How does PaSS work?
PaSS is designed to give you full control over your incoming and outgoing calls, without draining your battery or compromising your privacy.
The basics in short
You set PaSS in your Android settings as the call redirection app and/or as the caller ID and spam app. As a result, PaSS is only briefly activated the exact moment a call comes in or goes out. Because the app doesn't need to be constantly active in the background, PaSS consumes extremely little energy. As soon as a call takes place, PaSS goes through your custom rules one by one from top to bottom:
- Within a rule, all conditions must be true (an AND function).
- Does a number meet all conditions? Then the actions (like adding a prefix or choosing a SIM) are executed immediately.
- PaSS immediately stops processing the rest of the list afterwards.
- Does the number not meet the conditions? Then PaSS jumps straight to the next rule.
Powerful with one or two SIM cards
PaSS already works fantastic if you use one SIM card. You can automatically add prefixes (like #31#) for numbers, block spam or redirect specific callers straight to your voicemail. Do you have two SIM cards (Dual SIM)? Then you can also set specific rules per SIM card.
A concrete example: Why order matters
Suppose you have a Dual SIM phone and you create the following two rules:
Rule 1: Numbers from your personal contacts account call with your Private SIM.
Rule 2: Numbers from your work contacts account call with your Work SIM.
When you now call someone who is only in your personal contacts, Rule 1 matches. PaSS chooses the Private SIM and stops searching. Calling a business relation? Then PaSS sees at Rule 1 that the number does not meet the condition, jumps to Rule 2, and chooses the Work SIM.
Because PaSS works from top to bottom, the app will find a match at Rule 1 in this case. This person will therefore be called on your Private SIM, and Rule 2 isn't even checked. Therefore, always put your most specific rules at the top!
Common Scenarios (Use Cases)
1. Call anonymously by default, but show your number to specific groups?
For whom: This is very suitable for healthcare providers or doctors who only want to be called via the secretary, but also ideal if you simply do not want your private number known everywhere.
How to set this up:
- First, make sure you call anonymously by default via the Android settings.
- Then create a rule in PaSS (or download the example) with the condition Contact group / label and select the groups that are allowed to see your number (like family or colleagues).
- In the actions, choose Add Prefix and enter *31#. You can also optionally add a message (toast) here for confirmation.
- Give this rule a name, for example "Call acquaintances recognizably", and save it.
- Move this rule high up in your list. It is a fairly specific rule, and those belong at the top.
What happens when you call?
PaSS lightning-fast checks if the number belongs to one of the groups you have set. If so, the *31# code is added invisibly in the background and those specific people see your number. Is the caller not in that group? Then the call is made the standard way: anonymous. You just call as you are used to!
2. Keep work and private completely separate on one phone (Dual SIM)?
For whom: Ideal for freelancers and entrepreneurs who save their business and private contacts under different accounts (e.g. a business and a private email). This prevents you from accidentally calling with the wrong SIM card and allows you to enjoy your rest undisturbed on the weekend.
How to set this up:
- First, ensure in the Android settings that a default SIM card for calls is set (do not choose 'Always ask').
- Create an outgoing rule in PaSS for your work: choose the condition Contact account and check your business email address(es). For the actions, choose Choose SIM and select your Work SIM.
- Create a second outgoing rule for private: choose Contact account again, but now check your private email address. For the actions, choose Choose SIM as well and select your Private SIM.
- Create a third outgoing rule for other numbers: choose Contact account again and set it to 'Number does not belong to account' (All accounts is selected by default). For the actions, choose Choose SIM and select 'Always ask' at the bottom of the list.
- Optional for weekend rest: Create an incoming rule. Choose as conditions Day (Saturday & Sunday) and Receiving SIM (Work SIM). Choose Keep call silent or Reject call as action.
What happens when you call?
As soon as you call a contact that is in your business account, PaSS lightning-fast grabs your Work SIM. Calling a friend from your private account? Then your Private SIM is used automatically. Calling a number not linked to any of these accounts? The third rule catches this, and PaSS will neatly ask you via a pop-up which SIM card you want to use for this specific call.
3. Call anonymously by default, but recognizable when returning a call?
For whom: Handy if you hide your number by default, but do want the other person to see your number as soon as you return a missed call (or call someone who recently called you). This way the other person immediately knows you are the one calling back.
How to set this up:
- Make sure you call anonymously by default via the Android settings.
- Create an outgoing rule in PaSS with the condition Call History.
- Choose 'Incoming' in the settings of this condition (so the rule checks if this specific number recently called you).
- In the actions, choose Add Prefix and enter *31#.
- Tip: You can perfectly combine this rule with the groups rule from the first example. Just put them both high up in your list!
What happens when you call?
Before the call starts, PaSS lightning-fast checks your call log locally. Has this number recently called you? Then the *31# code is added and the other person sees your number. Is it a completely new call from you? Then you remain neatly anonymous. Smart, dynamic, and fully automatic!
4. Block annoying spam and anonymous callers instantly (100% Privacy)
For whom: For anyone who wants to block spam calls from telemarketing companies or scammers and who does not want to be disturbed by anonymous calls. And also does not want to upload all contacts to the cloud.
How to set this up:
- Because you want to block two different types of callers, you create two separate incoming rules in PaSS:
- Rule 1 (Stop anonymous callers): Choose as condition Number and select the option Is unknown / hidden. For the actions, subsequently choose Reject call or Keep call silent.
- Rule 2 (Stop known spammers): Create a new incoming rule and add the condition Spam List. (Within PaSS you can very easily download ready-made spam lists or maintain your own list of annoying numbers). Also choose Reject call or Keep call silent as action here.
What happens when you call?
As soon as an anonymous number calls, or a number that is on your local spam list, one of these two rules instantly intercepts the call. Depending on your chosen action, the caller is rejected, or your phone simply doesn't ring and you only see the call later in your log. Because the spam lists and rules run 100% offline on your phone, you are absolutely sure that your address book and call data never leave your device.
5. Safe and hands-free calling in the car (Automatic SIM choice)
For whom: Commuters and sales reps who make a lot of business calls on the road and do not want to (or aren't allowed to) tap their phone screen to select a SIM card while driving.
How to set this up:
- First make sure again in the Android settings that your device is not set to 'Always ask'.
- Create an outgoing rule in PaSS and choose the condition Bluetooth connection.
- Select the name of your car kit or car radio from the list (for example 'Tesla Model Y' or 'Volvo Bluetooth').
- Choose Choose SIM card for actions and select your Work SIM.
What happens when you call?
As soon as your phone is connected to the Bluetooth of your car, PaSS knows you are driving. Every call you start now (for example via voice control or the buttons on your steering wheel), goes fully automatically via your business number. As soon as you park the car and disconnect, your phone seamlessly drops back to your normal settings.