17 Secret iPhone Interrogation Codes
Last updated on July 14th, 2020 at 09:52 am
Posted in How To by Patricia on November 13, 2014
iPhone Secret Field Test Menu.
Like all other famous gadgets, your iPhone has its own secrets. Read on and we’ll inform you about a series of hidden codes that unveil secret actions. These short codes will either uncover hidden menus or act as direct commands. They provide additional information about your device and tweak current settings.
Some settings can be also modified from your traditional iOS Settings app. However, if you wish to be one step a head and impress your friends with your superior iPhone knowledge, read on and get the most important secret codes available for your iOS device.
Do note, that some tricks might not work with all carriers. It depends on the features made available by each telecommunication company.
How To Use The Codes
These secret codes are combinations of numbers and the * (asterisk) and # (number sign) symbols. They are used with the help of your iPhone’s dial pad. Simply open the Phone app and tap on keypad. Next, input one of the available codes. Depending on the type of the combination, you’ll have to press the green call button or not. Some short codes like the one used for displaying your iPhone’s IMEI, will automatically run without needing the Call confirmation. This depends if the combination addresses a carrier setting or your own device.
17 Secret iPhone Interrogation Codes
Do note that ‘pin’ means that you should use your SIM card pin number. Don’t mistake it with your iPhone’s passcode. If you consider these codes helpful please share!
1. IMEI Number | Code: *#06#
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a 15-digit code that uniquely identifies your iPhone within GSM, UTMS and all other mobile phone networks. It’s always printed on your iPhone’s original delivery box and is required in the unfortunate case that your iOS device is lost or stolen. IMEI is required when filling a complaint to the police and when addressing the insurance company. This identification number can be also found in Settings -> General -> About.
2. Field Test | Code: *3001#12345#* -> ‘Call’
By accessing the hidden iPhone field test mode you’re able to find out live updated information about your cell phone network. You can uncover the numerical value of your cell phone signal and read data about surrounding cell towers. If you tap on the numerical valued carrier signal, available in the top left corner of your screen, you can switch between graphic and numerical display. Numerical values are always negative. Figures around ‘-50’ are for optimal reception while those towards ‘-120’ are considered very poor.
3. Call Barring | Status: *#33# | Turn ON: *33*pin# | Turn OFF: #33*pin#
These secret codes help you to check the restriction status of all your outgoing calls, data usage, texts and so on. Call barring is used to protect yourself from accidental calls when you allow your child to play with your iPhone, for example. iOS currently doesn’t offer a menu Setting for blocking outgoing calls. You could partially solve the problem by turning on Airplane Mode. However, this can be turned back off easily by anyone. Instead use the above codes to block or unblock all outgoing calls. Replace ‘pin’ with your SIM card pin, NOT iPhone Passcode!
4. Call Waiting | Status: *#43# | Enable: *43# | Disable: #43#
This short code interrogates your device if Call Waiting is enabled or not. This setting allows you to be able to receive other calls while you’re already engaged in a conversation. The second and other callers will be cued in the waiting line. You’re notified with a sound alert when another call is waiting for you and have the option to decide if you wish to maintain the actual conversation, decline the new one or keep one of them on hold until you finish the other. Within iOS, call waiting is available in Settings -> Phone -> Call Waiting.
5. Call Forwarding | Status – All: *#21# – Unreachable: *#62# – When Busy: *#67# | Disable All Forwarding: ##002# -> ‘Call’
Whenever you’re busy or on holiday you can redirect your calls to another colleague or family member. Use the nearby mentioned secret code and interrogate your iPhone about its current call forwarding settings. Besides voice data, you can also check out forwarding for data and faxes. Redirecting voice calls can be also set up from the iOS Settings -> Phone -> Call Forwarding. Use the other codes to check call forwarding status, when phone is out of reach or when busy.
6. Outgoing Call Anonymity | Status: *#31# -> ‘Call’ | Current Call: #31#phone-number -> ‘Call’
When initiating an outgoing call you have the option to make your phone number available for the receiving caller or to hide it. Anonymity status can be checked with the help of the first code provided above. To initiate an anonymous call you can either edit your contact or directly use your iPhone keypad to add the #31# code in front of the dialed phone number. Else, if you wish to hide your number in all outgoing calls, visit the iOS Settings -> Phone -> Show My Caller ID menu.
7.Incoming Call Presentation | Status: *#30# -> ‘Call’
: shows if your iPhone will display the number of incoming calls.
8. SMS Message Center Number | Check: *#5005*7672# -> ‘Call’
: get your carrier’s text message center number.
