What Does 69 Mean on the Phone? A Deep Dive for Gamers
As a passionate gamer and content creator, you‘ve likely encountered the cryptic "*69" during an intense multiplayer battle or while looking up your phone plan details. So what does this strange code mean, and why does it matter for gaming? Grab your headset and let‘s dive in!
The Mysterious History of *69
Before we jump to current day uses, it helps to understand the origins of *69. This quirky star code dates back to the old days of rotary phones in the 1970s. Back then it was known as "automatic callback" or "auto redial" – a cutting edge feature at a time when call waiting was still a luxury.
Here‘s a quick timeline of *69 over the decades:
1970s – The first auto redial services emerge on landlines. This evolves into *69 on rotary and touchtone phones.
1980s – Caller ID begins rolling out, but many callers can still block their numbers. *69 provided a way to "unmask" these hidden callers.
1990s – As more people get cell phones, *69 is adopted by most major mobile carriers.
Today – Though less prominent, *69 remains active on many landline and mobile networks. Most smartphones now have native call return features built-in.
So in just a few decades, *69 went from a futuristic feature to a ubiquitous utility. But why has this star code stood the test of time?
Why Gamers Still Use *69 in the Mobile Age
Even in today‘s smart device era, *69 remains useful for a few key reasons:
Identify missed calls – If you‘re in the middle of an intense Fortnite battle and miss an important call, *69 allows you to call back immediately once the match is over. No scrolling through your call logs or trying to recall who just phoned.
Unlock hidden caller IDs – Many gamers prefer keeping their phone number private to avoid spam calls. *69 bypasses this by revealing the actual number, so you can choose to call back or block it.
Quick call back – For time-sensitive calls related to new game releases or limited edition restocks, *69 enables rapid response. Just a simple star code connects you instantly.
Call tracing – If receiving harassment or threats while gaming online, *69 can help identify the source phone number and report it to authorities.
Avoid distractions – Rather than manually looking up the number of whoever just called, *69 allows refocusing faster on your game.
As you can see, *69 may seem retro but still delivers tangible benefits for serious gamers in 2024. Let‘s move on to exactly how it works:
A Walkthrough Guide to Using *69
Activating *69 is simple and takes just a few steps:
Wait until you receive a new incoming call on your phone. Don‘t answer it yet.
Once the call ends, open the phone app and dial *69.
An automated voice will give details on the last call received, including the phone number and time of call.
To call that number back immediately, press 1 after the voice prompt.
The phone will automatically dial the number. Mission accomplished!
Here are a few pro tips:
*69 works for both missed and answered calls on most networks.
For full functionality, ensure you have touch-tone dialing, not old school pulse dialing.
Keep phone volume up to clearly hear the *69 voice prompts.
Act quick – *69 can only pull up the very last call, not older ones.
If you get an error message, your carrier may not support *69 requests.
Now let‘s explore the codes gaming friends:
*69‘s Call Companions – Other Useful Star Codes
While on the topic of dialing codes, here are some other useful star number tricks for gamers:
*67 – Block caller ID before making outgoing calls. Great for privacy.
*82 – Override blocked caller ID to reveal private numbers. Helpful for identifying harassing calls.
*60 – Call block specific numbers directly from your phone. Avoid distraction and spam.
*70 – Activate call waiting if you expect an important imminent call. Avoid missing it during key game events.
*72 – Forward calls to another number like your home landline or a friend‘s mobile. Ensures you get important calls even while gaming in another room.
*73 – Disable call forwarding when you return to your main phone number. Don‘t forget this!
Learning these supplemental codes gives you a powerful set of tools to manage calls while gaming without major distractions.
Does *69 Work on All Phones?
Now you may be wondering – can I use *69 if I have an iPhone, Android, or other device? Unfortunately there is no definitive answer. Here are a few key factors:
Cell carrier – Most major wireless networks support *69, but some discount carriers may not. Check your plan details.
Phone type – Modern smartphones often have native call return features built-in though sometimes under different names. *69 is most common on old-school flip phones.
Landline vs mobile – *69 is still widely available on landlines. Cell phone support varies more across carriers.
Location – *69 is popular and well-known in the US and Canada. Availability differs globally depending on country and carrier norms.
My advice is to test it out – dial 69 on your phone and see if you get a voice prompt. If not, check with your carrier or try enabling call return under settings if available. Don‘t assume 69 will universally work across all modern cell networks.
The Bottom Line
While less ubiquitous today, 69 remains a holdover from the past that still proves useful for identifying and quickly calling back missed calls. It‘s fast, simple, and doesn‘t require scrolling through call logs or trying to recall who just phoned. For serious gamers who want to minimize distractions, 69 and related star codes are handy tools that every phone toolkit should include. Just be aware that availability varies based on your specific carrier, phone, and location. But when it works – it works wonderfully.
So next time you miss an important call in the midst of an intense gaming session, don‘t get mad – get *69! This retro star code solves the problem and gets you back on track fast. Learning the full ins and outs gives you an edge and ensures you never miss a top-tier gaming moment again.
