What does *72 do on a cell phone?
Asked by: Cary Breitenberg | Last update: March 13, 2026Score: 5/5 (63 votes)
On a phone, dialing *72 followed by a 10-digit number activates Call Forwarding, automatically sending all incoming calls from your line to the new number until you turn it off (usually by dialing *73). It's a common service code for landlines, VoIP, and some mobile carriers, though codes can vary, and it's also used in scams where inmates trick people into activating it.
What does calling *73 do?
On your phone, dialing *73 and pressing call typically turns off all call forwarding, especially on Verizon and other US carriers, cancelling immediate, busy, no-answer, and selective forwarding; you'll hear a confirmation tone or message before hanging up.
What does *87 do on a cell phone?
*87 | Anonymous Callers: Allow
Calls without caller ID will be allowed.
What does *66 do on a cell phone?
Auto Redial is a service that dials a number that is busy for up to 30 minutes and alerts you with a distinctive ring when the line is no longer busy. To activate Auto Redial, press *66 (1166 from a rotary phone).
What does *82 do to your phone?
On a cell phone, dialing *82 before a number temporarily overrides caller ID blocking, making your phone number and name appear on the recipient's screen for that single call, even if you usually hide it (using codes like *67) or have it blocked by default. It's used to show your ID on calls where it's normally hidden and is especially helpful to get through to lines with Anonymous Call Rejection, which blocks all private calls.
HOW TO USE *72 CALL FORWARDING ON YOUR TELEPHONE
What is *77 on your phone?
Dialing *77 activates Anonymous Call Rejection on landlines and some mobile carriers, blocking calls where the caller hides their number (private/anonymous), sending them a message to hang up instead of ringing your phone; however, it doesn't block "Unknown" or "Out of Area" calls, and in some areas like Massachusetts, it can accidentally connect to the 911 center, so it's best used with caution, especially on cell phones. To use, pick up the phone and dial *77, listen for confirmation, and hang up; dial *87 to deactivate.
What does *69 do on my phone?
When you receive a call that you couldn't answer, simply dial *69 on your phone's keypad. The service will automatically dial the number of the most recent incoming call. Identify the caller: Once you initiate the call using *69, the recipient's phone will ring, and they will see your number on their caller ID display.
What does *57 do on a cell phone?
Dialing *57 on a cell phone activates Call Trace, a service that immediately records the number of the last incoming call for potential legal action, especially for harassing or threatening calls, logging the data with the carrier for law enforcement to access after you file a police report, though it usually involves a per-use fee and isn't always free on mobile plans.
What does *97 do on a phone?
*97 Pick up a call for another user in the same group.
What does *43 do?
Call Waiting: 43 (Various Combinations)
I reactivated the voice call waiting specifically with *#43#, and confirmed it in the iPhone's Settings > Phone > Call Waiting menu. It should be the same code for T-Mobile. On Verizon, using *43 will deactivate call forwarding, not call waiting; *42 will turn it back on.
What does *98 do on your phone?
*98 Group Call Pickup Enables you to pick up calls within an assigned call pickup group. The call pickup group is determined by an administrator. When you dial the call pickup code, the ringing phone in the group is answered.
Which code hides your number?
Enter *67. Enter the number you wish to call (including area code). Tap Call. The words "Private," "Anonymous," or some other indicator will appear on the recipient's phone instead of your mobile number.
What does *60 do on a phone?
On a home phone, dialing \*60 activates the Call Block or Call Screening** feature, allowing you to block unwanted local calls from up to 10 numbers by following the voice prompts to add the most recent caller or other numbers to your blocked list. To turn it off, you usually dial \*80. This service helps filter spam and unwanted calls on landlines, though it's important to check with your specific provider for exact steps and availability.
What does *#002*# do on a phone?
The code *002* or more commonly ##002# is a Universal Service Code (USSD) used on mobile phones to instantly cancel all types of call forwarding, ensuring calls ring directly to your phone rather than being redirected due to conditions like busy, no answer, or being unreachable. It's a useful privacy and security tool to reset any unwanted call diverts set by you or potentially by malicious actors, with ##002# being the standard deactivation command for all settings.
What does *228 do on Verizon?
On Verizon (and other CDMA carriers), dialing \*228 was a service code used on older 3G phones to manually update the Preferred Roaming List (PRL), which tells the phone which cell towers to connect to for optimal service, essentially "reprogramming" the phone to the network, but it's obsolete for modern 4G/5G devices where this happens automatically or via SIM card updates.
How to unmask phone numbers?
How to figure out a no caller ID number. You can uncover an unknown caller ID by using the *69 or *57 feature codes, third-party apps, or by contacting your phone service provider. Unknown callers could be hiding their identity to try and scam you, so it's important to check them before you fall victim.
What does *61 do on a phone?
The *61* phone number code relates to conditional call forwarding, specifically to redirect calls when you don't answer; dialing *61*[Number]# activates it to a specific number (like voicemail), ##61# cancels it, and *#61# checks the status, but it's a network service, not usually a monitoring tool for spying, often showing your provider's voicemail service.
What does *59 do?
• *59 Call Waiting Toggle Off
another telephone number. voicemail or sound busy signal.
Will *#21 tell me if my phone is tapped?
No, dialing *#21# doesn't tell you if your phone is "tapped" by hackers or law enforcement; it only checks for call forwarding status, showing if calls/messages are being sent to another number, not if spyware is active. While call forwarding could be used for tapping, this code only reveals the forwarding setting, not the presence of malicious software, which requires deeper checks like looking for suspicious apps or unusual battery drain.
What happens when you dial *#35?
Call *#35#
This will display a status screen that will tell you whether call barring is enabled.
Can I trace a blocked call?
Can I trace unknown, blocked, or private numbers? Private numbers, blocked, and restricted calls can usually be traced. However, unknown, unavailable or out of area calls are not traceable because they don't contain the data needed for a successful trace.
Can you trace a no caller ID?
Yes, you can trace a "no caller ID" call using carrier services like *69 (to call back) or *57 (to log details for authorities) on landlines and some mobiles, or by using third-party apps like Truecaller/TrapCall, but for serious harassment, contacting law enforcement is key as they can compel carriers to reveal information for legal action.
What is 1471 used for?
Dialing 1471 on a UK landline (and similar services elsewhere) reveals the number of the last caller, letting you decide to call back (often by pressing '3', which may incur charges) or ignore it, a useful tool for missed calls, though it won't show numbers that were withheld using codes like '141'. Separately, SCP-1471 (MalO ver1.0.0) refers to a fictional, unsettling mobile app from the SCP Foundation universe that generates creepy images of a tall, humanoid figure.
What happens when I dial *#67?
When you dial *67 before a phone number, it blocks your number from appearing on the recipient's caller ID for that single call, showing up as "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead. This per-call feature works on most mobile and landlines in the US and Canada but usually doesn't work for toll-free numbers or emergency services.