Do you know how to make the most out of your cell phone in an emergency?
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a lifesaver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - mojo jojo
crap crap crap
27 - CibaiMan
Hey.. everything works just fine. My phone are low on battery and i enter the codes and walla.. battery level goes up to 50%!!
What a freaking good idea to unlock car remotely! I did this with my car's alarm remote control at home and my car key with me. The distance is like few miles away and it did unlock the the phone!
Thanks for the great tip!
28 - Mike Williamson
No, you can't unlock a car through a cell phone. If you believe you can, put the drugs away.
112 only works in the UK, not the US.
I'm not going to waste time on the rest.
29 - Ross
hahah i know 4 works for a fact.. pressing those digits give you your phones IMEI number.. this is the number you service uses when activating you phone.. it makes perfect since that they would need this number when deactivating it as well.. but im sure they can look up the IMEI number w/o having your phone.. but having it handy cant hurt. probably would speed up the process of deactivation if you lost your phone.. it would be nifty if 2 worked.. i tried to do it from the other end of the house.. but im pretty sure it was still in range.. i would like to try from about a mile away just to test it further.. number one probably works.. but why use 112 when you can just as easily use 911? (i think they do the same thing)it works even if you dont have a sim card.. you can test by taking your sim card out of your phone and dialing 911
30 - Steve
I tried #2 with three different cars (Volvo, BMW, Infinity) and it did NOT work with any of them. I guess that 19 yr old got his laughs from me. I am actually glad it didn't work. If it did, I could think of a few ways someone could use that to break into a car. #4 worked with my Motorola Razr V3. I didn't try #1 or #3 though.
I did have a question about #3. When you do it, does it use a codec or some "hidden battery power"? If it does use a codec, how do you switch it back to the regular quality codec after you recharge the battery?
And in response to this quote:
"Yeah, Motorolas really are cool. I especially like the fact that Motorlas can't ring and vibrate at the same time. They first vibrate a few times, then stop and start playing your ringtone."
-#25 " October 25, 2006 @ 18:46PM " Ceristimo
You CAN have a Motorola phone vibrate and ring at the same time. Go to menu->settings->Audio->Style->Vibe & Ring.
It helps to read the owners manual. Anyways, if the author of this article could please test these things he claims for himself and if they are not true, please correct the original post to reflect truth. Thank you.
31 - Angie
ok.. i just tried #2 with my car, and both of my parents cars... and they all worked (it unlocked, locked, and opened the trunk)... i put my cell on speakerphone and i was a lot closer than a foot tho... now, when i lock my keys in my car i can just call my dad.. hahaha... love it
32 - ken
i've tried the one about the car about 5 times. worked 3 outta 5.
33 - JS
Number 3 is clearly stated for Nokia phones, so if you are some dumbass with a Samsung or Erricson and are all like "this is a bullshit article and it doesnt work", well, you're a complete idiot.
Secondly, number 4 works. By pressing the code, it doesnt lock the phone for you. You have to write it down and keep it somehwere incase of your phone getting stolen. You then call your SP and tell them the code. I love how people read this stuff and try it and they dont actually know what they are doing.
PS, I'm not sure about the 112, but I don't want to try it and accidentaly phone an ERT.
34 - Terry
Opening your doors with a cell phone works, proof is seeing, we are in wichita, ks If you want proof, email me and we can get together.
35 - Alex
I have some swampland down here in Florida. I tried #2 & looked and felt like a damn moron for even thinking this would work.
If this did work, provide make, model, year of vehicle and celular company, make, model of phone. Otherwise chalk this up as a hoax. By the way, there is a 5th option that is going around:
FIFTH Subject: Telephone Directory
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial (800) FREE 411 or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
Does this work on Pre-paid phones!
36 - Dustin
#2 IS NOTHING BUT BULL SHIT!!!!!!!!!WE TIRED IT LIKE 10 TIMES WITH 3 DIFFERENT CARS AND A TRUCK. I NOW FEEL DUMBER FOR EVEN WASTING TIME TO TRY IT.
