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{{Infobox Object
{{Infobox Object
|image = The Pilot Cup of Sonic.jpg
|image       = The Pilot Cup of Sonic.jpg
|alias =  
|alias       =  
|type = Multi-functional sonic device
|type       = [[Sonic device]]
|made by = {{il|[[The Doctor]]|[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]]}}
|made by     = {{il|[[The Doctor]]|[[Romana II|Romana]]|[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]]|[[Santa Claus]]|[[Amy Pond]]}}
|used by = [[The Doctor]] and his [[companion]]s
|used by     = [[The Doctor]] and some of their [[companion]]s, [[Stoyn]]
|origin = {{il|[[Gallifrey]]|[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]]}}
|origin     = {{il|[[Gallifrey]]|[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]]}}
|appearances = [[Sonic screwdriver - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|first cs    = Fury from the Deep (TV story)
|first=Fury from the Deep (TV story)
|appearances = {{appears}}
|clip=The Master Summons the Sea Devil - The Sea Devils - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip       = The Master Summons the Sea Devil - The Sea Devils - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2 = The Sonic Screwdriver is Destroyed! - The Visitation - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2       = The Sonic Screwdriver is Destroyed! - The Visitation - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip3 = Hang on Doctor! - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip3       = Race to Save River Song (HQ) - Doctor Who - Forest of the Dead - BBC
}}
|bts        = The Woman Who Fell to Earth Episode 1 Closer Look Doctor Who BBC AMERICA
The '''sonic screwdriver''', also called a '''[[sonic probe]]''' or simply the '''sonic''', was a highly versatile tool used by [[the Doctor]]. He modified and ostensibly upgraded it over the years, giving it an increasing number of applications.  Early versions were used mainly for the [[lock picking|picking]] of [[lock]]s and for projecting [[sound]] so as to, for example, [[explosion|detonate]] objects and fry [[circuit]]ry. By the time of the [[Ninth Doctor]], the sonic was able to also be used as a sophisticated [[scanner|scanning]] device, with [[medicine|medical]] applications. Subsequent incarnations gave it even wider functionality, such as the ability to [[hacking|hack]] into [[computer]]s, provide [[geolocation]] and actively defend against some types of assault [[weapon]]s by frying their internal mechanics and causing the weapons to burst into flames and spark from the inside. The tool seemed to have [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] properties and abilities, as it could be used to electrify the [[nervous system]], and could create powerful frequencies and signals, as well as use sound to carry out its functions, even to the point where three of its latest incarnations where able to create a [[sonic blast|sonic force blast]] powerful enough to repel and destroy a [[Dalek]] while working together, as well as shoot green sonic energy waves to briefly incapacitate or stun a target.  
}}{{you may|Doctor Who: Sonic Screwdriver|n1=the mobile app}}
The '''sonic screwdriver''', also called a '''[[sonic probe]]''' or simply "the '''sonic'''", was a highly versatile [[tool]] used by many people throughout the universe, the most prominent of them being [[the Doctor]].


All of these [[incarnation]]s utilised the same software, though they used different cases. For all intents and purposes, the [[War Doctor]]'s sonic was the same as the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s some 400 years later. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
While almost always referred to as a sonic screwdriver, this device has on occasion been referred to as a sonic probe by people other than the Doctor, such as [[Dalek Sec]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Doomsday (TV story)}}) and a version of [[Amy Pond]] who had been stuck on [[Apalapucia]] for 36 years. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Girl Who Waited (TV story)}}) The [[Tenth Doctor|Tenth]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Doomsday (TV story)}}) and [[Eleventh Doctor|Eleventh]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Girl Who Waited (TV story)}}) Doctors openly disliked this and corrected those who did so. The [[Ninth Doctor|Ninth]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Doctor Dances (TV story)}}) and [[Twelfth Doctor]]s ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Husbands of River Song (TV story)}}) also defended when others claimed it was inferior to other sonic devices like a [[sonic blaster]] or [[sonic trowel]].
 
While almost always referred to as a sonic screwdriver, it has on occasion been referred to as a sonic probe by people other than the Doctor, such as [[Dalek Sec]] and a version of [[Amy Pond]] who had been stuck on [[Apalapucia]] for 36 years. The [[Tenth Doctor]] openly disliked this, and corrected those who did so. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'', ''[[The Girl Who Waited (TV story)|The Girl Who Waited]]'')


== Technology and functions ==
== Technology and functions ==
The sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced [[Gallifrey]]an technology. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Heart of TARDIS]]'')
Identified by the [[Dalek]]s as a "[[sonic probe]]", ([[TV]]: {{cs|Doomsday (TV story)}}) the sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced [[Gallifrey]]an technology, ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Heart of TARDIS (novel)}}) although the Doctor could make one by using resources found on [[21st century]] [[Earth]] with help from [[Stenza]] technology. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)}}) During the [[Dalek-Movellan War]], [[Davros]] dismissed the sonic screwdriver as a "simple" tool. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Triumph of Davros (audio story)}})
 
