SMARTPHONE SECRET CODES

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), sometimes known as “quick codes” or “feature codes”, is an extra-UI protocol, which allows people to access hidden features. This protocol was originally created for GSM phones, but can be found on CDMA devices as well (if that’s a bunch of acronym gibberish to you, here’s a quick primer).The USSD protocol allows you to access hidden features you didn’t know about right from your smartphone’s dialer. But there is some trickiness you’ll need to know about.

Coders have a storied tradition of baking in secret passageways that can only be accessed by inputting a special “key.” And so that tradition continues in the mobile age.

These publicly available backchannels allow users to directly communicate with their service provider’s computers and/or access back-end features in their device. They are accessed by inputting them into the phone’s dialer (the screen you use to start a phone call) and usually begin and end with the * or # keys with a sequence of numbers in between (there’s close-to-zero chance that anyone would accidentally access them).

Most people don’t really need to know how their local cell towers are performing or what their IMEI number is (more on that later). Still, it can be fun to play around and see what unexpected functionality your phone is hiding beneath the surface.

If you really want to try them out, your best bet may be to Google your phone’s make and carrier + “USSD” for a tailored, comprehensive list.

Field Mode: 3001#12345#

Type *3001#12345#* into your phone’s dialer and then press the green call button to access “Field Mode,” which can give you access to info about local networks and cell towers.

You’ll probably never ever have to know about your local cell tower’s “Measured RSSi,” but it’s fun to look around for a bit.

General Test Mode: #0#

It works on Android. This prompts a library of different phone operations, which could be operated with a single push (e.g. Sleep, Front Cam, Vibration).

Display your IMEI: *#06#

To access it, type in the above code, and then the green call button to prompt your IMEI number.
The IMEI is unique to your device. Among other things, the number can help “blacklist” stolen devices or help with customer support.

Check Your Call Forwarding: *#67#

This code allows you to check which number your phone is currently forwarding calls to when you’re busy or reject a call.

By default, this is probably your carrier’s voicemail service, but you can change it to forward to a different number (a home number, office number, or third-party answering service for example). On an iPhone, you can change this number by going to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. On Android (varies from system to system), tap the Phone app > hamburger icon > Settings > Call > More Settings > Call forwarding

Get Even More Info on Call Forwarding: *#61#

On Galaxy phone, this code prompted a pop-up that explain how long until a call is forwarded to the message center. On the iPhone, regardless of carrier, this code just show the same info as *#67# .

Check Your Available Minutes: *646#

Apparently this one only works on postpaid plans. It work on Galaxy phone. Instead of showing the info on a new screen, it send to the phone a text message.

Check Your Bill Balance: *225#

On Android it prompt a SMS message with current balance due.

Hide Your Phone From Caller ID: #31#

Works on Android. But entering this code prompted a pop-up stating that Caller ID had been disabled. In order to re-instate Caller ID, enter *31# .

Check Your Billing Cycle: *3282#

Works on Android. It prompt an SMS message with billing info.

SMS Message Center: 50057672#

This code will tell you your SMS message center number.

Activate Call Waiting: *43#

This code will activate call waiting; you can deactivate it by entering #43#.

Quick Test Menu (Samsung Galaxy Only) *#7353#

This code only works on Samsung Galaxy models. This is similar to the General Test mode mentioned earlier, in that it brings up a menu with a number of one-tap test prompts.

Firmware (Samsung Galaxy Only) *#1234#

Only works on Galaxy devices. But it will let you know your phone’s current firmware. So, have fun with that.

Codes working with most of cell phones

These code should work with most cell phones. Some may not be usable depending on the provider.

