What happens if you press *#21 on your phone?

What Happens When You Dial *#21# on Your Phone?

There’s a lot of confusion—and misinformation—surrounding the code *#21#. Contrary to some viral claims, entering this sequence does not expose whether your phone has been hacked or is secretly forwarding your calls to a scammer.

In reality, *#21# is a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) code used to check the status of unconditional call forwarding on your mobile device. When you dial it, your phone sends a request to your carrier asking: “Are my calls currently being forwarded?” The response you get is simply a confirmation—either active or inactive—based on your own settings.

The confusion likely stems from misunderstandings about how USSD codes work. While it’s true that *21* followed by a number and a # (e.g., *21*5555555#) can activate call forwarding to that number, simply entering *#21# only retrieves information—it doesn’t activate anything. It won’t send your calls or texts to a scammer, nor does it reveal malicious activity.

Networks use these codes for quick access to services like voicemail, balance checks, or call settings. They’ve been around for decades and are built into mobile standards worldwide. The code *#21# is harmless and can actually be useful if you're troubleshooting missed calls or setting up forwarding intentionally.

Still, it’s smart to be cautious with any unfamiliar codes. If you’re concerned about your phone’s security, the best steps are updating your device regularly, avoiding suspicious links, and verifying settings through your phone’s official menu—not random number sequences shared online.

So, dialing *#21# won’t compromise your phone. It’s just a quick way to see if call forwarding is turned on—and more importantly, a reminder to stay informed rather than alarmed by internet myths.