How to Withhold Your Number on iPhone (UK 141 and Caller ID Settings)

September 28, 2026

You can permanently hide your number in iPhone settings by going to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turning the switch off, or temporarily hide it for a single call by dialing 141 before the phone number.

Hide Number Permanently via Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Phone (or go to Apps then Phone on newer iOS versions).
Tap Show My Caller ID.
Toggle the switch to Off (it will turn grey).

If the Show My Caller ID option is grayed out or missing, your mobile carrier does not allow you to change this setting from your phone. You must contact your carrier directly to block your caller ID.

Pro Tip

Save your most common private contacts with 141 already typed in front of the number. This removes the risk of forgetting the code and accidentally showing your number to someone you meant to keep it from.

The setting depends on your mobile network, and the 141 code is the most reliable option for UK users. This guide shows both methods, how to turn your number back on, the situations where your number still shows, and how to deal with withheld numbers calling you.

Method 1: Hide Your Number on Every Call

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap Apps, then tap Phone. On older versions of iOS, tap Phone directly in Settings.
Tap Show My Caller ID.
Switch the toggle off.

All your calls now show as withheld. Switch the toggle back on to show your number again.

Important: Some mobile networks do not support this setting. If the toggle is greyed out, missing, or your number still appears on the other person’s phone, use the 141 method below or contact your network.

Method 2: Withhold Your Number for One Call With 141 (UK)

This is the simplest and most dependable way in the UK.

Open the Phone app and tap Keypad.
Type 141.
Type the full number you want to call straight after it, for example 141 followed by the number.
Tap the green call button.

Your number is hidden for that call only. The next call shows your number as normal. To show your number for one call when you have hidden it by default, dial 1470 before the number instead.

Hide Your Number in the UK and Other Countries

In the UK, dial 141 before the phone number to hide your caller ID for that call. Other countries use different codes, so check your mobile network’s code or ask your provider. The Show My Caller ID setting works on iPhones where your network supports caller ID controls.

How to Withhold a Number for Regular Calls

If you often need to call the same person privately, such as a landlord or a delivery company, save the number with the prefix built in.

Open Contacts and create a new contact.
In the phone field, type 141 followed by the number.
Save it with a clear name such as the person’s name plus the word private.

One tap now calls with your number hidden and you never have to remember the code.

What Still Shows Your Number

Withholding your number is not the same as being untraceable.

Emergency services: calls to 999 or 112 always share your number.
Some freephone and service lines: certain organisations receive your number even when it is withheld.
Text messages and iMessage: hiding caller ID does not hide your number when you send messages.
FaceTime and other apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps identify you by your phone number or account.
Your network and the police: your provider keeps records, and a call made to harass someone can be traced.

Only hide your number for legitimate privacy reasons. Anonymous calls made to threaten or annoy people are illegal.

Why Your Number Still Shows After You Hide It

Your network does not support the toggle. Use 141 for each call.
The setting was not saved. Turn Show My Caller ID off again, then restart your iPhone.
You called through an app. Apps use their own identity, not your carrier caller ID.
You are on WiFi Calling. Switch WiFi Calling off and on in Settings, Apps, Phone, then test again.
Your SIM contract limits it. Ask your provider whether caller ID withholding is enabled on your account.

How to Stop Withheld and Unknown Calls on Your Own iPhone

Many people search for this topic because they receive calls from No Caller ID numbers.

Open Settings, tap Apps and tap Phone.
Turn on Silence Unknown Callers. Calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail and appear in your recents list.
On newer versions of iOS you will also see Screen Unknown Callers, which asks the caller to explain who they are before your phone rings.

Make sure family, doctors and delivery contacts are saved so you do not miss their calls.

Protect More of Your Privacy on iPhone

Hiding your number is one part of staying private. Your iPhone name can also reveal your real name to anyone nearby, so read how to change your iPhone name. You can control where your device appears to be with our guide to switch location from iPhone devices, and you can keep personal apps out of sight by learning to hide apps on iPad screens shared with others.

More Useful iPhone Guides

Once your caller ID settings are sorted, you may want to handle a few other everyday iPhone tasks. Learn how to scan on your iPhone when you need to digitise documents, QR codes or printed information without installing another app.

You can also read our guide on how to edit videos on iPhone if you regularly create or share clips from the same device. Both guides cover built-in iPhone tools and straightforward steps you can use without extra software.

Keep Personal Numbers Private With Rented Business iPhones

Temporary teams often end up using personal phones for work calls, which exposes staff numbers to customers and suppliers. Hiring company iPhones solves this without a long contract.

Events and field marketing: give each staff member a hired handset with its own business line, so personal numbers stay private. See how teams use field marketing iPad rental alongside phones.
Seasonal or project teams: rent iPhone rental for businesses handsets for weeks or months, then return them when the work ends.
Short notice needs: if you need devices fast, read about last minute tech rental across the UK.

Contact our team for a quote on configured iPhones delivered to your door.

Rent Tech Devices for Business Events and Professional Use

Rent tech devices for business events, conferences, exhibitions, and corporate projects. Hire Tablets UK provides professionally prepared devices with quick delivery and dependable support, making it simple for businesses to run events and activities without technical concerns.

Get a Quote Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 141 work on an iPhone?

Yes. Dial 141 on the keypad, then the full number, and your iPhone hides your caller ID for that call. It works on UK networks and does not change any settings.

Why is Show My Caller ID greyed out on my iPhone?

Your mobile network probably does not support switching it from the phone. Use 141 for one call or ask your provider to enable caller ID withholding on your account.

Can someone find out my number if I withhold it?

The person you call cannot see it, but your network keeps records and can share them with the police in serious cases.

Will my number show if I text someone after hiding it?

Yes. Caller ID settings apply only to voice calls. Text messages and iMessage still identify your number or Apple Account.

How do I show my number again for one call?

In the UK, dial 1470 before the number. To show it for every call, switch Show My Caller ID back on in your Phone settings.

What does the other person see when I hide my number?

Most phones display Withheld, No Caller ID, Private Number or Unknown. The wording depends on their phone and network.

Can I hire iPhones so staff do not use their personal numbers?

Yes. Hired business iPhones come with their own line, so staff can call customers without sharing a personal number. This suits events, campaigns and seasonal teams that only need phones for a short time.

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