Why Does My Phone Say Private Number When I Call Someone on Android?

Have you noticed your outgoing calls showing as Private Number or No Caller ID on someone else’s phone? Many Android users encounter this issue unknowingly.

This guide explains why your phone shows Private Number when calling someone on Android, and what you can do to fix it.

For a full step‑by‑step fix, see: How to Remove Private Number on Android

Main Reasons Your Phone Shows Private Number

1) Caller ID Is Disabled

The most common reason is that the Caller ID setting is turned off in your phone settings.
On Android, you can enable it by:

Opening the Phone app → Settings → Calling accounts → Caller ID → Select Show Number.

2) Carrier Settings Hide Your Number

Some network carriers block your caller ID by default.
To fix this, contact your carrier and ask them to enable your caller ID.

3) SIM Toolkit/Third‑Party Apps

Certain SIM Toolkit menus or apps may disable your caller ID.
Check the SIM Toolkit app and adjust settings to show your number.
Also review apps like call blockers, VPNs, or dialer replacements.

For a guide on managing apps, see: How to Hide Apps on Android

4)Temporary Code Dialing

If you previously dialed a prefix like #31# before a number, it hides your ID temporarily. Simply avoid using this code.

Tips & Notes

Restart your phone after changing settings.
Test calls to different numbers to confirm it’s fixed.
For dual SIM phones, adjust each SIM’s settings.

For more about SIM usage, check: How to Get My BVN Number on My Phone

Your Android phone may show Private Number if the caller ID is hidden in your settings, carrier, or by an app. Follow the fixes outlined above to ensure your number shows properly when calling others.

For related fixes, also read: How to Remove No Caller ID on Android

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