Your Android device contains a large amount of information about its hardware and system that an average user might have difficulty accessing. But if you know Android’s secret codes, you can reset your device, find out its hidden camera information, instantly back up your valuable data, and much more.
Secret Android System Codes
Some “secret” codes are Android system codes and usually begin with an asterisk or a symbol / hashtag. These do not require you to be connected to a network to use them, as they only affect your device’s Android system. These codes are updated regularly as new versions of Android software are released and some manufacturers have their own additional special codes.
The code entry procedure is very simple and only requires you to display your dialer keypad and enter the correct sequence of numbers. It is important to note that some codes are specific to each operator, so they will not work on all devices. So if your phone doesn’t respond to a code then don’t dwell on it, move on and find another one.
Warning! These codes should be used with caution. They can cause your phone to lose data or render it unusable. There is a lot of incomprehensible technical jargon that pops up in menus after entering some of these codes, which means if you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing, don’t.
List of secret codes for Android
These codes are generally universal and should work on Android devices regardless of manufacturer. However, some codes may still have carrier restrictions, so not all of them are guaranteed to work.
Info codes
| * # 06 # | Show phone IMEI |
| * # 0 * # | Info menu (does not work for all phones) |
| * # * # 4636 # * # * | Info menu |
| * # * # 34971539 # * # * | Camera Info |
| * # * # 1111 # * # * | FTA software version |
| * # * # 1234 # * # * | PDA software version |
| * # 12580 * 369 # | Software and hardware information |
| * # 7465625 # | Device lock status |
| * # * # 232338 # * # * | Mac Address |
| * # * # 2663 # * # * | Touch screen version |
| * # * # 3264 # * # * | RAM version |
| * # * # 232337 # * # | Bluetooth address |
| * # * # 2222 # * # * | Hardware version |
| * # * # 44336 # * # * | Software version and update information |
Backup codes
| * # * # 273282 * 255 * 663282 * # * # * | Save all media |
Test codes
| * # * # 197328640 # * # * | Test mode |
| * # * # 232339 # * # * | Wi-Fi test |
| * # * # 0842 # * # * | Brightness and vibration test |
| * # * # 2664 # * # * | Touch screen test |
| * # * # 232331 # * # * | Bluetooth test |
| * # * # 7262626 # * # * | Field test |
| * # * # 1472365 # # | GPS quick test |
| * # * # 1575 # * # * | Full GPS test |
| * # * # 0283 # * # * | Packet Loopback Test |
| * # * # 0 * # * # * | LCD display test |
| * # * # 0289 # * # * | Audio test |
| * # * # 0588 # * # * | Proximity sensor test |
Configuration codes
| * # 9090 # | Diagnostic parameters |
| * # 301279 # | HSDPA / HSUPA settings |
| * # 872564 # | USB logging settings |
Developer codes
| * # 9900 # | System dump mode |
| ## 778 (+ green button / call) | EPST menu |
Manufacturer specific codes
Motorola
| ## 7764726 | Motorola Droid menu hidden |
HTC
| * # * # 3424 # * # * | HTC test program |
| ## 786 # | (Warning!) Phone reset menu |
| ## 3282 # | EPST menu |
| ## 3424 # | Diagnostic mode |
| ## 33284 # | Field test |
| ## 8626337 # | Start the vocoder |
| * # * # 4636 # * # * | HTC info menu |
Other codes
| * # 7780 # | (Warning!) Factory reset |
| * 2767 * 3855 # | (Warning!) Full factory reset |
| * # * # 7594 # * # * | Turn off the phone |
| * # * # 8351 # * # * | Activate dialer log mode |
| # * # 8350 # * # * | Disable dialer logging mode |
Stay away from these codes!
| * # * # 7780 # * # * | (Warning! The risk of data loss and rendering the phone unusable) data partition Factory reset |
| * 2767 * 3855 # | (Warning! Risk of data loss and making the phone useless) Format device |
USSD Codes
These are not the secrets, but they are not widely known. USSD codes, or unstructured additional service data, connect to the phone’s network when dialed to perform certain functions, for example to find out how much credit you have left on your prepaid phone or how much data you have used this month – this. They change often and the codes vary from operator to operator. Here are a few examples you can try for some of the major US carriers, along with links to more carrier specific codes:
AT&T
- Check your data and SMS usage: * 3282 #
Verizon
- Check your data and SMS usage: # 3282
T Mobile
- Check your data usage: # 932 #
Sprint
- Check minutes, messages and other usage statistics: * 4
There is a good chance that you will never need to use most of these codes, but if you do, then now you know where to find them. Are there any secret codes that you yourself use all the time? Or are there some that aren’t listed here that are really interesting? Let us know in the comments!
