. You don't need to change global settings, just dial the code before the subscriber's number. This is an ideal option for one-time promotions when you do not want to block your ID forever, but need anonymity here and now.

If your goal is to completely disable the number transmission for all outgoing calls until it is turned back on, another command is used. It applies globally to your entire account on the operator’s network. This means that even if you reboot the phone or change the SIM card in another slot (if the service is tied to a number), the setting will be saved.

#31#phone_number#

Dial this command in the dialing field, replacing the text “phone_number” with the current city code and the number of the subscriber you plan to call. Immediately after pressing the call button, the connection will be established, but the message “Anonymous caller” or “Hidden number” will be displayed on the interlocutor’s screen. To permanently activate the hiding service, dial the command #31# and press call. To cancel the action and return to the standard mode of displaying the number, use the code *31#.

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Before entering the USSD command, make sure that you have a stable network signal. If the command does not work, try rebooting the device and trying again.

Third-party applications for masking calls

In the store Google Play Market there are many applications that promise advanced functionality for managing calls. Smartphone owners Samsung often install such utilities, hoping to gain more control over privacy than a standard dialer provides. However, it is important to understand the technical limitations of the operating system Android in this matter.

Most applications that claim the “Hide Number” function are actually call re-identifiers or IP telephony services. They cannot programmatically force the network MegaFon to hide your real number when calling through a regular cell tower, unless this option is activated on the operator's side. Such apps often redirect the call through their servers, replacing the number with a virtual one.

  • 📱 Truecaller: a popular application for detecting spam, which also has blocking and profile management functions, but does not hide the number natively in the GSM network.
  • 📞 Calls Blacklist: a powerful tool for blocking incoming calls, but for outgoing calls its capabilities limited by system settings.
  • 🌐 Virtual number applications: services like Zadarma or Mango Telecom allow you to call from spoof numbers via the Internet, which is an alternative to hiding the main SIM.

Using third-party software carries certain risks. Such apps often require extensive permissions to access contacts, call history, and microphone. Before installation, carefully review the developer's privacy policy. For the task of simply hiding a number on Samsung built-in tools or USSD commands are usually sufficient, and installing unnecessary software is not advisable.

⚠️ Attention: Be careful with applications that require payment for the “Anonymous Call” function. These are often fraudulent schemes, since the basic function of hiding a number is provided by operators for free or is included in the basic package of services.

Comparison table of methods for hiding a number

To make it easier for you to choose the best way to protect your privacy, we have systematized the main methods in a comparison table. It clearly demonstrates the differences in the complexity of application, cost and scope of each option for subscribers MegaFon on devices Samsung.

Method Cost Coverage area Setting complexity
Phone settings (One UI) Free All outgoing calls Low (menu)
USSD code #31# (one-time) Free Only one call Average (code entry)
USSD code #31# (permanent) Free All calls until cancelled Low (code entry)
IP telephony services Paid/Share-free Calls via the Internet High (registration)

As can be seen from the table, the most effective and economical solution is a combination of smartphone settings and USSD commands. IP telephony services should only be considered if you need to call from a completely different number, and not just hide the current one. For everyday tasks on Android the first three methods cover 99% of user needs.

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Features of the service in the MegaFon network

Operator MegaFon uses standard signaling protocols to control number display. The service responsible for this function is often called “Anti-Caller Identification” (Anti-Caller Identifier). Unlike some other operators, MegaFon does not require a paid subscription to hide a basic number if you use standard commands or terminal settings.

However, there are nuances associated with specific tariff plans. On some corporate tariffs or special promotional offers, the number hiding function may be forcibly disabled by the network administrator. It is also worth remembering that emergency services (102, 103, 104, 112) always see your number, regardless of the privacy settings you choose. This is a legal requirement to ensure security.

If you have activated number hiding, but the interlocutor still sees your numbers, the problem may lie in the features of his phone. Some modern smartphones and identification applications can bypass standard hiding protocols by displaying the number if it is in their databases. In this case, hiding works at the network level, but is bypassed at the software level of the receiving party.

What does the telecom operator see?

The MegaFon operator always sees your real number and subscriber data, even if you have enabled hiding. Anonymity applies only to the receiving party of the call. In case of legal requests from the authorities, the operator will provide complete information about the caller.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, smartphone users Samsung may encounter a number of technical difficulties when trying to hide the number. Most often, the problem is a conflict between the device settings and the network settings. For example, after updating the firmware One UI call settings may be reset to factory settings, where the default mode is “Show number.”

Another common situation is the inability to reach certain subscribers. Some users set their phones to automatically reject calls from hidden numbers (anonymous block feature). If you have hidden the number and the subscriber does not answer the phone, this protection may have worked. In this case, the only solution is to temporarily disable hiding.

  • 🔄 Reset network settings: Go to Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset network settings. This will not delete your data, but will update the connection settings to MegaFon towers.
  • 📲 Checking the SIM card: Make sure that the SIM card is correctly recognized by the phone. Try moving the SIM card to another slot if you have a dual-SIM card Samsung.
  • 📞 Call support: Dial 0500 from your phone to find out if the Anti-AON service is blocked on your tariff by technical specialists.

It is also worth considering that in international roaming the rules may differ. Networks of foreign operators may ignore requests to hide the number sent from a Russian SIM card, or, conversely, require separate activation of the service. Before traveling abroad, it is recommended to clarify the conditions for the provision of roaming services in your personal account or with a consultant.

⚠️ Attention: Tariff parameters and technical capabilities of the network may be changed by the operator. If the described commands stop working, you can always check the latest information in the official MegaFon application or on the operator’s website in the help section.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will there be a fee for using the number hiding function?

No, use standard phone settings and USSD commands (#31#) to hide the number from the operator MegaFon is free. You are charged only for the minute of conversation according to your tariff plan. The basic AntiAON service does not require a monthly subscription fee.

Is it possible to hide the number when sending SMS?

No, it is technically impossible to hide the sender's number when sending regular SMS text messages over a cellular network. The recipient will always see your phone number. For anonymous correspondence, you should use instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), where you can configure the visibility of the number in the privacy settings of the application itself.

Why is the setting in the phone not saved after a reboot?

This may be due to a failure in the operator’s network profile. Try to activate hiding the number via the USSD command #31#, since this setting is saved on the server side MegaFon and does not depend on the memory state of your smartphone Samsung.

Will a police officer or special services officer see my number?

Yes. Hiding a number only works for the regular subscriber on the other end of the line. The telecom operator records all calls, and if there is a corresponding legal request from law enforcement agencies, the identity of the caller will be established regardless of the anonymity function enabled.

Does hiding the number work on dual-SIM Samsung?

Yes, the function works independently for each SIM card. You need to go to call settings, select a specific SIM card (SIM 1 or SIM 2) and apply the “Hide number” setting for it. Settings are not automatically synchronized between different slots.

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The most reliable way to hide a number on Samsung is a combination of the “Hide number” setting in the phone menu and checking the status via the USSD command #31#. This ensures that the rule is applied both at the device level and at the operator network level.