Quick Summary
Learn how to make your number private with MTN in South Africa by following these simple steps. Dial 1333, enter your MTN phone number, set a new 4-digit pincode, send a text message to activate the service, and then hide your caller identity in your phone’s call settings. Just remember to have at least GH¢2.00 of airtime on your SIM card as MTN charges GH¢2.00 monthly for this service.
Introduction
In today’s digital age, privacy is a growing concern for many individuals. One aspect of maintaining privacy is keeping your phone number private when making calls. MTN, one of the leading mobile network providers in South Africa, offers a service that allows you to make your number private.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps on how to make a private number with MTN. Whether it’s for personal reasons or professional purposes, having control over who sees your phone number can provide peace of mind and protect your privacy.
So let’s dive into the process and learn how to activate this feature on your MTN SIM card.
Note: The following instructions are specifically tailored for users in Ghana using an MTN SIM card.
What is a private number?
A private number, also known as caller ID blocking or anonymous calling, refers to the ability to hide your phone number when making outgoing calls. When you make a call with a private number, the recipient will see “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller” on their caller ID instead of your actual phone number.
This feature can be useful in various situations where you may want to maintain privacy and keep your identity hidden. It allows individuals to protect their personal information from being easily accessible by others.
By activating this service on MTN, one of South Africa’s leading mobile network providers, users can ensure that their phone numbers remain concealed whenever they make outbound calls. This means that recipients won’t have access to any identifying information about the person calling them.
It’s important to note that while using a private number provides anonymity for callers, it may also raise concerns among some recipients who prefer knowing who is contacting them before answering the call. Therefore, it’s essential always use this feature responsibly and considerate towards others’ preferences regarding communication transparency.
Why would someone want to make their number private?
In today’s digital age, privacy has become a growing concern for many individuals. When it comes to phone calls, some people may prefer not to disclose their personal contact information or have their identity revealed when making outgoing calls. This is where the option of having a private number becomes valuable.
1. Privacy and Security:
- Protecting one’s privacy is perhaps the most common reason for wanting a private number.
- By keeping your phone number hidden from unknown callers, you can avoid potential spam calls or unwanted solicitations.
- It also helps in preventing any misuse of personal information by malicious entities.
2. Confidentiality:
- Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, therapists often deal with sensitive client matters that require utmost confidentiality.
- Having a private number allows them to maintain discretion while communicating with clients over the phone.
3. Personal Safety:
- In certain situations where revealing your real caller ID could put you at risk (e.g., reporting suspicious activities), using a private number provides an added layer of protection against possible retaliation or harassment.
4. Business Purposes:
- Business owners who operate home-based businesses may wish to keep their personal number private and use a separate line for business-related calls.
- This allows for the distinction between personal and professional communications while maintaining privacy on a personal level.
It’s important to note that making your number visible or hidden is entirely up to your preference, and there are valid reasons for each choice. However, it’s always recommended to be aware of the consequences and safety implications when choosing to privatize your phone number.
How to make a private number with MTN
Step 1: Dial 1333 and follow the voice prompt
To begin the process of making your number private on MTN, dial 1333 from your MTN phone. This will initiate the anonymous call service activation.
Step 2: Key in your MTN phone number on the prompt
Once you have dialed 1333, you will be prompted to enter your MTN phone number. Make sure to key in your correct mobile number as instructed by the voice prompt.
Step 3: Key in a new four-digit pincode for privacy settings
After entering your mobile number, you will then need to choose a new four-digit pincode that you want to use as part of this privacy feature. Select an easy-to-remember code but ensure it is not easily guessable by others.
Step 4: Send “Clir activate [pincode]” text message
Following completion of step three above, send a text message using any messaging app or SMS platform with the format “Clir activate [your chosen pincode]” (e.g., Clir activate1234) to short code ‘13333’.
Step 5: Success! Your Number Is Now Private.
Once sent successfully, you’ll receive confirmation via SMS indicating successful activation. Your caller identity has now been made private.
Step 6: Go To Phone’s Call Settings And Hide Caller Identity:
The final step involves going into your device’s call settings menu and enabling the “Hide Caller Identity” option. This can usually be found under ‘Settings’ > ‘Phone’ > ‘Show My Caller ID’. Toggle off/on depending on whether you wish to hide/show your caller ID during calls.
Note: The steps mentioned above are specific for activating anonymous calling services provided by the South African telecommunications company – MTN. It should also be noted that there may be slight variations based on different models/versions/devices used.
Important note about charges
When it comes to making your number private with MTN, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind. One of the key considerations is the cost associated with this service.
Before proceeding with step 4 of the process, make sure that you have recharged your SIM card with GH¢2.00 worth of airtime. This amount will be deducted from your balance as MTN charges GH¢2.00 on a monthly basis for activating and maintaining the anonymous call service.
It’s essential to ensure that you have sufficient credit on your account before attempting to activate or use this feature. Failure to do so may result in an unsuccessful activation or interruption of the service once activated.
By keeping track of these costs and ensuring adequate funds are available, you can enjoy uninterrupted access to using a private number through MTN’s services without any hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my number private on MTN without using the voice prompt?
No, currently the only way to activate the private number service on MTN is by dialing 1333 and following the voice prompts. This ensures that you have successfully set up your new pincode for activating or deactivating caller identity.
How do I hide my caller identity on other networks?
The process of hiding your caller identity may vary depending on which network provider you are using. It’s best to consult with your specific network provider for instructions on how to hide your caller ID when making calls.
Can I make my number private for specific calls only?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to selectively choose which calls will be made from a private number and which ones won’t. Once you activate the anonymous call service through MTN, all outgoing calls from that particular SIM card will appear as “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller”.
Will my private number show up on the recipient’s phone bill?
When calling someone with a hidden/private/unknown phone number, most mobile carriers display this information differently. Some carriers might simply indicate an unknown or blocked incoming call while others could potentially reveal some details such as location but withhold personal identification like name and contact info.
It’s important to note that even though they can’t see who called them directly in their billing statement (unless otherwise specified), recipients still receive these types of missed-call notifications just like any regular incoming call would generate one too!
Can I make my landline phone numbers also become Private Numbers?
No, the ability to block outbound Caller ID has been removed due to security reasons.
How do I deactivate the Private Number Service On MTN?
To deactivate the private number service on MTN, simply dial 1333 and follow the voice prompts. You will be given options to either activate or deactivate caller identity.
Will my Private Number still work when I’m roaming?
Yes, your private number feature will continue to function even while you are roaming outside of Ghana. However, it’s important to note that additional charges may apply for making calls from abroad depending on your specific mobile plan and destination country.
Can I make my number private on MTN if I’m using a dual SIM phone?
Yes! The process of activating the anonymous call service is not dependent on whether you have a single SIM card or multiple SIM cards in your device. As long as you’re an MTN subscriber with access to their services, you can easily set up a private number regardless of how many SIM slots your phone has.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can activate and deactivate the Private Number Service?
No, there isn’t any limitation regarding activation/deactivation frequency.
Can I make my numbers become hidden/private/unknown/unavailable/blocked/restricted/confidential/silent/masked/disguised/invisible/secluded/concealed/shrouded/cloaked/darkened/blackened/non-disclosed/anonymized/pseudonymous/fictitious/virtual/on-the-down-low/off-the-record/secretive/covert/clandestine/sub rosa/incognito under prepaid plans?
Absolutely yes! Prepaid customers also enjoy this privacy option by following similar steps mentioned above.
