Worried your phone might be hacked? Try these 5 secret codes to find out

Alright, Let’s be honest, our phones today aren’t just gadgets, they’re basically our param mitra, therapists, personal bankers, and secret keepers all rolled into one. They know where we’ve been, who we’ve spoken to, how many times we stalked our ex’s profile, what we ordered for lunch, and even how many alarms we shamelessly snoozed before actually rolling out of bed.

And while we treat this little rectangle like our soulmate, hackers treat it like free biryani: too tempting to ignore. But, the scariest part is you won’t even realise if someone’s accessing your phone without your knowledge. From forwarding your calls to scooping on your data, cyber crooks operate more silently than that one person who stalks all your Instagram stories but never likes a single post.

But here’s the good news: your dial pad isn’t just for calling your “buddies” or explaining to your mom for the 17th time why you’re “still not married.” Hidden inside are some secret phone codes that can help you catch hackers red-handed. Think of them as Konami cheat codes, but for your digital life.

So, here are five secret phone codes every Indian smartphone user should know to check if their device is compromised.

1. *#06# - Check your IMEI

Your IMEI number is like your phone’s Aadhaar card. Every device has a unique one. Just dial *#06# and it’ll pop up instantly. Now, if the IMEI flashing on your screen doesn’t match your original, chances are your phone’s been cloned. Yep, you could have a doppelganger out there, but trust me, one version of you is more than enough for the world.

2. *#21# - To check who’s forwarding your calls

Hackers love free rides more than your friends. This code tells you if your calls, texts, or data are secretly being forwarded somewhere else. Imagine thinking somebody ghosted you, when in reality all their messages are getting forwarded to some random hacker in another city. Just dial ##21# to cancel it all. And if you still don’t get a reply, then sorry, it’s not the hackers, it’s just ghosting.

3. *#62# - The unreachable mystery

You know when people call you and hear that annoying message: “The number you are trying to reach is switched off or out of coverage”? Well, dial *#62# and you’ll find out exactly where those calls are being redirected.

If it’s your voicemail, cool. But if it’s some random number you don’t recognise, that’s your cue to panic (a little). To reset, just dial ##62# and take back control.

4. *#67# - The missed-call trick

This one’s sneaky. Hackers can actually set up call forwarding for when you reject or miss a call. Yep, even your “Sorry, busy right now” moments aren’t safe. Dial *#67# to see if your calls or messages are being sent elsewhere.

If they are, just drop the magic code ##67# and say “adiós” to any secret snooping.

5. ##002# - The nuclear button

If all else fails and you want a clean sweep, dial ##002#. This one is like the nuclear button, it wipes out all call forwarding at once: voice, SMS, data, the whole deal.

Basically, it’s the digital equivalent of shouting “I’m Iron man!” and flipping the hackers out of your life. Use it when you just want a peaceful night scrolling reels without worrying someone’s watching from the shadows.

Final thoughts

At this point, our phones hold more secrets than any diary ever could, and definitely more drama than a late-night Instagram scroll. They’re where we keep our money, our memories, and pretty much our entire lives. No surprise then, that hackers see them as a goldmine.

The good part is; A few simple dial codes can help you figure out if something fishy is going on. So the next time your phone starts acting weird, don’t lose your cool, just try these codes and check for yourself. And if it helps, pass it along to your friends too.

Better they hear it from you than find out the hard way that their calls are being diverted somewhere they shouldn’t.