4 Things You Probably Never Knew Your Mobile Phone Could Do!
By Michael Liew on Jan 28, 2008 in Mobile Phone
Mobile phone tips.
I received this information from my friend and I thought it should be a useful to share it with you.
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
#1 - Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
#2 - Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other “remote” for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor’s Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a mobile phone. You should try it on your car first.
#3 - Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
#4 - How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone’s serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code.
They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won’t get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can’t use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
This is the kind of information people don’t mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends.
To Your Millionaire Success
Michael Liew
Popularity: 100% [?]
A millionaire would check snopes.com first…
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
joker | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
I’m sorry but, using your cell phone to unlock your car door DOES NOT work!!! Your car door works on radio frequencies that DO NOT transmit through your cell phone. Watch “Mythbusters”, they proved. Better yet, go outside, stand by your car with your cell phone….try it. Good luck.
Chuak Langin | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
Read Snopes. At minimum #2 is wrong.
JJ | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
Urban Legend Alert:
This list is largely a load of hooey. On the surface, #1 seems to work, lending a touch of authenticity to this list, but check it all out on snopes to get the real info. This is the kind of information that people don’t mind receiving, granted there are more than a few shreds of accuracy to it. Better luck next time.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Peace out.
INFIDELuxe | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
These tips are all wrong, none of them work the way they are described here….if you dont believe me check out snopes.com http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
yoyoma | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
This is the biggest load of bs I have read in a while. Wow. Absolutely ridiculous. For you to assume that all coders & handset manufacturers use they key combos is just stupid! (and yes I tested prior to commenting).
Comments on each bit of advice:
1). This is semi true for one value: 911. 911 Will dial from any cell phone that can get a usable signal as long as it can find a cell tower that supports its technology (CDMA/TDMA/GSM/GMRS). Your 112 number is BS.
2). What a load of sh1t! Do you honestly think car makers would make their cars this EASY to break into? Gullible is not even in the dictionary by the way.
3). What a load of sh1t again!
4). This can work, but not from this method. If you record your phone’s ESN (electronic serial number) you can give your service provider this code to disable/blacklist the handset.
The Big Dog | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
These have been widely debunked all over the Internet, specifically on snopes.com.
The “editor’s note” on the car unlock is simply a lie - they did not try it, and if they did, it did not work. The keyfob doesn’t work that way.
Dan | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
this is very useful info, why don’t the companies give us these tips.
Allen Stallings | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
112 is NOT worldwide. 112’s a European thing, worthless in North America.
Doing the car unlock trick is also a myth.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_unlock_door.htm
Also, pertaining to #3 read:
http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-527.html
Diskurzion | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
Good tips good tips… how do they relate to millionaire success? Just curious… You have a great blog!
Jason | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
the fail is strong with this michael liew..
ob | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
well cool and FIRST
Dave | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Uh, unlocking your car via cell phone? It’s not a sound that is transmitted, it’s a radio frequency much like a garage door opener. LOL! So, I can open my garage door via cell phone? No.
Casey | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
This is not very good information, and it’s made the rounds around the Internet for a while. How about investigating first? Please look it up on snopes.com.
dgm | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
#2 is false, you absolutely cannot unlock a car door over a cellphone. http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/keyless.asp
jester | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Have you TRIED it? You shouldn’t simply assume that what you find on the internet is true.
Mastry | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Wow, good job, you even had me fooled, I just had to try them out, I fell for it, not a single one worked.
kris | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
You really shouldn’t believe everything you read:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/business/a/cellphone_tips.htm
tresbizz | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Those are ABSOLUTELY amazing!
Do phone companies openly say this in manuals? If this is correct for every phone, why isn’t it more public.
Rineru | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Not all these are true. Check snopes.com for the real truth!
Dean | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
I’ve tried 2, 3 and 4 with both of my cell phones a Samsung SCH-A930 from Verizon and a Motorola Krzr KM1 through Alltel and none of them worked… just to let you know.
