1471 has been around for decades and still works on UK landlines. The switch from copper lines to digital landlines hasn't removed it. When people think 1471 has stopped working, it's usually because it gave a message they weren't expecting.

What 1471 tells you

  • The number of the last person who called your landline.
  • The date and time of the call.
  • That the caller withheld their number, if they did.
  • That the number isn't available, for example when a call came through a switchboard or from abroad without a number.

On BT, listening to the last caller's number is free. Pressing 3 to return the call is charged, with BT listing a fee on top of the cost of the call. Other providers offer similar last-caller services with their own charges.

Why 1471 seems not to work

  1. "The caller withheld their number" - 1471 is working; the caller used 141 or a withheld line.
  2. "The number is not available" - the network didn't receive a number, common with international calls.
  3. Someone answered a later call - 1471 gives the last call, which may not be the one you're thinking of.
  4. You're dialling from a mobile - mobiles don't use 1471; your call log shows recent numbers.
  5. Your provider doesn't support it on your package - check with them.

Before you call back

Just because 1471 gives you a number doesn't mean you should ring it. Look the number up on Who Rang first, especially if it's an international, 070, 084, 087 or 09 number, which can cost more to call. If the caller left no message, it may well have been spam.

Our take

1471 is still the fastest way to see who rang a landline without caller ID on the handset. For people who get lots of nuisance calls on a landline, though, a handset with caller ID and a call blocking service does far more. BT customers can use Call Protect by dialling 1572 - see does 1572 block nuisance calls.

If 1471 keeps telling you the caller withheld their number and the calls are unwanted, read can I find out a withheld number.