Are you tired of those unwanted calls when you are super busy or just trying to detox? We have all been there and done that! If you can set your phone to “Not Reachable”, it can give you peace when you want to focus! You can also use the tricks mentioned in this article to avoid THAT one person or your boss. Haha!
In this article, we will talk about simple yet effective ways to make your phone appear unreachable to other callers. This way, you can have some peace and privacy. Let’s check out how.
Also Read: Apple Watch Series 10: Price, Features, And Other Details
Best Tricks On How To Make Phone Not Reachable!
Many people search ways on how to make phone not reachable. There are several reasons why someone might want to do this. Here’s a quick glance of the tricks on how to make mobile not reachable:
| Trick | Description |
|---|---|
| Use Airplane/Flight Mode | Turn on Airplane Mode from quick settings or by holding the power button. |
| Disable Wi-Fi Calling | Turn off Wi-Fi calling as it can work even when Airplane Mode is on. |
| Change The Mobile Network | Go to mobile network settings and choose a different network manually. |
| Forward Call | Redirect your calls to another phone number. |
| Sim Card Trick | Remove the SIM card, turn off the phone, then put the SIM card back in. |
| Call Barring | Enable call barring in settings to block incoming or outgoing calls. |
| Change Network Preference | Adjust your phone’s network type or setting (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G). |
| AI Call Screening | Use AI to filter out spam or unknown calls. |
| Block The Number | Block specific numbers using your phone or apps like Truecaller. |
| Use Data Connection | Download multiple files at once to slow the network and affect call quality. |
| Focus or Priority Mode | Allow only important contacts to call, making you seem busy or unreachable. |
| Use Third-party Apps | Install apps designed specifically to block unwanted calls. |
| Tools | Use devices like signal-blocking pouches to stop calls from coming through. |
Let’s discuss these ways to make your phone unreachable and avoid unwanted calls. These tricks to make your phone not reachable are tried and tested ways. You can easily avoid specific calls or all calls in general.
Also Read: How To Record Calls On iPhone!
Why Make Your Phone Not Reachable?
Let’s talk about why people might want to set their phone to not reachable. It’s not always about ignoring someone!
Here are some common reasons:
- To focus better on work or studying. Constant calls can be super distracting!
- To keep your mental peace by avoiding stressful or emotional calls.
- To stay away from spam calls and telemarketers without having to block each one.
- To protect your privacy when you’re traveling, in meetings, or other situations.
- To avoid certain people without blocking them and causing drama.
Note: Some ways to do this might turn off your internet or silence your notifications for a while.
Trick 1: Airplane/Flight Mode
The easiest way to make your phone unreachable is by turning on airplane (or flight) mode. When you do this, your phone disconnects from all networks. Anyone trying to call you will hear a message saying your number is not reachable.
How To Pake phone Unreachable From Quick Settings
- Slide down the quick menu from the top to bottom.
- You will find the option for Airplane Mode or Flight Mode.
From General Settings
- Open Settings from menu.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Select Aeroplane/flight mode.
- Toggle ON.
Also read: Best Free Fire Alternatives in India
Trick 2: Disable Wi-Fi Calling
Airplane Mode used to be the best way to avoid calls. But with Wi-Fi calling, it’s not that easy. Even if you turn on Airplane Mode, your phone can still ring if it’s connected to Wi-Fi. So, just using Airplane Mode won’t work.
You also have to turn off Wi-Fi calling. This way, no calls will come through the network.
Let’s see how you can do that:
- Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Wi-Fi Calling > Toggle off.
- iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling > Toggle off.
Trick 3: Change The Mobile Network
If you want to make your phone unreachable so someone can’t call you, there’s a simple trick! You can change your mobile network manually. This works on both Android and iPhone.
For Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to Mobile and Network Settings.
- Find the option called Automatically Select Network and turn it off.
- Now, pick a network from the list that you’re not currently using.
- When you do this, your phone number will show as unreachable to callers.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Cellular.
- Turn off the Automatic network selection.
- Choose a different carrier manually from the list of available networks.
- Your phone will now appear as not reachable.
When you’re ready to take calls again, just go back and turn Automatic network selection back on.
Also Read: How To Make And Receive Calls From Your Laptop Or PC!
Trick 4: Forward Call
You can make your phone look unreachable by forwarding calls to an old, inactive number. When someone calls, they’ll hear “number not reachable.”