Jonathan Nies | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
There is nothing in this list that’s even remotely true. Nothing.
John | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
thanx for such nice tips that will help me a lot
jasmine
tech-chek.blogpsot.com
jasmine | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
thanx for sharing n providing such nice tips
bhaktapurgirl
mazzako.blogpsot.com
bhaktapurgirl | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think so.
vox | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Your friend is wrong.
vox | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Umm, are you supposed to be left wondering if your comment was accepted, or is something broken?
vox | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
I’m hoping this was a tongue-in-cheek article.
Todd | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Awesome tips, especially the one with the car!?
Daldianus | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
These are mostly just wrong, or untrue.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Mangetout | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
1. Works. Not just mobiles: increasingly it’s being implemented on landline services too. It already works (so I’m told) in every single country in Europe. Some phone companies route 112 differently to their local emergency number, because the person calling might not be fluent in the local language — it gets answered by an operator who speaks more than one language.
2. Doesn’t work. Internet myth.
3. Doesn’t work. Internet myth. On Nokia phones that code sets up a high-quality connection, which uses *more* power, so your weary battery will give up sooner.
4. Works. Everyone should have a note at home of their phone’s IMEI.
Martin | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
None of this is true…. check out snopes.com for info.
Chris | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
BS
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cell%20phones.htm
TomSwift | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Hey just wanted to let you know your friend sorta gave you some wrong information on these cell phone codes and features. Check out this link here it explains all.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/business/a/cellphone_tips.htm
Renny | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
The *3370# did nothing.
But, I tried 1 and 4 and they appear to work.
BB 8830 Verizon
Dave
Dave | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Wow - really useful tips! I can’t believe the car unlocking trick really works - simply amazing. To think we used to use coat hangers to get into locked cars.
Casey | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Mostly untrue. See the snopes link.
Daniel | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Interesting post, but you might want to refrain from recommending that people ‘try out’ the emergency services, as having the cops, an ambulance and the coastguard show up at your house can often offend.
Gulag | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
#2 & #3 do not work.
At least not with my phone. LG from Verizon.
You should not post LIES.
Roger Padactor | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
This kind of information is mostly misleading, as it either is wrong in some way or simply urban legend. Check snopes.com for details.
Moss Bliss | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
It is impossible to unlock your car via a cell phone. The keyless remote works via radio frequencies, not audible tones. Please stop spreading this stupid myth!!!
Jason Baron | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
None of these work with my phone. And I’m willing to bet that none of these work with anyone’s phone.
Brian | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
All of these were debunked by snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Dargus | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Number 1 will only work in some parts of the world, not everywhere.
Number two has not been proven. A cell phone is not capable of receiving the signal of an unlocking device, nor able to broadcast it because it’s a completely different signal and frequency. The cases that were successful were usually within the working range of an unlocking device.
Number 3 is not true.
Number 4 works on most phones, including my own.
Yop | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
tried the emergency number 112 with phone locked and it did not work
tried the hidden battery one also and it failed miserably as well
this post is BS
david | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
This is information is not true an is what urban legends are made of.
check it out at snopes.com
Mike McNall "The Nerdherder" | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
only half of this info is true, and you can’t use a cell phone to open a car, check urbanlegends.com
lies | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Heads up.
Check out snopes.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Chad | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Some of this is marginally accurate, but most is not:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Always check Snopes, people. Always.
Ron Moses | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
None of this crap works. I tried three of them myself, and the fourth was debunked by a co-worker who had tried it.
mort | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
You should do a tad of research before posting, like checking Snopes.com. The majority of this article is either misleading or outright Bull.
1: This one is mostly true, though it only works in Britain and other parts of Europe, the rest of the world has different systems.
2: Though people have claimed this works, nobody has ever been able to provide proof. Cell phone microphones transmit sound. Key remotes are radio signals. I tried this with 2 different cars and 3 phones. Didn’t work. Small test group, I know, but it’s all I had.
