6 Ways to Prevent Your Android Device From Butt Dialing

Quick Tips

• Open Settings > Lock screen > tap on time limit in front of Sleep > select the relevant screen timeout duration.
• Open Lock screen settings > turn on the Pocket mode toggle > turn off the Raise to wake toggle.
• Open Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock > On-body detection > turn off the Use On-body detection toggle.

Basic Ways:

• Set a password or PIN: Your device might unlock if you accidentally press the Power button. To prevent this, you can set up a password or a PIN. Once set, you will need to enter the relevant passcode before your device can open. 
• Disable Google Assistant: Google Assistant might get accidentally triggered by a voice command and end up making an unwanted call. To ensure this does not happen, you can disable Google Assistant on your Android device.

Method 1: Turn the Screen Off

While turning the screen off is an effective way to stop butt dialings, we might sometimes forget to lock our devices before slipping them into our pockets. In this case, you can enable auto-lock and ensure your device gets automatically locked after a set time duration. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Lock screen. Tap on the time limit in front of the Sleep option.

Step 2: Select the relevant screen timeout duration.

Now, unless attention awareness is on, your device will automatically lock the screen once the time duration is up.

Method 2: Turn on Pocket Mode

As the name suggests, Pocket Mode is specifically designed to ensure your device’s touch gestures get disabled once it’s placed in a pocket. This can also be helpful if your Android phone keeps pocket dialing even when locked. Follow the below steps to enable it on your Android device.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Lock screen. Turn on the Pocket mode toggle.

Also Read: How to prevent apps from controlling brightness on Android

Method 3: Enable Accidental Touch Protection

Pocket Mode might not be available if you’re using a Samsung Galaxy device. In this case, you can enable accidental touch protection, which will also ensure your device doesn’t accidentally make calls if it’s placed in a dark place, like a pocket. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Display. Turn the Accidental touch protection toggle on.

Step 2: Then, turn off the Touch sensitivity toggle.

This will decrease the touch sensitivity of your device and might help reduce pocket dials even if the device is accidentally unlocked in your pocket.

Method 4: Turn Off Raise to Wake

The Raise to Wake feature on Android lets you wake your device up without pressing the Power button. While it’s handy when your phone is lying on a flat surface, it might be the cause of pocket dials on your Android if accessed from inside a pocket. Thankfully, there are provisions to turn it off. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Lock screen. Turn off the Raise to wake toggle.

Step 2: Then, turn off the Double tap to wake or turn off screen and Wake Lock screen for notifications toggles.

Also Read: How to turn off Dynamic Lock Screen (Or Glance) on Android

Method 5: Disable Lift to Wake

Just like your regular Android devices, Samsung Galaxy devices also have their version of Raise to Wake available. However, the setting for turning off the wake motion gesture on Samsung Galaxy devices is a little different. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Advanced features. Tap on Motions and gestures.

Step 2: Turn off the Lift to wake and Double tap to turn on screen toggles.

This will make sure your Samsung Galaxy device does not wake up in your pocket even if you accidentally double-tap on the screen.

Method 6: Disable Smart Lock

The Smart Lock feature makes sure your device stays unlocked when you’re in motion for up to 4 hours. However, Android might not be able to discern between you walking with your device in your hand or your pocket. So, disable the Smart Lock feature on your Android device using the below steps.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Lock screen. Tap on Smart Lock.

Step 2: Tap on On-body detection and turn off the Use On-body detection toggle.

This will make sure your Android device doesn’t stay unlocked when it’s in motion. Now, lock your Android device and place it in your pocket without any worries.