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Posted on 11/20/2025 8:10:53 AM PST by Red Badger
We’ve all been there. Your screen goes black, but you can still hear the audio. You’re trying to move the cursor on your phone, but your thumb’s too big to land in the right spot. Or your Android suddenly turns into a sluggish mess, and you’re ready to throw your $1,000 phone out the window.
Pause. Breathe.
There’s a secret power-user layer baked into your gadgets that most folks never see. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill tips. These are the hidden handshakes, the ones you can drop to sound like the family tech wizard.
📱 Thumb-believable phone secrets
iPhone user? Stop jabbing the screen to fix typos. Press and hold the space bar instead. The keys vanish, and the keyboard turns into a mini track pad. Now slide your thumb to drop that cursor exactly where you want it. So much easier.
And those four little signal bars at the top? Basically meaningless. Want the real signal strength? Open your Phone app and dial this: *3001#12345#*, then hit call.
You’re in Field Test Mode.
Find RSRP (that’s Reference Signal Received Power) to see the actual signal number. The closer to -80, the better. -120? You’re in the dead zone. Now you can walk around your house and see exactly where the signal is strongest.
Android users, I’ve got three hidden gems for you:
Unlock Developer Mode: Go to Settings > About phone > Software information.
Quickly tap “Build number” seven times in a row.
Enter your pattern, PIN or password to enable the “Developer options” menu.
Pop in there and speed up animations to make your phone feel faster instantly. Do not do this unless you really know what you are doing, please.
Use Safe Mode:
If your phone’s acting buggy or crashing, press and hold the power button. Then press and hold “Power off” until you see “Reboot to Safe Mode.” Tap OK. If the issues don’t disappear, you’ve got a rogue app to delete.
Turn on Guest Mode:
Handing your phone to a kid or friend? Don’t risk them digging through your messages. Set up “Guest mode.” It’s a clean version of Android, no access to your stuff.
Samsung: Settings > Accounts and backup > Users.
If you see an option for new users, toggle it on. Then, select Add Guest.
Pixel: Settings > System > Users > Allow multiple users > Add guest.
🖥️ Control freak mode for your PC
Is your Windows screen frozen or black, but the PC’s still on? Don’t yank the power. Try this instead: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. You’ll hear a beep, the screen flashes, and boom, your graphics driver resets. One second, no reboot.
Here’s the ultimate power move: God Mode.
Right-click your desktop > New > Folder. Rename it to: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}.
The icon changes. Open it, and voilà: every single Control Panel setting in one place.
Go ahead, wow your family with your tech smarts. Then grab your phone, open your browser and head to GetKim.com. Take a minute to sign up your family and friends for my newsletter. It’s the easiest favor you’ll do all day.
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Tech Ping!....................
You’re in Field Test Mode.
Is this for I-Phone or Android?
iPhone.................
GOOGLE AI:
Android’s Field Test Mode is a diagnostic tool that shows detailed network information and allows for hardware testing. To access it, you can either go through the Settings menu, typically under About Phone > Status or Network, or by dialing a secret code like *#*#4636#*#*. While the specific method can vary by device, these options provide access to signal strength (measured in dBm, where numbers closer to 0 are better), network type, and other technical data.
Methods to access Field Test Mode
Via Settings:
Go to Settings.
Navigate to About Phone or About Device.
Look for Status, Network, or Mobile Networks to find your signal strength (dB reading).
Via secret code:
Open the phone’s dialer.
Type in a code, such as *#*#4636#*#*, and press call. Note that this code may not work on all devices, but
it’s a common one to try.
Some specific codes exist for certain brands, like ##33284# for some HTC models.
This video demonstrates how to access diagnostic mode on a Samsung phone:
Must be I-phone.I tried it on my Android and it locked my phone up. Had to retart.
“Is this for I-Phone or Android?”
Article says iPhone.
Thanks for the Komando link.
Me: When's the last time you restarted it?
Friends: Why would that work? It's not a computer.
I pass by her studio here in Phoenix regularly. I don’t think she takes a studio audience, though.
On the signal test thing on my iPhone, when I use a leading * I get a “your request was not recognized” message. When I use a leading # I get a “Error performing request, Unknown error” message.
What type, IOS or Android?
And what build?...................
Sorry, didn’t read the iPhone part............
No worries.
iPhone 14 Pro, IOS version 26.1 (23B85)
Just to make things more fun, my iMac MAIL client is no longer taking calls from Yahoo mail. I’ve done everything I can find to get connected again, but no go. At least I can still get mail in the Yahoo browser.
.
Lots ‘o good info there! Thanks. I don’t have one of those rings, and I wouldn’t get one anyway- it would be redundant.
Oh, I forgot. I have to use WI-FI calling now. According to AT&T technical support, I’m 5.5 miles from the nearest cell tower, it’s overloaded, and kicked me out.
“Unlock Developer Mode:”
A must for me as I tether all my internet access to my router. I’ve never had the cell provider throttle me after 100s of gigs.
“CTRL ALT B”
I have to use frequently as one of my engineering programs does not play friends when I unplug with one of my portable monitors.
Dittos- I used to listen to her radio show years ago.
Bunch of stuff for iFag phone users?
Count me out
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