3: Complete fiction. There is no “hidden battery power” in any cell phone on the market and no magic key combo will make it real. On some Nokia phones, this code actually increases sound quality, DECREASING battery life. How’s that for ironic?
4: The #06# code only works on GSM phones, and only if the provider’s software permits the serial number trick. Also, while the ‘disable’ MAY work with some phones and some providers, it’s far easier and smarter to just call your provider and have them suspend the account as soon as possible, and that method WILL work, no doubts or guessing.
Seriously, sir. I would urge you to delete this post. This is why hoaxes and rumours like this stay alive.
Bill Vincent | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I tried the *#06# thing to get the code and nothing came up. When actually dialing that number I just get a verizon error. Does it only work with certain providers/phones?
Christy | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know about the first one, but 2 and 3 are definitely wrong, and 4 works for only certain kinds of phones. Maybe you should research these things before posting them.
g bay | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
what kind of phone was this being used on? Ive got an LG chocolate and i tried numbers 3 and 4, definately didnt work, all i got was a “call can not be completed as dialed”.
mynameisprimus | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Most of these have been proven false.
Gareth | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
hey good tips man especially da 1 about the car keys
handy
sir squirtsalot | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
You do know that the first one is only true in the UK (maybe other countries too), but definately not in the USA and that the next two are completely false? A car door opener uses, I think, RF signals which cannot be transmitted via sound so that “technique” won’t work. Also, the hidden batter power trick is absolute garbage. There is no such thing as a “hidden” battery. The code won’t even work on most mobile phones! Every phone manufacturer have put in different codes for the same function. This code I think is used in Nokia handsets to lower the sound so it conumes power (I’m unsure of this). Only the last one would be legitamately true and it’s a useful tip although most people don’t know what IMEI numbers are or what they are used for.
SAI | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
For the 112 thing - see http://www.snopes.com/science/mobile.asp
you still won’t get the call through.
For the remote unlocking - see http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/keyless.asp
what probably happened was that you tested it too close, so it unlocked the normal way.
#3: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
#4:http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/celltheft.asp
A thoughful reader. | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
This is bogus; has been publicly debunked. Don’t waste your time trying these out. It would be cool if these actually worked; but they don’t.
eric | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Very useful tips here. thanks for sharing.
http://www.golfnorwich.com/
http://www.golfnorwich.com/ | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Man this was great!@
learn a few thing that will be put to use.
coach kwang | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Oh my, I am astounded how many websites, blogs, emails, have reprinted this story word for word as if it is gospel.
To be a millionaire you need to practice some critical thinking, look at all the alternatives and then make the best decision based on all the facts you have in front of you. The road to any success is not to blindly follow anything you read or hear.
Check out http://www.hoax-slayer.com/mobile-phone-tips.shtml
for some extra commentary on this topic. Some of the things work some don’t for certain reasons. Make your own decision before swallowing information - line hook and sinker.
Good luck on your road to success.
Nino
Nino Zdunic | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Check out this for the truth on these “tips”
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
greg | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
none of this is true.
ian | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Heads up, these are all false. Sorry to burst your bubble.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Alexander | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Wow,it sure works.Great.Got some more tips?
Christopher John | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
misinformation. CITE YOUR SOURCES
frank | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
i just tried both of the keypad tips and neither worked for me. i have a verizon white chocolate
bob | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Decided to test some of this on my Nokia N80.
#1 - Emergency
Well, since the number for the police here in norway actually _is_ 112, I decided not to try.
#2 - Keyless entry
No-go, most likely due to encrypted signals on our 2001 Opel Vectra. Or the crappy Samsung phone not being able to send stuff properly to the crappy Nokia phone.
#3 - Reserve battery
“Could not complete request”
#4 - This one is good. Haven’t actually tried it, but my IMEI number is already registered with my service provider, so if I report my phone stolen, they block the subscription and the phone immediately. Nice system. If you haven’t done so already, go to your local mobile phone vendor and register your phone too. At least here in Norway, all the good operators let you do that.
