MTN Code to Remove Private Number on Android

If the code does not work, open your Android Phone app and change Show your caller ID to Always or Show number. The exact menu differs between Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, itel, Xiaomi and Google Pixel phones.

An outgoing call can appear private because caller ID was hidden with a code, disabled in the Phone app, configured incorrectly for one SIM, or restricted at the network level. The steps below address each possibility.

Quick Answer: Code to Remove Private Number on MTN

Dial:

#31#

Press the call button and select the affected MTN SIM if your Android phone has two SIM cards. After receiving a confirmation message, call a nearby phone to check whether your number now appears.

You can also dial:

*#31#

This is commonly used to check the current caller-ID restriction status on compatible phones and networks.

These are standard GSM caller-ID control codes, but MTN Nigeria does not currently provide a public support page confirming that they will work on every device or line. If your phone displays an error such as “Connection problem or invalid MMI code,” use the Android settings method instead.

MTN Private Number Codes at a Glance

Do not confuse #31# with *31#. On compatible GSM networks, the star version may enable caller-ID restriction and make outgoing calls appear private. If you entered the wrong version previously, that could be why your number became hidden.

If you are unsure which SIM or number is affected, first use the steps in how to check your MTN number. You can also keep the broader MTN codes in Nigeria page nearby for other account and calling functions. These should be added as internal links when the related pages are available.

How to Remove Private Number Through Android Settings

If the code does not solve the problem, change the caller-ID preference in the Phone app.

1. Open the Phone app used to make calls.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Open Calling accounts, Calls, Supplementary services or Additional settings.
5. Select your MTN SIM if asked.
6. Tap Caller ID or Show your caller ID.
7. Choose Always, Show number or Network default.
8. Make a test call to another phone.

Choose Always or Show number when available. Network default should normally display your MTN number, but it may preserve a network-level restriction on some lines.

The Caller ID menu can take a few seconds to load because the phone may request the setting from MTN. Make sure the MTN SIM has a signal and wait instead of repeatedly tapping the screen.

How to Remove Private Number on Samsung

Samsung provides a clearly labelled caller-ID menu on most recent Galaxy devices.

1. Open the Samsung Phone app.
2. Tap the three vertical dots.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Supplementary services.
5. Select Show your caller ID.
6. Choose Always.
7. If two SIMs are installed, repeat the process for the MTN SIM or select MTN when prompted.

Samsung officially describes three possible options:

• Network default: MTN determines whether the number is displayed.
• Never: every outgoing call appears hidden or private.
• Always: the recipient can see your number.

If your Samsung phone is currently set to Never, changing it to Always should remove the private-number status.

On an older Samsung model, the path may be Phone > Menu > Settings > Call settings > Additional settings > Caller ID > Show number.

How to Remove Private Number on Tecno, Infinix and itel

Tecno, Infinix and itel phones use different versions of Android and their menu names can vary. Try this path first:

1. Open Phone.
2. Tap the three dots.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Calling accounts.
5. Select the MTN SIM.
6. Open Additional settings.
7. Tap Caller ID.
8. Choose Show number.

On some models, open Phone > Settings > Carrier call settings > MTN > Additional settings > Caller ID.

If there is no three-dot menu, look for a gear icon inside the Phone app. The important labels are Calling accounts, Carrier call settings, Additional settings and Caller ID.

How to Remove Private Number on Google Pixel

For a Google Pixel or another phone using Google’s Phone app:

1. Open the Phone by Google app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Calling accounts.
5. Select the MTN SIM.
6. Open Additional settings.
7. Tap Caller ID.
8. Choose Show number or Network default.

If the additional settings page refuses to load, turn off Wi-Fi temporarily, confirm that the MTN line has mobile-network coverage and try again.

How to Remove Private Number on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO

Xiaomi menu paths depend on whether the device uses the Google Phone app or Xiaomi’s dialler.

Try:

1. Open Phone.
2. Tap the three dots and choose Settings.
3. Select Calling accounts.
4. Choose Advanced settings or Additional settings.
5. Select the MTN SIM.
6. Tap Caller ID.
7. Choose Show number.

You can also search the main Settings app for “Caller ID” if the option is difficult to locate.

Fix Private Number on a Dual-SIM Android Phone

Caller-ID settings apply separately to each SIM. Changing the Airtel, Glo or 9mobile setting will not necessarily change the MTN line.

First, confirm which SIM is making the call:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select SIM cards, SIM manager or Mobile network.
3. Check which slot contains the MTN SIM.
4. Return to the Phone app’s caller-ID settings.
5. Select that MTN SIM and choose Show number.

When dialling #31#, press the MTN call button or select MTN from the SIM prompt. If Android automatically uses another SIM for calls, temporarily set the phone to Ask every time.

Show Your MTN Number for One Call Only

If your number is normally hidden but you want to reveal it for a particular call, enter #31# immediately before the recipient’s number.

For example:

#31#08031234567

Then press the MTN call button. This may override caller-ID restriction for that call on compatible lines.

This is useful when you intentionally keep your caller ID hidden but need to call someone whose phone rejects private numbers. For a permanent fix, dial #31# by itself or select Always in the Phone app.

Why Your MTN Number Shows as Private

Understanding the cause helps you choose the right solution.

Caller ID was accidentally disabled

It is easy to select Never or Hide number while exploring call settings. Restoring Always or Show number fixes the issue.

A caller-ID code was activated

Entering *31# may activate outgoing caller-ID restriction on compatible networks. Dialling #31# can reverse it.

The wrong SIM was configured

Dual-SIM phones keep separate call preferences. Your Android settings may show the number for one network while hiding the MTN line.

