How to Call Someone Privately: A Comprehensive Guide

have a sensitive conversation, or simply wish to maintain your personal privacy, knowing how to call someone privately is crucial. There are several ways to hide your number when calling someone, ensuring that your contact information is not visible to the recipient. This guide will cover a variety of methods for calling someone privately across different devices, operating systems, and scenarios.

Why Call Someone Privately?

Before diving into the methods of making private calls, it’s important to understand why you might want to do so. There are several valid reasons for wanting to maintain privacy when calling someone:

1. Protecting Personal Information: You may not want to reveal your phone number to someone you don’t know well, especially in case of one-time calls or unfamiliar recipients.
2. Business or Professional Reasons: Many businesses or professionals need to make calls without revealing their personal phone number, either to protect their identity or to maintain a boundary between personal and professional lines.
3. Avoiding Spam or Unwanted Calls: When you don’t want to be inundated with return calls or follow-up messages from someone you called.
4. Security and Privacy Concerns: In certain situations, protecting your phone number from exposure is a matter of safety, especially if you’re calling sensitive contacts or dealing with personal matters.

How to Call Someone Privately on Mobile Devices

1. *Using 67 to Block Your Caller ID (For U.S. and Canada)

One of the most common ways to hide your phone number when making a call in the United States or Canada is by using the *67 service. This simple code works for both mobile and landline phones. Here’s how to use it:

• Step 1: Dial *67 before the phone number of the person you want to call.
• Step 2: After dialing *67, enter the phone number (including area code) of the person you wish to call.
• Step 3: Press the call button.
• Result: The recipient will see “Blocked” or “Unknown” on their caller ID instead of your number.

It’s important to note that this method works only for one-time calls. If you want to block your number permanently for all outgoing calls, you will need to adjust the settings directly on your phone or through your mobile carrier.

2. Blocking Your Number Through Phone Settings (iPhone and Android)

If you need to make private calls regularly, both iPhone and Android devices allow you to block your number by adjusting the settings on the device itself. Here’s how:

• For iPhone:
  • Step 1: Open the “Settings” app.
  • Step 2: Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
  • Step 3: Tap on “Show My Caller ID.”
  • Step 4: Toggle the switch to turn off “Show My Caller ID.”
  • Step 5: Once this is off, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.
• For Android:
  • Step 1: Open the “Phone” app.
  • Step 2: Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.
  • Step 3: Select “Settings” or “Call Settings.”
  • Step 4: Tap on “Caller ID” or “Additional settings.”
  • Step 5: Select “Hide Number.”
  • Step 6: Once selected, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.

This method blocks your number for all calls, so it’s ideal for frequent private calling. However, it’s also important to remember that some recipients may not answer calls from unknown numbers.

3. Using Google Voice (For Android and iPhone)

Google Voice allows users to make calls from a different number, providing an excellent alternative for those who want to keep their personal number private. Here’s how to use Google Voice:

• Step 1: Download the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and set it up.
• Step 2: Once you’ve created your account, Google will assign you a new number. This number can be used for calling, texting, and voicemail.
• Step 3: When you make a call through the Google Voice app, your assigned Google Voice number will be displayed instead of your personal phone number.

Google Voice is especially useful for people who need to keep their personal number private but still want to make regular calls. It’s free in the U.S. for calls to other U.S. numbers and offers competitive international rates.

4. Using a Burner Phone or Temporary Number

If you want to make private calls but don’t want to use your primary number at all, you can consider getting a burner phone or a temporary phone number. This method can be useful in scenarios like online selling or when you’re dealing with people you don’t know well.

• Burner Phone: A burner phone is a prepaid phone that you can use for temporary calls. It’s useful when you need to maintain privacy and avoid revealing your main number. Burner phones can be found at most major electronics retailers, and they allow you to make calls with a different phone number.
• Temporary Phone Numbers (Apps like Burner, Hushed, or TextNow): Many apps offer temporary phone numbers that can be used for a set period or a specific number of calls. These services work via your smartphone and are a cost-effective way to keep your number private.

Using a burner phone or temporary number ensures that your personal phone number remains undisclosed, offering both privacy and convenience.

How to Call Someone Privately Using VoIP Services

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services allow users to make phone calls over the internet rather than through traditional cellular networks. These services often offer additional privacy features, such as the ability to call anonymously. Here are a few popular options:

1. Skype

Skype is a widely-used VoIP service that offers the ability to make both voice and video calls. To make a private call on Skype:

• Step 1: Download and install the Skype app.
• Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account or create one if you don’t have one.
• Step 3: Skype allows you to call someone directly using their phone number, but this may require purchasing Skype credits. You can also choose to display a different number by adjusting your settings.
• Step 4: You can make an anonymous call through Skype by disabling your caller ID in the settings before placing the call.

This method works for calling both landlines and mobile phones, offering a level of privacy for both casual and business calls.

2. WhatsApp and Other Messaging Apps

For making calls over the internet, apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram allow users to make calls without revealing their phone number to the person they’re calling. These services use your internet connection instead of your mobile network, so your number isn’t shown to the recipient if you don’t share it.

• Step 1: Download the app (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram).
• Step 2: Make sure both you and the recipient have the app installed.
• Step 3: Once you initiate a call, the recipient will see your profile name or a default name instead of your phone number.

These apps often allow for end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your calls remain private and secure.

How to Call Someone Privately with a Landline

While most of the methods discussed so far focus on mobile devices, you may still want to make private calls using a landline. Here’s how to do it:

• For a One-Time Private Call: In many countries, you can block your number by dialing a specific code before dialing the number you wish to call. For example, in the U.S. and Canada, you can use *67, while in the UK, you can use 141.
• For Regular Private Calls: Contact your telephone service provider and request a permanent caller ID block. This is often available for an additional fee but will ensure that all calls from your landline appear as “Private” or “Blocked.”

Tips for Calling Someone Privately

• Respect Privacy: When calling someone privately, be aware that some people may not answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers. If you’re calling someone important, it’s a good idea to let them know in advance that you’ll be calling privately.
• Use Secure Networks: For internet calls, always use a secure Wi-Fi network or mobile data connection to prevent your call from being intercepted.
• Consider Legal and Ethical Boundaries: In some regions, hiding your caller ID may be illegal in certain contexts, especially for harassing or fraudulent purposes. Always make sure your calls are for legitimate reasons.

Conclusion

Making private calls is an essential skill in today’s interconnected world. Whether you want to protect your personal information, separate your professional and private lives, or simply maintain some anonymity, there are several methods available for calling someone privately. From dialing special codes to using apps like Google Voice, Burner, and VoIP services, you can find the solution that best fits your needs.