Buzz
A lost phone can become a major threat to your information security. You can also prank your friends by pretending to receive a call from someone they are eager to talk to, such as a 'very important person.' Making your phone ring is also useful when you want to test the volume of the sound output. There are numerous options you can explore with your phone's settings or external apps if you know how to combine them effectively.
Steps
Using a Ringtone App
Download a mobile app. You can use fake call apps. Search for them in the app store of your iPhone, Blackberry, Android, or other smartphones using specific keywords like 'fake call.' Free or paid options will appear in the app store. You should read reviews to determine which features best suit your needs, as this varies by app.
- You can also find prank call apps that provide specific characters, such as celebrities, actors, or even other highly important individuals. While not as flexible as regular apps, these prank apps can be useful for special occasions like holidays or birthdays.
Configure the app settings. You will have options such as creating a fake identity for the mysterious caller, using contacts from your address book, pre-recording, and scheduling calls. Plan when you will receive the call to use it in the appropriate situation.
- Apps will allow you to create names, phone numbers, and provide images to establish the identity of the fake caller.
- When the app is active, the phone interface will mimic an incoming call. You can also choose between different phone interfaces if the current display mode is not compatible with your device. Some apps even let you create custom interfaces. Try to set it up as closely as possible to the device's default display. If the person being pranked is familiar with your phone, the joke might be exposed.
- These apps may offer a variety of themed audio clips featuring different characters, or you can create your own by providing suitable audio files. Most apps won't allow you to record the conversation, but you can use another app for recording.
- These apps allow you to make instant calls. If you want the app to make a call later, you can set it to schedule the call after a certain period or at a specific time. The app can run in the background or activate when the phone is in sleep mode (depending on your settings).
Activate the call. You should practice this scenario beforehand. Rehearse and memorize the call to create the most convincing situation. If you hand the phone to someone else, ensure the prank app is not visible on the screen.
- The phone can still receive regular calls from other numbers, which might interrupt the prank. Make sure not to schedule a fake call while waiting for a real call from someone.
Call from another phone
Find another phone. You can use a landline, a payphone, or borrow someone else's phone. Make sure you have permission before using someone else's phone.
Call your number. If the call fails immediately or goes to voicemail, try again as the signal might be weak or the phone might be turned off, preventing it from ringing.
Listen for the phone ring. If the call connects but you don't hear the ringtone, the phone might be on silent or vibrate mode. If the device is set to vibrate, you might hear the sound of the phone vibrating on a surface, such as a table or drawer.
- Try searching around the area where you frequently use your phone. The phone might have fallen under the table, equipment, or been buried under other items, making it hard to detect the sound.
Test the ringtone on a smartphone
Open the 'Settings' app on your phone. If the app isn't on the home screen, you can find it in the 'All Apps' section of your phone.
Configure the ringtone settings. This step may vary depending on the type of phone.
- On an iPhone, select 'Sounds and Vibration Patterns.' Scroll down to find the 'Ringtone' option with the currently selected ringtone. Tap on a different ringtone to preview it or press 'Apply' to save the changes.
- On Android, this setting might be under 'Sounds' or 'Sound & Notification.' Tap on 'Phone ringtone' to choose a ringtone, then press 'Preview' to play it or select 'Apply' to save the changes.
Test the ringtone sound. You can adjust the volume level you want your phone to ring at when receiving a call.
- On an iPhone, tap on 'Sounds' and adjust the 'Ringer and Alerts' slider to apply changes and keep the ringtone at the specified volume level.
- On Android, select 'Volumes' and adjust the 'Ringtone & notifications' slider to test the ringtone.
Set up smartphone tracking services
Configure tracking programs on another device. Depending on the type of phone, most carriers offer free options to track your device, but you need to set it up beforehand. You will be able to send calls or notifications to your phone to make it ring.
- iPhone users will need a device running iOS9 and iWork installed for the tracking software to function. Visit icloud.com using a web browser to create and configure an iCloud account. Log in (or create a free iCloud account if you don’t have one).
- Android users can access the Android Device Manager on their smartphone in several ways. Open the 'Settings' app, scroll down, tap 'Google,' and select 'Security.' Alternatively, you can use the standalone 'Google Settings' app and tap 'Security.'
Set up your phone for tracking. The next steps will depend on your phone type.
- iPhone users must access the iCloud app. Open the iCloud app on your iPhone, scroll down, and enable 'Find My iPhone.' Then, tap 'Allow' when prompted to proceed.
- Android users must enable remote location tracking. Open 'Android Device Manager' and tap 'Remotely Locate This Device.' Next, go to the 'Settings' app on your phone (not 'Google Settings'), scroll down, and tap 'Location' to ensure all location services are turned on.
Test the phone ringtone. You will need to use another device, such as a computer.
- For iPhones: Users need to access iCloud.com or the 'Find My iPhone' feature on another iPhone/iPad via the iCloud app. Click or tap 'Find My iPhone' to open a map showing the last known location of the phone. You can select 'Play Sound' or 'Send Message' to make the iPhone ring.
- For Android: Users need to visit android.com/devicemanager using a web browser to display the device on a map. Tap or click the 'Ring' option to make the phone emit a sound. Ensure the device you’re using is logged into the same Google account as the phone you’re trying to locate.
Tips
- To use location tracking services, the phone must be set up in advance. If you haven’t activated the service, it won’t be able to identify the phone.
- The phone will remain silent in 'Do Not Disturb' mode. Check for the icon or any indicators on the screen, or open the settings to see if 'Do Not Disturb' is enabled.
- The phone won’t produce any sound if it’s powered off or the battery is dead, and in such cases, tracking software will also face limitations.
