Philips: Secret Codes and Tricks for All Vintage Models — Complete Guide 2026
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This is the definitive guide to Philips secret codes for vintage phones. Philips — the Dutch multinational electronics company — produced GSM phones for the European market between 1997 and 2007 with a very wide range: from the budget Genie and Savvy models, through the mid-range Fisio series, up to the premium Xenium flagships. The Philips vintage code system uses *#XXXX*# sequences (with an asterisk both at the start and end, before the final hash) for unique diagnostic functions including the Status Register showing advanced network parameters, the Debug Call mode and the network connection time counter.
How the Philips Vintage Code System Works — Read First
Philips uses a double-asterisk format for diagnostic codes: *#XXXX*# instead of the usual *#XXXX#. Without the final asterisk, the codes don't work.
Note: this guide covers vintage Philips GSM models (1997-2007). Newer Philips models (Xenium Android series) use different codes typical of Android devices.
Universal Philips Vintage Codes — Work on Almost All Models
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
*#06# |
Display IMEI code |
*#2254*# |
Status Register — C, BS, RR, MMI, CREAT — advanced network parameters |
*#2255*# |
Enable/Disable Debug Call mode |
*#2558*# |
Network connection time — days, hours, minutes connected to GSM network |
*#2562*# |
Network reconnection (forces phone to reconnect to network) |
*#2565*# |
Warmstart (soft reboot) |
*#3851*# |
Reset — settings reset (some models) |
*#3871*# |
EEPROM Reset — deeper reset (some models) |
The Rarest Code: *#2558*# — Network Connection Time
This is one of the most interesting and least-known codes on vintage Philips phones. It shows the total time in days, hours and minutes that the phone has been connected to a GSM network since last activation.
It's different from Nokia's "Life Timer" (which counts conversation hours) — this counts GSM registration time, regardless of calls made. Useful for understanding how much a phone has actually been used.
The *#2254*# Code — Status Register
This code shows the Status Register of the GSM chip with the following parameters:
- C — current radio channel value
- BS — Base Station (the base station the phone is connected to)
- RR — Radio Resource (state of radio resources)
- MMI — Man Machine Interface (user interface state)
- CREAT — Creation (registration data)
These are technical parameters normally only visible with professional network test equipment — the *#2254*# code makes them directly accessible from the phone.
The *#2255*# Code — Debug Call Mode
This code toggles the Debug Call mode — an engineering function that records technical information about calls in the phone's internal log. When active, every call generates debug data in the system log.
For most users, it's enough to know this code exists. If this mode is accidentally activated, turning it off can slightly improve phone performance.
Philips 330 — Secret Codes
The Philips 330 (1999-2000) was one of the most widespread Philips models in Europe — compact design, monochrome screen, excellent battery life. One of the most reliable phones of the pre-colour era.
IMEI: *#06#
Status Register: *#2254*#
Debug Call toggle: *#2255*#
Network connection time: *#2558*#
Network reconnection: *#2562*#
Warmstart: *#2565*#
EFR: *3370# (enable) / #3370# (disable)
Network unlock Philips 330: Insert non-accepted SIM → switch on → enter NCK code when prompted. NCK is IMEI-specific.
👉 View Philips 330 available at Infosate
Philips 535 and 568 — Full Secret Codes
The Philips 535 (2001) and Philips 568 (2002) are among the most sought-after Philips models by collectors — the 568 in particular has an elegant design with colour display and excellent build quality.
IMEI: *#06#
Status Register: *#2254*#
Debug Call toggle: *#2255*#
Network connection time: *#2558*#
Network reconnection: *#2562*#
Warmstart: *#2565*#
Reset: *#3851*#
EEPROM Reset: *#3871*#
EFR: *3370# / #3370#
Half Rate: *4720# / #4720#
Network unlock 535/568: Insert non-accepted SIM → switch on → enter NCK code calculated from IMEI.
Collector note Philips 568: produced in both monochrome and colour (512 colours) versions. The
*#2254*#code shows in the system parameters which display chip version is installed. The colour version is rarer and more valuable.
👉 View Philips 568 available at Infosate
Philips Fisio 610, 620, 625, 820, 822, 825 — Secret Codes
The Fisio series (2002-2004) represents the mid-range Philips — the name "Fisio" recalls ergonomics studied for user comfort. Models with colour display, polyphonic ringtones and camera (8xx series).
IMEI: *#06#
Status Register: *#2254*#
Debug Call toggle: *#2255*#
Network connection time: *#2558*#
Network reconnection: *#2562*#
Warmstart: *#2565*#
EFR: *3370# / #3370#
Network unlock Fisio series: Non-accepted SIM → switch on → enter NCK.
Note Fisio 820/822/825: these models have an integrated camera — a rarity for Philips at the time. The
*#2254*#code also shows information about the camera chip in the status register.
👉 View Philips Fisio available at Infosate
Philips Xenium (9@9, 929, 989, 9660) — Secret Codes
The Xenium series was Philips' top-of-range — famous for record-breaking battery life, reaching 30+ days standby. The name "Xenium" evokes long life.
IMEI: *#06#
Status Register: *#2254*#
Debug Call toggle: *#2255*#
Network connection time: *#2558*# On the Xenium this data is particularly meaningful — a Xenium 9@9 showing 100+ days of connection time has truly made use of its legendary battery life.
Network reconnection: *#2562*#
Warmstart: *#2565*#
EFR: *3370# / #3370#
Network unlock Xenium series: Non-accepted SIM → switch on → enter NCK.
Collector note Xenium 9@9: the "@" in the name is a branding choice — pronounced "9-at-9". Declared standby time was 400 hours — almost 17 days. Units in good condition can still achieve 10-15 days standby with quality replacement batteries. The
*#2558*#code shows exactly how long it has remained connected uninterrupted.
