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The best way to do this is to forward all your calls to a phone number of yours that is inactive. You can forward the calls to a number that has been blocked, or a SIM card that is not inside your phone, so callers will be prompted that it is switched off.
Different countries have different call forwarding codes, and it is impossible for me to include the codes of every county on this planet, instead, I will show you two different methods you can use to forward calls.
First method
If you are using an Android 11, you should be able to set up call forwarding through the Phone Settings. This feature is included by most Android smartphone manufacturers.
- Go to Phone Setting – There are different ways to access the Phone Settings based on your phone brand and model. A general way is to tap the menu icon and keep scrolling until you come across the “Settings” icon, then tap on it.
- Tap on “Calls”
- Tap on the “Call Forwarding” option
- Chose an option After tapping on “Call Forwarding”, you will see different options you can opt for: • Call forwarding when unanswered — when you don’t pick the call it will go to a secondary number • Always forward — anytime you get a call it will go to a secondary number • When busy — the call will go to a secondary number when you’re receiving another call. • When reached — when your phone is off, has no signal, or is in airplane mode, the call will go to a secondary number. You can choose the one that suits you. Tap on it to choose it.
- Toggle on Depending on your Android device brand and model, it might request you tap on “on”, “enable”, or “ok”. Tap on any of the three that appear. When you are ready to turn off call forwarding, go through the steps above and toggle it off.
Second method
This involves the use of third-party apps in setting up call forwarding. This is the option for those not using Android 11 devices or their manufacturer didn’t include a call forwarding feature in the Phone Settings. You will need to install and download an app from the Google Play Store or App Store. There are different apps available, but Easy Call Forwarding is one of the most functional, but it only works for Androids.
This app offers different features you can use in configuring forwarded calls. You can configure a call forwarding for one SIM card and a different setting for your other SIM card, if you are using a Dual SIM phone. There are also other widgets you can use. However, this app doesn’t work in all countries. Visit the Google Play store to check if it works for you.
- Download and install the Easy Call Forwarding app
- Launch the app and permit it to access your phone contents
- Tap on Configure and enter the destination, then you will choose your service provider and make sure to tap on save.
- Go to call forwarding and toggle it on. To turn off call forwarding just toggle it off.
If the app isn’t working for you because it does not support the region where you are located, or maybe you’re using an iPhone, you can use several other apps like Call Control, Phone Signal Jammer, Call blocker, among others. These apps are free of charge, and some don’t even have paid versions.
What these apps do is that they block cell reception thereby making your phone number unreachable. However, not all these apps work as they as one would expect, and this is usually because of your device. After downloading and installing the app, make sure you test it first to ascertain if it really blocks people from calling you and if it allows you to surf the Internet.
If the app doesn’t work well for you, then you will have to call the customer care of your network provider to request their call forwarding code, so you will use that instead. However, it might take some time before you are connected to a customer care agent, so you will have to be patient.
How to make your phone unreachable
If you will like to make your phone both unreachable and unable to access the internet, here is how to go about it —
- Airplane/Flight mode
This is the most popular way to make your phone unreachable. Placing it in airplane mode or flight mode will make all incoming and outgoing calls and messages barred from entering your phone. However, you won’t be able to make use of the internet.
- Disable the SIM
This method isn’t talked about enough. I use this method from time to time because I am able to disable my main SIM for receiving calls, while leaving the other SIM active for internet connection. It’s a much-preferred method to Airplane Mode. However, you can only do this if your phone uses two SIM cards.
Go to your phone settings > connection > mobile network > SIM card manager > choose the SIM you want to disable > toggle it off. The SIM card is no longer active. The process of deactivating it might differ for some phones, but it is not hard to navigate.
- Aluminium foil
I don’t know how true this is, but I have seen so many people suggesting this in DIY videos and on forums. It is said that aluminium foil makes a network connection poor by making your smartphone’s radio antenna unable to receive a mobile network.
All you have to do is wrap your phone with aluminium foil, and it will no longer receive a network signal, so when a caller tries to call, it won’t go through. If you’re the type that likes experimenting, you should definitely try this out.
- Call forwarding
This article is basically about call forwarding, but it is still a worthy mention here. You can forward your phone to a blocked number or a number you no longer use. So when you are called the call won’t connect. You can check the top section of this article to read about the codes you can use to forward calls, and how to deactivate them when you are ready to receive calls.
You don’t need to worry about people suspecting that your number is being intentionally forwarded to an inactive phone number. Most will think you are in a place that doesn’t have network coverage.
- Third-party applications
There are some apps you can download and install on your phone to help you jam your network so you won’t receive calls. This app will block cell reception, and in most cases, you won’t be able to make calls as well until you close the app. Most of these apps are for free, but their functionality varies based on the device you are using. Some of such apps are Call Control – Call blocker, among others.
How to check call forwarding status
From time to time I always check my call forwarding status for safety reasons. Most people believe when a call is being forwarded, it is being diverted to only the number you input, but that is not always the case. It is possible that someone else is listening to your conversation without you knowing, and all your activities are being monitored.
The only way to know if you are being monitored is to check your call forwarding status. Here is how to go about it: • Go to your phone dialler and input *#61# then dial it • The list of services you are forwarded to will appear, as well as those you are not forwarded to. The number you are forwarded to will be shown to you. If the number is unknown to you, then someone might be monitoring your calls and messages. • To cancel it, dial ##002# and you will receive a prompt message notifying you that the call forwarding has been deactivated. You can also use the deactivation code of the network provider you are using.