37 - chell
I did try to unlock my car and my friends car...and guess what IT WORKED!!!!. THE TRICK IS...don't put the phone by the key hole, put the phone by the side mirror or close to the hood of the car and it should unlock it. I think that is b/c the sensor is under the hood so being at the keyhole is too far. try it again dustin...it should work
38 - Frankie Figgs
Well, I received an email a few days ago about #2 and how effectively it works and how it is one of the "Best Kept Secrets" out there.
After reading this email, which was about 4-5 relatively long paragraphs, I sat there at my desk staring at my monitor thinking it all over in my head. I was trying to figure out wether it was something someone thought up while bored at work sitting in their 6X6 cubicle, OR wether it was some sort of Polish joke or something along the lines of that.
Needless to day, I went to my brother's house after work that day, and I told him about it. We grabbed our cell phones and headed out the door. I stood right next to my car, my little brother drove off with my keys and clicker. He drove about 3 miles away and parked his truck. (He had to go to the store which was 3 miles away anyway)
We were on our cells, talking clearly and we both had Excellent signals on the phones. All bars were up!! He clicked it for me, Nothing. Clicked again....nothing. I moved the phone right up against teh car door, he clicked it....nothing. I moved to the other side, he clicked it....nothing. I pretty much put the phone everywhere around the car. He must have clicked the unlock button AS WELL AS the trunk button about 59 different times. Nothing!
I have a 2003 Hyundai Sonata and a Motorolla Nextel Phone. It didn't work for me. We reversed the process and I drove away about 1 mile away from my little Brother's truck.....I clicked it about 59 times and he put his cell in about 59 different places around his truck......didn't work.
There are people out there, and even on this blog, that say they tried it and it worked very effectively for them. Some of these people were 1/2 mile away, and others were 3,000 miles away and say it worked. I don't know man....... I was thinking that maybe Myth Busters shoud study this myth and have it on their television show. But after trying it myself, theres nothing to study and nothing to experiment with. It simply does not work. Plain and simple.
Those of you on here who say it DOES work, and that you have personally tired it.. I just want to ask you one (1) thing......."Do you take drugs?" and if so....which drugs were you taking when you did this little experiment? I am dying to know.....
Now those of you who have performed this little experiment, Without any mind altering substances, I will bet that maybe you had a magic cell phone. I am sure they exist out there somewhere. I've always wanted one myself. Can you tell me where I can get a magic cell phone? Did you get this magic phone from the same person that Jack bought his magic beans from?
Alright, I am finished with this whole Cell and car clicker locks BS stuff. It Doesn't work!!
Adios Amigos
Franky Figgs
39 - Someone
#1 Isn't true if your in North America... 911 is what you would use. 112 is an emergency # in Europe and some other countries
40 - wtf
why the hell would you have to hold your phone next to the door? It's not like the radio signal (even if it could be transmitted through the phone, which I don't believe) gets sent to the door lock itself. The signal goes to the control module usually housed under the dash, or the antenna which could be any number of places depending on the model. This article is stupid.
41 - Yuva
and those FACTs explained.. with details..
+) Calling 112 on your cell phone will (in some parts of the world, primarily Europe) connect you to local emergency services, even if you are outside your provider's service area (i.e., even if you are not authorized to relay signals through the cell tower that handles your call), and many cell phones allow the user to place 112 calls even if the phone lacks a SIM card or its keypad is locked. However, the 112 number does not have (as is sometimes claimed) special properties that enable callers to use it in areas where all cellular signals are blocked (or otherwise unavailable).
+) Cars with remote keyless entry (RKE) systems cannot be unlocked by relaying a key fob transmitter signal via a cellular telephone. RKE systems and cell phones utilize different types of signals and transmit them at different frequencies. Relaying remote entry system signals via telephone might work if the signals were sound-based, but they're not. An RKE system transmits an encrypted data stream to a receiver inside the automobile via an RF (radio frequency) signal, a signal that can't be effectively relayed via cell phone. (In any event, RKE systems and cell phones typically operate on completely different frequencies; the former in the 300 MHz range and the latter in the 800 MHz range.). It's possible this method might work with cars that use something different than standard RKE systems, but it might not work with the vast majority of models.
