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| Enable Caller ID in your Android phone settings so your number appears normally instead of Private Number or No Caller ID. |
How to Remove Private Number on Android: The Complete Guide
If people keep telling you your calls show up as "Private Number" or "No Caller ID" instead of your actual name and number, this guide covers every way to fix it — phone settings, SIM toolkit menus, carrier-specific codes for MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, and what to do when none of the standard fixes work.
Fixing Private Number on Android
- - Universal reset code: Dial `#31#` and press call — this is the international standard code to enable Caller ID display
- - Where the setting lives: Phone app → Settings → Calling Accounts (or Supplementary Services) → Additional Settings → Caller ID → Show Number
- - MTN-specific code: `#31#` before your number, or adjust via Show My Caller ID in device settings
- - For a single hidden call only: Dial `*31#` before the number you're calling
- - Common causes: Caller ID disabled in phone settings, carrier-level default blocking, SIM toolkit override, or third-party security/privacy apps
- - Menu names vary by device: Samsung typically uses "Supplementary Services"; other brands (Tecno, Infinix, Pixel) may label it differently depending on Android version
- - If settings changes don't stick: Your carrier may have a permanent block requiring a direct request to customer service
Private Number vs. No Caller ID: What's the Difference?
Before troubleshooting, it's worth understanding a distinction that trips a lot of people up:
- - "Private Number" or "Restricted" means the caller intentionally hid their number, either through a setting or a one-time code.
- - "No Caller ID" or "Unknown" can mean the same thing, but sometimes reflects a technical network issue where the receiving network simply couldn't identify the caller's number — not necessarily an intentional block.
If you're the one making calls and people report seeing either label, the fix is the same: your device's Caller ID (CLIR — Calling Line Identification Restriction) setting needs to be switched to "Show Number" rather than "Hide Number."
Fix 1: Change Caller ID in Phone Settings (Most Common Fix)
This resolves the issue for the vast majority of Android users:
1. Open your Phone app
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner, or go to your device's main Settings
3. Select Settings → Calling Accounts (some devices show this as "Supplementary Services," particularly on Samsung)
4. Choose your SIM card if you have a dual-SIM device
5. Tap Additional Settings → Caller ID
6. Select Show Number (or toggle "Show My Caller ID" to ON)
7. Restart your phone after saving the change
8. Test by calling a friend to confirm your number now displays correctly
Dual-SIM tip: If you use two SIMs, repeat this process for the second SIM separately — settings for each line are typically independent.
Fix 2: Use the Universal Reset Code
If you can't locate the setting in your menus, or want a faster fix:
- - Dial `#31#` and press the call button
- - This is a GSM standard code, recognised across most carriers and Android versions, that resets Caller ID to visible
Fix 3: Check the SIM Toolkit App
Some Android phones — particularly budget and mid-range devices common in Nigeria — route Caller ID settings through a separate SIM Toolkit app rather than the standard Phone Settings menu:
1. Open the SIM Toolkit app (often pre-installed, sometimes hidden in an app folder)
2. Look for Caller ID or Send My Number
3. Set it to On
Fix 4: Carrier-Specific Codes (Nigeria)
If your carrier has set number-hiding as a network default, phone-level settings alone may not fully override it. Here's what's confirmed for Nigerian networks:
| Network | Code / Method |
|---|---|
| MTN | Dial #31# before your number, or adjust via device Show My Caller ID setting |
| All networks (universal) | #31# is the standard GSM reset code recognised broadly across carriers |
If a carrier-level block persists despite trying the above, contact your network's customer service directly and request that they remove any permanent Caller ID restriction on your line — this is sometimes set at the account level and can't be overridden from the device alone.
How to Hide Your Number for a Single Call Only
If you occasionally want privacy for one specific call — rather than permanently changing your settings — use the opposite code:
- Dial `*31#` followed by the number you're calling
- The recipient will see "Private Number" for that call only
- Your next call reverts automatically to your normal, visible Caller ID — no need to manually switch anything back
This is useful for one-off business inquiries, safety check-ins, or any situation where you want to reach someone without revealing your number for future contact.
When Standard Fixes Don't Work: Troubleshooting
If you've adjusted your settings correctly and your number still shows as Private or No Caller ID, work through these possibilities:
- - Third-party security or privacy apps. Some call-security or "phone guard" apps override system-level Caller ID settings. Open the app, check its call privacy section, and disable any caller ID hiding feature within it.
- - A lingering `*31#` prefix habit. If you've previously used `*31#` before dialling and it's become muscle memory, double-check you're not accidentally re-hiding your number on every call.
- - Carrier-level permanent block. As above — this requires a direct request to your network's customer service team, since it sits outside what device settings can control.
- - Software/firmware quirks. Restart your phone after any settings change; some Android skins don't apply Caller ID changes until after a reboot.
A Note on Truecaller
If you're specifically trying to fix how your number displays on Truecaller (rather than standard calls), it's worth understanding that Truecaller doesn't control whether your number is hidden — it only displays numbers that are already visible on the network. If your Caller ID is enabled correctly using the steps above but Truecaller still shows you incorrectly, the fix is on the Truecaller side: verify your number within the app and update your Truecaller profile directly.
- MTN Caller ID Settings: How to Hide or Show Your Number (2026 Guide)
- Code to Hide Number on MTN: How to Make Private Calls 2026
- How to Remove No Caller ID on Android – Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Block Unknown Callers on Android: The Ultimate Privacy Guide (2026)
- How to Remove Private Number on Truecaller — Complete Guide
Fixing a Private Number or No Caller ID display on Android almost always comes down to one setting: Caller ID under your Phone app's Calling Accounts menu, switched to "Show Number." If that doesn't resolve it, the universal `#31#` reset code, a check of your SIM Toolkit app, or a direct call to your network provider will cover nearly every remaining case — and if you ever want the opposite (hiding your number for a single call), `*31#` before the number does exactly that, reverting automatically afterward.
FAQ
How do I remove Private Number on my Android phone?
Go to Phone app → Settings → Calling Accounts → Additional Settings → Caller ID, and select "Show Number." If that doesn't work, dial `#31#` as a universal reset code.
How do I remove my number from Private Number permanently?
Change your Caller ID setting to "Show Number" in your Phone app's settings and restart your device. This applies the change permanently rather than for a single call
Why does my phone still show Private Number after changing settings?
This usually means either a third-party security app is overriding your device setting, or your carrier has a permanent block at the network level requiring a direct request to customer service.
Can I hide my number for just one call without changing my settings?
Yes — dial `*31#` immediately before the number you're calling. Your next call will automatically revert to showing your number normally.
Does this fix work the same way on MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile?
The `#31#` reset code is a universal GSM standard recognised across Nigerian networks. If it doesn't resolve the issue, contact your specific carrier, as some may apply account-level restrictions that require direct removal.