To do this on Android:
- Open the Phone app.
- Go to Settings > Call forwarding.
- Choose when to forward calls (always, busy, etc.).
- Enter the old number.
- Save changes.
Call Forwarding For iPhone:
- Go to the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and choose ‘Phone’.
- Enable by a toggle ON ‘Call Forwarding’.
- Enter the phone number where you want your calls to be forwarded.
- Tap ‘Save’ to apply the changes.
However, remember that the caller may know about the call being forwarded. They can guess that you are doing it on purpose. It is one of the many tricks to turn your phone into a not reachable number.
Also Read: How To Use Call Forwarding Code on Android & iOS
Trick 5: Sim Card Trick
Another easy trick to make your phone not reachable is by removing the SIM card. Just switch off your phone, take out the SIM card, and then insert it back in without turning the phone on. As long as your phone stays off, your number will show as not reachable. It works well if you want to disconnect for a while without changing any settings.
Also Read: How To Stop Call Recording Announcement On Android Phone?
Trick 6: Call Barring
If you want to make your phone unreachable to everyone, you can enable the Call Barring feature. You can do that in your mobile phone’s operator settings. The ‘Call Barring’ feature lets you block incoming and outgoing calls accordingly. Once it is enabled, callers will hear a message saying that phone is either turned off or unreachable.
Also check: How To Block Spam Calls On Android Device And Get Rid Of All Unwanted Calls!
You have to understand that even the device is not reachable, your SIM operator is going to tell you who’s calling. So you will know the name and details of the person who tried to reach you. If you are an Airtel user, you can use the Airtel Thanks App. There are some operators who might charge you for this service as well, so it’s better to check with the company first.
Below are the steps to use Call Barring feature in Android and iPhone:
For Android:
- Go to the ‘Settings’ app on your phone.
- Tap on ‘Supplementary Services’.
- Click on ‘Call Barring’ and select the type of call barring you want to enable (e.g., incoming, outgoing, or international).
In the same space, you can also disable the Call Barring by toggling it off in future.
For iPhone:
- Go to ‘Settings’.
- Scroll down and choose ‘Phone’.
- Go to ‘Call Blocking and Identification’.
- Disable the switch to enable call barring.
When you want to disable it, you come to the same space and toggle it off.
Also Read: How to Make VoIP Calls Through Android Smartphone! Is FREE Calling Actually Possible?
Trick 7: Change Network Preference
Manually changing your network is an easy trick to make mobile phone unavailable. Just shift your network quality option with Disable VoLTE/5G. Many phones now allow toggling VoLTE or 5G. This can disrupt call connectivity in some scenarios.
What happens next? Your device faces a temporary network error. Whoever calls you will hear a message asking them to call back later as the number they have called is unavailable at the moment.
Trick 8: AI Call Screening
Smartphones today are coming with AI integrations at various levels. While they help in building a more intuitive experience, they act like your assistant in little ways. This includes handling calls. AI call screening feature can make you seem unreachable to spammers or unknown numbers.
How to Do It:
- Android: Phone app > Settings > Caller ID & Spam > Enable Call Screen > Set to auto-screen unknown calls.
- iPhone: Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail > Toggle on > Calls go to voicemail with a transcript.
Also Read: How To Fix Wifi Connection Issue On Android Mobile Phone
Trick 9: Block The Number
A not reachable number is inevitable when you block a number. It creates a condition where you are unreachable for the caller until you unblock it. To block any particular number, follow the below steps:
Block a saved contact:
- Open the contact in your Phone App.
- Scroll down and select the option ‘Block number’.
- Confirm and you are done!
Block an unknown number:
- Open the call logs.
- Find the unknown number you want to block.
- Tap on the icon of the number that called you.
- When the info page opens, choose the option to ‘Block’.
This trick to make your phone not reachable is a bit straight forward. It usually only works for Android devices. Some devices show “the number you have dialled is busy” when putting the number on the block. Some devices inform the caller about the number being unreachable due to blocking. Decide if it’s okay if te caller gets to know that you have blocked their number.
Pro Tip: First, test these methods to make your mobile phone unreachable. You can do that by blocking one of your other or alternative numbers. Then calling your device from that number.
You can even use third-party apps like “Truecaller” to block calls. This might not make the number not reachable. But, this will make the calls disconnect as soon as the caller calls your number.
