Losing your phone can put your personal information at risk, and making it ring is one of the fastest ways to find it. Alternatively, you can use your cell phone to prank your friends by getting a call from a "very important person" who wants to talk to them. Starting the ringtone is also useful for understanding the volume of the sounds emitted by the device. To do this, you have several methods, from phone settings to external applications and someone's help.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use an App to Make Your Smartphone Ring
Step 1. Download an application for your mobile device
You can use programs that can simulate receiving a phone call. Browse the App Store of your iPhone, Blackberry, Android device or other smartphone, using a search term such as "Fake Call". In the shop you will find free and paid options. Make sure you read the reviews so you can find the app that best suits your needs.
You can find applications that can generate fake calls from specific people, such as celebrities, famous people, or even the partner of the joke victim. Programs of this type often don't offer the same versatility as generic ones, but they can be useful for special occasions, such as birthdays or holidays
Step 2. Configure the application
The program may offer some options, such as the ability to create a fake identity for the sender of the call, to use a contact from your address book, or to record an audio and schedule the call. Think ahead of the perfect situation in which to play the joke.
- Some applications allow you to create a false identity from which to receive the call, complete with name, phone number and picture.
- You will receive a phone call similar to the real ones. If the interface is very different from that of your mobile, you can select another one. In some applications you have the option to create your own custom graphics. Try to make it as close to the real thing as possible, otherwise a friend who knows your phone well might understand that this is a joke.
- Some programs offer a large variety of audio clips on different topics, with various personality types; they also give the possibility to create a custom recording and load it with a compatible audio file. If you can't save a message directly in the app, try other programs.
- Some apps allow you to start the call immediately. If you prefer to schedule it later, you can set a specific delay or time. Leave the program running in the background or the phone in sleep mode.
Step 3. Activate the phone call
Make sure you try it out. Try to memorize the audio of the call to be convincing. If you need to pass your mobile to another person, check that the application is not visible.
You may get a real phone call at the time of the prank and be exposed. Make sure you schedule the call when you are not expecting other communications
Method 2 of 4: Calling from Another Phone
Step 1. Get another phone
You can use your home, public one, or borrow someone else's cell phone. Make sure you ask for permission before calling someone else's phone!
Step 2. Call your phone number
If the phone call is unsuccessful or the answering machine answers, your mobile phone probably does not have sufficient reception or it is turned off and will not ring.
Step 3. Try to hear your phone's ringtone
If your phone rings but you don't hear any sound, you may have set the vibration. Try to feel the hum produced by the device as you move around the house or the area where it should be. If it's on a hard surface, such as a table, you may be able to feel it vibrate.
Try searching in the areas you visit most frequently. The phone may have fallen behind a table, piece of furniture, or it may be hidden under other objects and difficult to hear
Method 3 of 4: Try the Smartphone Ringtone
Step 1. Open the phone settings
If you can't find this app on your Home screen, look for it in the "All apps" section of your mobile.
Step 2. Configure the ringtone audio
The procedure for doing this varies by phone model.
- On iPhone, open the "Sounds and vibrations" section. Scroll down to find "Ringtone", where you can see the current tone. Press on one of the available ringtones to listen to a preview, or press "Apply" to save the changes.
- On Android, the section you are looking for is "Sounds" or "Sounds & Notifications". Select "Phone ringtone", choose a tone, then press "Preview" to listen to it, or "Apply" to save the changes.
Step 3. Test the ringtone
You can adjust the volume of the alert when receiving a phone call.
- On iPhone, press "Sounds", then adjust the "Ring and Alerts" switch to set the volume to the desired level.
- On Android, press "Volume", then adjust the "Ringtone & Notifications" switch to test the alert volume.
Method 4 of 4: Set Up Your Smartphone Tracking Services
Step 1. Configure the tracking programs on a second device
Depending on the type of phone you have, almost all major carriers give the ability to track the location of the mobile, but this feature must be configured manually. You can call your number or send a notification to your smartphone, which will ring.
- If you own an iPhone and want to use the tracking program, you need a phone that supports iOS 9 and has the iWork for iOS app installed. Using a browser, create and configure an iCloud account on icloud.com. You can do it for free.
- Android users need to access the "Android Device Manager" on their smartphone. You can do this in two ways: using the "Settings" app and scrolling to "Google", then "Security", otherwise by opening the dedicated "Google Settings" app, then clicking on "Security".
Step 2. Set up phone tracking
The following steps vary depending on the type of mobile phone.
- On iPhone, you need to sign into the iCloud app. Open it on your phone, scroll to "Find my iPhone" and press it. A window will open; press "Authorize" to proceed.
- On Android you have to authorize the identification of the mobile phone remotely. Under "Android Device Manager" click on "Locate this device remotely". Open the "Settings" app, other than "Google Settings". Scroll down, then tap on "Location" and make sure all geolocation services are activated.
Step 3. Test the phone ringtone
To do this you need to use another device, for example your computer.
- On the iPhone you have to open the icloud.com web page or access the "Find my iPhone" service on another iOS device, through the iCloud app. Click or press "Find my iPhone"; a map with the last known position of the mobile will open. You can select the "Play Sound" or "Send Message" options to have the device produce an alert.
- On Android you need to open the android.com/devicemanager web page and make sure the device appears on the map. Press or click on "Ring", in order to make the mobile phone ring. Make sure the second device is linked to the same Google account associated with the phone you are trying to locate.
Advice
- The services that allow you to locate the phone must be configured before it is lost. Otherwise they may not work.
- If "Do Not Disturb" is activated, your phone will remain silent. Check the display for silent mode icons or indicators and see if this option is enabled in the mobile phone settings.
- The phone will not ring if the battery is low or if it is turned off; in this case, the tracking programs will not work either.
