Pocket dial

Alternatively known as a pocket call or butt dial, a pocket dial is an accidental phone call initiated by an unsuspecting user. When an unlocked phone is placed in a pocket, it can launch the phone app and dial a name from the recent calls as you move around. Virtual assistants, like Google Assistant and Siri on smartphones, may mishear conversations around you and make unintended phone calls as a result. If you receive a long, empty voicemail message from one of your contacts, you were likely pocket dialed.

How do I avoid pocket dialing my contacts?

If you frequently have this problem, consider the following precautions to prevent it from happening.

• Add a security measure, like a passcode or biometrics, to keep your phone locked while in your pocket. These measures make it difficult or impossible for the phone to be unlocked by random movements.
• Disable the summoning of virtual assistants through phrases like "Hey Siri" or "Okay Google". These can lead to the accidental activation of these features in casual conversation.
• Decrease the duration of idle screen timeouts, ensuring your phone locks when not in use.
• Turn off Smart Lock, a feature that keeps your phone unlocked when connected to a home network. This setting is exclusive to Android phones.

Computer slang, Fat finger, Lock screen, Phone terms, Security terms