The term "block number when calling" can relate to two common topics:
- Blocking incoming calls from a specific phone number so that you do not receive calls from that number.
- Blocking or hiding your own phone number (caller ID) when you are making a call, so that the recipient cannot see your number.
Here's a summary for both:
Blocking Incoming Calls from a Number
- You can block a specific phone number using the phone app on most smartphones.
- On Android, for example, open the Phone app, go to call history, select the number, and choose to block it.
- When a blocked number calls you, the call is automatically declined, and if visual voicemail is enabled, they cannot leave a voicemail.
- You can also block unknown or private numbers in your phone settings.
Blocking or Hiding Your Number When Calling
- To hide your phone number from someone you are calling, you can use a feature called "Caller ID Blocking."
- One way is to dial a prefix code before the number you call — in the US, this code is typically *67. For example, dialing *67 followed by the phone number blocks your number for that single call.
- Alternatively, you can change your phone settings to hide your caller ID by default for all outgoing calls.
- This hiding does not work for toll-free numbers or emergency services and may not be supported by all carriers.
- Apps like Google Voice can also mask your number by providing a different number for calling.
If the question is about how or when blocking happens when calling, blocking a caller's number happens automatically when you have set up blocking on your phone for that number or against unknown/private numbers. When you want to hide your number while calling, you typically dial a special code before the number or change the caller ID settings just before the call. Let me know if more specific instructions for a device or situation are needed. This information has been compiled from multiple sources including Google Phone app help, FTC guidelines, T-Mobile, Verizon, and recent tech guides.
