With the help of just a few short codes, you can find out more about the settings of your phone and work out whether or not your messages and information are protected and whether you’re being tracked.

This article shares the most useful and important codes for smart phones, together with some instructions for those who’re worried about being tracked.

*#21#

With this code, you can find out whether your calls, messages, and other data are being diverted. The status of the different types of diversions that are taking place along with the number the information is being transferred to will be displayed on your phone’s screen.

*#62#

Dial this code if you want to find out where calls, messages, and data are being redirected to if it seems that no one can get through to you. The chances are in this case that your voice calls are being redirected to one of your cell phone operator’s numbers.

##002#

This is a universal code for switching off all forms of redirection away from your phone. It’s a good idea to use this before you have to use roaming. In this case, money won’t be taken from your account for calls that are redirected by default to your voice mail.

*#06#

With the help of this code, you can find out your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier). If you know this number, you can find your phone if someone steals it. When switched on, its location is automatically conveyed to the network operator even if a different SIM card is inserted. If someone knows your IMEI number, they can find out the model and technical characteristics of your phone.

How can you protect yourself from criminals and spies

• Use messaging apps that are completely closed to outsiders, such as Telegram, Chare, Wickr, or Signal.

• Determine what information it’s safe to make accessible to all. Should everyone really be able to find out your phone number or have access to information about your family, loved ones, or your lifestyle? Be very careful when posting photographs of children.

• Don’t install unknown program’s on your phone, keep close track of the apps you have installed, and use multiple security locks wherever you can. Don’t click on unsafe links, and don’t connect your phone to suspicious “free” charging points.

• Only your cell phone operator should ever offer you tracking services, and they should only turn them on with your explicit agreement. Websites and applications that offer to find out the location of other people are almost certainly acting with criminal intent.

Here is a list of secret codes for Android devices.

 CODES                                                              FUNCTIONS   

• *#06#                                       To check IMEI of your device, enter this code.
• *#0*#                                        To enter service menu on the very new Android phones.
• *#0228#                                   To check battery status.
• *#9090# / *#1111#                 To make device in Service mode.
• *#*#4636#*#*                         To get information about battery, usage statistics and device.
• *#*#34971539#*#*                To get all information about camera.
• *#12580*369#                        To get software and hardware info.
• *#228#                                      For ADC Reading.
• #7353#                                     To hide test menu 2/Self Test Mode.
• ##7764726                              To hide service menu for Motorola Droid.
• *#*#273283*255*663282*#*#*   For backup of our all media files.
• *#*#232338#*#*                      It display the Wi-Fi mac address.
• *#7465625#                             To view status of lock-phone.
• *#*#3264#*#*                          To show RAM version.
• *#*#44336#*#*                        To display build time and change list number.
• *#*#232337#*#                       To see or display device’s Bluetooth address.
• *#*#197328640#*#*              It enables test mode for service.
• *#*#8351#*#*                          To enable voice dial mode.
• *#*#8350#*#*                          To disable the voice dial mode.
• *#*#0842#*#*                          To test Back-light/vibration.
• *#*#2664#*#*                          To test the touch-screen.
• *#*#0289#*#*                          For Audio test.
• *#*#0*#*#*                               For LCD display test.
• *#*#232331#*#*                     To test Bluetooth of any Android device.
• *#*#0283#*#*                          To perform a packet loop-back test.
• *#*#1575#*#*                          For advanced GPS test.
• *#*#1472365#*#*                   To Perform a quick GPS test.
• *#*#0588#*#*                          To perform a proximity sensor test.
• *#*#7262626#*#*                   To perform field test.
• *#*#232339#*#*                     Testing Wireless LAN.
• *#9090#                                   To Diagnose configuration of device.
• *#872564#                              To control U-S-B logging.
• *#9900#                                   System dump mode.
• *#*#7780#*#*                         Reset  to factory state.
• *2767*3855#                          To format Android device.
• *#*#4986*2650468#*#*        To get pda, phone, H/W and RF Call Date.
• *#*#1234#*#*                          To know about pda and firmware version.
• *#*#1111#*#*                           For FTA Software version.
• *#*#2222#*#*                          For FTA Hardware version.
• *#*#7594#*#*                          To change power button behaviour once code enabled.
• *#*#8255#*#*                          To launch Google Talk service monitor.