+) The claim that pressing the sequence *3370# will unleash "hidden battery power" in a cell phone seems to be a misunderstanding of an option available on some brands of cell phone (such as Nokia) for Half Rate Codec, which provides about 30% more talk time on a battery charge at the expense of lower sound quality. However, this option is enabled by pressing the sequence *#4720# " the sequence *3370# actually enables Enhanced Full Rate Codec, which provides better sound quality at the expense of shorter battery life.
+) Entering the sequence *#06# into a cell phone may display a 15-digit identification string, but that function only works with some types of cell phones, and the efficacy of reporting the ID number to a cellular service provider to head off unauthorized use of a lost or stolen phone is limited.
Trust this helps.../Yuva
42 - Andrea
#2 does work used it with a lexus. Tried unlocking it at the same distance with out the phone and it did not work. Only catch was had to put the phone up to the keyhole.
43 - jim
I have in the past done something like #2. I recorded the signal with the voice recording feature, and it unlocks my car when I play it.
44 - Jason
jim, your an idiot*
45 - Sean
i have not tried 1, 2, 4, 5 but number 3 doesn't work you should really go through and check everything before posting this stuff. when i read this i was like wow this is amazing then i tried 3 cause that is the one that i am most interested in but it didn't work
IF YOU FIND A WAY TO ACTUALLY GET A RESERVE BATTERY POWER LET ME KNOW THANKS BYE
46 - AJ
Tried #2 w/ Toyota Sequoia and it did actually work, had to try it about 3-4 times, worked just in front of the passenger side mirror.
47 - Bob
#2 worked for me. Using a Samsung and a Mazda 3.
I also told the caller to press unlock after I hung up - It didnt work then.
Very cool feature.
Sorry that it doesnt work for everyone.
48 - bollocks
bollocks
49 - Joe
Yeah, Cingular says they have no way to blacklist or block an IMEI even on only their network, even only in a local market. Funny because they can disable a SIM network wide, but not a IMEI? Sounds like they want to sell phones!!! Until we make it state and federal law that companies must take action to prevent crime, providers will do what ever is in their best interest. A recent study in the UK said about 28% of crimes involve use of a stolen phone. We have succeeded in wheel locks and car radio codes, but not cell phones? When you sell a car, the VIN has to match and the paperwork must be present. States have worked together years ago to detour crime with the whole title/license process. Insurance companies where involved in helping encourage protection from theft. I think we need to bring this one to congress! We need consumer protection. It's your right not to become a victim and if providers are activating service on stolen electronic serial numbers or IMEI's, one's they did not sell themselves, they should be ashamed of themselves. They have the ability to prevent crime. It’s a choice.
50 - Joe
... i meant "deter" crime, not "detour", as that clearly means something else, but either way works. not in our state. not in our backyard. smiles.
51 - Bob
Ok, I have an update.
I tried #2 from farther away and it didnt work.
It turns out I was still in range for the car remote.
Conclusion: #2 does not work for me.
One thing I have read in my car's manual was that if you put your remote close to your head, your head acts as an antenna and the range will increase slightly. Maybe cell phones can do this too?? - This still would only increase the range slightly.
52 - Tony
I knew about hidden battery power after meeting Keri, although in Trieste I couldn't test my Nokia's car unlocking capability for some unknown reason. Anybody have the same experience? I don't mean with Keri. I've got a 1.8 liter xSara Citröen, and it's well broken in.
