How to Make your Phone Number Private: A Helpful Guide

In today’s digital age there’s a lot of reasons you want to keep your information private, especially your phone number. Unfortunately as tech has evolved more and more people have become invested in tricking and scamming their way into getting your personal information and using it to harm you and possibly others in order to benefit their own gain. With just a cell phone number you can get a lot more information than you may think.

Think about it: the first three digits of your cell phone number shows your area code, which shows the general area of where you live, and most of the time people don’t want that info out in the world- potentially to people that could do harm with it. Plus, nowadays when you call someone it doesn’t just show your number, it can also show your full name which is another piece of info you might not want out there. 

Keeping your phone number private can be beneficial for many different reasons and there are a few different methods to keep your phone number private. And no it’s not just dialing *67 before flying a number, but that is a great method to keep individual calls private which we will go over. There are a bunch of ways and we’re gonna cover it all- how to make your phone number private, why it’s important to keep certain information private, and what decoupling data is. You might not know what decoupling data entails at first, but don’t worry, we got your backs.

• The Basics: What is caller ID and caller ID name?
• Why is it important to keep certain information private?
• How to make your phone number private vs how to make an individual call private (The *67 Method)

• How to Make a Phone Number Private: For Android Users
• How to Make a Phone Number Private: For iPhone/IOS Users
• How to Make a Phone Number Private: Through Your Cell Carrier

• Decoupling Data: A Data Privacy Option
• REALLY: The World’s First Fully Encrypted & Private Phone Service

The Basics: What is caller ID and caller ID name?

“Caller ID” is a phrase you’ve most likely heard before, when you’d be getting a call from someone you would glance down at your phone and check the “caller ID” to see who it is. Now what most people might not know is that caller ID only refers to the number, while caller ID name refers to the name displayed under (or above) said number. 

Caller ID (CLID) and caller ID name (CNAM) are the two systems in place in order to help identify incoming callers. 

About: caller ID name (CNAM)

Sometimes when you’re getting a call from someone you will only notice the number and you won’t see a name attached- that’s because the caller ID name isn’t always active and/or all the way accurate. The reason for that is because there isn’t a centralized database for caller ID name(s), in fact some businesses will have to call their service provider to have them set up their caller ID name so potential clients will be able to recognize the name that’s calling them. The last thing a new business wants is their name not showing up when making important calls. CNAM as a whole are separate outside telecom services that phone companies use in order to attach the name to the number. You can choose up to 15 ASCII characters for your caller ID name so if you’ve got a long name yourself or for a business, you may have to get creative!

Caller ID and caller ID name isn’t just limited to one kind of phone either as landlines, VoIP, and cell phones all offer those “caller” services. They are two powerful tools we may take for granted in this day and age, but we know they have a great number of potential advantages and disadvantages. 

Why is it important to keep certain information private?

Of course the advantages for having your caller ID and caller ID name public boils down to having those you call be able to recognize your name and number. This way they are more likely to pick up the phone and won’t be dissuaded by either “Private Caller,” “Unknown Number,” “No Caller ID,” or something similar. 

But- there are people, you may be a part of this pool, that don’t want their name and number displayed each time they call or they only want to be labeled as “private” when they call certain numbers, which is possible- but more on that later. 

There’s a lot someone can do with just a name and a number, in this “tech forward” day and age you’ll find that the more you keep things private the more you can prevent the possibility of scams.

• Good to Note: All of the potential possibilities of what a person can do with a name and number are exactly that: a potential and a possibility- just because you currently have your CLID and CNAM active doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to get scammed, we’re just explaining what someone could do with your caller information. It’s always good to keep an eye on the possible when it comes to your online footprint.

• Targeted Calls & Phishing: You know when you’d get calls or even texts saying something like, “your package is stuck at our facility, please log-in to confirm your shipping and billing information.” Or maybe the classic example you’ll see the older person on TV fall for, “we’re from your bank and we’ve discovered your banking information has been leaked, can we please get your credit information and social security number to shut down your accounts in order to prevent any further action on your account?” These are known as targeted calls and phishing attempts and you’ll notice you get them more with your CLID and CNAM out there.
• Spoofing your Calls: Hackers will “spoof” your phone number in order to try to attack people you know by calling them, pretending to be you, asking for money or confirming possible security questions you might have on your accounts like a niece or nephews name, your first pet- things like that. 
• Hacking Attempts: Think about how often you link your phone number to a new account you create. Your phone is often a part of the “two-factor authentication” used by so many websites nowadays. (Two Factor Authentication is when a website and app asks you for two or more pieces of information (evidence) in order to ensure it’s actually you trying to log-in to your accounts). 

These are just some possibilities of what a person can do with a name and number so the more data privacy conscious person may be interested in keeping their caller ID and caller ID name private, but how do you go about that? And is there a way to have your calls be labeled as “private” temporarily? Let’s talk about that…

How to make your phone number private vs how to make an individual call private (The *67 Method)

You may want the best of both worlds of having your caller ID and caller ID name displayed when you call a family member, friend, loved one, and/or business prospect but want to keep your CLID and CNAM private when you’re calling someone you don’t know or having to call back a number you aren’t too sure about- and luckily you can!

Making your phone number (your caller ID and caller ID name) private permanently is an option you can set up with a few easy steps, (we will give you guide soon don’t worry), or you can simply keep your caller information private for an individual call by dialing *67 before typing in the number you’re trying to call. 

