Unlock The Hidden Functions Of Your Mobile With These Secret Codes

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), sometimes known as “quick codes”, is an extra-UI protocol, which allows people to access hidden features. This protocol was originally created for GSM phones, but it can also be found on CDMA devices.

Unlock The Hidden Functions Of Your Mobile With These Secret Codes

I know, I’m bombarding you with acronyms. Let’s try to simplify things …

The USSD protocol allows you to access hidden functions that you did not know directly from the dialer of your smartphone. But there are some tricks that you should know.

The SS codes or Supplementary Service Codes, allow you to specify certain parameters in GSM and LTE networks.
These codes are incorporated into the hardware of the devices and cannot be changed by the telephone operators, only that some of them ignore them or do not enable their operation.

They allow and facilitate certain functions, such as activating, deactivating or viewing the status of call diversions, calls on hold, displaying the caller’s number, etc.

Programmers have a longstanding tradition of developing “secret passages” that can only be accessed by inserting a special “key”. And so that tradition continues in the age of mobility.

How to access the secret passages of our mobile?

Mobile devices hide some menus and options that provide certain technical information about our smartphone or simply access to hardware tests of the device. For example, one of the codes that are used more frequently is the one corresponding to access to know the IMEI code of the terminal. But yes, there are many more

They are accessed by entering codes or keys on the telephone dialer (the screen used to initiate a phone call) and they usually begin and end with the*or#keys with a sequence of intermediate numbers (there is an almost zero probability of someone accidentally accessing them).

If you really want to give them a try, your best bet is to Google your phone’s brand and carrier + “USSD” for a complete and personalized list.

The ones we show you below are some codes that, as we anticipated, give access to special options, menus and configuration options. They are all codes for smartphones, however, some of them may not work on certain models, or depending on which manufacturers.

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 information about local networks and cell towers.

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

General Test Mode: * # 0 * #

It works on Android, it is used to access the Services menu.

Show IMEI: * # 06 #

To access the IMEI code (the unique code of your mobile)

Forward number: * # 67 #

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

By default, this is probably your provider’s voicemail service, but you can change it to forward to a different number (a home, office, or third-party answering service number, 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

Forward all calls: * # 61 #

To divert your calls when you don’t answer after a certain time. On the Galaxy phone, this code triggered a pop-up that explains how long until a call is forwarded to the message center. On the iPhone, regardless of carrier, this code only displays the same information as * # 67 #.

Check the available minutes: * 646 #

Apparently this only works with prepaid plans and on Galaxy phones. Instead of showing the information on a new screen, send the phone a text message.

Check balance: * 225 #

On Android, send an SMS message with the current balance.

Hide phone from caller ID: # 31 #

Works with Android. Entering this code displays a pop-up window indicating that Caller ID has been disabled. To reset the caller ID, enter * 31 #.

SMS Message Center: * 5005 * 7672 #

This code will tell you the number of your SMS message center.

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. It is similar to the general test mode mentioned above.

Codes that work with most mobile phones

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

SMS:

Send deferred SMS:

Enter at the beginning of the SMS text

* Later [seconds] #

Change [seconds] with a number eg. 10 for 10 seconds

Example:

* Later 30 # Hello, how are you?

Don’t forget the space between the seconds and ‘Later’!
It does not work with all providers.

Generic Android Hidden Codes

Keep in mind that some of these Android menus and secret codes may not be compatible with your device, as some terminal brands and models sometimes use their own values. Despite this, we have selected those that usually work in practically all models on the market.