Nowadays, our mobile phones have become an extension of ourselves. We rely on them for communication, information, entertainment and more. However, there are times when you may need to make yourself unavailable, be it for personal reasons, work or simply to avoid constant notifications and calls. Whether you’re looking for moments of solitude, trying to focus on work or simply looking for a digital detox, temporarily making your mobile phone unreachable can be a helpful solution. In this article, we’ll Discuss Ten easy ways to Make Your Mobile Phone Unreachable.
How To Make Your Mobile Phone Unreachable? Best 10 Tricks
Here we discuss 10 easy ways to make your mobile phone unreachable, catering to different situations and preferences. Whether you’re in need of a temporary escape or a complete digital detox, these methods will help you achieve your desired level of relaxation.
01. Airplane Mode:
This is the easiest and most effective way to instantly make your phone unreachable. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This means you will not receive calls, texts, emails or any other notifications.
How to activate Airplane Mode?
- Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings panel. Tap on the Airplane Mode icon.
- iOS: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. Tap on the Airplane Mode icon.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to activate.
- Completely disables all wireless connections.
- Saves battery life.
Cons:
- No wireless features can be used while enabled.
- May be inconvenient in situations where you need occasional access.
02. Do Not Disturb Mode:
Do Not Disturb mode lets you silence calls, notifications and alerts for a specific period of time or indefinitely. This is a good option if you need some focused time without distractions, but want to be able to make emergency calls or receive important messages.
How to activate Do Not Disturb Mode?
- Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings panel. Tap and hold the Do Not Disturb icon.
- iOS: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access Control Center. Tap and hold the Do Not Disturb icon.
Pros:
- Allows you to customize which notifications are silenced.
- May be fixed for a specific time or period.
- Allows emergency calls or specific contacts to bypass silence.
Cons:
- May not be as effective as airplane mode for complete unavailability.
- Still susceptible to notifications if not configured properly.
03. Turn Off Cellular Data:
If you primarily want to avoid calls and SMS messages, turning off cellular data may be a good option. This will still allow you to use Wi-Fi for Internet access but will prevent your phone from receiving calls and texts until it’s connected to a Wi-Fi network.
How to activate Turn Off Cellular Data?
- Android: Open the Settings app. Go to “Network and Internet” or “Connections”. Tap on “Mobile Data” to turn it off.
- iOS: Open the Settings app. Tap on “Cellular”. Toggle the switch next to “Cellular Data”.
Pros:
- Still allows you to use Wi-Fi for internet access.
- More subtle than Airplane mode, so others may not be aware that you’re unavailable.
Cons:
- Will still receive calls and SMS messages when connected to Wi-Fi.
- May not be suitable if you are not fully reachable.
04. Forward Calls:
This method involves forwarding your calls to another phone number This can be helpful if you are temporarily unavailable or if you want to avoid certain calls.
How to activate Forward Calls?
- Android: Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu and select “Settings”. Go to “Call” and then “Call Forwarding”. Choose which calls you want to forward and enter the forwarding number.
- iOS: Open the Settings app. Tap “Phone” and then “Call Forwarding”. Choose which calls you want to forward and enter the forwarding number.
Pros:
- Allows you to reach other devices.
- Useful for forwarding calls to a business line or assistant.
Cons:
- Need to set up forwarding number first.
- Additional charges may apply depending on your mobile plan.
05. Block Specific Numbers:
If you want to avoid calls and messages from certain people, you can block their numbers. This will prevent them from contacting you directly.
How to Block Specific Numbers?
- Android: Open the Phone app. Find the contact you want to block and open their profile. Tap on the three dots menu and select “Block Number”.
- iOS: Open the Phone app. Tap the “Recents” tab and find the contact you want to block Swipe left on the contact and tap “Block this caller“.
Pros:
- Provides a long-term solution for unwanted contacts.
- Useful for avoiding harassment or spam calls.
Cons:
- Individual numbers need to be identified and blocked.
- May not be effective if the person uses different numbers to contact you.
06. Silence Notifications:
Instead of blocking specific numbers, you can choose to silence notifications for specific apps or contacts. This way, you won’t be interrupted by their calls or messages but can access them when needed.
How to activate Silence Notifications?
- Android: Open the Settings app. Go to “Apps and Notifications”. Select the app or contact you want to mute. Tap on “Notifications” and toggle the switch next to “Allow notifications”.
- iOS: Open the Settings app. Tap on “Notifications”. Select the app or contact you want to mute. Toggle the switch next to “Allow notifications”.
Pros:
- Allowing you to still receive messages and calls but without the distraction.
- More flexible than blocking numbers, as you can check them later.
Cons:
- May not be active if you still see notification preview.
- Managing individual app and contact notifications requires more effort.
07. Use a Third-Party Application:
Several third-party applications are designed to help you manage your phone’s availability. These apps offer features like setting silent time, creating custom notification rules and setting up auto-responders.
Popular App:
- Android: Offtime, Freedom, Digital Detox.
- iOS: Moment, Screen Time, FocusMe.
Pros:
- Offers more comprehensive control over your phone’s availability.
- Can be customized according to your specific needs and preferences.
Cons:
- Additional apps must be downloaded and installed.
- A subscription fee may be required for full functionality.
08. Remove the SIM Card:
This method is the most extreme option and completely disables all cellular network connections. However, it is important to note that removing the SIM card will also prevent your phone from making emergency calls.
How to Remove Sim Card?
- Turn off your phone.
- Locate the SIM card tray (usually on the side or back of your phone).
- Use a SIM card removal tool or a paperclip to remove the tray.
- Remove the SIM card and keep it in a safe place.
Pros:
- Guarantees complete unavailability from calls and SMS.
- Can be helpful in situations where a total digital detox is needed.
Cons:
- Prevents you from making emergency calls.
- Inconvenient for situations where you have to reach the end.
09. Change Your Network Settings:
This changes your network mode to a less common type, such as 2G or CDMA. This will make it difficult for your phone to connect to a network, effectively making you unreachable.
How To Change Your Network Settings?
- Android: Open the Settings app. Go to “Network and Internet” or “Connections”. Tap on “Mobile Network”. Select “Preferred Network Type” and choose a less common network mode.
- iOS: Open the Settings app. Tap on “Cellular”. Tap on “Cellular Data Options”. Select “Voice and Data” and choose a less common network mode.
Pros:
- Less obvious than removing the SIM card.
- Allows you to use Wi-Fi if still available.
Cons:
- May not be reliable in all cases.
- Some technical knowledge is required to configure.
10. Set Up a Vacation Responder:
If you are going on vacation or will be unavailable for an extended period of time, it can be helpful to set up a vacation responder. It will automatically send a message to anyone trying to contact you while you are away.
How To Set Up a Vacation Responder?
- Android: Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu and select “Settings”. Go to “Voicemail” and enable “Auto-Reply”. Enter the message you want to send.
- iOS: Open the Settings app. Tap on “Phone”. Tap on “Reply with text”. Toggle on “Reply with text” and enter the message you want to send.
Pros:
- Lets people know you’re unavailable and when you’ll be back.
- Helps manage expectations and avoid unnecessary calls or messages.
Cons:
- May not be appropriate in all situations.
- Setting up a personalized message requires some effort.
Final Thought
By following these tips and understanding the different options available, you can effectively avoid reaching for your mobile phone whenever you need it and achieve the digital privacy and peace of mind you desire.