Your Google Pixel Comes With a Secret Diagnostic Mode.
I’ve been using Pixel phones every day for a few years now, so I thought I’d discovered all the secret menus and hidden features of these Google phones—but it turns out I was wrong.
The website Make Use Of has shed light on the Google Pixel’s built-in diagnostic tool, hidden behind the app’s numeric keypad. Its official name is Pixel Repair Diagnostics App, and according to Google, it’s built into every Pixel phone and tablet. It provides a dashboard for checking virtually every component of your system, from Bluetooth connections to camera sensors.
To open the diagnostic tool, launch the Phone app on your Pixel, switch to the Keypad screen, then dial *#*#7287#*#* . You’ll be asked if you have a strong Wi-Fi connection, so tap “Confirm,” and you’ll be taken to the app itself—with the screen brightness set to maximum.
You can run these diagnostic tests individually, run related tests together using the test group options, or test them all using the “Start Test” button that appears at the top. The three-dot menu in the upper right corner provides access to the results of previously run tests.
There’s a lot to check here: the “Visual Checks” group alone includes tests for physical damage , display defects , rear panel defects , and camera defects . Each test differs in the steps required—for example, to check for physical damage , simply inspect the phone from all sides, while the Wi-Fi check will automatically attempt to connect to the network and check the connection’s stability.
Some diagnostic procedures require closer collaboration.
Some of these tests require more interaction than others. For example, the Light Sensor test will ask you to cover your phone’s light sensor with your hand (usually located at the top of the screen next to the front camera) while a measurement is taken. The Gyroscope test will require you to move your phone in a figure-eight pattern.
In the “Display” section of the “Screen” menu, you’ll see a series of images—some solid, others with captions—so you can carefully examine the screen and spot any inconsistencies or defects. You’ll then be asked to choose “Pass” or “Fail.”
Also in the “Screen” section is “Touchpad,” a test that challenges you to perform various taps and swipes. One task involves dragging colored balls down the screen with three fingers. The goal is to ensure all display elements remain responsive.
In the ” Audio” section of the “Microphone ” menu, your phone will play a short tone and attempt to record audio through all of the phone’s microphones simultaneously. The recording from each microphone will then be played, and you’ll need to verify that all of them are working.
The front and rear camera tests in the Camera section are particularly useful because they test each camera individually, taking photos and videos from each—so if your phone has three rear cameras that are typically used simultaneously, you can separate them and test them all separately.
This is a useful tool to turn to if you suspect something isn’t working on your phone—and if there is a problem, it will point you to the root cause. You can close the app like any other by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or pressing the Home button if you use button navigation).