MTN has restricted caller ID on the line

A network-level configuration can override the phone. Contact MTN when the same SIM appears private in different phones.

The Phone app is malfunctioning

A temporary cache problem, software bug or incomplete carrier-settings update can prevent the correct caller-ID preference from loading.

The recipient’s phone or network is the problem

If only one person sees “Private Number,” test calls to two or three other phones. The problem may be limited to that recipient’s device, caller-ID app or network.

What to Do If #31# Does Not Work

Work through the following fixes in order.

1. Restart the phone

A restart reconnects the SIM to MTN and reloads the Phone app’s network settings. Make another test call after the phone regains signal.

2. Turn Airplane mode on and off

Enable Airplane mode for about 30 seconds, then turn it off. Wait for the MTN signal to return before checking caller ID again.

3. Clear the Phone app cache

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Find Phone.
4. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
5. Select Clear cache.

Do not select Clear storage unless necessary because that can reset Phone app preferences and remove some locally stored call information.

4. Update the Phone app and Android

Open the Google Play Store or your phone manufacturer’s app store and update the Phone app. Also check Settings > System > Software update for an Android update.

5. Reset network settings

Open Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth. On Samsung, use Settings > General management > Reset > Reset mobile network settings or Reset network settings.

This does not normally erase personal files, but it can remove saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, mobile-network preferences and related connections. Reconnect them afterward.

6. Test the MTN SIM in another phone

Insert the SIM into a different unlocked phone and make a call.

• If the number displays correctly, the original Android phone or Phone app needs attention.
• If it still appears private, the restriction is probably attached to the MTN line.

7. Contact MTN customer care

Dial 300 from your MTN number and explain that your caller ID is withheld on every outgoing call. Ask the representative to check whether Calling Line Identification Restriction, sometimes called CLIR, is active on the line.

MTN also lists its Zigi WhatsApp contact as 09033000001 on its official support information. Never disclose an OTP, bank PIN or unrelated security information to someone claiming to be support.

For the complete list of verified ways to reach the network, link this section to MTN customer care number once that article is published or updated.

Caller ID Setting Is Missing or Greyed Out

The caller-ID option may be unavailable when the phone cannot retrieve supplementary-service settings from MTN.

Try these fixes:

• Confirm that the MTN SIM has a stable signal.
• Make MTN the default SIM for calls temporarily.
• Turn off Wi-Fi calling and retry.
• Disable Airplane mode if it is active.
• Restart the phone.
• Remove and reinsert the SIM while the phone is off.
• Update the Phone app and Android.
• Test the SIM in another device.
• Contact MTN if the setting remains unavailable.

Do not install a random caller-ID app to solve an outgoing-number restriction. Apps such as caller-identification services can label incoming calls, but they do not necessarily change the network’s CLIR configuration.

Private Number Versus Unknown Incoming Caller

Removing private number from your MTN line means allowing other people to see your number when you call them. It does not reveal the number of someone who calls you anonymously.

MTN’s official WhoDeyCall? service is designed for incoming calls. MTN says the service can show a name for blocked, unknown or hidden callers and is available through *4800#. It is a separate paid or value-added service and is not required to make your own caller ID visible.

This difference prevents two common mistakes:

• Dial #31# or change Android settings when your outgoing calls show as private.
• Investigate an incoming caller-identification service when someone calling you is hidden.

Will Removing Private Number Expose Personal Information?

It allows the recipient to see the MTN phone number used for the call. If the person has saved the number, their chosen contact name may appear. A caller-ID database could also display a name associated with the number.

It does not automatically expose your home address, bank information, NIN or other private account details. Still, avoid calling untrusted numbers from a personal line if you do not want them to retain your phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MTN code to remove private number?

Dial #31# from the affected MTN SIM, then make a test call. If it fails, set Caller ID to Always or Show number in the Android Phone app.

How do I stop my MTN number from showing as private?

Open the Phone app, select Settings > Supplementary services or Calling accounts > Caller ID, and choose Always or Show number. Contact MTN on 300 if the SIM remains private in another phone.

How do I check whether private number is active?

Dial *#31# on a compatible phone. You can also call a nearby phone and check what appears on its screen.

Why does my number still show private after dialling the code?

The Android setting may still be set to Never, you may have used the wrong SIM, or caller-ID restriction may be active at the MTN network level.

Does #31# work on every Android phone?

Not necessarily. MMI and supplementary-service support varies by device and network configuration. Use the Phone app setting or contact MTN if the code returns an error.

Can I remove private number without airtime?

Changing the setting or dialling the service code should not require a normal paid call. You may need airtime to make a test call afterward.

Why can one person not see my number while others can?

If other recipients see it, your MTN caller ID is probably working. The affected person may have a device, network or caller-identification problem.

Will resetting network settings delete my photos?

No. It normally resets Wi-Fi, mobile-network and Bluetooth information rather than personal files. You may need to reconnect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.

What is the difference between #31# and *31#?

On compatible GSM services, #31# disables caller-ID restriction so the number can appear, while *31# may enable the restriction and hide it.

Make a Test Call Before Considering It Fixed

Start by dialling #31# from the affected MTN SIM. Then open the Android caller-ID setting and select Always or Show number. Because menu layouts differ, Samsung users should check Supplementary Services, while Tecno, Infinix, itel, Pixel and Xiaomi users may find the option under Calling Accounts or Additional Settings.

Always confirm the result by calling at least two different phones. If the MTN SIM remains private when tested in another device, dial 300 and ask MTN to remove any network-level caller-ID restriction. That final test makes it easier to determine whether the problem comes from Android or the line itself.

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