Last modified: 2026-10-07
To hide your number when calling in Belgium, dial #31# before the number you want to call, for example #31#0470123456, and your number will show up as private or anonymous on the other person's screen for that one call. This code works on every Belgian mobile network, including Proximus, Orange, Telenet, BASE, Mobile Vikings, Scarlet and VOO. If you want to call anonymously all the time, you can switch off caller ID in the settings of your iPhone or Android phone. This guide shows you both methods, how to show your number again, and the few situations where hiding your number does not work.
Quick answer
Hide your number for one call: dial #31# followed by the number.
Show your number for one call (when it is hidden by default): dial *31# followed by the number.
Hide it for every call: turn off caller ID in your phone settings (steps below).
How to call anonymously in Belgium
There are two ways to call anonymously in Belgium, and which one you choose depends on how often you need it. The #31# code is best when you only want to hide your number now and then, because it applies to a single call and your settings stay the same afterwards. The phone setting is better if you want every outgoing call to be anonymous until you switch it back on.
Both methods use caller ID, a standard network feature that sends your number along with each call. Hiding it simply tells the network not to show your number to the person you are calling. Your operator still knows who is calling, which matters for emergencies and for legal reasons, as explained further below.
How to hide your number permanently
iPhone
On current versions of iOS, including iOS 26, the setting sits in the Phone app settings:
Open Settings.
Tap Apps, then Phone.
Tap Show My Caller ID.
Turn the switch off.
Your number is now hidden on every call you make from that iPhone. On older iOS versions, the option is under Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID. If the option is dimmed or missing, your operator controls this setting, so contact them to change it.
Samsung
On Samsung Galaxy phones, you change the setting in the Phone app itself:
Open the Phone app.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner, then Settings.
Tap Supplementary services.
Tap Show my caller ID and choose Hide number.
On a Samsung set to Dutch, look for Aanvullende services, and on a Samsung set to French, look for Services supplémentaires.
Other Android phones (Google Pixel, Xiaomi)
Android phones from other brands use similar menus, although the names can differ slightly:
Google Pixel: open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings → Calling accounts → your SIM card → Additional settings → Caller ID, and choose Hide number.
Xiaomi: open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings → Calling accounts → Advanced settings → Caller ID, and choose Hide number.
If you cannot find the option, search for "caller ID" in your phone's settings, which works on almost every Android phone.
Codes to hide your number by Belgian operator
Every Belgian mobile operator supports the standard #31# code, so you do not need a special code for your own provider. The table below brings together the options per operator.
Operator | Hide one call | Show one call | Hide every call |
|---|---|---|---|
Proximus | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings, or the Proximus+ app and MyProximus |
Orange | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
Telenet | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
BASE | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
Mobile Vikings | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
Scarlet | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
VOO | #31# + number | *31# + number | Phone settings |
To hide your number on every call, use the setting on your iPhone or Android phone described above. Proximus customers can also switch it on in the Proximus+ app: tap Products, select your gsm number, tap Advanced mobile settings, scroll to Other and turn on anonymous calling. If the setting on your phone is dimmed, your operator's customer service can help. You can find the official instructions on the help pages of Proximus, Orange, Telenet and VOO.
Calling anonymously from a landline
Hiding your number on a Belgian landline works a little differently, because landlines use their own codes. On a Proximus landline:
For one call: type *31* followed by the number and end with #, for example *31*023456789#.
For every call: call the free number 1987 from your landline, choose option 3 for basic services, then option 3 again to restrict your number from being shown. You may first need to validate your landline number by calling 1920, which is also free.
With other providers, the code for a landline is not always the same, so check your provider's help page or ask customer service. Some home phones also have their own caller ID setting in the menu, which hides your number on every call.
How to show your number again
If you hid your number permanently and want to turn anonymous calling off, go back to the same setting and switch caller ID on again:
iPhone: Settings → Apps → Phone → Show My Caller ID, and turn the switch on.
Samsung: Phone app → three dots → Settings → Supplementary services → Show my caller ID, and choose Show number or Network default.
Other Android phones: open the same Caller ID menu and choose Show number.
Proximus+ app: turn off anonymous calling under Advanced mobile settings → Other.
To show your number for just one call while it stays hidden by default, dial *31# followed by the number.
When hiding your number does not work
Hiding your number is reliable for everyday calls, but there are a few situations where it does not work or where it can work against you:
Emergency numbers always see your number. Calls to 112, 100 and 101 show your number to the emergency services, even when you have hidden it, so they can call you back and find you quickly.
Some people and businesses reject anonymous calls. Many people have set their phone to block or silence private numbers, and some services, such as certain doctors' offices or customer lines, may not pick up at all.
Things can change when you are abroad. When you use your Belgian SIM on a foreign network, the #31# code and your caller ID setting usually still work, but this depends on the network you are connected to. If it matters, make a test call first.
Text messages always show your number. Hiding your number only works for calls, so every SMS you send still shows your number to the other person.
Messaging and video apps follow their own rules. Hiding your caller ID only applies to regular phone calls, not to calls you make through apps.
Calling from Belgium as a traveller or expat
If you travel a lot or live in Belgium with family abroad, there is a second question behind hiding your number: how to stay in touch without paying too much and without sharing your number with everyone. Here, internet calls help. A call over WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime uses mobile data instead of your regular minutes, so you avoid roaming call charges outside the EU. Keep in mind that WhatsApp and FaceTime still show the number or account you signed up with, while Signal lets you call with a username, so the other person does not need to see your phone number at all.
What makes this work is a data connection you can trust wherever you land. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data abroad without swapping your SIM card, and your Belgian number stays active next to it, so people can still reach you when you want them to.
Telecom that works for you
Hiding your number should be one setting, not a puzzle, and the same goes for everything else about staying connected. Firsty is building telecom that works for you, not against you: clear, fair and without the fine print that makes connectivity feel complicated. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs it, not as charity, but as how the business works. Things are moving, so keep an eye on what Firsty is building and discover more at Firsty.app.
FAQ
Is it legal to hide your number in Belgium?
Yes, hiding your number when you call is legal in Belgium, and every Belgian mobile operator supports it through the #31# code or your phone settings. Using a hidden number to harass or threaten someone is illegal, however, and your operator still keeps a record of who made the call, which the authorities can request as part of an official investigation.
What is the difference between *31# and #31#?
In Belgium, #31# before a number hides your caller ID for that one call, while *31# before a number shows your caller ID for that one call when it is hidden by default. The hash sign at the start switches caller ID off, and the star at the start switches it on.
What is the difference between a masked number and a private number?
There is no real difference: "masked number", "private number", "no caller ID" and "anonymous" are different labels phones use for a caller who has chosen to hide their number. A call marked "unknown" is sometimes different, because it can mean the network could not pass on the number, for example on some international or internet calls.
Can a hidden number be revealed?
No, the person you call cannot see a hidden number, and no code or regular app will reveal it for them. Your operator still knows who made the call, so in cases of harassment, the police can ask the operator for this information after an official complaint. To check a number that did appear on your screen, see our guide on how to look up a phone number in Belgium.
How do I block private or anonymous numbers?
On an iPhone, go to Settings → Apps → Phone, tap Screen Unknown Callers and choose Silence, which sends calls from hidden numbers and numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. On a Samsung, open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings → Block numbers, and turn on Block calls from unknown numbers. On a Google Pixel, open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings → Blocked numbers, and turn on Unknown.
Does *67 work in Belgium?
No, *67 is the code to hide your number in the United States and Canada, and it does not work on Belgian networks. In Belgium, and in most of Europe, you dial #31# before the number instead.
