How to Hide Number on MTN and Airtel when calling someone

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How to Hide Your Number on MTN and Airtel When Calling Someone

Privacy is important, and sometimes you may not want the person you’re calling to see your phone number. If you’re using MTN or Airtel in Nigeria, you can easily hide your number when making calls. This guide will walk you through different ways to hide your number on both MTN and Airtel networks, ensuring that your identity remains private.

Why Would You Want to Hide Your Number?

There are several reasons you might want to hide your number when making a call:

  • Personal Privacy: You may want to keep your personal information private when calling someone you don’t know well.
  • Business Calls: If you’re making a professional or business call, you may want to protect your number from being misused.
  • Surprise Calls: Maybe you want to surprise someone or make a prank call to a friend without revealing your identity.

Whatever your reasons, it’s crucial to know how to do it properly.

How to Hide Your Number on MTN Network

For MTN users, there are a few methods to hide your number when making calls. Here are the most effective ways:

1. Using the USSD Code

MTN provides a simple USSD code that allows you to hide your number from showing up on the recipient’s phone. Follow these steps:

  • Dial #31# followed by the phone number you wish to call.
    Example: #31#08012345678.
  • Press the call button, and your number will be hidden for that call. The recipient will see “Private Number” or “Unknown” instead of your phone number.

This method is temporary, meaning your number will only be hidden for that particular call. For subsequent calls, your number will be displayed unless you dial the code again.

2. Changing Caller ID Settings via Customer Care

If you want to hide your number permanently or frequently, you can contact MTN customer care to activate the “Hide Caller ID” service on your line.

  • Dial 180 for customer service and request that your caller ID be hidden for all outgoing calls.

Once this service is activated, your number will be hidden on every call unless you disable it by calling customer care again.

3. Manual Configuration on Your Smartphone

Some smartphones allow you to hide your number directly from the settings. This feature depends on the model of your phone. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Go to Settings (usually found in the menu or under the three-dot icon).
  3. Find Call Settings or Additional Settings.
  4. Select Caller ID and choose Hide Number.

This method hides your number for all calls until you change the setting back.

How to Hide Your Number on Airtel Network

Airtel also allows its users to hide their numbers when making calls. The methods are similar to those on the MTN network, but here are the specific steps for Airtel users:

1. Using the USSD Code

To hide your number on Airtel, use the following USSD code:

  • Dial #31# followed by the recipient’s number.
    Example: #31#08098765432.
  • Press the call button, and your number will be hidden for that call.

Just like with MTN, this is a one-time solution, and your number will appear in future calls unless you use the code again.

2. Contacting Airtel Customer Care

If you want to hide your number for all outgoing calls, you can ask Airtel customer care to activate this service for you.

  • Dial 111 to contact Airtel customer care and request that they activate the “Hide Caller ID” feature for your line.

This method will ensure that your number is hidden on all calls until you deactivate the service.

3. Using Your Phone Settings

Most smartphones today come with an option to hide your caller ID directly from the settings. Here’s how to hide your number on your phone:

  1. Go to your Phone app.
  2. Open the Settings menu.
  3. Find Call Settings or Additional Settings.
  4. Select Caller ID and then choose Hide Number.

Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls until you manually change the settings back.

Important Considerations

Before hiding your number, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  1. Certain Numbers Don’t Accept Hidden Numbers: Some people or businesses might block calls from private or hidden numbers, so your call may not go through if the recipient has such a feature enabled.
  2. Hiding Your Number Won’t Protect You From Law Enforcement: In case of emergencies or legal issues, your number can still be traced by the relevant authorities.
  3. Not Permanent Without Deactivation: If you use customer care to hide your number, it will remain hidden for all calls until you ask for deactivation.
  4. Using Caller ID Hiding Wisely: Always use this feature responsibly. If used improperly, hiding your number can make you appear suspicious or untrustworthy, especially in professional settings.

Summary

Hiding your number on MTN and Airtel is simple and can be done in just a few steps. Whether you’re using a USSD code or changing the settings on your phone, both networks provide easy ways to protect your privacy.

For MTN users:

  • Dial #31# followed by the number for temporary concealment.
  • Contact customer care or adjust phone settings for permanent number hiding.

For Airtel users:

  • Dial #31# followed by the number to hide your caller ID for individual calls.
  • Contact Airtel customer service or use your phone’s settings for a more permanent solution.

Always remember to use these features responsibly, keeping in mind the context and potential consequences. Whether you’re calling for business or personal reasons, now you have full control over whether your number is visible or hidden

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