If you’re wondering if you can do more than just scroll through Instagram on your phone, the answer is you can. A lot more. There are actually tons of hidden features that only pros know about. There are a bunch of codes on your phone that can help you to do anything like hiding your phone number or checking your billing cycle. And what’s great is that most of them work for both iPhones and Androids.
Hide Your Number
One code that you can use on your phone allows you to hide your number from other people’s caller ID. If you have an Android phone, you’re in luck. All you have to do is enter the code #31# into your phone. You should then see a pop-up message that will let you know that your caller ID was deactivated.
Whatever your reason, you can keep your phone number discreet. But when you’re tired of coming up as a mystery number to everyone you know, just punch in the code *31# to be able to reveal your digits again.
Call Forwarding
There’s also a code out there that lets you check your call forwarding. Most phones send the call to your voicemail if you don’t pick up, but did you know that you can actually change the number that you’d like your calls to be sent to?
You can enter the code *#67# into your iPhone or Android. If you have an iPhone, go into settings, tap ‘phone’, and press ‘call forwarding.’ For Androids, go into the Phone app and tap the ‘hamburger icon’, ‘settings,’ ‘call’, ‘more settings’, and ‘call forwarding.’
Check Your Bill Balance
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time talking the phone, you’ll probably want to check your bill balance. Android owners can put in the code *225# to see how much their bill will cost. Once you dial the code, your phone should send you a message with your latest invoice.
And if you want to activate call waiting, you can do it more quickly than you thought. The code *43# will unlock your Android’s call waiting mode. When you’re done with this function, just type #43# to shut it off.
If Your Phone Gets Stolen
If you’re worried about your smartphone getting stolen, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Today, you can find your special IMEI number that belongs to your device only. So you can blacklist your phone it gets stolen.
This tip works for both iPhones and Androids, but it doesn’t work with iPhones on Verizon plans specifically. But you can crack the code by punching *#06# into your phone and pressing the call button.
Clearing Your Phone
In the unlikely event that the FBI is coming after you, those with Samsung phones can wipe their phone clean in less than 30 seconds. But be prepared to lose all your data (obviously). By typing in *#*# 7780*#*#, you can instantly turn your phone into the blank slate. The hack restores your phone to factory mode and deletes all of your apps too.
Now, if you’re just curious about the strength of your Wi-Fi signal, or if you’ve killed your battery, you’re in for a treat. Android users can use the code *#*#4636*#*# to have this info revealed.