Ericsson and Sony Ericsson: Secret Codes and Tricks for All Vintage Models — Complete Guide 2026

This is the definitive guide to secret codes for Ericsson and Sony Ericsson vintage phones. The code system is unique — instead of numeric sequences, navigation arrows (left and right) combined with * are used to access the service menu.

How the Ericsson/Sony Ericsson Code System Works — Read First

  • > = RIGHT arrow key (joystick right on T68/T300, right arrow on T28/T39)
  • < = LEFT arrow key
  • * = asterisk key
  • # = hash key

On models with joystick (T68, T300, K750i, W800i), move the joystick in the indicated directions. On UIQ models with jog dial (P800, P900, P910, P990), use the jog dial instead of arrows.

Universal legend: >*<<*<* = right arrow, asterisk, left arrow, left arrow, asterisk, left arrow, asterisk.

Universal Ericsson/Sony Ericsson Codes

Code/Sequence Function
*#06# Display IMEI code
>*<<*<* Service/engineering menu — the most important
>*<<*<*> All interface text strings
<**< Lock status — check SIM and operator locks
<***< Operator personalisation menu (NCK, NSCK, SP)
*#0000# Reset to English language (older Ericsson)
<0000> Reset to English language (newer Sony Ericsson)
<8888> Set language to "Automatic" (operator default)
**04*0000*0000*0000# Access menus without SIM card (then press NO on "Wrong Pin")
0# Quick access to last dialled numbers
[number]# Direct access to Nth SIM contact (e.g. 9# = 9th contact)

The Service Menu >*<<*<* — What It Contains and How to Use It

Service Info:

  • Model Info — exact model, firmware version, IMEI, hardware configuration
  • SW Info — full software version and build date
  • SIM Lock Info — status of all locks (NCK, NSCK, SP, CP, SIM) with remaining attempts
  • Real Time Clock — internal clock with seconds
  • Call Time — total accumulated conversation time

Service Tests: main display, camera, LED/illumination, Flash LED, keyboard, earphone, speaker, microphone, FM radio, vibrator

Easter Egg "Sony Ericsson ROCKS!": Service menu → Service Info → Model Info → phone model appears on screen → press keys 2, 4, 6, 8 in sequence → hidden developer message appears. Works on T610, T630, K750i, W800i, K700i, K300i, W880i, G502 and many others.

Network Lock Menu <**< — Lock Verification and Management

The sequence <**< shows NCK, NSCK, SPCK and CCK with remaining attempts.

Operator personalisation menu: <***< to enter the NCK unlock code.

WARNING: after 5 incorrect NCK attempts, the menu is permanently deactivated — "Not allowed" appears. Only solution: direct EEPROM hardware intervention. Never attempt without the correct code.

Ericsson T28 and T28s — Secret Codes and Tricks

The Ericsson T28 (1999) — the thinnest phone in the world at launch at only 14mm.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language reset: *#0000# | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Short programming menu: 987 + > | Long: 923885 + >

Field Test: 904090 + > | Phone Test: 904059 + > | Phone Reset: 904060 + > (use with extreme caution)

CDMA Mode: 904093 + menu | Analog Mode: 904095 + menu | DM Mode: 904959 + menu

Hidden trick T28 — battery indicator with phone off: Press YES → NO → YES quickly in sequence with the phone switched off → the display briefly shows the battery charge indicator without turning the phone on.

Mute a call without rejecting it: During an incoming call, press the C key — the ringtone stops but the call continues to ring. The caller doesn't notice anything different.

GF768/GF788 hidden menu: Go to Keylock menu → set to Auto → press YES → hold left arrow until Greetings menu appears.

👉 View Ericsson T28 available at Infosate

Ericsson T18 and T18d — Secret Codes

The Ericsson T18 (1998) — one of the smallest phones of the 90s.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language: *#0000# | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Field Test: 904090 + > | Phone Test: 904059 + > | Reset: 904060 + >

T18d note: the "d" suffix indicates dual-band (900/1800 MHz). The firmware version visible in >*<<*<* differentiates the two.

👉 View Ericsson T18 available at Infosate

Ericsson T39 and T39m — Secret Codes and Tricks

The Ericsson T39 (2001) was the first phone in the world with built-in Bluetooth as standard (after the R520m prototype).

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | All UI texts: >*<<*<*>

Lock status: <**< | Personalisation: <***<

Language: *#0000# or <0000> | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Easter Egg Erix (hidden Snake): Open the Erix game → type 3#2 (or 123 or 789 depending on firmware) → hidden Snake game appears. Navigation: keys 7, 5, 9 and 0. Also works on R520 and T68.

Reject a call without opening the flip: During an incoming call, slide the slider up 2 times.

Bluetooth headset firmware version: Name the headset adgjm (pressing keys 2-3-4-5-6) → press NO → headset firmware version appears. Works with HBH-10, HBH-15, HBH-20.

T39m vs T39: "m" = international/multilingual version. Service menu shows which version.

👉 View Ericsson T39 available at Infosate

Ericsson T65 and T68/T68i — Secret Codes and Tricks

The Ericsson T65 (2002) was Ericsson's first colour phone. The T68/T68i (2002) is the most advanced Ericsson ever.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

NCK unlock: <**< → Personalize menu → Network → enter NCK code.

Easter Eggs:

  • Erix (Snake): Erix → 123 (or 789) → hidden Snake
  • Ripple (cards): Ripple → 4456 → hidden card game
  • Q (blocks): Q → 3*5 → hidden block game
  • Tetris: Tetris → 397 → secret message
  • "Sony Ericsson ROCKS!": Service menu → Service Info → Model Info → 2, 4, 6, 8

Quick SMS writing with slider: Use the slider to advance between letters without waiting — reduces keystrokes by half for words with repeated letters.

