Key takeaway: Dialling *#62# on your Android phone or iPhone does not tell you whether or not your device has been hacked. It only lets you know if you have call forwarding active on your line. For more details, read on.
When it comes to smartphone usage, there are different aspects that several users may find quite confusing. A key example is certain short codes and how they work to perform different functions on our devices. One of them is *#62#.
We have observed questions on online forums and social media accounts depicting some confusion about the *#62# code and what it does. Not to worry though; if you don’t know what this code is, this guide is for you. Here, we’ll describe everything there is to know about the *#62# code and what it does. PS: if what you are looking for is information about the +62 code, read this other article instead: Getting Calls and Messages From The +62 Code: A Super Guide.
Table of Contents
What *#62# is used for
Different people have made different assumptions and conclusions as to what this code does. However, *#62# is a USSD shortcode or access feature code that lets you know if your calls and messages are being forwarded to another number without your knowledge.
What happens when you dial the *#62# code
After dialling *#62#, your phone will display a list of forwarding statuses, including voice call forwarding when unreachable, SMS call forwarding when unreachable, among others. The status for each of them is either Enabled or Disabled. That is all that the code does. It pulls out information about call forwarding.
Chances are that you activated call divert or forwarding on your line in error, or at some point in the past and forgot to disable it later. If that is not the case and your calls are forwarded without your knowledge, you might want to explore the situation further.
There’s a certain possibility about this code that is worth keeping in mind. In some cases, your calls being redirected in this manner could be a sign that your phone has been tampered with by a 3rs party and the call forwarding activated by them for malicious use. Privacy experts sometimes recommend dialling the *#62# code to verify this.
Some users have also reported seeing a 10-digit number after dialing the *#62# code. If you encounter this when you dial the *#62# code, the following scenarios could be at play:
● At some point you can’t remember, you have personally directed your calls to a different number.
● You receive Missed Call Alert Services from your operator. In this instance, your operator will automatically route your calls to its server number when you can’t be reached, allowing it to record the caller’s phone number and send it to you through SMS later.
How to disable call divert or call forwarding on your cellular line
If you dial the *#62# code and see that your calls are being diverted through no action on your part, there are some steps you can take to remedy the situation. You can dial another USSD short code to delete the diverts or forwarding on your mobile number. The short code to dial is ##21#. If your carrier does not support that code, try ##21*10# as well. It executes the same task of deleting call forwarding.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Phone Is Being Tapped
Beyond that, if you also suspect that your cell phone has been tapped or hacked, there are a few things you can do.
Get rid of suspicious apps
If the hacker has installed some form of app or software on your phone, there are a few ways to stop it from being tracked. You could manually remove any suspicious app from the Apps Manager in Settings if you notice one there that you don’t recall downloading.
Perform a factory reset
You can also do a factory reset or an OS update on your device. If there are no recent OS updates or if you can’t find the spy app, a factory reset is the best option.
Disable Bluetooth visibility and activate Airplane mode
Turning off Bluetooth visibility or briefly activating Airplane mode is something else to try. Your phone will become invisible to all other devices as a precaution.
Use your phone’s privacy settings
You can also use the additional operating system options on your smartphone. You should be able to turn off tracking for all apps on the majority of new Apple iPhones (or individual apps). Similar functionality is provided by the Privacy Sandbox on Android, which stops monitoring behaviors from accumulating across apps.
Consult a professional
Of course, depending on the strategies being employed against you, these other techniques might not be adequate. In which case, you should consider reaching out to a cybersecurity professional to help you handle the situation.
Last Words
As already stated, dialing the *#62# code does not specifically tell you whether your phone has been hacked or not. It does tell you if you have any calls forwarded. Yes, a 3rd party who got access to your phone could have activated the divert for malicious purposes. This is why we advice that you do not give your phone to any untrusted person to use. If you can help it, do not give your phone to a stranger to use. Such a person can easily activate call and message divert on your line, and use that to gain unauthorised access to some of your sensitive information or online accounts.
If you do have cause to believe or suspect that your phone has been hacked or is tapped, you might want to think about talking to a professional to check it out. They can accurately determine whether your phone is being tracked and act promptly to restore your privacy.
We hope you now have all your answers to what the *#62# code is used for. It tells you whether you have call divert or call forwarding active on your mobile line. It does not reveal if your line has been tapped or is being tracked by the FBI or some other agency. Do take note of our helpful suggestions on what to do if you think your phone is being tapped.
Related Content:
- Does the #3370# Secret Code Boost Cell Phone Signal Or Battery?
- Does dialling #3307# boost your iPhone reception?
- The *#21# Code Explained.