Withholding your telephone number means that it won’t be available to the person you’re calling.

In today’s connected world, privacy is a valuable commodity. One way to keep your identity under wraps is by withholding your phone number when making calls. Whether you’re operating from a landline or a smartphone, there are ways to make your calls without revealing your number.

Why withhold your number?

There are plenty of reasons someone might want to withhold their number. A business owner might want to separate their work life from their personal one. Or perhaps someone is planning a surprise event and doesn’t want their number to give the game away. Protecting oneself from unsolicited callbacks or possible scams is another strong argument for keeping your number anonymous.

You have every right to maintain your privacy, and controlling who sees your phone number is part of that right. Regardless of your reasons, shielding your number provides you with an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

It may be worth bearing in mind, however, that some people are suspicious of anonymous calls and might choose not to answer. This could include a handful of businesses or emergency services who might not entertain calls from unidentified numbers.

How do I withhold my phone number on a landline?

To withhold your landline number, all you need to do is dial 141 before you enter the number you wish to call.

Please bear in mind that you’ll need to do this each time you wish to make a call while withholding your number. So, the next time you want to dial out without your number flashing on the receiver’s screen, just remember – it’s as easy as 141!

How to withhold your mobile number

There are different ways to withhold your mobile number, depending on the make and model of your device…

How do I withhold my phone number on an Android?

If you’re an Android user, start by opening your ‘Phone’ app and then look for the three-dot icon. Tap on this and you’ll be taken to the ‘Settings’ option. Now, go to ‘Call Settings’ and then ‘Additional Settings’ and then ‘Caller ID’. Once you’ve found it, tap on it and select ‘Hide number’. Ta-da! Your number is now incognito.

Just remember, your number will remain hidden for all outgoing calls unless you go back and change it.

How do I withhold my phone number on an iPhone?

If you have an iPhone, go to ‘Settings’. Once there, make your way down to ‘Phone’. Then, choose ‘Show My Caller ID’ and flick the switch to ‘Off’. And there you have it!

Please bear in mind, this switch will remain off for all future calls unless you change it back.

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