How often has this happened to you? Your mobile phone is nestled in the pocket of your pants and the screen unlocks. Before you realize it, you’ve called a friend, former coworker, or ex-partner. The person who answers is left wondering why you called and didn’t say anything, and you’re left embarrassed by the whole ordeal. Butt dials, pocket dials, and other types of accidental calls can happen. But there are ways to prevent them on your iPhone or Android device.1. Lock Your Phone
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
Do you simply put your phone in your pocket when you’re no longer using it? There’s the rub. To prevent butt dials, you need to lock your phone before you stow it in a pocket or purse. Otherwise, the dialer screen may trigger a phone call. Your best bet is to tap the power button on your iPhone or Android device to put it into lock mode before placing it in your pocket.2. Set a Longer Passcode or PINNext, you’ll want to set up a passcode or PIN that can better prevent unwanted screen activity on your phone. Yes, you should already have a passcode. But the trick is to set a longer one, not just to stop butt dials but to secure your phone from unwanted access. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode > Change Passcode.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
By default, you’re asked to create either a four-digit or six-digit passcode. To change this, tap Passcode Options and choose 4-digit code, 6-digit code, custom numeric code, or custom alphanumeric code. The more digits you use, the more likely you’ll prevent both butt dials and unwanted access.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
On most Android phones, go to Settings and select Security & privacy or a similarly named option. Look for a setting called Device Unlock or Screen Unlock, and select it. You should then tap Screen lock and choose PIN. Change the current PIN to one with at least six to eight characters. If you have a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Lock screen > Screen lock type. Tap the PIN setting, then set a new passcode with more characters.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Samsung)
3. Enable Biometric AuthorizationOn an iPhone, you can also use Face ID or Touch ID to keep your phone locked. First, make sure your phone’s biometric authentication is set to unlock the screen. Assuming you already have Face ID or Touch ID enabled, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Enter your passcode and turn on the iPhone Unlock switch up top if it’s turned off.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
On most Android phones, you can head to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock. Tap Fingerprint Unlock or Face Unlock, then follow the steps to register your face or fingerprint. When done, turn on the switch next to Unlock your phone.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
On a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Biometrics and security. Tap the setting for Face recognition or Fingerprints. Follow the steps to register either method, then turn on the switch next to Face unlock or Fingerprint unlock.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Samsung)
4. Lower the Auto-Lock TimeDo you often forget to lock your phone before placing it in your pocket? In that case, you might want to set a specific timer for it to automatically lock. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and choose the number of seconds or minutes your phone should wait before going into Lock mode.Setting a lower number such as 30 seconds or 1 minute will put your phone in Lock mode more quickly but could interfere with regular activity or tasks. Instead, consider a higher number for normal usage hours, then switch to a lower number for times when you’re more likely to be placing your phone in your pocket.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
On most Android phones, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock. Tap the gear icon next to Screen lock. At the next screen, tap the Lock after screen timeout option and set the interval to anywhere from Immediately to 30 minutes.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
On a Samsung phone, head to Settings > Lock screen > Secure lock settings and tap the Auto lock when screen turns off option. You can then set the phone to lock anywhere from Immediately to 30 minutes after the screen turns off.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Samsung)
5. Disable Raise to WakeOn an iPhone, the Raise to Wake feature automatically wakes your phone from Lock mode if you raise it a specific way. Even with the phone in your pocket, certain movements could be misinterpreted as it being raised. To stop this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and turn off the switch next to Raise to Wake.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
On certain Android phones, a feature called Lift to Check Phone offers a similar option. Go to Settings > Display > Lock screen > Lift to check phone and turn off the switch next to Lift to check phone. For Samsung phones, open Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures and disable Lift to wake.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
6. Turn Off Tap or Swipe to WakeAnother feature that makes it easier to wake your iPhone from the Lock screen is called Tap or Swipe to Wake. Available only on iPhones without a physical Home button, this is one option you can try disabling to prevent accidental phone calls. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and turn off the switch for Tap or Swipe to Wake.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
Android phones provide a similar option called Tap to check phone. Head to Settings > Display > Lock screen > Tap to check phone and turn off the switch. For Samsung phones, head to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures and disable Double tap to turn on screen.
Recommended by Our Editors
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
7. Turn Off Return Missed Calls From Your Lock ScreenYour iPhone has a feature that allows you to return missed calls right from the Lock screen. If this option is turned on, it can increase your chances of pocket dialing someone who recently called you.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
To turn off this option off, go to Settings and select Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. After entering your passcode, swipe down the screen to the section for Allow Access When Locked and turn off the switch for Return Missed Calls.8. Disable the Touch ScreenIf all else fails, you can disable your iPhone’s entire touch screen through a feature called Guided Access. To set this up, go to Settings > Accessibility > General > Guided Access, then turn on the switch. Now, open an app or screen that won’t accidentally trigger a phone call. Triple-press the on/off button and select Guided Access. Tap Option, then turn off the switch for Touch and tap Start. Enter a passcode that will exit Guided Access. You’re now in Guided Access mode with the current screen on display. Since the touch screen has been disabled, your phone will be stuck on this screen with no chance of causing an accidental phone call.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
To exit Guided Access mode, triple-press the on/off button, type the passcode that you set, and tap End at the Guided Access screen. To launch Guided Access mode in the future, open the app or window you wish to see, triple-press the on/off button, and tap Guided Access. For an Android phone, you can disable the touch screen through third-party apps, such as Disable Touch Screen, Touch Lock, and Disable Touch.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)
9. Turn on Accidental Touch ProtectionSamsung phones offer a feature specifically designed to thwart butt dials. On a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Display. Swipe down the screen and turn on the switch for Accidental Touch Protection.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Samsung)
Like What You’re Reading?
Sign up for Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
