Key takeaways of zdnet
- Call forward calls, use these codes for paying your bill, balance, etc.
- Some codes only work on some carriers or equipment.
- One of the code can erase your data, so use it with caution.
Get ZDNET Tech coverage more deeply: Add us as a favorite google source Chrome and chromium on the browser.
I always know that some carriers support the phone code – the number that starts at * or # – so you can check things like your data usage or bill balance. But I recently learned, thanks to ZDNET’s sister site PCMAGThat your device itself supports several secret phone codes that unlock the hidden menu.
Obviously, these are mostly something. Only technology or developers will require access or tinker, but if you are anything like me, it is incredibly fun to learn Haqi Ins and the exterior of your device.
Too: Before leaving Netflix, use these secret codes to unlock your full library of the show
So I did a little research, found a long list of phone code or short code, and all of them tried to see what they do. They are not for all professionals – some people are surprisingly useful for everyday people, for example, see if they have a call waiting.
These codes work on both Android and iPhone until the device-specific is noted otherwise. Some carriers are specific, however, which means they will only work when you are on a particular mobile network (eg AT & T, Verizon, or T-Mobile). And fair warnings: A handful of code can make big changes or wipe your phone, so read them carefully before typing them in your keypad.
Entering *# 06# in your iPhone dialer and pressing the green call button will showcase the unique identity number of your device, known as IMEI, with your EID-a unique 32-conductive serial number found on devices supporting ESIM technology. If you have a dual SIM or ESIM phone, you will see more than one IMEI listed. When reporting stolen phones, this number is often required while checking the warranty status or unlocking your device for use on any other carrier.
Also: Your Roku has secret settings and menu screens – here is how to unlock them
tip: On an iPhone, you can also find IMEI about Settings> General>, but using the code is faster.
Show more
To open the “FTM dashboard” (field test mode dashboard) * 3001# 12345# * Type – A hidden engineering menu that is measured in DBM instead of your carriers, abilities, phone numbers, cell tower IDs, network bands, and bars. You will also see other information listed in this menu, although most of the part of it is jargon which only technicians will understand.
Show more
Ok, while the above code is for iPhone users, this is for an Android users. It opens a technical menu with phone status, LTE/5G information, Wi-Fi details, apps use data and battery history. This is mainly intended to diagnose connectivity issues for technicians or to check the detailed system health. Most people probably will not understand this.
Also: How to clean your Android phone cache (and promote it a serious speed)
Show more
Some carriers let you dial these codes whether the call forwarding is enabled and which number your phone is currently forwarding the call – either when you are busy (*#67#) or for all calls (*#21#). You can change it to another number in the call, such as your home, office, or third party reply, in front number in settings.
On the iPhone, to change the forwarding number, go to the Settings> Phone> Call Forwarding. On Android, the steps vary, but usually you will open the phone app, tap on the three-dot menu, go to Settings> Calling Accounts, select your active SIM, and then look for the call forwarding option.
If you see “failure/error” instead of “competent/disable” displayed after entering these codes – and you don’t see the call forwarding in your settings – then it means that your carrier does not support the convenience on your plan.
Show more
Similar to the call forwarding menu, dialing *# 43# Lets you check whether the call waiting is enabled – the feature that alerts you for another upcoming call while already being on one.
To enable the call waiting on the iPhone, go to Settings> Phone> Call Waiting and togle the switch. On an Android phone, you usually open the phone app, then go to Settings> Call> Supplementary Services> Call Waiting and togle it, although the step can vary by device.
Also: How to clean your iPhone cash (and why it makes such a big difference)
If you enter the code and see “failure/error” instead of “competent/disable” – and you can’t find a call waiting option in your phone settings – then your carrier likely does not support this feature on your plan.
Show more
Call forwarding is useful. If you are traveling, are temporarily using a separate phone, or want all the calls sent to a task or home line instead of your mobile. With this code, it is easy to forward all the upcoming calls at number two – just enter *21 (number)# in your dialer. (The number in brackets will be destination for your call.) As mentioned earlier, you can enable or disable the call forwarding in settings if your carrier and plan supports.
Show more
If you want to keep an eye on your data usage, each major carrier has its own code. Verizon customers can dial #3282, AT & T users can dial *3282 #, and T-Mobile customers can dial #932 #. You will find a lesson that shows how much data you have used and in most cases, when the cycle resets – great to avoid oversees charge or throttleing.
Show more
Your iPhone can receive emergency, government and public safety alert, including amber alert, extreme weather warnings and adjacent threats. By default, they are turned on, and when someone comes, you will hear a loud, alarm -like sound. You can enable or disable them anytime by toggling the settings> notifications and alert types under the government alert.
You can also dial *5005 *25371# to check if your phone is set to get a test alert from the government and emergency services. This code does not trigger a real alert – it only gives a yes or not to confirm whether the convenience is capable or not. If it is on and you will disable it without going to the settings, then dial *5005 *25370# and press the call button to close it.
Show more
In the US, dial *67 before a phone number hides your collar ID for a call, which shows the “private number” on the recipient’s screen, which is useful when you do not know well. Outside the US, equivalent code is *31#, so it works in areas where *67 is not supported.
tip: If your caller ID is normally hidden, but you want it to appear just once, then dial *82 before the number, to temporarily unblock it.
Show more
I did not test this code because reports say it would immediately erase an Android phone and re -establish its original firmware – without any warning screen. Yikes. I use it only when you are selling your device, recycling, or completely restored, as it will completely erase everything and start fresh.
Show more
What is the difference between phone code and small code?
I call the code in this guide “phone code”, but you can see that some carriers can refer to their specific code as “short code”. They are the same thing.
Is it dangerous to use phone code?
Most are safe, such as bill pay and data balance code. But the factory reset code I mentioned the last mention can allegedly eradicate all your data, so it definitely comes with a big warning.
Are some code carrier-specific?
Yes. Many of the codes I have mentioned only work on some mobile networks because they are provided by those carriers.
Will all codes work on my phone?
No, there are some platform-specific (Android or iPhone), and some are tied to the carrier.
What if I make something wrong?
If you enable or disable something from an accident, you can undo by entering it through the settings of your phone or by re -entering the code. If it fails, backup your data and reset.
Show more
