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Discover Undocumented Debug/Diagnostic Menus In Your Android Phone
I'm normally based in the UK, but for the past couple of days I've been in Spain on a business trip. I took my Android smartphone with me, to use as a phone and also as a wi-fi enabled web browser. But I needed to ensure that I had fully disabled the 3G data service, as my monthly contract in the UK doesn't include any data allowance while roaming. A friend of mine recently ran up a bill of some $500 in just a week, because she took her UK phone to France for a week and forgot to turn off data roaming!
There are, of course, various settings in Android to disable data roaming. But I recently discovered a hidden "testing" menu, built into the OS, which does a much more thorough job.
From your Android phone, dial *#*#4636#*#* and then wait a couple of seconds. The testing menu will appear. To exit back to your normal phone, just press your back/exit button. If you're going to explore the various options on the testing menu, take care. Many of my friends and colleagues have tried this on their own phones, and no one has had a problem. But you never know.
As for the method to turn off data, select the first option on the testing menu (phone information), then press your menu key. You'll see a selection of buttons, one of which says "disable data connection". Press it, and you're all done. To re-enable your data connection, go to the same menu, where you'll find that the name of the button is now "enable data connection".
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Does not work on my HTC MyTouch Slide 3G or HTC Evo 4G. Could these codes be specific to Sammy and Moto??
Does not work on my HTC Vision otherwise known as Desire Z G2.
Just tried this on my HTC Desire S. Works fine. Good job as a couple of years ago I copped a AUD627 bill for a 20 minute internet connection while on holiday in the UK.
Didn't work on my Droid Charge. Just sat there. OS 2.2.1
Works on HTC Hero. Nice but dangerous. Too bad you can't disable lame pre-installed apps! (i.e. Nascar)
This is very interesting..
HG & Barrie - You have to hit the menu button to see the "disable/enable data connection" option
Found it... but is this any different than turning the Data off through the HTC Mobile network widget? Or going to Settings > Wireless & Networks and unchecking 'Mobile network'?
this is great information
Worked on my Droid 2. Just enter the "number" and wait. No need to 'send' or dial.
Didn't work on my Sprint EVO 4-G with Android 2.3.3. When I entered the character sequence and I added the last character, all the characters disappeared and nothing happened. I tried entering the character sequence as a phone number of a new contact. When I dialed that, I got a Spanish speaking operator.
The way I manage my data connection is through a download called "APN on/off widget" (free download in the Android market). Once installed, I place the widget on my Android screen. Just tap it to toggle data on or off. When data is off, the widget goes red. When it is on, the widget is green. Very simple to use to accomplish this task.
I have the original Droid from Verizon. This works fine for all the tests except enabling/disabling the data connection. If you want more control, this is the way to go.
One note: you must enter the "*" and "#" as shown and without quotes or additional spaces. I saved this as a phone number, but could not get the phone to respond to it, so I'll leave it in my contacts list and punch it in directly.
There are more !!!
http://www.askvg.com/google-android-hidden-secret-codes/
I've just got a "Turn Radio Off" button. But that shuts down even the Phone service.
Works great on HTC Incredible S !
Great - BUT your diagram does not show button which says "disable data connection".
Nothing happens when I try it on an HTC 4G.
Works on Nexus One (Android version 2.3.4). Information you get is much useful! Thanks r.schifreen!
Nowt happens on my San Francisco, Android 2.2, I just get a call ended when I dial?
You do not need to have the phone dial. Just wait a short time. Worked fine on my Droid2
Interesting, are there more hidden menus in android ?
I tries it four times with a Telus HTC Desire HD, but it wouldn't activate any menus. It ended the call after a few seconds.
Works fine on Samsung Galaxy 551 android 2.2
Very nice, it works just fine on my HTC Desire, running Android 2.3.4 (Oxygen ROM)!
Wow - nice find... works fine on GT-P1000 (Galaxy 7" Tab) GSM version.
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