Smartphones open up the doors to tons of capabilities, but they’ve also provided a ripe opportunity for pranksters to play tricks on their pals—some of which are quite unappreciated by the victim. Here a few of the best smartphone pranks.
Taking “Damn Autocorrect” to the Next Level
Image via Flickr by Benjamin Forrest
That pesky autocorrect feature plays enough tricks on users without assistance, but savvy pranksters can take this annoyance one step further. Some devices allow users to enter custom autocorrect settings, meaning they can set any word to automatically correct to another word of their choosing.
You can see where this is going. If you suddenly find that a common word autocorrects to something completely bizarre (changing every instance of the word “and” to “green monkeys,” for example), look to your nearest jokester friend for an explanation.
The Prankd by Mblware App Offers Three Cool Pranks
Image via Flickr by John Tann
Yes, it’s true: There are applications out there designed for the sole purpose of pulling one over on your friends. Whether your motive is revenge or a good laugh, the Prankd by Mblware app offers a couple of different options for tricking your friends.
When the user presses a designated key, such as the call button, it causes a dreaded, my-device’s-life-is-over hourglass to appear. Other options include a bug walking across the screen or a notification leading the user to think all his data is being wiped clean.
The Screen Crack App: An Oldie, But a Goodie
Image via Flickr by Jay Tamboli
The Screen Crack app does exactly what its name suggests; the screen will showcase an image which looks as though it’s been shattered. A shattered smartphone screen is essentially devastating, and a new device is a must.
If you’ve ever dropped your smartphone in a parking lot, you know how not funny this prank is. It’s even less funny if you find out it’s not a prank at all, and that your screen is actually shattered.
Lock the Device Prank Drives Users Crazy
Image via Flickr by Freddy the Boy
One of the easiest tricks in the book to play is to swipe a friend’s unsecured device and lock it with a password that only you know. Want some added fun? Send them on a scavenger hunt with multiple clues culminating in the final discovery of the password to access their beloved smartphone.
Caution: This is probably a bad idea if your friend is using their phone for work under a BYOD policy. Unless, of course, it’s the weekend and the prank won’t interfere with his/her job duties (in theory).
The Ringtone Prank is Always Amusing
Image by lundgrenphotography via Flickr
Among the many devious things you can do when you have physical access to a friend’s unsecured smartphone is changing the ringtone. Even changing the ringtone to something not out of the ordinary can be fun for a minute or two.
Most users become tuned in to the sound of their own ringtones and tuned out to others. A different ringtone could go unnoticed, even if the device is in his pocket. For an added level of shock, change the ringtone to something insulting or vulgar.
Smartphone pranks continue to evolve with technology, as developers create more interesting and advanced applications that can be used to play pranks on other users. If you’re not up for a fight, be sure you’re pranking a friend with a good sense of humor.
