How To Permanently Hide Your Huawei P9 Phone Number Step By Step Privacy Guide

In an age where personal data is constantly at risk, protecting your identity starts with small but powerful actions—like hiding your phone number during calls. The Huawei P9, though released in 2016, remains in use across various regions, especially among users who value durability and clean Android performance. However, its older software may not include modern privacy defaults, meaning you must take manual steps to ensure your number stays private. This guide walks you through reliable, tested methods to permanently hide your Huawei P9 phone number from recipients when making outgoing calls.

Understanding Caller ID and Number Visibility

When you make a call, your phone automatically sends your number to the recipient’s device through a system called Caller ID. While useful for legitimate communication, it can expose you to spam, scams, or unwanted contact if your number is shared without consent. On the Huawei P9, which runs on EMUI over Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), there is no built-in “always hide” toggle in the main settings menu, so configuration must be done either via dialer codes or carrier-level settings.

There are two types of number hiding:

• Temporary suppression: Hiding your number per call using prefixes like *67 (varies by region).
• Permanent blocking: Disabling Caller ID globally so your number is hidden on all outgoing calls unless manually unblocked.

For true privacy, permanent blocking is the goal. But achieving this depends on both your device settings and your mobile carrier’s support.

Tip: Permanent number hiding only affects outgoing calls. It does not prevent apps or services from accessing your number if granted permission.

Step-by-Step Guide to Permanently Hide Your Number

The following sequence ensures your Huawei P9 stops revealing your number on every outgoing call. These steps combine device-level configurations and network commands that work with most carriers.

1. Open the Phone Dialer app on your Huawei P9.
2. Access Call Settings: Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner and select “Settings” or “Call settings.”
3. Navigate to “Additional settings” or “Supplementary services,” depending on your EMUI version.
4. Select “Caller ID” from the list.
5. Choose “Hide number” or “Don’t transmit number.”

If the option is grayed out or unavailable, your carrier may control this setting. In such cases, use the universal GSM code to enforce blocking:

1. Return to the dial pad and enter **21*#31# then press call.
2. Wait for confirmation from your carrier—usually a tone or SMS—indicating that Caller ID suppression is now active.

This code configures the network to block your number on all calls, regardless of device settings. It's recognized across GSM networks worldwide and works even after rebooting your Huawei P9.

Verifying That Hiding Works

To test whether your number is truly hidden:

1. Use another phone (a friend’s or secondary device).
2. Call it from your Huawei P9.
3. Check the incoming caller display.

If the screen shows “Private Number,” “Withheld,” or “Unknown,” your setup is successful. If your full number appears, repeat the steps and confirm with your carrier that they allow Caller ID blocking.

Carrier Dependencies and Regional Variations

Not all carriers permit permanent number hiding. Some disable the feature by default or require customer service approval. Below is a comparison of major carriers and their policies:

Carrier	Supports Permanent Hide?	Activation Method	Notes
Vodafone (UK/EU)	Yes	Dialer code or USSD	Free to enable via *31# or settings
AT&T (USA)	Limited	Account request required	Must contact support; not available via code
T-Mobile (USA)	Yes	*67 per call or account setting	Global blocking requires MyT-Mobile login
China Mobile	No	Not supported	Legal regulations restrict anonymity
Orange (France)	Yes	**31# followed by call	Works instantly; reversible with ##31#

“Network-based Caller ID blocking is more reliable than device settings alone. Once activated through the carrier, it persists across devices and resets.” — Lena Petrov, Telecom Security Analyst

Practical Tips for Sustained Privacy

Hiding your number is just one layer of mobile privacy. Consider these additional measures to protect your identity long-term:

Tip: Use temporary unblocking (*31# before dialing) only when necessary—such as calling businesses that reject withheld numbers.

• Review app permissions: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions and revoke phone access from non-essential apps.
• Disable contact sync: Turn off automatic syncing with Google or Huawei Cloud if you don’t need backup.
• Use VoIP alternatives: Apps like Signal or WhatsApp let you communicate without exposing your SIM number.
• Regularly check status: Every few months, test your Caller ID setting using a secondary phone.

Mini Case Study: Maria’s Experience in Spain

Maria, a freelance translator in Barcelona, used her Huawei P9 for client outreach but began receiving unsolicited marketing calls after sharing her number with a local agency. She tried ignoring unknown callers, but harassment persisted. After researching privacy options, she dialed **31# on her Huawei P9 and confirmed activation via Orange’s automated response. Within minutes, her outgoing calls showed as “Private.” Over the next month, she noticed a sharp decline in return spam calls—likely because telemarketers couldn't identify her line. She now uses *31#123456789 when contacting official services that require identification.

Complete Action Checklist

Follow this checklist to ensure permanent number hiding is correctly configured:

• ☐ Open the Phone app and go to Settings > Call Settings
• ☐ Navigate to Additional Services > Caller ID
• ☐ Select “Hide Number” if available
• ☐ If disabled, dial **21*#31# and wait for confirmation
• ☐ Test the setting using another phone
• ☐ Contact your carrier if the code fails
• ☐ Revoke unnecessary app access to phone identity
• ☐ Bookmark the unblock code (##31#) for emergency use

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hiding my number affect emergency calls?

No—emergency services (e.g., 112 or 911) will still receive your real number and location even if Caller ID is blocked. This is mandated by law in most countries to ensure help can be dispatched.

Can I unhide my number for specific calls?

Yes. To temporarily show your number, dial *31# before the phone number. For example: *31#34567890. This overrides the global block for that single call.

Does airplane mode or SIM removal stop number exposure?

Airplane mode disables calling entirely, so no exposure occurs. Removing the SIM prevents network access but doesn’t change settings. When reinserted, your previous Caller ID configuration applies.

Final Steps Toward Digital Privacy

Permanently hiding your Huawei P9 phone number is a simple yet impactful step toward reclaiming control over your personal information. While technology evolves, older devices like the P9 still deserve robust privacy protection. By combining network-level blocking with smart usage habits, you reduce the risk of harassment, fraud, and data misuse. Don’t wait until your number is misused—take action today. Your digital footprint begins with your phone, and every layer of privacy adds strength to your online identity.

💬 Have questions about your Huawei P9’s privacy settings? Share your experience or ask for help in the comments below—let’s build a safer mobile community together.