Learn how to remove private number with easiest mode on Android, iPhone, or landline. Steps guide with bonus troubleshooting tips.
In today’s connected world, managing how your phone number appears to others is essential for effective communication. If your calls are showing up as “Private Number” or “Unknown” on the recipient’s caller ID, it might lead to missed calls or mistrust, especially in professional or emergency situations.
Fortunately, removing the private number setting is a straightforward process that can be done on most devices, including Android, iPhone, Samsung, Infinix, and Itel.
This guide provides detailed steps to make your caller ID visible, explains why you might want to do so, and offers troubleshooting tips and third-party app recommendations to enhance your call management.
Table of Contents
What Does “Private Number” Actually Mean?
Before diving into solutions, let’s talk about what “Private Number” means. When you or someone else calls with a number set to private, the recipient won’t see who’s calling. This feature hides the caller ID and shows “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller.”
Sounds useful for privacy, right? But it can backfire especially if friends, family, or clients refuse to answer calls from hidden numbers.
Why Is My Number Showing Up as Private?
There are several reasons your number might be showing up as private:
- You accidentally enabled caller ID blocking on your phone.
- Your carrier has it set up as the default.
- You’re using a third-party app or service that hides your caller ID.
- You manually added a code before calling (like *67 in the U.S.).
Why Remove the Private Number Setting?
There are several compelling reasons to make your caller ID visible:
- Increased Call Answer Rates: People are more likely to answer calls from a recognizable number. Private numbers are often mistaken for spam or robocalls, leading to ignored calls.
- Building Trust: Displaying your number, especially for business calls, establishes credibility and fosters trust with new contacts.
- Avoiding Confusion: If someone has your number saved, seeing “Private Number” might cause them to hesitate or assume it’s not you.
- Emergency Situations: In emergencies, a visible number allows services to quickly identify and reconnect with you if the call drops.
- Personal Preference: Some users prefer transparency, choosing to display their number for all outgoing calls.
By removing the private number setting, you can improve communication and ensure your calls are received as intended.
Steps on How to Remove Private Number Easily
The process to disable the private number setting varies slightly depending on your device. Below are detailed instructions for popular devices, based on reliable sources like CallHippo and TechCabal.
How to Remove Private Number on Android
Most Android devices follow a similar process to adjust caller ID settings:
- Open the Phone App: Launch the app you use to make calls, typically labeled “Phone.”
- Access Settings: Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select “Settings” or “Call Settings.” The exact label may vary by device.
- Navigate to Caller ID: Look for “Additional Settings” or “Supplementary Services.” Tap “Caller ID.”
- Select “Show Number”: Choose the option labeled “Show Number,” “Show My Caller ID,” or similar.
- Save Changes: Confirm your selection to apply the changes.
After adjusting these settings, make a test call to a friend to verify that your number is displayed. If you have a dual-SIM phone, ensure you select the correct SIM card in the settings.
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How to Remove Private Number on iPhone
For iPhone users, the process is simple and managed through the Settings app, as outlined by Legit.ng:
- Open Settings: Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Phone: Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
- Show My Caller ID: Tap “Show My Caller ID.”
- Toggle ON: Ensure the toggle is set to ON (green), indicating that your number will be visible when making calls.
If the “Show My Caller ID” option is grayed out, your carrier may have restricted this setting. Contact your mobile network provider to request changes.
How to Remove Private Number on Samsung Device
Samsung devices, being a popular Android variant, have a slightly tailored process, as noted by TechCabal:
- Open Phone App: Launch the Phone app from your home screen or app menu.
- Access Menu: Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
- Select Settings: Choose “Settings” or “Call Settings.”
- Navigate to Supplementary Services: Go to “Supplementary Services” or “Additional Settings.”
- Find Caller ID: Select “Caller ID” or “Outgoing Caller ID.”
- Choose Show Number: Select “Show My Phone Number” or “Display My Phone Number.”
- Save Changes: Tap “OK” or “Apply” to save.
Additionally, Samsung users can dial #31# before a phone number to temporarily display their caller ID for a single call.
Other Devices (Infinix, Itel, etc.)
For budget-friendly devices like Infinix and Itel, the steps are similar to those for general Android devices, as per CallHippo:
- Infinix:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select “Call Settings.”
- Navigate to “Additional Settings” and select “Caller ID.”
