Bells HardingstoneThere are many reasons you might want to hide your number when making a call. Perhaps you are calling a client from your personal line and want to maintain professionalism. Maybe you are selling something on Marketplace and prefer not to share your number with strangers. Or perhaps you simply value your privacy and do not want everyone you call to have your digits.
Whatever your reason, Vodacom makes it easy to hide your caller ID. You can do it for a single call, for all calls permanently, or even unblock it temporarily when you want someone to see you are calling.
This guide covers every method to make your number private on Vodacom. We explain the USSD codes, how to set it up permanently, how to unblock for a single call, and what limitations apply.
How To Do Private Number On Vodacom: Complete Guide
What Does “Private Number” Mean?
When you make a call with a private number, the person you are calling sees one of the following on their screen:
– “Private Number”
– “Unknown”
– “No Caller ID”
– “Blocked”
This means your actual cellphone number is not displayed. The recipient cannot see who is calling unless they answer. They also cannot call you back unless you leave a voicemail or they have your number saved elsewhere.
Quick Reference: Vodacom Private Number Codes
| Action | Code |
|---|---|
| Hide your number for one call | 31[recipient number] |
| Hide your number for all calls | Dial 311 |
| Unhide your number for all calls | Dial 300 |
| Check current status | Dial 31# |
Method 1: Hide Your Number For A Single Call
Best for: Occasional use when you only want to hide your number for one specific call.
This is the simplest method. You do not need to change any settings. You just add a prefix before dialling the number.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Type 31 (that is hash, 3, 1, hash).
3. Immediately after, type the 10-digit number you want to call, including the leading zero.
4. Press call.
Example:
– To call 082 123 4567 privately, dial: 310821234567
– To call 011 555 1234 privately, dial: 310115551234
The person you are calling will see “Private Number” on their screen. This works for this call only. Your next call will display your number normally unless you use the prefix again.
Method 2: Hide Your Number For All Calls Permanently
Best for: Users who always want their number to be private for every outgoing call.
If you prefer that everyone you call sees “Private Number” by default, you can activate permanent caller ID restriction on your line.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Dial 311.
3. Press call.
4. You will receive a USSD response or SMS confirming that your number is now permanently restricted.
5. You may hear a voice prompt confirming the activation.
Once activated, every call you make from your Vodacom line will appear as private. The recipient will not see your number.
Method 3: Unhide Your Number Permanently
Best for: Reversing the permanent restriction.
If you previously activated permanent private number and now want to go back to displaying your number normally, you can deactivate the service.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Dial 300.
3. Press call.
4. You will receive confirmation that your number is now displayed normally.
Your future calls will show your caller ID unless you use the 31 prefix for a specific call.
Method 4: Check Your Current Status
Best for: Confirming whether your number is currently set to private or not.
If you are unsure whether you have permanent restriction activated, you can check.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Dial 31#.
3. Press call.
4. You will receive an SMS or USSD response indicating your current caller ID restriction status.
Method 5: Unhide For A Single Call When Permanently Private
Best for: When you have permanent private number activated but want one specific call to show your number.
If you have activated permanent private number using 311, but you need to make one call where you want the person to see your number (for example, calling a business where you want them to have your details), you can override the setting for that one call.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Type 31 (that is hash, 3, 1, hash).
3. Immediately after, type the 10-digit number you want to call.
4. Press call.
Yes, it is the same code as hiding for a single call. But when you have permanent restriction on, 31 actually *unhides* your number for that call.
Think of it this way:
– 31 before a number means: “Do the opposite of my default setting for this call.”
– If your default is showing, 31 hides.
– If your default is hidden, 31 shows.
How It Appears To The Recipient
When you call with a private number, the recipient sees:
– On most phones: “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller”
– On some landlines: “Withheld”
– On Telkom lines: “P” for private
They cannot see your number. They cannot call you back unless:
– You leave a voicemail and they call back from the number you provide.
– They have your number stored in their contacts from before.
– You tell them your number after they answer.
Limitations And Important Notes
Emergency services:
– You cannot call emergency numbers (10111, 112, etc.) with a private number.
– Emergency services require your number for call-back purposes.
– If you have permanent private number activated, it is automatically overridden for emergency calls.
