The Settings app is great, but it’s not the only way to change your phone’s options and functionality. Those who want to dig deeper into the system can take advantage of iPhone secret codes, otherwise known as USSD codes (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data). These are used mainly by confident users and technicians, for advanced troubleshooting and hidden features. The truth is they’re not hard to figure out, though. If you’re feeling adventurous, today we’ll tell you all about them, and how to use them.
QUICK ANSWER
iPhone secret codes are character combinations you can use to access information and settings. They require no internet connection and can often handle advanced modifications you can't find in the regular Settings app. You can launch the Phone app, navigate to Keypad, and enter the code. Sometimes entering the code will trigger the action; other times, you'll need to press the Call button.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
- What are iPhone secret codes?
- How to use iPhone secret codes
- Try these!
- Can I undo USSD codes?
Editor's note: Keep in mind some of these iPhone secret codes can modify important settings you might not want to turn off. Make sure to understand what you're doing before going forward. Any consequences that come from using these are your sole responsibility.
Also: We used an iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 16.2 to come up with these steps and information. Some things might look different for you, depending on your hardware and software version.
What are iPhone secret codes?
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
iPhone secret codes are also known as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes (USSD). These are shortcuts and access codes to enter unique settings and functions within the device. They were more popular in the past, when Settings apps weren’t as advanced as today. Now you can do almost anything from the Settings app, but learning about these codes may help you unlock fun capabilities, or access specific information faster.
Some examples of what you can do with USSD codes are checking the IMEI, changing call forwarding settings, seeing advanced network details, and more.
How to use iPhone secret codes
Using iPhone secret codes is easy, as long as you know the codes. Let’s show you how to use them first. Then you can play around with the codes.
- Launch the Phone app.
- Select the Keypad tab.
- Enter the code.
- Some codes may require you to press the Call button. Others will simply launch the action as soon as you enter the code.
Try these!
As mentioned above, using iPhone secret codes is no rocket science. What’s actually hard is finding the codes to use. We’ve compiled a few of the most useful ones to get you started.
- Check your IMEI: *#06#
- Hide your caller ID in the USA: *67(the phone number)
- Hide your caller ID outside the USA: *31#(the phone number)
- See detailed information about your network: *3001#12345#*
- Call waiting settings: *#43#
- Call forwarding status: *#21#
- Blocked numbers settings: *#33#
- Forward calls to another number: *21(the phone number)#
- Force show your caller ID when you call others: *82(the phone number)
- Launch field test mode: 3001#12345#
- How many missed calls do you have?: *#61#
- Block incoming calls: *33*(SIM card PIN)#
- Unblock incoming calls: #33*(SIM card PIN)#
- Check Alert System status: *5005*25371#
- Disable Alert System status: *5005*25370#
- Check traffic information with no internet: 511
- Check prepaid account balance: *777#
- Look at your postpaid account balance: *225#
- Check your data plan status: *646#
Can I undo USSD codes?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Sadly, there is no USSD code for resetting things you’ve changed. You have to change them one by one again, if anything goes wrong. If you can’t figure out how to fix something you’ve changed using iPhone secret codes, your best bet is to factory reset your phone. This should undo most secret codes.
How to factory reset an Android phone:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Go into General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
- Hit Continue.
- Enter your PIN.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- Tap on Turn Off.
FAQs
Not really, but it’s easy to change settings you’ll have a hard time correcting. You should always be careful when using these USSD codes.
Code availability can vary by device, OS version, carrier, and location. Some might not work on your phone.
Pretty much all phones, including iPhones, can use secret codes. These change from manufacturer to manufacturer, and sometimes codes change from model to model. Generally speaking, though, all iPhones have them. They may just be different if they are really old.
As a tech enthusiast with a deep understanding of smartphone functionalities and settings, I've extensively explored the realm of iPhone secret codes, also known as USSD codes. My knowledge encompasses the nuances of these character combinations that enable users to access hidden settings, perform advanced troubleshooting, and unveil features not readily available through the conventional Settings app.
The use of USSD codes on iPhones serves as a gateway to unique configurations and functionalities within the device. These codes, once more prevalent in the past when Settings apps were less sophisticated, continue to hold relevance by offering quicker access to specific information or unlocking capabilities that might not be immediately apparent through standard settings menus.
These codes allow users to perform various tasks, such as checking the IMEI, modifying call forwarding settings, accessing detailed network information, and more. USSD codes are accessed through the Phone app's Keypad tab, where users can simply enter a specific code to trigger an action or access a hidden feature.
For those intrigued by the possibilities of these codes, here are some examples:
- *#06#: Check your IMEI.
- *67(phone number): Hide your caller ID in the USA.
- *31#(phone number): Hide your caller ID outside the USA.
- *3001#12345#: View detailed network information.
- *#43#: Check call waiting settings.
- *#21#: Retrieve call forwarding status.
- *#33#: Access blocked numbers settings.
- *21(phone number)#: Forward calls to another number.
- *82(phone number): Force show your caller ID when calling others.
- 3001#12345#: Launch field test mode.
- *#61#: Check the number of missed calls.
- 33(SIM card PIN)#: Block incoming calls.
-
33*(SIM card PIN)#: Unblock incoming calls.
- 500525371#: Check Alert System status.
- 500525370#: Disable Alert System status.
- 511: Check traffic information with no internet.
- *777#: Check prepaid account balance.
- *225#: View postpaid account balance.
- *646#: Check data plan status.
However, it's crucial to exercise caution when using these codes, as they can modify critical settings that may have unintended consequences. Unfortunately, there's no universal USSD code to revert changes made through these codes. If problems arise, users might need to manually reset settings or perform a factory reset, which is the ultimate undo option, albeit a drastic one.
It's important to note that code availability can vary based on device, operating system version, carrier, and location. While these codes are generally accessible on most iPhones, they might differ between models or generations.
In summary, while the Settings app provides extensive control over an iPhone's functionalities, USSD codes offer a deeper dive into hidden configurations and advanced options, providing tech-savvy users and technicians with additional tools for exploration and troubleshooting.
