How to Put Your Number on Private: the Complete Guide for Any Smartphone
By Alexander Ross
The simplest way to mask your line requires no software changes. Vertical service codes, standardized by telecommunications unions, instruct network switches to drop outbound caller ID on a call-by-call basis. You dial the designated prefix, followed immediately by the destination phone number.
In the United States and Canada, the standard vertical code is *67. Dialing *67-555-0199 forces the terminating exchange to display "Private," "Anonymous," or "Restricted" on the recipient's screen. If you operate in the United Kingdom, the equivalent code is 141. Across Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and most GSM-based European networks, the global standard code is #31#.
Prefix dialing works reliably because it operates directly on the originating switchboard. The carrier intercepts the prefix, modifies the Signaling System No. 7 Calling Party Presentation parameter to "Presentation Restricted," and routes the voice channel cleanly. This method costs nothing, requires no cellular data, and works on both cutting-edge smartphones and decades-old landline handsets.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