👉 View Philips Xenium available at Infosate
Philips Savvy and Savvy DB — Secret Codes
The Philips Savvy (2001-2002) was the Philips entry-level model — affordable, colourful, with interchangeable covers. The Savvy DB is the dual-band version.
IMEI: *#06# | Status Register: *#2254*# | Debug Call: *#2255*#
Connection time: *#2558*# | Reconnect: *#2562*# | Warmstart: *#2565*# | EFR: *3370#
Philips Genie, Genie DB, Genie 2000 — Secret Codes
The Genie series (1999-2001) were the most affordable Philips phones — minimal design, excellent battery life.
IMEI: *#06# | Status Register: *#2254*# | Debug Call: *#2255*#
Connection time: *#2558*# | Warmstart: *#2565*# | EFR: *3370#
Philips Fizz — Secret Codes
The Philips Fizz (2001) was one of the most colourful and youthful Philips phones.
IMEI: *#06# | Status Register: *#2254*# | Debug Call: *#2255*#
Connection time: *#2558*# | Reconnect: *#2562*# | Warmstart: *#2565*# | EFR: *3370#
Philips 755, 760, 766, 768 — Secret Codes
The 7xx series (2002-2004) — mid-to-high range with TFT colour display.
IMEI: *#06# | Status Register: *#2254*# | Debug Call: *#2255*#
Connection time: *#2558*# | Reconnect: *#2562*# | Warmstart: *#2565*#
Reset: *#3851*# | EEPROM Reset: *#3871*# | EFR: *3370#
Philips Network Unlock — General Procedure
The unlock procedure is common to almost the entire vintage Philips range:
- Insert a non-accepted SIM (from a different operator than the one that locked the phone)
- Switch on the phone
- "Enter network code" or similar appears automatically
- Enter the NCK code (8 digits, IMEI-specific)
- Press OK/Call
- Phone is now unlocked
How to get the Philips NCK code: calculated from the IMEI using the Philips algorithm. No universal code exists. Available from online unlocking services by providing the IMEI.
How many attempts? Vintage Philips phones generally allow 5-10 attempts. After exhausting attempts, the phone shows permanent "Incorrect code".
Philips Call Barring — Complete Guide
Philips uses **33* instead of *33* for activation — a notable difference from other brands:
Bar outgoing calls: **33*(password)# activate / #33*(password)# deactivate / *#33# check
Bar all calls: **330*(password)# / #330*(password)# / *#330#
Bar international outgoing: **331*(password)# / #331*(password)# / *#331#
Bar international while roaming: **332*(password)# / #332*(password)# / *#332#
Bar all outgoing: **333*(password)# / #333*(password)# / *#333#
Bar incoming calls: **353*(password)# / #353*(password)# / *#353#
Bar incoming while roaming: **351*(password)# / #351*(password)# / *#351#
Change barring password: **03*330*[old password]*[new]*[new]# (default: 0000)
Universal GSM Codes — Valid for All Philips GSM
PIN and PUK management:
- Change PIN:
**04*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Change PIN2:
**042*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Unlock with PUK:
**05*[PUK]*[new PIN]*[new PIN]# - Unlock PIN2 with PUK2:
**052*[PUK2]*[new PIN2]*[new PIN2]#
Call forwarding:
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
##002# |
Cancel all call forwarding |
##004# |
Cancel conditional forwarding |
*#21# |
Check unconditional forwarding |
*#61# |
Check "no answer" forwarding |
*#62# |
Check "not reachable" forwarding |
*#67# |
Check "busy" forwarding |
**21*[number]# |
Activate unconditional forwarding |
EFR and Half Rate:
*3370#→ enable Enhanced Full Rate (better audio)#3370#→ disable EFR*4720#→ enable Half Rate (battery saving)#4720#→ disable Half Rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Philips codes use *#XXXX*# instead of *#XXXX#? Philips chose this double-asterisk format for diagnostic codes — probably to prevent accidental activation by typing only numbers. The *#2254*# format is harder to trigger unintentionally than *#2254#. Without the final asterisk the codes do not work.
What do C, BS, RR, MMI, CREAT mean in the Status Register? C = current radio channel, BS = Base Station ID (identifier of the base station you're connected to), RR = Radio Resource state (state of the radio channel resources), MMI = Man Machine Interface state (firmware user interface state), CREAT = creation of the register record.
Is the *#2562*# code dangerous? It only forces a reconnection to the GSM network — equivalent to manually turning the radio module off and back on. It can be useful if the phone shows "no signal" despite the network being available. It does not erase any data.
Did the Philips Xenium really have 400 hours standby? Yes — the Xenium series used very low-power GSM chips with software optimisations allowing standby up to 400 hours (approximately 16-17 days). With original batteries in good condition, units can still achieve 10-15 days standby today. With quality replacement batteries, 7-10 days is achievable.
Is Philips still active in mobile phones? The Philips brand for mobile phones has been licensed to various manufacturers over the years. Current "Philips" phones are produced by Chinese companies under brand licence. The vintage phones of the 330-960 series and Xenium were produced directly by Philips.
What is the difference between *#3851*# and *#3871*#? Both are reset codes but at different depths. *#3851*# resets standard settings (language, ringtones, display settings). *#3871*# performs a deeper EEPROM reset affecting stored parameters at the chip level. Use *#3871*# with more caution as it affects lower-level settings.
Original Vintage Philips at Infosate
At Infosate you'll find a selection of original vintage Philips phones — 330, 535, 568, Fisio 610, Xenium 9@9, Savvy, Genie and other iconic models of the Dutch brand, all verified before shipping.