Star 67: What does it mean, and does it Still Work in 2025?

Does *67 Still Work to Hide/Block Caller ID on iPhone & Android?

Caller ID is a key part of our phone systems. It lets your recipient know who’s calling before they pick up, leading to more answered calls. But sometimes, you may not want to share your number when calling, whether for privacy or to avoid getting spam calls back. Star 67 has been around for a long time to keep your number hidden to make such calls.

*67, famous for its simplicity and effectiveness, has been a traditional way of ensuring privacy and control over outgoing calls. But with all the new technology and changes in phone systems, it’s common for many to wonder - Does Star 67 still work?

Key Points:

  • *67 is a feature widely available across North America. It falls under NANP (North American Numbering Plan), which temporarily blocks the caller ID when making a call.

  • It displays the number to the recipient as a ‘Private Number” or  “Blocked” on their caller ID.
  • Using Star 67 is free of cost and is available in many phone plans.
  • It does not block your number when texting or calling to toll-free and emergency numbers.
  • For permanent caller ID blocking, some service providers offer a service where your number is always hidden unless you use *82 to unblock it for specific calls temporarily.
  • Businesses use *67 to make outbound calls to clients during telemarketing activities like cold calling.


What is Star 67?

*67 is a feature that allows you to hide your phone number when making calls, ensuring the recipient sees “Private", "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your actual number. It temporarily conceals your number for privacy, but requires you to dial *67 each time you want to make an anonymous call.

It works on landlines, iPhones, and Android phones, but won’t work when calling toll-free numbers or emergency services (like 911). If the receiver has blocked anonymous calls, your call may not go through or could be sent straight to voicemail. It is free, but you need to dial it whenever you want to call anonymously.

The Star 67 phone code is also a key part of Vertical Service Codes – special numbers that allow users to modify how a call functions. People often turn to *67 to make anonymous calls. It offers a quick and efficient way to keep your phone number out of sight.

What Does Star 67 Do?

Dialing a Star 67 before any phone number temporarily hides your Caller ID for a specific call. Your number usually appears on the recipient’s phone when you call someone. *67 won’t work. Even though *67 hides your number, phone companies can still trace the call.

To use Star 67, just dial *67 before entering the phone number you wish to call. For example, if you're calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67 555-123-4567. Once the call is made, your phone number will not appear on the recipient's caller ID.

How Does Star 67 Hide Your Caller ID?

Star 67 is designed to block your outgoing caller ID. When you dial *67, followed by your number, your phone system sends a signal to your phone carrier, requesting privacy for that specific call. Your carrier then processes this request and separates your number from the data sent along with your call. The recipient's phone receives this modified data, and they won’t see your phone number on their caller ID. The process starts right after you make a call with the Star 67 phone code.

However, be mindful that it’s a temporary change only. Your number will be visible again on your next call unless you use *67 each time you want to hide it.

Is *67 Still Working in 2025?

Even with today’s diverse range of communication devices, *67 still works on cell phones and landlines. No matter which device you use, whether an iPhone or Android, the code allows you to hide your phone numbers during calls.

 

The process of using *67 is uniform across various devices. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use *67:

 

Step 1: For Cell Phone users, open your phone’s dialer. If you are a landline user, simply lift the handset and wait for the dial tone.

Step 2: Key in *67, followed by the phone number you wish to call. (Note: also include the area code in the phone number)

Step 3: Press the Call button.

 

The process is straightforward and quick. This simplicity of using *67 in different devices makes it still a popular choice for hiding outgoing caller IDs. 

When Does Star 67 Not Work?

While Star 67 still works to maintain privacy in phone communications, its effectiveness can vary depending on certain circumstances. Understanding when this code may not work helps you make more informed decisions.

  • Dialing Toll-Free Numbers: Toll-free numbers are set up to receive the caller’s information as part of their service. When you call toll-free numbers (like those starting with 800, 888, 877, etc.), *67 doesn’t hide your number.
  • Dialing Emergency Services: Star 67 also doesn’t work when you call emergency numbers like 911. This safety measure ensures emergency responders can access the caller’s phone number. It is crucial for an immediate and effective response.
  • When Your Number is Blocked: Using *67 won’t make a difference if someone has already blocked your number. The call will still be blocked because the recipient has chosen not to receive calls from your number. Instead, it may forward your calls to voicemails.
  • Depends on Your Carrier: The functionality of Star 67 can also depend on your phone service provider. Some carriers may have specific rules or settings that affect how *67 works. It’s always a good idea to check with your carrier for information regarding its functionality on your line.
  • Companies Using Caller ID Systems: Some companies use advanced caller ID systems that can still detect your phone number, even when you try to hide it using Star 67. Even if you're trying to make an anonymous call, the company might still be able to see your number.

Star 67 Alternatives

The *67 method works well to block your number when making calls. But it’s not the only option available to make anonymous calls. There are several ways, too. In fact, these alternatives offer a more permanent or versatile solution to maintain your privacy on phone calls.