Please Call Me:
– Private number settings do not affect Please Call Me messages.
– The recipient of a Please Call Me sees your number, not “Private”.
International calls:
– The 31 prefix works for international calls as well.
– Dial 31 followed by the international prefix (00 or +) and the country code.
Network compatibility:
– Private number works across all South African networks.
– The recipient on MTN, Telkom, or Cell C will see “Private Number” or similar.
– Some landlines may display “Withheld” or “P”.
Why You Might Want A Private Number
Privacy:
– You are selling items online and do not want strangers to have your number.
– You are calling from a personal line for work purposes.
– You value your privacy and prefer not to share your number indiscriminately.
Safety:
– You are in a situation where you do not want the recipient to have your contact details.
– You are calling about a sensitive matter.
Professionalism:
– You want to maintain boundaries between personal and professional life.
– You are calling clients and prefer they do not have your direct line.
Why You Might Not Want A Private Number
Missed calls:
– If someone misses your call, they cannot call you back.
– You must leave a voicemail or send a message.
Trust issues:
– Some people do not answer private numbers.
– They may assume it is a telemarketer or scam caller.
Business credibility:
– Some businesses screen calls and may not answer private numbers.
– It can appear unprofessional in some contexts.
Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section
Is hiding my number on Vodacom free?
Yes. The 31 service is free. Vodacom does not charge for hiding your caller ID.
Can I hide my number when sending an SMS?
No. Caller ID restriction only applies to voice calls. SMS messages always show your number.
Will my number show if I call someone who has me saved in their contacts?
No. If your number is hidden, it will show as “Private Number” even if the person has you in their contacts. The phone does not match the incoming private call to the saved contact.
Can I still get callbacks if I leave a voicemail?
Yes. If you leave a voicemail, the recipient can call you back from the number you leave in your message or by using the call-back feature some voicemail systems offer.
Do I need to re-activate private number after a SIM swap?
Yes. Permanent private number settings are stored on the network, but a SIM swap may reset them. Check your status after a SIM swap using 31#.
Can I hide my number on a landline?
Yes, on most Telkom landlines. Dial 31 before the number you are calling.
Will private number work when I am roaming?
Yes. The 31 prefix works internationally, but check with Vodacom regarding any roaming charges for the call itself.
Can I block all private numbers from calling me?
Yes. Most phones have a “silence unknown callers” feature. You can also contact your network about blocking services.
Why do some people say my number still shows sometimes?
If you have permanent private number activated but occasionally call using VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Skype), those calls may show your number depending on the app’s settings.
Can I make my number private for only certain contacts?
Not automatically. You would need to use the 31 prefix manually for each call to those specific contacts.
Troubleshooting
Private number not working:
– Ensure you are dialling 31 correctly. It is hash, 3, 1, hash.
– Check if you have service and can make normal calls.
– Try dialling 31# to check your current status.
– Restart your phone.
Can still see number after activating 311:
– Permanent activation may take a few minutes.
– Try deactivating (300) and reactivating (311).
– Contact Vodacom customer service if issue persists.
Recipient says they still see your number:
– They may have caller ID override services on their line.
– Some business systems bypass private number settings.
– Your number may be stored in their phone and displaying from memory.
Summary: Which Method Should You Use?
Use 31[number] if:
– You only need to hide your number occasionally.
– You want control on a call-by-call basis.
– You do not want to change your permanent settings.
Use 311 if:
– You always want your number to be private.
– You do not want to remember to dial a prefix.
– You value privacy as your default.
Use 300 if:
– You previously activated permanent private and want to revert.
– You want your number to show normally again.
Use 31# if:
– You are unsure of your current status.
– You want to confirm before making important calls.
Final Warning: Not Everyone Answers Private Numbers
Many people screen calls and do not answer private or unknown numbers. Telemarketers, scammers, and spam callers frequently use private numbers. Legitimate callers sometimes do too, but the association is strong.
If you are calling for business or expect the person might not answer unknown calls, consider:
– Leaving a voicemail with your number and reason for calling.
– Sending a text message first to introduce yourself.
– Using 31 to unhide your number for that specific call.
Official Vodacom Support: 082 111 or www.vodacom.co.za
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This guide was last updated for 2026 standards. Vodacom network services and codes are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information with Vodacom directly.