Dialing this secret code on iPhone or Android shows an important number you’ll need if your phone gets stolen

There are secret numbers you can dial on both iPhone and Android to perform tasks and find information quickly.

Most of these numbers consist of strange numeric sequences with asterisks and pound signs, and so the chances of dialing them by accident are pretty slim.

And that’s a good thing because one of these numbers could accidentally ‘ruin’ your phone.

But there’s another number you might want to dial now before it’s too late.

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These codes didn’t start with Android or iPhone

Back when phones were just phones, people began finding out about these hidden secret numbers you can dial to find useful information about your phone or perform tasks.

No one knows whether this happened because people were bored or because manufacturers ‘leaked’ these secrets, but it became a well-known thing.

Modern phones can still do that, and there are codes (or numbers) for everything.

You can dial these numbers to find out more about your bill/credit, numbers to check data usage, and so on.

There’s also a number you definitely don’t want to dial by accident because that would instantly wipe your phone and reinstall its original firmware.

We should also point out that ‘dialing’ is often the wrong term, because some of these ‘actions’ are activated simply by typing the number on the keyboard, and you don’t even have to hit the ‘call’ button.

Most of these numbers work both on Android and iPhone, but some only work with one or the other.

The one we need to focus on works with both systems.

This is what the IMEI is, and why you need it

Entering *#06# into your phone’s dialer (no need to press the green button on iPhone) will display your device’s unique identification number, known as the IMEI.

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is like your phone’s passport number or social security number.

This is exactly one of those things you hope you’re never going to need.

With a few exceptions (unlocking your device for another carrier, checking warranty status), you’re basically only going to need your IMEI if your phone gets stolen.

If you provide it to your carrier, they can blacklist the device, making it impossible for a thief to use it on any mobile network, even if they swap the SIM card.

And more importantly, making it clear that your phone was stolen and whatever happens thereafter has nothing to do with you.

Older phones wouldn’t even start if they didn’t recognize the SIM card, but modern smartphones can still work without a SIM card, and you can still use WiFi and apps and so on.

However, blacklisting the IMEI also does something else: it tells authorities your phone has been reported stolen, which means you can’t be held responsible if somebody uses it for nefarious reasons.