Best Secret Codes for Android Phones

Previously, I wrote about iPhone Tricks – 9 Secret iPhone Codes. The main functionality of having secret codes hidden within a mobile device was originally intended for the employees of the respective devices to trouble shoot and perform procedures. Yet now, living in a digital world, everyone has access to this information.

The most common Android codes that I could find are:

Factory Reset

Open your dialer and type in the following *#*#7780#*#*. Another way is to open up settings and click on Restore > Factory Reset.

Reinstall Firmware

You can reinstall your device’s firmware with ease by typing in *2767*3855#. Ultimately, you can also use a third party software on your computer to connect your phone and install new firmware modules.

Enable Testing Services Mode

This is commonly used for testers and android programmers. Activate your Testing Services Mode by typing *#*#*#*#197328640 into your dialer. Once you’ve done this, open the settings page to find the new Testing Menu.

Camera Information

Like most programmers, I often want to see the type of camera on the phone. Type in *#*#34971539#*#*.

Backing up Media Files

Believe it or not, you can create backups of your media files by using the phone’s dialer. Simply type *#*#*273 283 255* 663 282*#*#*.

Google Talk Monitoring Service

“Spy onto them, as they spy onto us” – line from the 90’s movie “Hackers.” Yes, Google is spying on you. So, let’s open up that monitoring service by typing in *#*#8255#*#*. From there you’ll soon find out what data Google really has on you.

Battery Status

While the top-right part of your screen displays the battery status, you can also see more information by typing in *#0228#.

Encryption Information

What type of encryption is your phone carrier using to protect you? You can see the encryption type your phone is using by entering *#32489#.

Data Usage Stats

Everyone who owns a mobile device is often curious as to how much data they really have used. Most times, it seems the phone bill comes in saying you used X amount of data, and you’re sure you didn’t. Put the phone company to the test: simply type in *# 3282 * 727 336*#.

3D Testing

This may not work on all devices, but you can test out your 3D settings by typing in 3845 #*920#. This will show you if your devices are capable of rendering 3D modules.

WLAN Testing

You can easily check the status of your Wireless Lan network settings by typing in 526#*#*#*#* or 528#*#*#*#*.

GPS Test

You can perform a full GPS test to see how accurate your GPS settings are. GPS isn’t always 100% dead on target. Just run the test *#*#1575#*#* to see how well your GPS is actually working for you.

Bluetooth Testing

Ever wondered why your Bluetooth settings are dropping connections? Maybe you can’t connect as quickly as you once could? Test out your Bluetooth for potential issues, and to see what type of Bluetooth hardware you’re using. Simply type *#*#232331#*#* into the dialer pad.

Checking FTA SW (Software)

If you wanted to look at your device’s firmware to see the type of software used, type *#*#1111#*#*.

Checking FTA HW (Hardware)

Now that you have your software information, find out what it’s running on. Type in *#*#2222#*#*.

Diagnostics Settings

View the settings configurations of your diagnostic testing by typing in *#9090#.

Sources: AnonHQ (iPhone Tricks), Android Stack Exchange, XDA-Developers.

This article (Best Secret Codes for Android Phones) is a free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and AnonHQ.