Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent callers from seeing your name and phone number. Note: if you succeed in hiding your caller ID from the other end of the line, they will rarely pick up; Additionally, many call screening apps and services will immediately terminate the call from the hidden ID. Even if you hide your caller ID, you won't be able to prevent calls from unwanted numbers.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Use blocking code

1. 

   App Store, click Search (Search), select the search bar, enter google voice and press Search, Press the button GET (Receive) next to the Google Voice app and enter your Touch ID sensor or Apple ID password when prompted.
2. On Android - Open

   

   
   
   Play Store, press the search bar, enter google voice, choose Google Voice from the drop-down menu, press INSTALL (Install) and click ACCEPT (Accept) when prompted.

3. 

   Open Google Voice. Click OPEN (Open) on the store app.
   • You can also tap the white phone-shaped Google Voice app icon on a dark green background to open it.

4. 

   
   
   Click GET STARTED (Start) in the middle of the screen.

5. 

   Select a Google Account account. Tap the switch to the right of the account where you want to use Google Voice.
   • If you haven't registered a Google Account for your smartphone, tap Add account (Add an account), then enter your email address and password.

6. 

   
   
   Click ☰ in the upper left corner of the screen. A menu will pop up.
   • If asked to choose a number for your Google Voice account, skip this step and the next two steps.

7. 

   Click Settings (Settings) is located in the middle of the pop-up menu.

8. 

   Click CHOOSE (Choose). This option is below the "Account" heading near the top of the page.
   • On Android, you need to tap Get a Google Voice number (Get Google Voice number) here.

9. 

   Press the button SEARCH in the lower right corner of the screen.

10. 

    Enter a city name. Tap the search box at the top of the screen, then enter the city name (or postal code) where you'll use the number.

11. 

    Check out the numbers that appear. In the list of available phone numbers, select the desired number.

12. 

    Click SELECT (Select) is to the right of the number you want to use.

13. 

    Click NEXT (Continued) twice. This option is in the lower right corner of the screen.

14. 

    Enter your phone number. Enter your real phone number.

15. 

    Click SEND CODE (Send code). This action is in the lower right corner of the screen. Google Voice sends a 6-character code to the Messages app on your phone.

16. 

    Get the Google Voice code. Proceed as follows:
    • Minimize the Google Voice app (don't close it completely).
    • Open the Messages app on your phone.
    • Select new message from Google.
    • See the 6-character code in the message.
    • Reopen Google Voice.

17. 

    Insert code. Enter the 6-character code you just viewed in the message.

18. 

    Click VERIFY (Verify) in the lower right corner of the screen.

19. 

    Complete the process of applying for a number. Please click CLAIM (Receive) when an option appears, then press FINISH (Done) when prompted. The Google Voice main page will appear.

20. 

    Make calls with Google Voice. When calling, Google Voice will use the number assigned to the previous account, so that the recipient will not be able to see your real phone number. To make the call, please:
    • Click on the card Calls (Call).
    • Tap the blue and white dialer icon in the lower right corner.
    • Dial the number you want to call.
    • Tap the blue and white call button at the bottom of the screen.
    • Wait for the prompt with another number to appear.
    • Click Call (Call) to make a call.
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Advice

• Many service providers will permanently hide caller ID for your number if you call the switchboard and ask. This service usually charges an additional monthly fee.
• The temporary block code does not hide your caller ID from emergency services (when you call local emergency services or a 911 in the US) nor to toll-free numbers (for example, if you are call 1-800). Therefore, these codes do not prevent the authorities from retrieving your call.
• If you want to make an anonymous call where you cannot access your name, phone number or personal address, you can always use a paid public phone.
• You can find more information online on how to hide caller ID if you have an iPhone.

Warning

• Using a prepaid phone card does not guarantee that the caller ID will be hidden, as some carriers will often pass on your information to the recipient.
• If you want to give up your old Google Voice number, you need to wait 90 days before setting up a new number.