S-24 phone keypad constantly opening

[B. Diddy]

It could be another app that is causing this. Check the permissions of your apps, pay close attention to apps that were granted access to the phone.

I was wondering about that, but it would have to be a system or preinstalled app, since the OP already tried Safe Mode.

@jcj001 , is anything connected to the phone via Bluetooth when this happens? In case that might be sending some odd command to initiate a phone call, try turning off Bluetooth and see if it still happens.

 

[Village_Idiot]

I was wondering about that, but it would have to be a system or preinstalled app, since the OP already tried Safe Mode.

Any third party app installed after he got the device could be causing it. Most users (me included) tend to accept the apps default permissions request.

@jcj001 , is anything connected to the phone via Bluetooth when this happens? In case that might be sending some odd command to initiate a phone call, try turning off Bluetooth and see if it still happens.

It could be a BT device like ear buds, watch, or headphones. That would be a good place to start.

@jcj001 You can also try resetting app preferences: Settings -> Apps -> Tap the hamburger with magnifying glass in the upper right corner -> Reset app preferences.

This doesn't clear data or log you out of the apps. It just resets app settings back to default (to include permissions). When you open an app, it will ask for permissions again. This is a global reset, it resets preferences for ALL installed apps.

If you are looking for more granular approach. The app permissions option is above the reset preferences. Tapping that will allow you to go through each app one at a time to see what permissions it has.

 

[B. Diddy]

Any third party app installed after he got the device could be causing it. Most users (me included) tend to accept the apps default permissions request.

That's true, but those 3rd party apps should be temporarily disabled in Safe Mode, and therefore not cause the problem in Safe Mode -- that was my point.

 

[Village_Idiot]

That's true, but those 3rd party apps should be temporarily disabled in Safe Mode, and therefore not cause the problem in Safe Mode -- that was my point.

Ah. Good point. Does safe mode also disable BT and WiFi too?

 

[B. Diddy]

Ah. Good point. Does safe mode also disable BT and WiFi too?

It won't disable those.

 

[jcj001]

Success! After the factory reset my phone has been working properly for the first time in weeks. As suggested by mustang7757 I did make a backup using Smart Switch but I wonder if that doesn't risk putting something bad back on the phone.
Would it be better to add apps one at a time. Other things like contacts and photos I can get from other sources. I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks again for helping a newbie to this group.

 

[mustang7757]

Success! After the factory reset my phone has been working properly for the first time in weeks. As suggested by mustang7757 I did make a backup using Smart Switch but I wonder if that doesn't risk putting something bad back on the phone.
Would it be better to add apps one at a time. Other things like contacts and photos I can get from other sources. I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks again for helping a newbie to this group.

Making a back up through PC Smart switch will always be there and you can restore individual settings until u know that the issue goes away or restore that full back up anytime.

 

[B. Diddy]

Good to hear! I would definitely add back apps one at a time. For the major apps that many people use (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.), I don't think it's necessary. Focus on the ones that aren't a household name.

 

[Village_Idiot]

Glad you got it fixed. Not so glad you had to go through the PITA of doing a factory reset to fix it.