Willy Andre Bergstrøm | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Interesting, unfortunately it’s mostly a load of rubbish.
see here http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Ernie Wells | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Some of this stuff has to loads of BS. Freaking smokeNmirrors, unicorns etc..
Maybe the 112 thing
http://www.sos112.info/
?? | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Don’t know what kind of phone you’re using, but my Razr does nothing when I type in your hidden battery code or serial number code.
Also, with 112, you probably shouldn’t tell people to “try it out” when doing so will probably summon emergency services and cause quite a headache.
Stutz | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Negatory on the Statutory my friend. These do not work on Sprint’s phones at least. You should be more specific as to what this works on. Motorolas? Verizon? Some small company from China? WHo knows.
ANon | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
These are not completely true. Some of them are actually full-blown fakes.
Please see: Snopes for more details.
BTW, shouldn’t it be “Buy Me A Beer”, instead of “By Me A Beer”?
Alexandre | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
total BS, see article on snopes.com
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
fugazi | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Unfortunately, almost all of these “tips” are misinterpreted features or downright false.
Sum1 | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi
A very informative article. Thank you.
It is worth noting that option 4 is not a fool proof method of disabling a phone. I have worked as a tech in the phone industry and know that a lot of people steal phones to order. Once the phone is blocked it is simple to change the 15 digit code on at least 80% of all mobile phones out there.
The 15 digit code is also known as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code and quite a few models/makes are easily changeable.
Samsung are by far the easiest to change with the correct tool (which you can buy for almost nothing), type in a new 15 digit code, click the “write” button and bingo.
Most other manufacturers are slightly more difficult, but none that I know of can take more than 15 minutes. If all else fails, they get sent abroad to be used.
I hope this helps a bit.
mark | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
According to Snopes, it’s… “multiple” on the truth factor.
112: Mostly in Europe. I’m in Japan myself and here the number is 119, so I’m not sure if 112 would work here…and I’m not about to ring them up to test it either.
Locked your keys in the car: I prefer using a coat-hanger myself…and according to Snopes the cells won’t do this anyway because they use different types of signals and at different frequencies.
*3370# is the wrong command - that puts you at full sound quality and LESS talk time per battery charge. You might want to try #4720# instead, which - on SOME models - gives you 30% longer talk time per battery charge, but with lower quality.
#60# only works on some models again. I’d personally recommend calling the company up if the phone is stolen… according to snopes it might or might not work. but hey might as well try in my opinion.
lynne | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
This entire article is inaccurate and is mostly filled with urban legends.
reference:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Dan | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know why I keep seeing this being posted. It’s entirely fake - none of these things work.
___
A cellphone can’t transmit the frequency from a key fob - It’s simply impossible. Supersonic sounds can’t even be picked up by cellphones, much less reproduced.
___
There is no hidden battery power. If there was, it would always be used. Why would they reduce the existing power for a reserve that only exists if you enter a secret code?
___
Dialing “112″ doesn’t work in the continental US, I don’t know about the rest of the world.
___
As for disabling a stolen phone, it’s not necessary. Your service provider can always block the phone even if you don’t know the serial - they do. This does not, however, work on unlocked phones.
dwindle | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Most of this stuff is false. See snopes. http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/keyless.asp for example.
Steve S | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
Steve S | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Wow I wish I knew about the unlocking your car tip before. I had someone make a drive of almost two hours to bring me keys and of course the remote was on that set. Thanks for the tips and I am also going to test that out.
manitobagold | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I havent heard of any of these, but the emergency battery one would be great, I hope its real.
As for unlocking the car door, I will hold onto my doubts until I test it. Not saying it is wrong, just hard to believe thats all.
Good article none-the-less!
hambo12 | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Bunch of lies. The one about unlocking your car over a cellphone is an absolute load of crap, only to be believed by people who think cellphones work by magic.
#5 Did you know “gullible” isn’t in the dictionary? Look it up! (Editor’s note: I tried this myself and it’s true!)
