The best way to do this is to forward all your calls to a phone number of yours that is inactive. You can forward the calls to a number that has been blocked, or a SIM card that is not inside your phone, so callers will be prompted that it is switched off.
Different countries have different call forwarding codes, and it is impossible for me to include the codes of every county on this planet, instead, I will show you two different methods you can use to forward calls.
First method
If you are using an Android 11, you should be able to set up call forwarding through the Phone Settings. This feature is included by most Android smartphone manufacturers.
- Go to Phone Setting – There are different ways to access the Phone Settings based on your phone brand and model. A general way is to tap the menu icon and keep scrolling until you come across the “Settings” icon, then tap on it.
- Tap on “Calls”
- Tap on the “Call Forwarding” option
- Chose an option
After tapping on “Call Forwarding”, you will see different options you can opt for:
• Call forwarding when unanswered — when you don’t pick the call it will go to a secondary number
• Always forward — anytime you get a call it will go to a secondary number
• When busy — the call will go to a secondary number when you’re receiving another call.
• When reached — when your phone is off, has no signal, or is in airplane mode, the call will go to a secondary number.
You can choose the one that suits you. Tap on it to choose it. - Toggle on
Depending on your Android device brand and model, it might request you tap on “on”, “enable”, or “ok”. Tap on any of the three that appear.
When you are ready to turn off call forwarding, go through the steps above and toggle it off.
Second method
This involves the use of third-party apps in setting up call forwarding. This is the option for those not using Android 11 devices or their manufacturer didn’t include a call forwarding feature in the Phone Settings. You will need to install and download an app from the Google Play Store or App Store. There are different apps available, but Easy Call Forwarding is one of the most functional, but it only works for Androids.
This app offers different features you can use in configuring forwarded calls. You can configure a call forwarding for one SIM card and a different setting for your other SIM card, if you are using a Dual SIM phone. There are also other widgets you can use. However, this app doesn’t work in all countries. Visit the Google Play store to check if it works for you.
- Download and install the Easy Call Forwarding app
- Launch the app and permit it to access your phone contents
- Tap on Configure and enter the destination, then you will choose your service provider and make sure to tap on save.
- Go to call forwarding and toggle it on. To turn off call forwarding just toggle it off.
If the app isn’t working for you because it does not support the region where you are located, or maybe you’re using an iPhone, you can use several other apps like Call Control, Phone Signal Jammer, Call blocker, among others. These apps are free of charge, and some don’t even have paid versions.
What these apps do is that they block cell reception thereby making your phone number unreachable. However, not all these apps work as they as one would expect, and this is usually because of your device. After downloading and installing the app, make sure you test it first to ascertain if it really blocks people from calling you and if it allows you to surf the Internet.
If the app doesn’t work well for you, then you will have to call the customer care of your network provider to request their call forwarding code, so you will use that instead. However, it might take some time before you are connected to a customer care agent, so you will have to be patient.
How to make your phone unreachable
If you will like to make your phone both unreachable and unable to access the internet, here is how to go about it —
1. Airplane/Flight mode
This is the most popular way to make your phone unreachable. Placing it in airplane mode or flight mode will make all incoming and outgoing calls and messages barred from entering your phone. However, you won’t be able to make use of the internet.
2. Disable the SIM
This method isn’t talked about enough. I use this method from time to time because I am able to disable my main SIM for receiving calls, while leaving the other SIM active for internet connection. It’s a much-preferred method to Airplane Mode. However, you can only do this if your phone uses two SIM cards.
Go to your phone settings > connection > mobile network > SIM card manager > choose the SIM you want to disable > toggle it off. The SIM card is no longer active. The process of deactivating it might differ for some phones, but it is not hard to navigate.
3. Aluminium foil
I don’t know how true this is, but I have seen so many people suggesting this in DIY videos and on forums. It is said that aluminium foil makes a network connection poor by making your smartphone’s radio antenna unable to receive a mobile network.
All you have to do is wrap your phone with aluminium foil, and it will no longer receive a network signal, so when a caller tries to call, it won’t go through. If you’re the type that likes experimenting, you should definitely try this out.
4. Call forwarding
This article is basically about call forwarding, but it is still a worthy mention here. You can forward your phone to a blocked number or a number you no longer use. So when you are called the call won’t connect. You can check the top section of this article to read about the codes you can use to forward calls, and how to deactivate them when you are ready to receive calls.
You don’t need to worry about people suspecting that your number is being intentionally forwarded to an inactive phone number. Most will think you are in a place that doesn’t have network coverage.
5. Third-party applications
There are some apps you can download and install on your phone to help you jam your network so you won’t receive calls. This app will block cell reception, and in most cases, you won’t be able to make calls as well until you close the app. Most of these apps are for free, but their functionality varies based on the device you are using. Some of such apps are Call Control – Call blocker, among others.
How to check call forwarding status
From time to time I always check my call forwarding status for safety reasons. Most people believe when a call is being forwarded, it is being diverted to only the number you input, but that is not always the case. It is possible that someone else is listening to your conversation without you knowing, and all your activities are being monitored.
The only way to know if you are being monitored is to check your call forwarding status. Here is how to go about it:
• Go to your phone dialler and input *#61# then dial it
• The list of services you are forwarded to will appear, as well as those you are not forwarded to. The number you are forwarded to will be shown to you. If the number is unknown to you, then someone might be monitoring your calls and messages.
• To cancel it, dial ##002# and you will receive a prompt message notifying you that the call forwarding has been deactivated. You can also use the deactivation code of the network provider you are using.
Conclusion
The two best ways to make your phone unreachable are using third-party apps or special codes provided by your network provider. The easier of the two is the use of special codes due to how fast it is to set up.
Your safety also matters. That is why I talked about checking your call forwarding status from time to time. While you think you might be enjoying your privacy, someone might actually be invading that privacy.