9. EFR Mode | Code: *3370# -> ‘Call’
: Enhanced Full Rate is a speech codding standard that improves voice quality for GSM conversations. It also burns a little more battery life. (not available on all networks.)
I have an iPhone x and it is requesting for Apple ID and password but I don’t have the password. my dad was using the phone before he got another one for himself and he said he don’t have the password again.. what can I do?
You can recover the password as long as your dad remembers his security credentials. I mean, reset your father’s Apple ID password.
You can request to apple support via used email ID
search the web for unlockers. find the most trusted one and pay them to unlock it.
Absolutely nothing Go to the kiosk at the Apple Store to get half price for it
What if i lock my iphone and i foggot the pascodes, there is any order way to open or reset it without conecting it to computer
Hi Sheka do you know the password of the Apple ID that you use on your iPhone?
Hi, i used the *#31# trick and i had a problem which my call history was gone, i got it back somehow but now it wont show any recent calls, only old calls.
I’ve tried restoring it and many thingy but nothing worked, please let me know if you have any solution for this.
Thank you.
Hi Ehab. We did not receive any other similar complaint regarding this code. Can you please mention the carrier that you’re using?
when I type those codes into my iPhone, it calls my service provider
Hi Lily. Does it happen for all codes or just a specific one. What carrier are you using?
Hi Patricia,
This issue concerning every code at activation attempt with call, a recording saying “Unfortunately we are not able to complete your call. If you like to speak with customer service agent, hang up and dial #611 for the next available agent. “is happening on my Verizon XS Max
Angelo, thanks for reporting. I think that Verizon might have stopped supporting these short codes. I’m not on Verizon to test it our for you, but would appreciate if anyone running Verizon could check this out and comment here.
My iPhone 7+ calling numbers by itself. How to stop it
Hi Alex. Thanks for commenting. The main reason that’s causing your iPhone to make random calls is the active Voice Control setting. Make sure that it’s turned off on your iOS device. How To: Settings -> Accessibility -> Voice Control -> OFF. Let us know if this helped you out.
Patricia, your blog says “17 codes” but ends before #10. What are codes 10-17?
James, thanks for asking. There are 17 codes in total. For example point ‘No. 5 Call Forwarding’ lists 4 codes. This is actually an older article on our blog. We will soon update it with new codes.
Hi can’t enable my call Forwarding back into normal state again
Napoleon, please browse for Settings -> Phone -> Call Forwarding and let us know if you can enable it from there.
Is there a sim unlock code
Lucy, for SIM unlock you need to contact your carrier and ask for this or use third-party unlocking tools available on the web. Either way you will need to provide your iPhone’s IMEI number and this can be found using this interrogation code: *#06#
How can you call somebody that blocked you and all numbers that’s not saved?
The block is set for your phone number. If you own a Dual SIM iPhone you can call from your second number, or borrow someone else’s phone to call. Also try other VoIP call options like WhatsApp, FB Messenger etc.
Would someone tell me what this means!
I would upload a picture but I don’t know how.
My iPhone says this when I do the codes. My x went to Verizon he’s not on my account, he broke my phone. So he replaced it with his old IPhone I wasn’t there and I didn’t give him permission now that we have broken up I’m thinking he has been on my calls for along time like 1 -1 1/2 years. He knows things that I didn’t tell him.
The code reads
Error performing request
Unknown error
Setting interrogation failed
Voice call forwarding
When unreachable
Where the voice call word is for every other message it’s replaced with either fax, data call, sms,sync data circuit.
Would someone please help me out I have no idea what this means. Thank you!
Hi Jennifer. First of all please let me know what you’re trying to configure? What codes are you using and what to you want to change in your device’s settings. Some codes might not work in all regions.
My phones erasure codes all fail iv tried every code you can find I promise but nothing works, Verizon wasn’t helpful so many times iv tried the app you name it…so any suggestions I’m using iPhone 12 Pro and other phones with my sim do the same thing and I changed SIM cards guess what ?? Nope!! It’s not any different…thoughts?!
Are you trying to erase your iPhone? Why aren’t you doing it from Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Please help me understand this stuff because mine never work they said you failed and lots of other stuff but never does it say successful
I think I dialed #31# by accident and now every call I receive comes on no caller id. How can I fix this ?
Have you tried to Dial #31# once again? It should re-enable caller ID.
*33*PIN# and I forgot my PIN so I tried to find a solution but I’ve been looking for a week and still can’t fix it. please help me!.Now my phone can’t call forwarding.
Can you tweak it in Settings -> Phone -> Call Forwarding?