Idiots.
Jeff | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
These have all been debunked for years. Check out snopes.com and you’ll see how lame these claims are or you could just try them for yourself and see how dumb they are.
Michael | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
I HAVE used my cell phone to get into my car. It’s not too complicated. Make sure the phone is off. Then, while standing at least five feet away, throw the phone directly at the drivers side window. If done correctly, you should be able to reach the lock mechanism through the oepning the phone creates. Apparently in some models, you could be injured by shattered edges at this time. It depends upon the strength of your throw.
Pass this on… It worked for me.
david | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
why are so many people posting here if already we know these tricks do not work?
Thalia | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
I tried the last tip and it works on my cell phone. The serial number displays on my screen for about 5 seconds.
PasserBy | Feb 11, 2008 | Reply
At least the last tip work. I think it will work on most mobile but I can not confirm. My is Nokia phone.
I wrote that down on my O2.
Michael Liew | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
The 15 digist serial it true and 112 number. the rest BS.
The GSM mobile phone standard includes 112 as an emergency number, and in countries where 112 is not the standard emergency telephone number, GSM telephone users who make calls to 112 generally have their calls redirected to the local emergency telephone number, if it exists. This is valuable for foreign travelers, who may not know the local emergency number. Most GSM mobile phones can dial 112 calls even when the phone keyboard is locked, the phone is without a SIM card, or instead of the PIN.
Using 112 instead of another emergency number on a GSM phone may be advantageous, since 112 is recognized by all GSM phones as an emergency number. A phone dialing a different emergency service’s number may refuse to roam onto another network, leading to trouble if there is no access to the home network. Dialing 112 forces the phone to make the call on any network possible. However, some GSM networks (e.g. in Belgium, Spain, UK, Liechtenstein, Austria) are reported to connect emergency calls only from phones with a valid account on their network, e.g. customers and roamers only.[citation needed] Some GSM networks will not accept emergency calls from phones without a SIM card, or even require a SIM card that has credit. Latin American GSM networks typically do not allow 112 calls without a SIM.
Not all countries treat wireless emergency calls in the same way. In general, a country’s emergency numbers will all route to 112 as a single point of contact for mobile-originated emergency calls. By contrast, Singapore treats 995 calls for Fire or Ambulance as an emergency call but these calls are not routed to 112. So the phone will dial this number using emergency rules but the call routes to 995 not 112. In Singapore, 112 is only for the Police.
In the United States, the FCC requires networks to route every mobile-phone 911 call to an emergency service call center, including phones that have never had service, or whose service has lapsed. As a result, there are programs that provide donated used mobile phones to victims of domestic violence and others especially likely to need emergency services.
Mobile phones generate additional problems for emergency operators, as many phones will allow emergency numbers to be dialed even while the keypad is locked. Since mobile phones are typically carried in pockets and small bags, the keys can easily be depressed accidentally, leading to unintended calls. A system has been developed in the UK which connects calls where the caller is silent to an automated system, leaving more operators free to handle genuine emergency calls.[2]
Matt | Feb 21, 2008 | Reply
Hi Matt,
Thank you for your valuable information. I learn so much reading your comment.
Regards
Michael Liew | Feb 23, 2008 | Reply
Number one: until im in that situation then ill try it. Number two: I tried it and it works, pretty cool. Number three: I tried it and didnt work, maybe it only works on certain phones. Number Four: I got my serial number, but then again I havent last my phone and I wont know if it works or not since I might not see my phone again if i do loose it.
Ace | Feb 25, 2008 | Reply
The opening of the car door worked for me. I was in the parking lot, my co-worker was in her office and we were on the phone with each other. It took a couple of tries, but it definitely worked. Don’t know why it didn’t work for others…I’ll try it again from a further distance. Is profanity really necessary? Just wondering.
md | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I’m new here, just wanted to say hello and introduce myself.
Sypecypepet | Aug 23, 2008 | Reply