In this digital age where anonymity can be both a blessing and a curse, receiving a call from a no caller ID on your iPhone can make you curious and concerned at the same time. While the absence of their identity showing up on the screen may make you skeptical of answering it, you might be wondering if you can call back a no caller ID on iPhone.
The answer, reassuringly, is yes. Despite their anonymity, iPhone users do have the ability to return calls to these mysterious numbers.
However, before you dial that number, it’s essential to understand the implications and potential privacy concerns that may arise from doing so. In this article, we’ll look at the three most popular methods to call back a no caller ID on an iPhone and also discuss the safety concerns involved.
Method 1: Call Back a No Caller ID Using the *69 Feature
The *69 method is a callback feature available in some countries. When you receive a call from a no caller ID, you can simply dial *69 on your iPhone, and it will automatically call back the last number that called you, including no caller ID calls.
This is a super easy way to simply call the number directly, and is built into your iPhone, but its availability depends on the region you are in as well as the carrier you are using.
To try it, you can follow these steps:
- Wait for the no caller ID call to end. Make sure you are not currently on a call or in the middle of doing something else on your iPhone.
- After the call ends, pick up the phone again and ensure there is a dial tone.
- Dial *69 on your iPhone’s keypad. You don’t need to press the “Call” button afterward; the call back will initiate automatically.
- The call will be connected to the last number that called you, which includes the no caller ID number.
Method 2: Tracing the No Caller ID Using the *57 Method
The *57 method, also known as call tracing, allows you to trace the origin of a specific call, including those from no caller ID numbers. After receiving such a call, you can dial *57 to initiate the trace.
The information collected is then forwarded to law enforcement to aid in their investigations. By doing so, not only do you get the information about the caller, but you can also make sure that authorities are aware of the situation and can help whenever needed. Depending on your location and the carrier you are using, you may need to pay for this service to work.
Once you have more information about the caller, you can use a reverse phone lookup service (you can find one here) to learn even more about them.
Follow these steps to activate call tracing:
- After receiving the no caller ID call, hang up the phone to end the call.
- Pick up the phone again and ensure you have a dial tone.
- Dial *57 on your phone’s keypad. As with the *69 method, you don’t need to press the “Call” button; the call tracing will initiate automatically.
- Follow any additional instructions or prompts provided by your phone carrier, as the process might vary depending on the carrier and region.
- The information collected from the traced call will be forwarded to your phone carrier and, if necessary, to law enforcement for further investigation.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party App to Track Private Numbers
Several third-party apps are available on the App Store and on Google that claim to help track private or no caller ID numbers. These apps typically work by accessing large databases of phone numbers and attempting to match the incoming no caller ID number with an identified one.
The main problem you might run into with these apps is that each of them have varying degrees of accuracy; some might perfectly find the private number while some might not. To mitigate this, remember to check the reviews and others’ opinions about the app.
These are the steps you can follow to get a third-party mobile number tracking app:
- Go to the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for a third-party app that specializes in tracking private or no caller ID numbers. Read reviews and check the ratings to find a reputable app.
- Download and install the chosen app on your iPhone.
- Follow the app’s setup and registration instructions, if required.
- When you receive a no caller ID call, open the app you installed earlier.
- Enter the details of the no caller ID call into the app (if prompted), such as the date and time of the call.
- The app will attempt to match the no caller ID number with an identified one in its database and provide you with relevant information, if available.
How Can You Hide Your Own Caller ID?
You can make calls with no caller ID by simply dialing *67 before the number you’re calling. This option prevents your phone number from being displayed on the recipient’s caller ID, maintaining your anonymity.
The process of enabling no caller ID varies depending on the carrier you are using, so it would be helpful for you to read their specific instructions on setting this feature up.
If you’re trying to block unwanted calls, then we recommend reading Apple’s official guide.
Exercise Caution When Calling Back a No Caller ID Number
Calling back no caller ID numbers requires you to be cautious due to potential risks and uncertainties. Unknown callers’ intentions may be harmless but could also be malicious, and by calling back, you confirm the active use of your phone number, attracting more unwanted calls.
To be safe, if you are called by someone claiming to be the representative of an organization, make sure you verify them through official channels before providing information. Also, enable call blocking and report suspicious calls to minimize this type of event occurring in the first place.