The very best secret codes for Android telephones

Whereas iOS has its benefits, the ace in Android‘s deck is customization. As a result of there are fewer partitions in place, you can also make it do extra, generally in methods cellphone makers by no means meant. There may be actually a group of “secret codes” for Android — and now that you simply’re curious, we’ll clarify what they’re, the right way to enter them, and the most effective ones to attempt.

As you’d count on, these are codes that unlock hidden options in your gadget. Normally they’re not significantly attractive, both triggering provider capabilities or diagnostics when a specific piece of {hardware} or software program misbehaves. A few of these might be helpful in your day by day life nonetheless, whereas a number of are simply enjoyable to experiment with when you don’t have anything higher to do.

There are two foremost classes. MMI (Man Machine Interface) codes are set by smartphone makers, and unlock options inside Android itself. Some could solely work with particular gadgets or forks of Android, however many will work on any model of the OS. USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Knowledge) codes are related to carriers, which suggests you want an energetic mobile connection.

Beneath are hyperlinks to USSD codes for the three main US carriers. We’re avoiding something carrier-specific in our best-of record, since after all somebody utilizing Vodafone in Europe or Telus in Canada isn’t going to search out T-Cell codes very useful.

How one can enter secret codes on Android

No matter whether or not it belongs to the MMI or USSD class, you’ll be able to enter any secret code utilizing the cellphone dialer app. The trick is that every one of them begin with an asterisk (*) and finish with a pound signal (#), which tells the app that you simply’re not making an attempt to name somebody.

The very best secret codes for Android telephones

Realistically you’ll in all probability solely wish to know one or two of those, however that may change, by which case you’ll be able to at all times come again right here. We’ll be updating this record if we modify our priorities and/or find out about any new codes. Android is frequently evolving, in spite of everything.

Bear in mind that a few of these codes may not work in your specific Android cellphone, but it surely shouldn’t damage to attempt them.

Get your gadget’s IMEI quantity — *#06#

Whereas it may not appear thrilling at first, the IMEI (Worldwide Cell Gear Id) to your cellphone might be extraordinarily necessary. Consider it as your cellphone’s “fingerprint” on mobile networks, which will help with duties like provider activation or blocking a tool if it finally ends up misplaced or stolen. You need to attempt utilizing Google’s Discover My Gadget platform first, if that’s an choice in your state of affairs.

Present cellphone information and utilization knowledge — *#*#4636#*#*

This is among the tougher codes to recollect, but it surely’s a method of gathering in any other case scattered items of information akin to your IMSI (Worldwide Cell Subscriber Id) quantity, or the small print of your mobile connection together with exact sign energy and present add and obtain speeds. Out there utilization knowledge contains issues like your battery and the final time numerous apps have been used.

Present your MAC handle — *#*#232338#*#*

A MAC (Media Entry Management) handle fingerprints your gadget on an area community. Usually that is one thing you don’t want to fret about, however some individuals like to cover or change their MAC addresses to maximise privateness and their defenses towards hacking. The excellent news is that Android and iOS have been randomizing this information since Android 10 and iOS 14, respectively. You would possibly nonetheless wish to you understand your MAC handle to diagnose networking points, say in case your cellphone is unintentionally being blocked by your Wi-Fi router.

Toggle caller ID — *31#

Talking of privateness, this code can forestall your caller ID from going out over the airwaves. That may be a double-edged sword nonetheless, since some individuals select to block unidentified callers as a method of decreasing spam. If somebody you understand has determined to do that, you gained’t be capable to name them till they alter their settings otherwise you flip your caller ID again on.

Toggle name ready — *43#

There’s a great probability you’ve already received name ready on, but when not, you need to in all probability activate it to be notified when somebody tries to name you whilst you’re in the midst of one other dialog. Conversely, some individuals can discover this characteristic distracting or just pointless, by which case you should use this code to disable it.

Carry out a manufacturing unit reset — *#*#7780#*#*

We are able to’t stress sufficient that you need to at all times use different troubleshooting strategies earlier than resorting to a manufacturing unit reset. You’ll must set your cellphone up once more as if it have been new, which is made considerably simpler through Google accounts and backups, but it surely stays a time-consuming course of that omits any knowledge created since your final backup. Even for those who do wish to carry out a reset, there are built-in Settings choices which can be simpler to recollect than this code, though it might probably’t damage to have a fallback.

Take a look at vibration and backlight capabilities — *#*#0842#*#*

Actually, there’s virtually by no means a must trouble with this, but it surely may doubtlessly set off some entertaining vibration and lighting results.

Take a look at your Wi-Fi connection — *#*#232339#*#*

Involved that your Wi-Fi isn’t working correctly? It’s in all probability higher to check utilizing a devoted app from the Google Play Retailer, because the info might be clearer, however these apps are pulling knowledge from the identical sources this code makes use of.