53 - Keri
What happened in Trieste is simple. Tony wouldn't buy me the Prada bag I wanted when we were there, so when he misplaced his car keys again, just like he does at least once a day, I didn't push the button on the back-up set I always keep hidden in my bag, without him knowing. We have the same model Nokia cell phones, but the jerk loved to think that his was somehow better and more poweful than mine. I didn't replace his tired battery that day with the back-up battery I always carry with me. Girls need to demonstrate their power from time to time. If a guy wants to think he's someone special because he can get more out of his cell phone than you, let him! Anyway, I've moved on. My new guy has a cell phone I can't afford, but soon he'll give me one just like his. He's really crazy about me.
54 - IDIOTS
OK regardless of whether or NOT I have found these to work, some of you DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ!!! first of all as for #2 it is saying that you are at the store and you locked the keys in the car, you call someone who is at HOME and has the remote, because YOUR remote is locked up and you don't have it in hand!!! so the person who uses the remote over the cell phone is MILES away NOT the remote that is near your car (TRY READING!!) as for #3 the code is for NOKIA ONLY Jesus Christ people learn how to freaking READ!! it says it in plain ENGLISH and clearly understandable. My nephew in 2nd grade could obviously score higher than most of you on the SAT's. GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
55 - bull crap
bull crap. You all suck!!
56 - mindy
WOW THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE! I EXSPECCIALLY LIKE
#2AND4. KEEP ON KEEPIN ON! GR8 JOB!
57 - George Bush
Joe Joe Joe.
Are you serious? You want me to enact more legislation to save the American public from itself? Why with all the other Bills Ive signed, along with all the other secret programs I use to control you people, I will own you people long before my 8 years are up. Thanks for the idea.
George
58 - Tim
Comforting though it may be to imagine you can unlock your car door in an emergency by receiving a distant signal via your cell phone, it can't possibly work " not with the technology as it now stands, at any rate.
Here's why:
Your remote car key operates by sending a weak, encrypted radio signal to a receiver inside the automobile, which in turn activates the door locks.
Since the system works on radio waves, not sound, the only conceivable way a signal from your spare remote could be picked up by one cell phone and relayed to your car's onboard receiver by another would be if both phones were capable of sending and receiving at exactly the same frequency as the remote itself " which they can't be, given that all remote entry devices operate at frequencies between 300 and 500 MHz, while all mobile phones, by law, operate at 800 MHz and higher.
It's apples vs. oranges, in other words. Your cell phone can no more transmit the type of signal needed to unlock a car door than your remote key is capable of dialing up your Aunt Mary ... though no one can predict what miracles the future may bring.
59 - bob
The phone thing don't work. PERIOD!
60 - EVAN
Its not working on my phone.... does it only work on specific phones?
61 - Confused
Ok number 2;
I heard about this yesterday at work, came home to my GF and decided to give it a shot. I only have one FOB so I wasn't about to drive miles away. Car was in the driveway, I went in the basement facing the other side of the house. She went outside.
Tried to unlock 15-20 times....nothing. Pop the truck, nothing. She put the cell near the truck, I put the FOB near the mic on my 900mghz cordles...voila, she found my naked, ducktaped,midget mistress in the trunk. So it worked for me!
Based on what I've read, I guess it could have simply been the fact that the antenna of my cordless bosted the signal of the FOB. I will see if I can ope the trunk with out the cell near the car just by using the antenna of one phone.
Now that I sleep in my car, I have time to experiment
62 - sam
hey i liked all the cool stuff
i hav an N-80 and i hav a merc c 220 cdi if i want 2 try this key thing out where do i place the phone ? i dont no where my car reciver is plz do tell me ..
thanks again ..
plz do get bak ..
63 - rzr/altima
Tim, the law is that mobile phones work at ATLEAST 800mhz. Also, it didnt work for me except when i put the phone next to the mirror and put it on speaker phone. i dont know if it had anything to do with it, but it worked like once in the like 10 times we tried it. but it did work. and i was at the car about 2 miles away or so, so im pretty sure it wasnt in range. i have a motorola razor v3 if it helps and an altima. whoever said the record the unlock thing in your phone, it seems like a neat idea if it works, though i havent tried it. maybe you have to have a newer model phone. also, ericson phones suck, lol.
