Android's Hidden Phone Info Menu Gets a Helpful Organization Upgrade

07/15/2025 Mobile

I recently stumbled upon something pretty interesting while tinkering with the Android Canary build – it involves those secret codes you can punch into your phone's dialer to access hidden menus. You know, the ones that feel like you're unlocking some kind of developer secret? One of these menus, accessed by dialing *#*#4636#*#*, seems to be getting a bit of a makeover.

For those unfamiliar, this particular code usually takes you to a menu with options like "Phone information," "Usage statistics," and "Wi-Fi information." I often use it to lock my phone to a specific network type. I hate when it keeps switching between 4G and 5G!

However, in the Android Canary build, I noticed a new entry: "Phone Information V2". When I tapped it, I found something really cool.

Before, all the phone details were crammed onto a single page, which could be a bit overwhelming. Now, this "V2" version neatly organizes everything into four tabs: Device Details, Data & Network, Satellite, and IMS. It's a much cleaner and more user-friendly experience.

The "Satellite" tab is especially interesting because it's brand new. While I can't say exactly what information it will display in the final version, it definitely hints at some expanded capabilities related to satellite connectivity. That got my imagination running wild with possibilities! Maybe it'll show us which satellites our phones are connecting to, or even allow us to fine-tune those connections.

It's exciting to see Android evolve, even in these small, under-the-hood ways. It tells me that the developers are always looking for ways to improve the user experience, even if it's just by making a hidden menu a little more organized. What's next? I can't wait to find out!