How to Hide Your Number When Texting?

Want to text without showing your phone number? Whether you’re using iPhone or Android, we’ll show you how to hide your number on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat—no need for a second SIM card!

Hiding your number offers several benefits, such as preventing spam calls after joining new groups, maintaining a professional demeanor in business chats, and sending anonymous birthday surprises. 

It is no doubt that privacy matters now more than ever. Every time you text “Hi,” apps collect data to sell ads. That’s why smart teens are using privacy tricks. While some try complex fake number apps, a more direct way is to send anonymous texts without registration or by adjusting settings in WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Don’t worry—hiding your number doesn’t mean you’re shady. It’s like locking your diary in a world entire of nosy people. Let’s learn how to text freely!

How to Hide Your Number When Texting on Your Smartphone (iPhone & Android)

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, the most effective way to keep your conversations private is by using specific tools. You can explore some of the best apps to hide text messages, and for Android users, there are also dedicated methods to hide text messages on your device.

First, Let’s Address a Common Myth

You might have seen advice online about using codes like *67 or changing carrier settings to hide your number. It is crucial to understand that these methods only work for phone calls, not for SMS text messages. Your real phone number will still be visible on any standard text you send.

Now, let’s explore the methods that actually work for private texting on any smartphone.

Method 1️⃣: Use Privacy-Focused Messaging Apps

These apps are designed with security in mind. While they may use your phone number for registration, they have privacy settings to hide it from other users.

• Examples: Signal, Telegram.
• How it works: You communicate within the app’s secure ecosystem. In group chats or when messaging non-contacts, your phone number is often masked, showing only your username. This is a great choice for ongoing, secure conversations.

Method 2️⃣: Get a Virtual Phone Number App

These apps provide you with a completely separate, secondary phone number that you can use for texting and calling.

• Examples: Google Voice, Burner, TextNow.
• How it works: You install the app and all your communication goes through it, using the new virtual number. Your real SIM card number remains completely private. This is ideal if you need a long-term, separate line for business or online activities.

Method 3️⃣: Use a Web-Based Anonymous Texting Service

This is the fastest and most direct way to send a private text without installing anything or signing up for a new number.

• Example: Anonsms.
• How it works: Simply open the web browser on your iPhone or Android, go to the Anonsms website, type your message, and send it.
• Best for: Sending quick, one-off anonymous texts without leaving any trace on your device or exposing your personal number.

An Extra Tip for iPhone Users: Text with Your Apple ID

If you are texting another Apple user (your messages appear in blue bubbles), you have a unique built-in option to hide your phone number.

1. Go to Settings > Messages.
2. Tap on “Send & Receive.”
3. Under the section “Start New Conversations From,” select your Apple ID email address instead of your phone number.

Now, any new iMessage conversation you start will come from your email address, keeping your phone number hidden from the recipient.

Hide Your Number When Texting on Social Media

People like the added security of phone numbers used as verification by social media platforms, but also want to keep the numbers to themselves. Actually, every platform provides a different option to keep your anonymity. Regardless of the social media platform you’re using, there’s a way you can send a text without showing your number.

WhatsApp

For your number on WhatsApp to be invisible, head to Settings > Account > Privacy and restrict the visibility of your phone number to Nobody or My Contacts instead of being public. An alternative would be to get a secondary number to register on WhatsApp, ensuring that your main number is kept private. For a complete guide on this, read our article on how to send an anonymous WhatsApp message.

TikTok

Your TikTok account can only be found using your phone number by setting it to Only Me under Settings > Privacy > Phone Number. Or you could remove your phone number altogether if that’s an available option.

Instagram

To keep your mobile number confidential or send a text without showing your number on Instagram, open the app, click Settings > Privacy > Personal Information and delete the phone number if not needed. If you need it for account recovery purposes, set it as private so that it remains hidden from public searches.

Twitter (X)

To send an anonymous text on Twitter (X), open Settings > Privacy and Safety > Discoverability and Contacts and turn off the setting where users can use your mobile phone to find out your account.

Facebook

To send a text without showing your number, go to Facebook’s Settings > Privacy > Phone Number. Users can restrict their number from being seen by anybody else, including public searches, by simply changing it to the “Only Me” option.

Snapchat

To send a text without showing your number on Snapchat for privacy, simply go to Settings > Mobile Number and uncheck the “Allow other users to find me using my number” option.

Signal

Signal is yet another secure messaging application that uses a phone number for registration. This being the case, if there is a need to keep your phone private, you should get a temporary number or a separate phone number when you register.

Considerations When Hiding Your Number

Even though keeping your phone number hidden can promote privacy, you should also consider its possible consequences. A few people may immediately reject or block calls and texts from unknown numbers, thinking of them as spam. Moreover, some applications and services require phone number verification for safety; therefore, it may limit the chances of hiding your identity entirely. Suppose you want to send a text without showing your number or occasionally use hidden numbers for legitimate purposes. In that case, a credible private SMS service can deliver a better experience while at the same time maintaining security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to send texts using masked phone numbers?

Yes, many online services allow you to do this. They provide a temporary or virtual number so you can send texts from another number without revealing your own.

Can I unhide my number after hiding it?

Yes, by re-enabling Caller ID in your phone settings or changing the privacy settings on social media platforms, you can bring these settings back to normal.

Conclusion

Sometimes, sending a text without showing your number can protect your privacy. It does not matter whether you attempt to alter your phone settings, do social media privacy controls, or use third-party apps. Most of the methods can indeed ensure that your personal information is secured. However, it is crucial to realize the shortcomings of these methods since some services might demand identity verification. Still, if you want the option to send anonymous messages, anonymous texting services are a reliable alternative. These are also effective if you need to text someone who blocked you or send an anonymous international text.

Try Anonsms for Secure and Anonymous Messaging

Instead of buying a new number or finding a phone number hidden guide, Anonsms has a simple solution. This platform allows users to send texts without revealing their identities in seconds. Whether you want to communicate or “shield” yourself from others, Anonsms is the best because it allows communication without divulging your phone number. Amuse yourself by trying out Anonsms today, and you will have unlimited privacy when texting!