Trick 10: Voicemail Divert
Turn on the voicemail service on your device and put the message to ‘Switched Off’. You can also set it to ‘The number you want to call is beyond network coverage; please call after some time.’ The message can be exactly similar to the one you get when the scenario is genuine.
This is a sneaky way that can make callers think that your phone is switched off. You can do whatever you want them to believe, making the phone not reachable.
Or you can simply be honest and take their calls in the voicemail with a message that you are ‘busy at the moment’.
Steps To Do Voicemail Divert
- Open the Phone App in your mobile.
- Go to Call settings
- Select Call Forwarding/ Call divert option.
- You will be presented with a set of conditions, choose the one that fits your need. You may get the following conditions:
- Always forward (unconditional divert).
- When busy.
- When unanswered.
- When unreachable.
- Now, enter the voicemail number according to the one provided by your service.
- Next, confirm and save the settings. A confirmation message or icon (e.g., a phone with an arrow) may appear, indicating that call divert is active.
Trick 11: Focus or Priority Mode
Use Focus Mode (iOS) or Priority Mode (Android). These modes are present in both iPhone and Android phones. They allow granular control to silence all but essential calls, mimicking an unreachable phone for most callers.
How to Do It:
- iPhone: Settings > Focus > Create a custom mode > Allow calls from “Favourites” only.
- Android: Settings > Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb > Priority Mode > Allow specific contacts.
Pro Tip: Set a schedule to automate this during work or sleep hours.
Also read: What Is A Facebook Creator Studio & How To Use It?
Trick 12: Go Low-Power Mode
Some smartphones have this feature for battery management which will do the trick to make your phone unreachable. The Low-Power Mode or Battery saver limits network activity, potentially making your phone unreachable in weak signal areas.
Here’s the Step
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
- Toggle on Battery Saver.
Note: Effectiveness depends on device and signal strength.
Trick 13: Third-Party Call-Blocking Apps
If you still can’t figure out how to make phone not reachable, advanced call blocking might help. Reputable apps like Google Dialer or Hiya offer advanced call blocking, letting you filter calls to appear unreachable. Be cautious of privacy risks with unverified apps.
Steps:
- Open Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Search for “call blocking” and choose a trusted app (e.g., Google Dialer, Hiya).
- Install and follow setup instructions to block or screen calls.
Note: Check app permissions to protect your data.
Trick 14: Use Data Connection
If you have a data pack, this trick can help. In fact, you don’t need any complicated functions to know how to make phone not reachable. Start downloading many files using different browsers to jam your network. This will make your phone appear unreachable to callers. Note: This won’t work if you’re using Wi-Fi.
Trick 15: Use Tools
You can use a cell phone signal blocker pouch to jam signals. When your phone is in this pouch, it will appear unreachable to callers. However, understanding how to make mobile not reachable can help in managing calls without blocking anyone.
Trick 16: Temporarily Disable the SIM Card
You can temporary disable your SIM card if you want to make your phone unreachable. When you do so, your phone will no longer connect to cellular networks. Therefore, you will not receive any incoming calls, messages, or notifications. However, you can still use other functions of your phone.
Follow the below steps to disable your SIM card on different devices.
On iPhone
- Go to Settings -> Cellular
- Choose the SIM you want to disable in the SIM section.
- Now, toggle the switch off of “Turn On This Line.”
On Android
- Go to Settings -> look for SIMs in your search bar.
- Click on SIMs or SIM manager.
- Choose the SIM or SIMs you want to disable.
- Toggle the switch off.
- Confirm Turn Off
Additional Tips: Pick Your Trick With Caution!
These strategies are perfect for staying unreachable when necessary. However, each comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Consider these tips before implementing any on your phone on how to make phone not reachable:
| What to Think About | Details |
|---|---|
| Choose What You Need | – Use Do Not Disturb if you just want silence for a while. – Use Airplane Mode if you want to stop all calls and messages. – Call Forwarding may make it look like you’re avoiding someone. |
| Know the Downsides | Some settings turn off other things too. For example, Airplane Mode stops calls and the internet. |
| Use Phone Settings First | Try the tools already in your phone before using apps. Apps may not be safe for your privacy. |
| Be Honest | Don’t use these tricks to lie or hurt others. Use them for quiet time or focus. |
| Try It Out First | Test the setting with another phone or number to make sure it works the way you want. |
How to Reduce Unwanted Calls?