Yup, it’s that easy. We teased it in the intro but by proceeding the number you are calling with *67 you’re able to keep that individual call private while still having your caller ID and caller ID name information public for people you do know. 

Here’s what it looks like typed so you understand what we mean visually:

*67 (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Now as for keeping your phone number private on a permanent basis (though you can always toggle these options back off again if you decide you want to have your caller information show), there are a few methods depending on the type of phone you have.

→ How to Make a Phone Number Private: For Android Users

“Android” covers a lot of different makes and models of phones, unlike iPhones there isn’t a one size fits all setting set up. Some Android phones will have slightly different words or display options compared to others, luckily in the past we’ve been able to give you a general outline that should work for any Android user. If none of the options below are presented on your phone then there’s a good chance your device and/or carrier doesn’t support the option to make your phone number private.

1. Find and open the ‘Phone’ app
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner (if you do not have these three dots you may move onto step three)
3. Click on ‘Settings’ and/or ‘Call Settings’ (each will take you to the right place, the name may be different depending on the device model)
4. Scroll down until you see any of the following and once you do click on it: 

• ‘More Settings’ 
• ‘Other Call Settings’
• ‘Calls’
• ‘Calling Accounts’

After that:

• If you see ‘Show My Caller ID’ click that and then click on ‘Hide Number’
• If you see your SIM Card, click the SIM card number you want to hide, then click ‘Advanced Settings’ and then click on ‘Caller ID’ – then select ‘Hide Number’
• If you’ve clicked on ‘Calls’ and see ‘Additional Settings’ click on that and then turn off ‘Caller ID’ by toggling off the button

→ How to Make a Phone Number Private: For iPhone/IOS Users

For Apple/IOS users you shouldn’t run into any differently named settings or screen display positions as they keep their base settings almost entirely the same amongst every phone. (If you do run into any issues we’d recommend trying Apple Support, look at the Community Center, or update your phone to the latest IOS update). Okay let’s dive in:

1. Open the ‘Settings’ app
2. Scroll down the list of settings until you see ‘Phone’
3. Closer to the bottom of the page you’ll see ‘Show My Caller ID’ – click on it
4. Click on ‘Show My Caller ID’
5. Toggle (switch off) the ‘Show My Caller ID’ feature

→ How to Make a Phone Number Private: Through Your Cell Carrier

If you’re someone that has difficulty finding phone settings or would rather talk to a real person that can help walk you through the steps, set it up for you- (if they can), and/or help should there be any problems that arise trying to follow the guide(s) above then you can always call your respective cell phone carrier and they will be able to help your permanently hide your phone number- but be warned some carriers may require a small fee for this change.

Decoupling Data: A Data Privacy Option

As you begin your research into keeping your phone number private and other data privacy options you may come across decoupling data. There’s no exact definition of data privacy, but experts have rounded it up to be complete autonomy over your online personal information including deciding what organizations and/or companies will collect, store, profit, and use your online digital footprints. It’s basically ensuring the person’s right to their own digital information. 

Decoupling data is a data privacy option, in simple terms decoupling is “the separation of previously linked systems so that they may operate independently.”

Normally when you’re searching for something, say an “in-season summer bathing suit” as the weather is getting nicer and you want to stay on trend. When you search for this in the Google search bar, Google will see this and be able to know that you, your IP address looked up “in-season summer bathing suit” and they will be able to identify you as the person who looked up that specific term on that specific day and time. 

Decoupling data is when you’re separating that data from itself- it’s giving extra steps to consumers and shielding you from being able to be known as you use the internet in various ways.

You could almost say that decoupling data is the separation of data. It’s treated separately so it is harder to trace to a single source. 

Using our bathing suit example from earlier, Google will notice the data path you take-

So when you’re browsing, like searching that term into Google, you’ll instead have your computer or phone see you as different sources or “users.” That’s decoupling data. Normally these data types or paths are pointing at you in three different ways all from the same direction- aka one centralized way. With decoupling someone won’t be able to see all of these connections and connect them to one single user. It’s a small but effective way to prevent lookie-loos from potentially learning and using your personal online information. 

If your call information, or rather the signal of your phone call, is not coupled, or inherently joined to, your identifying information, it makes it easier when making a private call to separate those two so that your call is anonymous and private. Decoupling data is an effective way for programmers to make it harder to trace info back to a source if you want it to be private or secure.

Decoupling is about decentralizing the centralized and a relatively new type of wireless network that is doing exactly that is called DeWi which literally means Decentralized Wireless. It allows users to “host wireless devices and control the network they use.” It focuses on privacy and anonymity. 

Learn more about decentralized wireless (DeWi) from this related blog post: What is DeWi? Our Complete Guide to Decentralized Wireless Networks

REALLY: The World’s First Fully Encrypted & Private Phone Service

REALLY is the world’s first phone service that’s fully encrypted and is completely private. There’s no spying, no tracking, and no hacking. REALLY will never sell your data because they don’t have access to it! It’s a phone service for those who are concerned about their data privacy and you can join the waitlist here. They are a part of the DeWi movement and their mission is to “build the world's largest people-powered mobile network, emphasizing privacy, eliminating dead zones, and unlocking universal connectivity.”

• And if you’re interested in other REALLY services like comparing and contrasting any wireless carrier to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.

Keeping your phone number private has a lot of benefits, data privacy is important in this day and age. We’ve outlined ways to toggle your private number on and given an easy but effective way to keep your caller information private for an individual call, (we love you *67). So go forth and utilize all of these data privacy options in your life to keep your online footprints a little less magnified.