Use Default Settings on iOS or Android

Both iOS and Android phones have built-in settings to hide your caller ID.


How to hide your number on iPhone?

To hide your number on an iPhone, open the settings, select “Phone”, click on “ Show My Caller ID”, and turn it off. 

  1. Open the ‘Settings’ app
  2. Select ‘Phone’
  3. Tap ‘Show My Caller ID’
  4. Toggle off Show My Caller ID

You can also hide your caller ID by dialing *67 before the phone number you're calling.

How to Hide your number on Android Devices?

To hide your caller ID on an Android device, first open the ‘Phone’ app, click on three dots in the top right corner, click on settings, navigate to call, select Caller ID, and pick Hide Number.

  1. Open the ‘Phone’ app
  2. Open the ‘Menu’
  3. Select ‘Settings’
  4. Click on ‘Call Settings’
  5. Click on ‘Additional Settings’
  6. Click on ‘Caller ID’
  7. Choose ‘Hide Number’
     

Additionally, you can hide your Caller ID on iPhone by dialing #31# before the number. 

Coordinate with Your Carrier

Many carriers offer services to block your number. You can contact them to set up a line block to hide your number permanently. It is helpful if you want a more consistent solution that doesn’t require dialing a *67 code every time you call. Be mindful that some service providers might charge for this service. So, communicate clearly with your carrier before activating the service. 

VoIP Platforms

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a modern alternative to traditional phone lines. You can utilize a VoIP phone system to manage how your caller ID appears to others. It often allows you to hide your number easily, making calls appear ‘Unknown’ or ‘Private.’ This setting is typically accessible and adjustable within the phone system. A VoIP platform is a great option to facilitate your phone calls with advanced communication features. 

Troubleshooting *67 Issues

If *67 isn't working, ensure you're dialing correctly with the proper dialing format, check if your carrier supports *67, or any service restrictions on your account.

1. Incorrect Dialing Format

Ensure you dial *67 before the receiver's phone number, including the area code. For example, dial *67-123-456-7890. If you miss the area code, it may not work.

2. Blocking Anonymous Calls

If the person you're calling has blocked anonymous calls, your call will be rejected. This happens when the caller ID is hidden, such as with *67. To reach them, you need to ensure your number is visible.

3. Phone Setting Problem

If your phone settings are incorrect, your call may not go through. If your caller ID is set to hide by default or call-blocking features are active, this can happen. To fix this, check your settings and make sure your number is visible and call-blocking is disabled.

4. International Calls

*67 may not work for international calls because some countries do not allow caller ID blocking or have different regulations about how phone numbers are displayed. Even if you dial *67, your number may still appear to the recipient, or the call may fail to connect.

Limitations of Star 67

Star 67 won’t hide your caller ID on toll-free, emergency, or some international numbers, and some carriers may charge extra for using it. It only blocks your number for that one call and doesn’t hide it from the phone network or authorities.

  • Star 67 does not allow you to hide the Caller ID on toll-free numbers (e.g., 800, 888), emergency numbers, and some international calls.
  • Some carriers may charge an additional fee for using *67 to block your caller ID.
  • It only hides your number for that specific call. To hide your caller ID on all outgoing calls, you need to adjust the settings on your phone.
  • Dialing *67 doesn't hide your number from the phone network or authorities; it only stops the person you're calling from seeing your number.

Conclusion

*67 is a simple and well-known way to block your phone number when you call someone. It’s easy to use and works the same on all kinds of phones. Many people still use Star 67 to hide their Caller ID. But remember, *67 is a temporary fix – you must dial it every time you call to hide your number.

Switching to a VoIP platform can be an excellent option for a more permanent solution. It allows you to hide your number and get more control over your caller ID. Calilio allows you to keep your number private or even change the name that appears when you call someone. Sign up now and control how you appear to others when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions28

Does Star 67 still block caller ID?

Dialing *67 before a phone number still works to block your caller ID for that specific call.

Does dialing *67 really work?

Dialing *67 does work to hide your number from the recipient’s caller ID temporarily. It’s effective on both landlines and cell phones.

Why does *67 not work anymore?

*67 should still work, but its effectiveness can vary depending on certain factors, such as the type of phone line, carrier policies, or when calling toll-free and emergency numbers.

Will *67 block my number?

Using *67 before dialing a number will block your number from being seen by the recipient for that call.

What is *67 vs *69?

*67 is used to block your caller ID when making a call, while *69 is used to call back the last number that called you, often without knowing their number.

Can a *67 call be traced back to you?

Even though *67 hides your caller ID, the call can still be traced by the phone service provider or through legal channels if necessary, especially when calls to emergency services or toll-free numbers.

Does * 67 work on saved contacts?

Yes, star 67 also works on saved contact. You must copy the saved number first, then dial *67 and paste or type that number.

Can I call someone without showing my number?

Yes, you can call someone without showing your number by dialing *67 before the recipient's number. 


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