If making your phone unreachable appears extreme, here are some of the tips that you can follow to reduce unwanted calls:
- Register for DND: Text “START 0” to 1909 (India) to block telemarketing calls via your carrier.
- Enable Spam Detection: Use built-in Caller ID and spam filters in your Phone app.
- Limit Number Exposure: Avoid sharing your number on public platforms or forms.
- Report Spam: Use apps like Truecaller or your carrier’s portal (e.g., Airtel Thanks, MyJio) to report spam numbers.
How To Stop Calls on Landline?
There are a few ways that you can block spam calls on landline. Here, have a look:
- To enable the call blocking feature, first pick up the phone and wait for the dial tone, dial *60 and then listen and follow the instructions to enable the call blocking feature.
- If you want to block a specific number, input the area code along with the phone number that you wish to block and then dial # button.
- If you have the caller ID, you can activate call rejection feature by pressing *77 upon listening to the dial tone.
Pros And Cons Of Making Phone Unreachable
When you make your phone unavailable, it reduces interruptions. Therefore, you can focus on your work. However, you may also miss important calls while doing it.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Unexpected calls won’t disturb you when your phone is unreachable. | You might miss urgent or important calls, even from trusted contacts. |
| Reduced notifications help improve focus and concentration. | Messages, notifications, and voicemails may be delayed, affecting timely responses. |
| Being unreachable adds a privacy layer. This gives you control over who can reach you. | Callers may get frustrated and choose not to try again if they can’t reach you. |
| Limiting interruptions creates a calmer environment during personal or quiet time. |
Troubleshooting Tips
If you have any issue while following the above steps, you can try out these amazing fixes:
If you are still getting calls while on Aeroplane Mode
You have to make sure Wi-Fi calling is turned off. Sometimes it lets calls come through even when Aeroplane Mode is on! So, when you are using Aeroplane Mode, you have to be mindful of turning off this setting.
If Call Forwarding is not working for you….
If call forwarding is not working, you can check with your mobile operator. They can help you see if they allow call forwarding. Also, ensure you set it up correctly. There are certain codes which can let you quickly check it.
If you cannot change Network Manually
This is quite a common issue which people face. To solve this, you can try restarting your phone. Please make sure you are in a place where more than one network is available. So, if you are in a place with a limited network, this issue can occur.
If you miss some important calls
If that’s the case with you, please don’t forget to check your voicemail and call history often. This way, you don’t miss anything important.
If Call Blocking apps are not working for you
You can look at the app settings and make sure it has permission to block calls. Make sure that you always keep these apps up to date from the Play Store or App store if you are using an iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Q: What’s the difference between silencing and blocking a number?
A: Silencing (e.g., Do Not Disturb) mutes call notifications but logs them in your call history. Blocking prevents calls entirely, and callers may hear a “busy” or “unreachable” message.
Q: What’s the easiest way to make my phone unreachable?
A: Enable Airplane Mode via Quick Settings or Settings > Network & Internet (Android) / Airplane Mode (iPhone). It’s quick and makes your phone appear offline.
Q: Does Do Not Disturb make my phone unreachable?
A: No, Do Not Disturb silences calls but doesn’t make your phone unreachable. Callers still hear ringing, but you won’t be notified.
Q: How do I stop incoming calls without blocking?
A: Use call forwarding to an inactive number or enable Call Barring to block all incoming calls temporarily.
Q: How do I stop spam calls?
A: Register for DND by texting “START 0” to 1909, enable AI call screening, or use apps like Truecaller to filter spam.
Q: How do I make my phone unreachable for one SIM in a dual-SIM phone?
A: Go to Settings > Network & Internet (Android) or Cellular (iPhone), select the SIM, and disable it or choose an unavailable network.
Q: How do I use the internet while making my phone unreachable?
A: Enable Airplane Mode, then turn on Wi-Fi to stay online while blocking calls.
Final Note
To avoid unwanted calls and how to make your phone not reachable, follow these tricks in this guide. Whether you want to to minimise disruptions and create temporary block. You can also avoid awkward situations of answering undesired calls. These strategies provide options, to you give an idea on how to make mobile not reachable.
Nowadays, you can customise your phone to fit your needs better. There are different situations where knowing how to make phone unreachable can come in handy. Tricks like using Airplane Mode or call settings can make phone less accessible. This means you can learn how to make phone not reachable when you want to. It helps you take back control and enjoy a quieter, less interrupted time on your mobile.
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