What Does No Caller ID Mean? How to Block and Call Back

Have you ever seen the message “No Caller ID” appear on screen when your phone rings? 

Phone calls like these can be annoying, especially when you’re waiting for a specific call to come in. It’s understandably frustrating not being able to tell if it’s someone important or just another spam call. 

In this article, we’ll break down what No Caller ID means and how it’s different from “Unknown Caller” l. We’ll also walk you through how to block and silence these calls (and even call them back).

What Does It Mean When “No Caller ID” Calls Me?

When an incoming call appears as “No Caller ID” on your phone, it means the person on the other end has deliberately blocked their phone number from being shown. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re trying to trick or pull something over on you—there are legitimate reasons for hiding a number, such as someone preferring their privacy. 

However, telemarketers, robocallers, and scammers often use No Caller ID to hide their identity as a way to get you to answer their calls.

The “Unknown Caller” label, on the other hand, is usually displayed when your phone carrier can’t identify the caller’s number due to network or other issues with their system. This can be as simple as a clerical error or a new customer’s information not being updated in the carrier’s database. The caller may even be unaware that their Caller ID is popping up as “Unknown Caller.” 

The primary difference to remember is that if you see No Caller ID it means that the person on the other end of the call consciously decided to keep their number private. From there, it’s up to you whether to answer or to send them to voicemail. Here’s where call screening can come in handy.

Why Do I Keep Getting No Caller ID Calls?

If you’re suddenly receiving an influx of No Caller ID calls, it’s likely because your phone number has been added to a list used by telemarketers, scammers or robocallers. 

By using No Caller ID, they’re hoping you’ll answer their call because you think someone important is trying to reach you—like a job interviewer or a doctor's office. 

In this situation, there’s no way of knowing who’s calling before you answer, so you may be more likely to pick up. Even if you don’t, scammers place millions of calls daily in the U.S., so there’s a chance some other unsuspecting person will. 

How to Block No Caller ID Calls

If you’re tired of seeing No Caller ID alerts on your phone, the good news is that both iPhone and Android devices offer ways to block or silence these types of calls. 

Here are stelee waysto stop them from interrupting your day.

How to Silence No Caller ID on iPhone

If you’re using an Apple iPhone, follow these steps to silence No Caller ID calls:

1. Open your phone Settings.
2. Type in “Phone” in the Search bar at the top of the screen and select the app.
3. Scroll down to Silence Unknown Callers and switch it on.

This feature sends all calls from numbers not saved in your contacts straight to voicemail. 

While it won’t block these calls, it prevents your phone from ringing, which is the next best thing. Remember to check your voicemails in case you missed a real call from someone important. 

How to Block No Caller ID on iPhone

Turning on the “Silence Junk Callers” option will automatically silence unwanted calls that have been identified as fraud or spam by your carrier, though some No Caller ID calls may still get through. 

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Settings.
2. Type in “Phone” in the Search bar at the top of the screen and select the app.
3. Select “Call Blocking and Identification.”
4. Toggle on “Silence Junk Callers” if the option is available (depending on your carrier). 

How to Block No Caller ID on Android

Android users can block No Caller ID calls with these steps:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Choose Block Numbers.
5. Toggle on Unknown.

Once turned on, your phone will block anonymous calls from private or unidentified numbers, but you’ll still receive calls from people not in your contacts list who haven’t made their information private. 

How to Do No Caller ID 

While it’s annoying to receive calls from unknown callers, you might end up in a situation where you’d prefer to hide your own phone number.

If so, just dial *67 before the phone number you’re calling. For example, if you want to call 555-555-5555 without showing your number, dial *67-555-555-5555. This will display your call as No Caller ID to the recipient and keep your phone number a secret. The feature will only be activated for that specific call.

Google Voice, available to iOS and Android phones, can also use the Anonymous Caller ID feature. 

To hide your number using Google Voice:

• Open the Google Voice app.
• Tap the Menu. 
• Go to Settings, then Calls. 
• Switch on Anonymous caller ID. 

This hides your number from everyone—even people who you’ve saved—so they might not pick up. If the person you’re calling uses a spam blocker, your call could also go straight to voicemail.

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How to Call Back a “No Caller ID” Call

While silencing and blocking these numbers are a great step, you might also wonder, “How do you call back a No Caller ID call?” There are a couple of tricks you can try, though they won’t always work. 

Here are some ways to find out who called you from a hidden number.

Dial *69 to Call Back No Caller ID Call

One of the easiest ways to call back a hidden number is by dialing *69 after the call comes in. 

This feature traces the last incoming call, even if the number was blocked, and attempts to reconnect you with the person who called. Even if they don’t pick up, you might be able to find out a little bit more about them from their voicemail greeting. 

Keep in mind that *69 won’t always work with every phone carrier, and some may charge a fee for using this service. But when it works, it can be a quick way to find out who called you—or at least try to.

Use a Third-Party App to Reveal No Caller ID Identity

If you regularly receive No Caller ID calls and want to look up more about the caller, it may be time for a third-party app like TrapCall. 

TrapCall, which is available for iOS and Android, can attempt to unmask hidden numbers and even give you the option to block them from calling you again. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Download and set up the TrapCall app on your iPhone or Android device.
2. The next time you get a No Caller ID call, decline it.
3. If available, TrapCall will show the caller’s number.
4. Decide whether to return the call or block it.

While TrapCall offers a free trial, it’s a subscription service with monthly fees. However, it’s one of the few tools you can use to find out more information about these unknown callers.

How to Report No Caller ID Calls to Law Enforcement

If you believe an unknown caller is being malicious or harassing, you can try dialing *57 immediately after receiving the call. This feature logs metadata from the call that can be forwarded to law enforcement if you end up reporting the incident. 

Not all carriers support this feature, though, and there may be a fee for using it.

The Bottom Line

No Caller ID calls can be a nuisance, but there are a few tools you can use to manage them, whether you silence the calls, use an app like TrapCall to uncover who’s behind them, or try a star code.

While not all No Caller ID calls are scam calls, it’s important to treat these calls with the same amount of caution you would for any unknown number that comes on your way to avoid being the victim of a phishing attempt or financial scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does No Caller ID mean?

A “No Caller ID” label means the person calling you has taken steps to hide their identity. Answering one of these calls can be risky—it might be a harmless call from someone wanting privacy or a telemarketer or scammer trying to get through to you. Sending these calls to voicemail, or using other call screening methods before answering, can help give you peace of mind. 

Why can’t I call back a “No Caller ID” call?

Sometimes, there isn’t enough information immediately available to you, or the carrier or third-party app you’re using, to return a call labeled as No Caller ID. While this won’t always work, apps like TrapCall or dialing *69 can help you find out additional information about the caller, and both iPhone and Android have ways to block or silence these calls.

Does No Caller ID mean it’s a scammer?

When "No Caller ID" shows up on your phone, it doesn’t always mean the caller is trying to scam you. There are several ways for anyone to block their caller ID information from appearing, and they can choose to do so for any number of personal reasons. However, it’s best to approach these calls with caution if you receive one.