- Choose “Show Number.”
- Itel:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots and go to “Settings” or “Call Settings.”
- Find “Additional Settings” or “Advanced Settings.”
- Select “Caller ID” and choose “Show My Number.”
If these steps don’t work, it may be due to carrier-specific settings, requiring you to contact your provider.
Device | Steps to Remove Private Number |
---|---|
Android | Open Phone app > Three-dot menu > Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID > Show Number |
iPhone | Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID > Toggle ON (green) |
Samsung | Phone app > Three-dot menu > Settings > Supplementary Services > Caller ID > Show My Phone Number |
Infinix | Phone app > Three-dot menu > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID > Show Number |
Itel | Phone app > Three-dot menu > Settings > Advanced Settings > Caller ID > Show My Number |
Dialer Code Guide:
Code | Use Case |
---|---|
*82 | Show number (US/Canada) |
#31# | Show number (Global, most networks) |
*31# | Enable caller ID permanently |
#31#Number | Temporarily unhide number when calling |
What If You Use a VoIP Service or Business Line?
VoIP services like CallHippo, Google Voice, or Skype often have default privacy settings.
Steps to Unblock Your Caller ID:
- Log into your account dashboard.
- Go to Settings > Caller ID Settings.
- Choose “Show My Caller ID.”
Every provider’s dashboard is different—but they almost always include this setting.
Using Third-Party Apps
In addition to device settings, third-party apps can enhance caller ID management and provide additional features:
- Hiya: This app helps manage caller ID and block spam calls. You can verify your caller ID settings within the app to ensure your number is visible (Hiya).
- Truecaller: Known for identifying unknown callers, Truecaller allows you to manage your caller ID and unlist your number from their database to avoid appearing as private (Truecaller).
- TrapCall: Primarily used to unmask incoming private calls, TrapCall can indirectly help manage outgoing caller ID by providing insights into call perception (TrapCall).
These apps are particularly useful if you encounter persistent issues or want advanced call management features.
How to Test if Your Caller ID is Working
Don’t assume it’s fixed—test it!
Test Your Fix Like This:
- Call a friend or family member.
- Ask if your number shows up.
- Or call your second phone, if you have one.
If it still shows up as private, double-check your settings.
What About Repeatedly Getting Calls From Private Numbers?
Now, let’s flip the script.
Are you receiving constant calls from hidden numbers?
Here’s what you can do:
1. Block Unknown or Private Callers
Most smartphones allow this now.
Android:
- Go to Phone app > Settings > Block Numbers.
- Enable Block unknown/private numbers.
iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
2. Use Third-Party Apps
Try apps like:
- Truecaller
- Hiya
- RoboKiller
These apps detect and block anonymous spam calls.
What If You Want To Hide Your Number Again?
Changed your mind? No problem.
Quick Toggle Back:
Android/iPhone Settings > Toggle Caller ID to “Hide.”
Or simply dial:
- #31# before the number (global)
- Use VoIP platforms like CallHippo for toggling caller ID on/off for different campaigns.
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Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your number still appears as private after following the steps above, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- Check Carrier Settings: Some carriers override device settings. Contact your provider to confirm that caller ID blocking is disabled.
- Use USSD Codes: Dial #31# before a phone number to temporarily show your caller ID for that call.
- Restart Your Device: A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches in settings.
- Update Software: Ensure your device is running the latest software version, as updates may fix bugs related to caller ID.
- Contact Support: If issues persist, reach out to your device manufacturer or visit their support website, such as Samsung Support.
FAQs
What If You Want To Hide Your Number Again?
#31# before the number
Can You Permanently Remove Your Number from Private Mode?
Absolutely! Whether you’re using Android, iPhone, or a landline, you can change the settings. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything.
Why does my number show as private when I call someone?
It might be because of your phone settings, a carrier block, or a dial code like *67.
Is it legal to hide your caller ID?
Yes, but using it to harass or scam people is illegal.
Can I remove the private number setting temporarily?
Yes! Just dial *82 or #31# before calling.
What if my carrier won’t unblock my caller ID?
You may need to switch carriers or use a third-party app.
What happens if you dial *#31?
if you dial *#31 + Phone number# your number will be blocked
Can I block calls from private numbers?
Absolutely. Both Android and iPhone support this in settings, or you can use apps like Truecaller.