Conclusion
The two best ways to make your phone unreachable are using third-party apps or special codes provided by your network provider. The easier of the two is the use of special codes due to how fast it is to set up.
Your safety also matters. That is why I talked about checking your call forwarding status from time to time. While you think you might be enjoying your privacy, someone might actually be invading that privacy.
Author:Mukhtar Sadiq
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If you are an iPhone user and FaceTime is your favorite way of video calling your friends, thankfully, you are in luck because you can now have a wonderful time with your friends that are using Android devices. Apple now allows FaceTime users to create live videos that connect with different operating systems.
The downside is that you can’t use an Android phone to make the call because there is no app available for Android users yet. There is also another downside, which is the requirement to update to iOS 15 because that is the only iOS that can permit video calling between Android and iOS devices.
With the recent release of iOS 15 after much anticipation, this iOS is locked with even greater functionality, unlike the last upgrades. You can now connect SharePlay and FaceTime on this iOS.
Here is how to use FaceTime on Android and Windows devices —
- Create a FaceTime link
To create the link you need Apple devices that are running iOS 15, macOS 12 Monterey, iPadOS 15, so this could either be a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
• Launch the FaceTime app
• Tap on “Create Link”
• If you want you can choose a custom name for the link.
• A pop-up menu will appear with a list of social media you can share it with. Tap on your preferred social media and choose one or more of your contacts you’ll like to share it with. If you can’t find your preferred social media on the list, you can tap on “copy link” then paste wherever you want.
- The recipient will click on the link
Once the link has been delivered to your recipient and the person clicks on the link, it will take them to their web browser. To avoid getting an error page, the browser must be the latest version of Edge or Chrome.
- Input personal info
The recipient will have to enter their name and then tap on “continue” to initiate the call. Wait for a few minutes as you will still be in the “waiting room” until your host allows you into the chat.
Alternative video call apps
If the Facetime doesn’t connect due to not being on iOS 15, or you are using a late version browser, or the connection is a bit buggy, there are other great video calling platforms you can use. Here are some of the best video calling apps –
- Zoom
With online classes becoming a norm in this age, zoom has been the go-to option for most teachers and students. Businesses are also starting to use it a lot. This app has extensive features, and that has made it a popular choice among lots of people. Either you’re using a PC or smartphone, you can use this platform easily.
The only downside is that it isn’t fully free. If you’re having a one-on-one chat then there are no restrictions, but if more than three people are having a meeting then you’ll get only a 40-minute time limit, so to get unrestricted access (up to 100 people) you’ll have to switch to their paid version.
This is one of the most popular messaging apps for mobile users. It is easy to use and it only requires your phone number to set up an account. The best part is that it is widely used, so you can use it at any time without having to inform the person you’re calling beforehand. This is unlike zoom where you have to inform the person beforehand that you’ll be video chatting with them.
Back in the day, WhatsApp video chatting features weren’t the best, but it has had some upgrades which make it better now. Video calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, so you don’t have to worry about your calls being intercepted.
- Facebook Messenger
WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are both owned by the same person, but they function differently. You probably have an account on Facebook already because it was one of the most popular chatting platforms before WhatsApp was in existence. You can use Facebook Messenger to start video chatting with your friends on that platform. Even if you have deactivated your Facebook account before, you can still access that account on Facebook Messenger.
If you don’t have the app you can install it on the Google Play Store or App Store. Launch the app and start a call with a group or just an individual. You can video call with up to 50 people at the same time. While video chatting, you can still perform other functions like viewing your messages and replying to them.
The only downside with this app is that it gets buggy sometimes, but from my experience, it is usually because of a low-end phone. If you’re using the early Android OS, anything below Android 8, it might be a bit buggy.
- Discord
This is the app where you will most likely find gamers. It’s a great platform to join if you want to connect with other gamers, and thankfully this app supports video chat. It also allows streaming, thereby making it a great app to use in playing games with your friend by streaming the screen contents of your device so they can see the game you’re playing.
Even though this platform is popular with gamers, you can also use it for educational purposes because of the streaming feature. The streaming feature now allows a maximum of 50 people and if you opt for the paid service you will be able to increase the streaming quality to 1080p/60 fps, up to a maximum of 720p/30 fps. So when you share your screen and tutor your students, they will be able to see things clearly.
- Microsoft teams
This platform is similar to Zoom. It is also a popular app and it is mostly used by professionals or businesses for online meetings. It’s suitable for large group meetings because the free version allows up to 100 people, so this saves you some money if you’re holding large group meetings, unlike Zoom.
There are also professional tools on Microsoft teams that you will find useful when you’re video calling. Some of the tools are background changing, background blurring, noise suppression, among others.
Conclusion
FaceTime is a popular app on iPhones and it’s widely used by iPhone users, and with the end to the limitation of only allowing calls between iOS users, you can now easily use this app to connect with your friends using Android devices.
I covered all the steps to follow so you can enjoy your video chat. However, if for any reason whatsoever it doesn’t work well as expected, I also included alternative video calling apps you can use to connect with your friends, regardless of them using Android or Windows devices.
