Is there a way of telling if someone's mobile phone is on without calling them?

Answer 1

The first answer is right, but they forgot to tell you that the way to call privately is to enter *67 before the number you're dialing.

With Verizon Wireless, you can send a text message with advanced notification, and when your buddy's phone gets the text message (phone needs to be on to receive it), you get a little signal telling you that he/she got the text. Remember that this is not anonymous, though. Your buddy will see that it is you who texted him/her.

Answer 2

u have to call it, but what u can do is *block* your number so that when u call the cell, they - the cell owner- wont know that its you that called.

If the cell picks up on the first ring, its usually off..