How to Mask Your Phone Number with a Second Number

There are plenty of reasons you might want someone to reach you without giving them your personal number. Maybe you’re moving a conversation off a dating app, coordinating an online purchase, or signing up for a service that requires a phone number.

For a one-time call, you can mask your number using *67 or your phone’s caller ID settings. But if you want someone to see a working number they can call or text back, a second phone number keeps your personal number private without limiting the conversation.

Here’s how each option works and when a second number with Burner makes more sense.

What Does It Mean to Mask Your Phone Number?

Masking your phone number means preventing your personal number from appearing to the person you’re contacting. Traditionally, this means blocking caller ID so the recipient sees “Private,” “Unknown,” or “No Caller ID” instead of your number.

You can also keep your personal number private by using a second number. Instead of appearing as an unidentified caller, you can contact someone from a separate, working number that they can call or text back.

The right option depends on what you need. Caller ID works for one-way privacy on individual calls, while a second phone number lets you communicate normally without sharing your primary number.

How to Mask Your Phone Number

The best method depends on whether you need to hide your number for a single call or want a private number you can continuously use.

Dial *67

In the United States, you can typically hide your caller ID for an individual call by dialing *67 before the number you want to reach. For example, you would type *67-123-456-7890. The recipient may see “Private,” “Unknown,” “Restricted,” or “No Caller ID” instead of your number.

This is a straightforward option when you need privacy for one call. However, support varies by carrier and region, and unidentified calls are often blocked or ignored. Even data shows that 8 in 10 Americans generally don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.

If the call is important, check your carrier’s instructions to confirm that they support *67 calling.

Change Your Caller ID Settings

You may also be able to mask your number through your phone settings. The exact steps vary by device and carrier.

How to Mask Your Number on iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then Phone.
3. Select Show My Caller ID.
4. Turn Show My Caller ID off to mask your number on outgoing calls.

How to Mask Your Number on Android:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to Settings and look for Calls, Calling Accounts, Supplementary Services, or Caller ID.
3. Select the option to hide your number.

If you don’t see a caller ID option, the setting may be controlled by your carrier. Keep in mind that disabling caller ID this way can hide your number on all outgoing calls until you turn it back on

Related: How to Change Your Caller ID on iPhone and Android: Step-by-Step

Get a Second Phone Number

Caller ID blocking hides your number, but it doesn’t give you another one. If you want to make and receive calls or texts without sharing your personal number, a second phone number gives you a separate line for those conversations.

You could use a second phone, but a second-number app gives you that separation on the device you already have.

With Burner, you can create a second number with your preferred area code, then use it to make and receive calls, texts, and picture messaging. The person you’re contacting sees your Burner number instead of your personal number, and replies come back through Burner.

Depending on your plan and platform, Burner also offers features like separate voicemail, spam and robocall filtering, Do Not Disturb, and auto-replies.

Why Use a Second Number Instead of Hiding Caller ID?

Hiding your caller ID works when you need privacy for a single call. A second number is more useful when you want to keep your personal number private while still having regular, two-way conversations.

People Can Call You Back

When you hide your caller ID, the person you’re calling doesn’t see a number they can use to return the call. With a second number, they do. They can call or text your Burner number while your personal number stays private.

You Can Mask Your Number When Texting

*67 applies to phone calls, not standard text messages. With a second number, you can call, text, and send picture messages like normal; you just don’t have to do it using your personal phone number.

Your Conversations Stay Separate

A second number also keeps certain conversations separate from your primary line. You can reserve your personal number for people and services you trust while using another number for dating, online transactions, sign-ups, or other interactions you’d rather keep separate.

You Decide How Long You Need the Number

With Burner, you can keep a number for as long as you need it and delete it when you’re finished. This can be useful for situations with a natural endpoint, like online dating or selling something online, where you may not want to keep using the same number indefinitely.

When Should You Mask Your Phone Number with Another Number?

A second number is useful when you want to keep your personal number private without giving up normal calls and texts. This can include:

Online Dating

Moving from a dating app to calling or texting can be a natural next step, but you don’t have to share your number right away. A second number lets you stay in touch while keeping your primary number private. If things progress, you can decide later whether you want to share it.

Buying or Selling Something Online

Buying or selling through an online marketplace often requires coordinating details, answering questions, or arranging a pickup. A second number lets you handle those conversations without sharing your personal number. Once the transaction is over, you can decide whether you still need the number.

Online Accounts and Sign-Ups

Websites and apps may ask for a phone number for account creation, notifications, recovery, or verification. A second number can help keep eligible account-related messages separate from your personal line.

However, not every service accepts app-based numbers for verification. Standard Burner numbers can receive texts, but some platforms restrict VoIP numbers. Burner Verified Numbers are available as a separate subscription and may be accepted by services with stricter requirements, although acceptance ultimately depends on the individual platform.

Related: Difference Between a Burner Number and Verified Number

How to Use Burner to Mask Your Phone Number

You can set up and use a second number with Burner directly from your existing phone by following the steps below:

1. Download the Burner App for iOS or Android.
2. Create your account.
3. Choose a second phone number and area code.
4. Make calls and send texts through Burner instead of your personal number.
5. Receive calls and messages through your Burner number.
6. Manage your number in the app and delete it when you no longer need it.

Contacting someone through Burner isn’t “masking” your number. Instead, they see a functional, working phone number for two-way communication that helps keep your primary number private.

Frequently Asked Questions About Masking Your Phone Number

Can someone call me back if I mask my phone number?

It depends on the method. If you hide your caller ID using *67 or your phone settings, the recipient generally won’t see a number they can call back. If you use a second phone number, they can call or text that number without seeing your personal one.

Can I mask my phone number when texting?

*67 and other caller ID blocking methods apply to voice calls, not standard text messages. To text without sharing your personal number, you’ll need to send the message from a separate number, such as a Burner number.

Can a masked number be traced?

Hiding your caller ID doesn’t make the call untraceable; your phone service provider may retain information associated with your calls. Using a second number also keeps your personal number private from the person you’re contacting, but it doesn’t make your communications anonymous or untraceable.

Can I use a second number for verification codes?

Standard Burner numbers can receive text messages, but individual websites and apps determine which types of numbers they accept for verification. Burner also offers Verified Numbers as a separate subscription. These numbers may be more widely accepted by platforms that often reject standard VoIP numbers, although acceptance isn’t guaranteed.

Keep your personal number private with Burner.

Burner gives you a second phone number on the phone you already have, so you can call, text, and receive replies without sharing your personal number. Whether you’re dating, buying or selling online, or want to keep certain conversations separate, the other person gets a working phone number while your primary one stays private.

You can also choose your area code, manage conversations separately from your primary line, and delete a number when you no longer need it. Depending on your plan, you can access additional privacy and communication features that give you more control over how you use your second number.

Get Burner today and start using a second number on the phone you already have.