How to call in masked number

Note that masking your number can be temporary or permanent, depending on your preferences and the options offered by your operator.

Understand the differences between masked call and private number

In the world of telecommunications, there is often confusion between the terms “masked call” and “private number”. These two options make it possible to preserve your anonymity during a telephone call, but their operations are different. This article will help you better understand the specifics of each, by approaching the following points:

• The characteristics of a masked call
• The particularities of a private issue
• How to make these types of calls ?
• The advantages and disadvantages of each

Masked call: what is it ?

A anonymous calling is a telephone call during which the identity of the appellant is hidden. Thus, when you receive a hidden call, your phone generally displays “unknown”, “private” or “masked” instead of the phone number of the person calling you.

How to make a masked call ?

To make a hidden call from your phone, you can proceed in several ways:

1. Compose the prefix ” *31#” (for some operators) followed by the phone number of your correspondent.
2. Activate the “hide my number” option in your phone call settings.
3. Use an online application or service that makes it possible to make anonymous calls.

Note that masking your number can be temporary or permanent, depending on your preferences and the options offered by your operator.

Advantages and disadvantages of the masked call

Here are some advantages and disadvantages linked to the use of masked calls:

• Benefits : Preserve anonymity, avoid unwanted reminders or protect your privacy.
• Disadvantages: Some correspondents may refuse to answer a masked call, fearing that it is a spam or a scam. In addition, some operators block masked calls by default to protect their customers.

Technological trends in France for 2023: innovations to follow

Private number: what is it ?

A private number is a phone number that is not accessible to the public. It is generally awarded to people or companies wishing to preserve their confidentiality and not to disclose their usual telephone number. Private numbers are often used in the professional framework, especially for telephone lines dedicated to customers or suppliers of a company.

How to get a private number ?

To have a private number, you can contact your telephone operator who will offer solutions adapted to your needs. It is also possible to use online services or mobile applications to create a virtual phone number, operating as a private number.

Advantages and disadvantages of the private number

Here are some advantages and disadvantages linked to the use of a private number:

• Benefits : Separate professional and personal life, protect your privacy, avoid unwanted calls or commercial canvassing.
• Disadvantages: Additional cost for the implementation and management of the number, need to communicate this number to its correspondents.

What are the main differences between masked call and private number ?

Although the two options have certain similarities, there are several notable differences between a masked call and a private number:

• Anonymity: The hidden call just hides your number during a call, while a private number is a separate number which is not accessible to the public.
• Use : The hidden call can be used punctually and free of charge, while obtaining a private number often involves additional costs.
• Sustainability: The masking of your number can be temporary, while a private number is generally assigned for a longer period.
• Acceptance: Masked calls are sometimes blocked or refused by recipients, while private numbers do not present this risk.

French innovations revolutionizing health

In short, the hidden call and the private number are two separate solutions to preserve anonymity during a phone call. The choice between these two options will depend on your needs, the frequency of use and the costs associated with each.

How to call in masked number

Masked calls can be used by typing a small code before the correspondent number. It works with Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile. Please note: a number is never hidden for the network.

French mobile telephony operators offer their customers an option to hide their phone number during a phone call. The manipulation is simple: you have to type a combination on the keyboard before the number of the person or the company you want to reach. This code can vary between Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile.

How to call in masked number

• Open the phone application on your smartphone;
• Then type the code:
  • # 31# with SFR;
  • * 31* with Free Mobile;
  • # 31# with Bouygues Telecom;
  • 831 with Orange;
• Then add the phone number of your correspondent;
• Finally launch the call.

This will give something like #31 #06xxxxxxxxx if you call with a SFR line or Bouygues Telecom. Note that these orders have the effect of only masking once the call. This does not overall activate an option that would hide all your phone calls in the future. Operators offer an adjustment that allows you to hide the number permanently.

Hide his number can be justified depending on the circumstances. A communicator or a journalist may not want to display his number as soon as a call is established, especially if it is also his personal line. An individual may not want to show his number when contacting a service in an ad hoc basis. And so on.

Activate and deactivate the masked number

The activation criteria change from one operator to another. For Orange, you have to go to your customer area and follow the instructions. For Free Mobile, you just have to type a different code (*31#, without the comma and the parenthesis). For Bouygues Telecom and SFR, you have to go to your smartphone settings and activate an option. It exists on Android and iOS.

Of course, it is possible to deactivate the masked number at any time. Depending on the scenario, it will be necessary to retype another code before a next call or to make the same path as that which made it possible to activate it – whether in the customer account (for orange) or in the settings of the phone (for Bouygues Telecom and SFR).

A masked number is not for the network

It is important to emphasize that a masked number is a service offered by your operator, as part of normal use. You only mask your number to the person you contact, not to your operator, who can always know the compound numbers, the duration of the call or even the time you spent your phone call.

Clearly, the masked number is not for the network. This means that if there are abuses, a person is likely to alert their operator to report a concern like this. You can also file a complaint to put the police in the loop. During the investigation, she may inquire about the origin of the calls and to follow up, if the case is serious.