Can a code tell me if my phone is tapped?

No. No dial code can detect a real wiretap or spyware. Codes like *#21# only read your carrier account's settings — specifically, whether your calls are being forwarded to another number. That's the realistic threat for most people, and it's fixable.

*#21# is an interrogation code. Dial it and press call, and it reports whether all-call forwarding is active on your line and what number calls are going to. It doesn't change anything — it just shows the current setting.

What is ##002# and is it safe to dial?

##002# cancels every type of call forwarding on a GSM phone at once. It's safe — it only clears diversion rules. Use it if you find your calls routing to a number you don't recognize. Re-check with *#21# afterward to confirm.

Does #21# show if my phone is being monitored?

No. #21# (and *#21#) only show call-forwarding status, not monitoring or spyware. They're useful for catching unauthorized call diversion — for example after a SIM swap — but not for detecting surveillance software.

My battery drains fast — is my phone tapped?

Almost certainly not. Fast battery drain is nearly always a background app, an old battery, or a recent update. Check Settings → Battery to see what's responsible. Battery drain alone is not a reliable sign of a tap.

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How to know if your phone is tapped

The honest version: a dial code can't detect a real wiretap — but it can reveal whether your calls are being secretly forwarded. Here's how to check.

If you searched this, you've probably seen viral posts claiming a "secret code" reveals whether your phone is tapped. Here's the honest answer: no dial code can detect a genuine wiretap or spyware. What these codes can do is show whether your calls and texts are being secretly forwarded somewhere — which is the realistic, fixable version of "someone is intercepting my calls." This guide explains what the codes actually tell you, the signs worth taking seriously, and the real steps to secure your line.

Check your line — codes you need

*#21#
Check all-call forwarding
Shows whether every call is being diverted, and to what number. Changes nothing.
*#62#
Check 'when unreachable' forwarding
Shows where calls go when your phone is off or has no signal — a common place for sneaky diversions to hide.
##002#
Cancel ALL forwarding
Clears every diversion rule at once if you find one you didn't set.

The honest short answer

A USSD code talks to your carrier's network and asks about your account's settings. It cannot see whether law enforcement has a court-ordered tap, or whether spyware is running on your phone — those don't change the settings a code can read.

What a code can reveal is call forwarding / diversion: a rule that quietly sends your calls (or the calls you miss) to another number. That's the scenario that actually happens to regular people — usually after a stolen phone, a SIM swap, or someone with brief access to your handset set a diversion. The good news: it's easy to check and easy to undo.

What #21#, #61#, and *#62# show

These are interrogation codes — they report a setting without changing anything. On a GSM phone, dial the code and press call:

*#21# — is every call being forwarded, and to what number?
*#61# — where do calls go when you don't answer?
*#62# — where do calls go when your phone is unreachable (off / no signal)?

If the result says forwarding is disabled or shows your own voicemail, that's normal. If it shows an unfamiliar number, someone may have set a diversion you didn't authorize.

Found an unexpected diversion? Clear it with ##002#

If *#21#, *#61#, or *#62# shows your calls routing to a number you don't recognize, cancel every forwarding rule at once: dial ##002# and press call.

Then re-check with *#21# to confirm it's gone. If the diversion comes back, the change was likely made at the account level — call your carrier, ask them to remove all forwarding and check for unauthorized changes, and set an account PIN (next section).

Signs people worry about — and what they usually mean

Most "my phone is tapped" symptoms have ordinary explanations:

Battery draining fast or phone running hot — almost always a background app, an aging battery, or a recent OS update. Check Settings → Battery for the real culprit.
Clicks or echo on calls — usually network or Bluetooth artifacts, not surveillance. Modern digital taps are silent.
Random restarts or data spikes — typically a buggy app. Review which app is using data.

None of these reliably indicate a tap. Take them seriously only when several appear suddenly together right after you lost physical control of the phone.

Real steps to secure your line

If you're genuinely concerned, these do more than any "secret code":

Check forwarding with *#21# / *#62# and clear anything unexpected with ##002#.
Set a carrier account PIN and a SIM/port-out freeze — this blocks SIM-swap attacks, the most common way calls get hijacked.
Update your phone's operating system; patches close the holes real spyware relies on.
Review app permissions (microphone, phone) and remove apps you don't recognize.
If you suspect targeted spyware, back up and factory-reset the phone, then change your passwords from a different device.

Make sure the right calls reach you

Most of the time, the underlying worry isn't surveillance — it's "am I missing calls I should be getting?" The fix is to forward your calls intentionally, to something that actually answers.

RingOwl is an AI answering service: instead of an unknown diversion sending calls into the void, you forward your business line to an AI that picks up every call 24/7, books appointments, and texts you a summary of who called and why. You always know exactly where your calls are going — because you set it.

Try the carrier code generator

Pick your carrier and condition — get the exact code to dial, with a copy button.

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Forward to this number (your RingOwl number, your other line, etc.)

Code preview

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FAQ

Can a code tell me if my phone is tapped?: No. No dial code can detect a real wiretap or spyware. Codes like *#21# only read your carrier account's settings — specifically, whether your calls are being forwarded to another number. That's the realistic threat for most people, and it's fixable.
What does *#21# do?: *#21# is an interrogation code. Dial it and press call, and it reports whether all-call forwarding is active on your line and what number calls are going to. It doesn't change anything — it just shows the current setting.
What is ##002# and is it safe to dial?: ##002# cancels every type of call forwarding on a GSM phone at once. It's safe — it only clears diversion rules. Use it if you find your calls routing to a number you don't recognize. Re-check with *#21# afterward to confirm.
Does #21# show if my phone is being monitored?: No. #21# (and *#21#) only show call-forwarding status, not monitoring or spyware. They're useful for catching unauthorized call diversion — for example after a SIM swap — but not for detecting surveillance software.
My battery drains fast — is my phone tapped?: Almost certainly not. Fast battery drain is nearly always a background app, an old battery, or a recent update. Check Settings → Battery to see what's responsible. Battery drain alone is not a reliable sign of a tap.

Forward your line to an AI that books

RingOwl is a 24/7 AI answering service for small businesses. Forward your line with the codes above and the AI picks up every call, books appointments straight into your calendar, and texts you a summary. Free 7-day trial, no credit card.

Start your free trial →