How do I change my Caller ID on Android?

Caller ID is the technology that allows any phone to display the number of other phones connecting to it. If you're making a call, that's your outbound caller ID. If you're receiving a call, it's the inbound caller ID that you see.

Changing the caller ID of inbound calls is something you can do easily on any smartphone, including Androids. Changing your outbound caller ID isn't something you can control other than choosing to display or hide your number.

Change Caller ID for Outgoing Calls

Android phones have three options for changing the ID people see on their phones when you call them.

  • Network Default: This depends on the plan you have with your carrier. Usually, this is your phone number unless you blocked your number with the carrier.
  • Show Number: This displays your phone number.
  • Hide Number: This hides your phone number, giving the person you're calling a "Private Number" notification instead of your phone number.

To find these options, open the Phone app on your Android, tap the "More" icon (3 dots) in the upper-right corner of the screen, select "Settings," and then "Call Settings." Next, tap "Additional Settings" and then finally select "Caller ID."

As USA Today notes, using the Hide Number option is the same as when you use *67 to block your number, which you do from your Android phone. Keep in mind that many people choose to ignore private numbers and may have their phones automatically ignore those calls, block them or send them to voicemail.

Change Caller ID for Incoming Calls

Caller ID automatically displays the phone number for anyone who calls your Android phone unless that number is already in your Contacts app. In this case, the name of the person also appears. To change what appears on your phone when someone calls, change the information in your Contacts app.

One feature you can change in the Phone app is how the person's name is displayed when they call. You can choose to have their first names appear first (such as "John Smith") or have their surnames appear first (such as "Smith, John"). To change this, tap the "More" icon in the Phone app and choose "Display Options."

Change Caller ID Using Third-Party Apps

In addition to your Android Phone app, Google Play hosts a wide variety of third-party apps that may have the options you're looking for. Caller ID apps can often give you information about who is calling you from a blocked number beyond the "Private Number" your Phone app normally gives.

These apps can often give you the country and city of origin of the private number and, in some cases, may tell you the street address. Most of these apps require payment to the developer to unlock this feature. You may or may not have success with these apps, so read the reviews carefully before buying anything. This solution is imperfect, but it may be worth the cost if you want to know who is calling.

Change what displays on your outgoing caller ID on Android

Updated on August 25, 2021

What to Know

  • AT&T: On the website, go to Profile > Account users > select the number > Select Edit > make your changes > Continue.
  • T-Mobile/Sprint: Call customer service and request the change. Former Sprint customers might be able to change it online.
  • Verizon: Select Account > Add-ons & apps > See All > Share Name ID > Product details > Manage...ID > follow prompts > Save changes.

This article explains how to change your Caller ID on AT&T, T-Mobile/Sprint, and Verizon using their websites.

Change Your Caller ID on AT&T

You can change your Caller ID name via AT&T’s website. The Caller ID name is the one that displays on landlines with Caller ID. If you’re saved in someone’s cell phone as a contact, it won’t override that information.

Here’s how to change your Caller ID information from AT&T’s website.

  1. Go to Profile > Account users.

  2. Select your account from the drop-down.

  3. Select your number.

  4. Click Edit.

  5. Enter the information you want to display and select Continue.

    You may have to sign out and back in to see the changes. It can take up to 72 hours (weekdays only) for a landline to show the updated Caller ID name, and it might not change until people clear your number from their Caller ID logs.

Change Your Caller ID on T-Mobile/Sprint

Former Sprint customers who have moved to T-Mobile service post-merger might be able to make the change online. T-Mobile subscribers need to call customer service (dial 611 from your cell phone) and request the change their Caller ID name.

Here's how to make the change on Sprint's website.

  1. Go to the Sprint website and sign in.

  2. Click the My Preferences tab.

  3. Click Change Caller ID Name.

  4. Make your edits.

  5. Click Save.

Change Your Caller ID on Verizon

Verizon refers to caller ID as Share Name ID. The company doesn't guarantee the Share Name ID will display on outgoing calls because other carriers may not support it. In addition, your Share Name ID won't override saved contact details in someone's phone.

You can make the change on Verizon's website or mobile app.

Verizon's Website

Here's how to make the change on Verizon's website. Sign into My Verizon first.

  1. Hover over Account and select Add-ons and apps.

  2. Click See All.

  3. Click Product details under the Share Name ID.

  4. Click Manage Share Name ID.

  5. Select the line.

  6. Select an option. You can choose from a custom name, billing party
    name, or your 10-digit phone number.

  7. Click Save changes.

    It can take up to 24 hours to process the change.

Change Caller ID Name from My Verizon App

You can also use the My Verizon mobile app to change your Caller ID.

  1. From the app, tap the Account tab.

  2. Tap Manage device for your mobile number.

  3. Tap Share Name ID.

  4. Edit the name. Check I accept the Terms and Conditions.

  5. Tap Update.

Other Ways to Change Your Android's Caller ID

If caller ID change doesn't work, you can also hide your number with star 67 or use a "burner" number for specific phone calls.

FAQ

  • How can you hide your caller ID while making calls on Android?

    If you sign up for a Google Voice number, you can choose to use that as your caller ID instead of your phone number. Once you have a Google Voice number, go to voice.google.com on your computer and click on the Settings icon. Then select Calls. Toggle on Show my Google Voice number as caller ID when forwarding calls.

  • What can you do if your caller ID is spoofed?

    While there's no surefire way to deal with spoofing, there are some measures you can take if you believe someone is using your phone number to scam others. Check your phone bill for signs of identity theft. Change your voicemail PIN or password. Also, inform your carrier about potentially suspicious activity. You can even get a new phone number as a last resort. Check out Lifewire's guide to phone spoofing for even more tips.

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How do I change my Caller ID name on Android?

To find these options, open the Phone app on your Android, tap the "More" icon (3 dots) in the upper-right corner of the screen, select "Settings," and then "Call Settings." Next, tap "Additional Settings" and then finally select "Caller ID."

How do I change the name that appears on Caller ID?

Update your display names Select Show details for the number you want to update on Caller ID. Choose Edit for Caller ID. Enter the info and select Save.

How do I change the Caller ID on my Samsung Phone?

Press More settings. Press Show my caller ID. Press Show number to turn on caller identification. Press Hide number to turn off caller identification.

How do I get my Phone to show my name when I call someone?

Tap Settings. Tap Phone. Select Show My Caller ID. Toggle Show My Caller ID to the 'off' setting to disable Caller ID.