Code	Function
press 1 for longer than one second	Dial mailbox number (mailbox number must bve specified in the settings)
press # for longer than one seconds	Activate/deactivate silent profile
#0#	Can get into the service menu on modern smartphones
*#06#	Display the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
#31#[number][dial]	Dial with own number being not displayed (replace [number] with the number to dial)
*31#[number][dial]	Dial with own number being dispalyed (replace [number] with the number to dial)
#33[dial]	Show status call locks
*43#[dial]	Turn on tall waiting
#43#[dial]	Turn off call waiting
*#43#[dial]	Show status of call waiting
*135#[dia]	Request own number (often does not work)
*04[old Pin][new Pin][new Pin]#	Change Pin (do not enter [ and ])
*05[PUK][neue Pin][neue Pin]#	Unlock Pin (do not enter [ and ])
*042[old Pin2][new Pin2][new Pin2]#	Change Pin2 (do not enter [ and ])
*052[PUK][new Pin2][new Pin2]#	Unlock Pin2 (do not enter [ and ])
*#0000#	Display Software Version (Nokia and Samsung devices)

Codes for charges:

Codes	Function
*100#[Dial]	Request number and balance (Prepaid)
*101#[Dial]	Request number and balance (Prepaid)

SMS:

Send SMS delayed:

Enter at the start of the SMS the text
*Later [seconds]#
and replace [secconds] with a number e.g. 10 for 10 seconds
Examplel:
*Later 30#Hello see you soon

Do not forget the space between later and the seconds!
This does not work with all providers.

Android Generic Hidden Codes

To enter these codes just pull up the default dialer app and use your chubby fingers to press the correct buttons.

Code	Description
##4636##	Display information about Phone, Battery and Usage statistics
##7780##	Restting your phone to factory state-Only deletes application data and applications
27673855#	It’s a complete wiping of your mobile also it reinstalls the phones firmware
##34971539##	Shows completes information about the camera
##7594##	Changing the power button behavior-Enables direct poweroff once the code enabled
##273283255663282##*	For a quick backup to all your media files
##197328640##	Enabling test mode for service activity
##232339## OR ##526##	Wireless Lan Tests
##232338##	Displays Wi-Fi Mac-address
##1472365##	For a quick GPS test
##1575##	A Different type GPS test
##0283##	Packet Loopback test
##0##*	LCD display test
##0673## OR ##0289##	Audio test
##0842##	Vibration and Backlight test
##2663##	Displays touch-screen version
##2664##	Touch-Screen test
*#9090#	Diagnostic configuration
*#872564#	USB logging control
*#301279#	HSDPA/HSUPA Control Menu
27673855#	Format device to factory state
*#9900#	System dump mode
##7780##	Reset the /data partition to factory state
*#7465625#	Access phone lock status
#12580369#	Software and hardware details
##0588##	Proximity sensor test
##3264##	Ram version
##232331##	Bluetooth test
##7262626##	Field test
##232337#*#	Displays bluetooth device address
##8255##	For Google Talk service monitoring
##49862650468##*	PDA, Phone, Hardware, RF Call Date firmware info
##1234##	PDA and Phone firmware info
##1111##	FTA Software version
##2222##	FTA Hardware verion
##44336##	Displays Build time and change list number
*#06#	Displsys IMEI number
##8351##	Enables voice dialing logging mode
##8350##	Disables voice dialing logging mode
##778 (+call)	Brings up Epst menu

Testing Menu Code

The *#*#4636#*#* code is the most common one that people will use. There’s quite a bit of information you can pull up in this hidden menu. Here are some screenshots of what you should see once you punch in this code.

Call diversion

Call diversion when busy:

Code	Funktion
*67number#	Divert to the given number
#67#	deactivate call diversion
##67#	Erase call diversion
*#67#	Request status for call diversion

Call diversion in case the handset is turned off or has not coverage:

Code	Function
*62number#	Divert to the given number
#62#	deactivate call diversion
##62#	Erase call diversion
*#62#	Request status for call diversion

Call diversion for not responding

Code	Function
*61number**x#	Divert to the given number aber x seconds (x=5,10,15,20,25,30)
#61#	Deactivate call diversion
##61#	Erase call diversion
*#61#	Request status of call diversion

Call diversion for all conditions above:

Code	Function
#004number#	Divert to the given number
#004#	Deactivate call diversion
##004#	Erase call diversion
*#004#	Request status for call diversion

Always divert:

Code	Function
#21number#	Always divert to given number
#21#	Deactivate call diversion
##21#	Erase call diversion
*#21#	Request status for call diversion

Erase all call diversions:

Code	Function
##002#[dial]	Remove all call diversions

The USSD protocol allows you to access hidden features you didn’t know about right from your smartphone’s dialer. But there is some trickiness you’ll need to know about.