Ever wondered how to check your phone’s IMEI number without diving into settings? Just dial *#06# and it pops right up — even on the simplest feature phone!
But did you know there are many more such hidden codes that can unlock useful information or tweak important settings — all from your phone’s keypad?
Whether you’re using a basic keypad phone or the latest smartphone, here are 10 tried-and-true universal GSM shortcuts that work on nearly every mobile device around the world.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Universal GSM Codes (Not OS Dependent)
1. Check IMEI Number – *#06#
Shows your device’s unique identifier. Useful if your phone is lost or stolen, or when verifying authenticity before buying a second-hand phone.
2. Check Call Forwarding Status – *#21#
Tells you whether your calls, messages, or data are being forwarded to another number. A handy security check!
3. Check Forwarding When Out of Coverage – *#62#
Find out where your calls are being sent when your phone is off or out of network range.
4. Check Forwarding When Busy – *#67#
Shows which number your calls go to when you’re already on another call.
5. Check All Conditional Forwarding Settings – *#004#
Gives a complete overview of all conditional call forwarding (busy, unreachable, no reply).
6. Deactivate All Call Forwarding – ##002#
Quickly cancels all types of call forwarding, restoring default behavior. Good to use if you’re unsure which settings are active.
7. Check Call Waiting Status – *#43#
Find out if call waiting is currently enabled — so you don’t miss important second calls.
8. Activate Call Waiting – *43#
Turn on call waiting to receive alerts during ongoing calls.
9. Deactivate Call Waiting – #43#
Switch off call waiting to avoid interruptions during important conversations.
Conclusion
Mobile phones — even the simplest ones — come with a powerful set of secret codes that give you control, transparency, and security. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone who wants to keep things tidy, these universal codes will come in handy.