T68 vs T68i: main difference is CommuniCam MCA-25 camera support on T68i. Hidden games don't work on T68i due to memory limitations. Check firmware with >*<<*<* — R2A or later = T68i.

👉 View Ericsson T68 available at Infosate

Ericsson R380 — Secret Codes

The Ericsson R380 (2000) — the world's first smartphone with Symbian EPOC OS and touchscreen.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language: *#0000# or <0000> | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

R380 vs R380e: "e" = Enhanced version with email support and improved WAP browser. Original BST-11 battery is very hard to find new — check condition in service menu before purchasing.

👉 View Ericsson R380 available at Infosate

Sony Ericsson T610 and T630 — Secret Codes and Tricks

The Sony Ericsson T610 (2003) — the first Sony Ericsson with mass market success.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language: <0000> | Automatic: <8888> | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Easter Egg: Service Info → Model Info → 2, 4, 6, 8

Quick SIM contacts access: [number]# from standby

Alternative last calls: 0# then < > to navigate

👉 View Sony Ericsson T610 available at Infosate

Sony Ericsson K750i and W800i — Secret Codes and Tricks

The Sony Ericsson K750i (2005) — best camera of its time, 2MP Carl Zeiss with autofocus and flash. W800i (2005) — the first Walkman Phone.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language: <0000> | Automatic: <8888> | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Easter Egg: Service Info → Model Info → 2, 4, 6, 8

Phone status: press volume key → quick info screen

Illuminate standby clock: volume key

Mute call without rejecting: volume key during incoming call

Open Notes during a call: More → Menu → Organizer → Note

W800i Manual Equaliser: Media Player → More → Equalizer → Manual

Hidden smileys in messages:

  • :-] — crooked smile
  • :-[ — crooked sad
  • :-* — kiss
  • [:] — robot
  • :<^ — surprise
  • :// — uncertain
  • :& — speechless
  • :'( — tears

(These don't appear in the "Add symbol" menu but can be typed directly in messages)

K750i vs W800i: identical hardware, different firmware. K750i = more camera features. W800i = dedicated Walkman player with manual EQ and higher maximum volume.

👉 View Sony Ericsson K750i available at Infosate

Sony Ericsson K700i, K300i, W550i — Secret Codes

Mid-range Sony Ericsson family 2004-2006.

IMEI: *#06# | Service menu: >*<<*<* | Lock status: <**<

Language: <0000> or *#0000# | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

Easter Egg: Service Info → Model Info → 2, 4, 6, 8

Full hardware test: from service menu → Service Tests

Quick SIM contacts: [number]#

👉 View Sony Ericsson available at Infosate

Sony Ericsson P800, P900, P910, P990 — UIQ Series Secret Codes

The P series — UIQ smartphones with touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard on flip, ARM processors.

IMEI: *#06#

Service menu on P800/P900 (with jog dial): Sequence >*<<*<* using the jog dial: > = rotate jog dial right/up, < = left/down, * = asterisk key on numeric keypad.

Service menu on P990/P1i (UIQ3): Same sequence with jog dial. Alternatively, the UIQ3 Hack Tool app activates the service menu without using the jog dial — useful if the jog dial is broken. This requires editing the GDFS (device configuration memory).

Lock status: <**< | Without SIM: **04*0000*0000*0000#

P800 trick — use without flip: The P800 flip can be completely removed to use the phone in PDA-only mode. The numeric keypad appears virtually on the touchscreen. All service menu codes are entered via the virtual dialpad.

P990/P1i note: UIQ3 instead of UIQ2 — service menu is different, requires 5-way jog dial.

👉 View Sony Ericsson P series available at Infosate

Universal GSM Codes — Valid for All Ericsson/Sony Ericsson GSM

PIN/PUK management: **04*[old]*[new]*[new]# | PUK: **05*[PUK]*[new]*[new]#

Call forwarding: ##002# cancel all | *#21# check | **21*[number]# activate unconditional

Call barring (default password 0000): *33*(password)# bar outgoing | *353*(password)# bar incoming

Private number: #30#[number] → hide number for this call | *30#[number] → show number

Frequently Asked Questions

What does >*<<*<* show exactly? Firmware version, IMEI, hardware configuration, SIM lock status (NCK, NSCK, SP, CP with remaining attempts), internal real-time clock and total conversation time. Also access to all hardware tests.

How many NCK attempts do I have? Generally 5. After the 5th incorrect attempt the menu is permanently deactivated — "Not allowed" appears. Only solution: direct EEPROM hardware intervention. Never attempt without the correct code.

Does >*<<*<* work on all Sony Ericsson phones? On almost all. Exceptions: Sagem ODM touchscreen phones (Yendo, Mix Walkman) use a different code due to lacking arrow keys. UIQ devices (P series) use the jog dial instead of arrows.

How do I read "><<<*" on the keypad? From standby: right arrow, asterisk, left arrow, left arrow, asterisk, left arrow, asterisk. On joystick models, move the joystick in the indicated directions.

Do the hidden smileys work on all Sony Ericsson phones? Yes, on all models that support that message encoding. They don't appear in the "Add symbol" menu but can be typed directly into message text.

Original Vintage Ericsson and Sony Ericsson at Infosate

At Infosate you'll find one of the largest collections of original vintage Ericsson and Sony Ericsson in Europe — T28, T39, T68, R380, T610, K750i, W800i, P800, P900 and many more iconic models, all verified with the codes in this guide before shipping.

👉 Explore the Ericsson collection at Infosate 👉 Explore the Sony Ericsson collection at Infosate

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