64 - Unknown
After reviewing this list I did some testing at found the following:
Step 1: Emergency Calling
This is not needed, for 911 (where available) has its own network and has to work regardless of the provider you have and if its active or not. If you have an old cell phone that has no service provider you are still able to call 911 (where available).
Step 2: Unlocking a car via wireless remote
Tested this with multiple phones and found this does not work. If you are able to get it to work take into consideration the distance you are from the car when testing. Your remote has more power and range than you think. The reason this won't work is because your cell phone and possibly the other phone you are using sends out its own freq and will conflict with the freq of your remote thus messing the signal code being broadcasted. The receiver box in the door or in the radio will not reconize the code being sent. (I thought this was a good thought and did wish it would work but it didn't)
Step 3: Hidden Battery
your phones battery indicator is not accurate to begin with. Your phone does miscalculate this by only 2% of the accual power. This is so if you are needing to call 911 you can do so. On some phones when you call 911 your battery indicator will bust in power alittle bit then drop back when the call is completed. This is only good for about maybe 5 mins of additional talk time. The code specified in the list is incorrect though.
Step 4: Locking your phone
You headset can be locked with that number. The number using the code in the list does work on Motorola phones and other phones. Note: not all phones use this code and sometimes the code to retrieve it access a variety of options to change or view. Sprint does it this way, the code they give you accesses web proxy configs, unique id of phone, etc. Some service reps may not know about this and may tell you they can't lock the unit (this is untrue). Government agencys have used the locking option when there phones are stolen or missing. When the phone is locked 911 is the only function that works, you are unable to view anything else.
Step 5: Free Directory Assistance
Works fine. Paid for by sponsors. You will not talk to a live person though. The process is completely automated.
Hope this answers everyones questions.
65 - Don't Worry
Yeah, Motorolas really are cool. I especially like the fact that Motorlas can't ring and vibrate at the same time. They first vibrate a few times, then stop and start playing your ringtone.
Yeah, Motorola's are really cool. It's 2006, and they work like a phone made when my grandmother was young and fresh, and they're having the same technical specs as the first Apple Lisa. But yeah, the games are way better ofcourse. And we all know, you buy your phone for the games it comes with, not for the options that actually really matter.
---------------------------------------------------
I have a reply to that statement. Motorlla's can vibrate and ring at the same. I know because I have a Razor, and that is what I keep my phone on.. We have the option to Vibrate THEN ring, or Vibrate AND ring; therefore, speak what you know. That is All.
66 - Lance
just 1 word cool
67 - Will
Ok, can somebody tell me did #2 work or not?
I'll test it later this week.
68 - Mike
None of these are true - do a little researching on google before posting crap like this.
69 - Joe
Urban Legends on About.com
70 - Lisa
Even if none of these are true, why are people getting so uptight? Can't you just take what you want and laugh the rest off? How many times during the day do you see or read things that you have no interest in?
Get over your highly intellectual selves. Why don't you put your anger, arrogance and disgust to good use by solving all the world's problems and making the world a better place?
71 - Rhonda
So what if someone publishes something that is not true......get over it. Aren't you intelligent enough to sort through the bogus claims and find out for yourself? Just ignore it if you think it's not true.
People lie and distort things all the time. Can't you deal with that and move on?
72 - Frederico
I tried #2 by locking myself in the car without my keys or my cell phone, and it took me a week to get out. Then I locked my cat in the car with the keys and a cell phone, and he took off and I haven't seen him since. It doesn't work at all.
73 - doug c
is it possible to activate youyr cell phone yourself i know there must be codes etc cause how else could they do it if they are sending those waves through my house i want access are they paying me a royality hell noi
74 - Coltman75
I tried #2 with my chevy car. It worked when i pushed the button on a verizon cell phone to a cingular pantec c300. i was at the office and the car was at home. when we closed the phones, it didnt work anymore, but #2 is 100% truthful
75 - Mark Rosner
This is a great list... i added five additional comments which i all think would make great business ideas... check them out here