Android secret codes revealed

Google is a company that has its fair share of secrets and Easter Eggs, and this quality about them has filtered down to the Android operating system. It seems that there are a fair number of secret codes which you can key in to access various settings on your handset which cannot be done through the normal menu system. Most of the codes will allow you to peruse through many useful, but extremely technical, information concerning your Android-powered smartphone. Bear in mind that this is nothing new, as the older featurephones back in the day when Nokia was untouchable certainly had a similar concept.

Bear in mind that you key in the codes at your own risk, as there might be risk of losing your data permanently or perhaps experience some hardware damage if you do not know what you are doing. For instance, the video above shows how keying in *#*#4636#*#* will allow you to gain access to additional information about your phone and battery, where you have a 5-option menu to play around with (Phone information, Battery information, Battery history, Usage statistics and Wi-Fi information). It must be said that the menus might end up looking different based on the kind of smartphone you use.

For those who are more bold, keying in *#*#7780#*#* will help you gain direct access to a factory data reset, where your Google account settings, system and application data and settings, and downloaded applications will be wiped out, although current system software and bundled applications as well as content on your SD memory card will remain. Bear in mind that this code will still prompt you for confirmation after keying in, so do not worry that it will perform a Lucius Fox on you.

*2767*3855# is far more potent, however, as it does not come with a prompt and will remove all files and settings, including those stored on internal memory storage. The only way to cancel this operation is to remove the battery, and fast! Your phone’s firmware will also be reinstalled after. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Head on here for the full list of secret codes.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, easter egg, Google