[[The Doctor]] claimed that he either invented or designed the specific sonic screwdriver which he owned. When [[Kazran Sardick]] was confused as to what to do when it looked like [[Abigail Pettigrew]] was about to [[kissing|kiss]] him, the [[Eleventh Doctor]] told Kazran to trust him and kiss Abigail, as "It's this, or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes. Now, go." ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') When Captain [[Jack Harkness]] asked the [[Ninth Doctor]], "Who looks at a screwdriver and thinks 'Ooh, this could be a little more sonic'?", the [[Ninth Doctor]] responded, "What? You never been bored? Never had a long night? Never had a lot of [[cabinet]]s to put up?" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'') Other individuals had similar devices, such as the [[sonic pen]] used by [[Cofelia|Miss Foster]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime (TV story)|Partners in Crime]]'') and the [[sonic blaster]] used first by Captain [[Jack Harkness]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'' / ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'') and later [[River Song]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library (TV story)|Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'') [[Sarah Jane Smith]] had her [[sonic lipstick]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane]]'', et al.) and the Doctor himself once used a [[sonic cane]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)|Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
 
At least one version of the screwdriver used a [[crystal]] similar to the [[Metebelis crystal]] sought after by the [[Eight Legs]] of [[Metebelis III]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]'') There were also electrical components. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Halls of Sacrifice]]'')
 
The screwdriver had a multitude of settings and different versions of settings. The [[Tenth Doctor]] told [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] to use "setting 15B" to triangulate the source of the ghosts ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]'') and used 34-H to sink a ship. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Second Wave]]'') It had a setting 85 that undid security codes to unlock doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment]]'') The [[Ninth Doctor]] told Rose to use setting 2428D to re-attach [[barbed wire]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'') Sarah Jane used the Theta Omega setting to melt plastic vines. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Android Invasion (TV story)|The Android Invasion]]'') The [[Twelfth Doctor]] told [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] to use setting number 41 to send out random bursts of [[helicon energy]] to distract the [[Skovox Blitzer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'') The Twelfth Doctor himself used setting sixty-one to knock out a [[Cybernetics|cybernetically]] augmented [[dinosaur]] with a "[[sonic brainstorm]]". ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Spirits of the Jungle (comic story)|Spirits of the Jungle]]'') However, at least one version of the screwdriver was able to use thoughts as well as settings. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)|Let's Kill Hitler]]'', ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
 
The different versions of the Doctor's sonic screwdrivers exhibited different capabilities and uses, such as the interception of signals ranging from transmat beams to conscious thought; ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'') medical diagnostics ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child]]'') and repair of organic parts; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Vampires of Venice]]'') cutting, but also re-attaching materials such as barbed wire; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'') operating Earth machinery such as computers ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion]]'') and even cash machines (at regular and high eject speeds); ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'') creating a spark to light a candle ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]'') or Bunsen burner; ([[TV]]: ''[[Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Evolution of the Daleks]]'') opening and holding doors with acoustic locks; ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'') and, on the rare occasion, driving screws without touching them. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games]]'', ''[[The Ark in Space]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'')
 
Although it was primarily a tool, the sonic screwdriver could also be used as a defensive weapon. The Tenth Doctor put it in a sound board to destroy the [[Robot Santa]]s by overloading their sensors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'') The [[Eleventh Doctor]] used it to bounce sound waves off a knife held by [[Melody Pond]], knocking it out of her hand. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'') The sonic screwdriver was also capable of holding off sound waves from creatures who relied on sound in order to attack such as the [[Vigil]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'') The Doctor also used it to try and help River Song defeat a group of [[Silent]]s although River teased him by saying it would be better if he used it to "build a cabinet". However, the Doctor implied that although it couldn't actually hurt the Silents it could weaken the power of their electricity, therefore allowing him to provide River with a certain degree of protection while she shot down their foes. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon (TV story)|Day of the Moon]]'')
 
Although the [[Eighth Doctor]] once claimed the device could destroy a Dalek's brain if held directly against the casing when activated, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[War of the Daleks]]'') according to the Tenth Doctor, the device could not be used to wound, maim or kill living things. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Daughter]]'') It could destroy non-living objects or mechanisms or place living creatures in circumstances where they might die, if the situation required. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'', ''[[The Christmas Invasion]]'') The [[War Doctor]] claimed that it was a scientific instrument rather than a [[water pistol]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Monsters Inside]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Bizarre Zero]]'') It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') However, it was up to the owner to collect the parts for reassembly.
 
Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a [[deadlock seal]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion]]'', ''[[The Night of the Doctor]]'') However, Miss Foster's [[sonic pen]] could open the deadlock seals that it was programmed to within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver could not. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime]]'') Some or all versions were ineffective against [[wood]],{{facts}<!--Please split up sources by wood and hairdryer references --> or in the presence of some models of [[hairdryer]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'', ''[[Night Terrors]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor]]'', ''[[Empress of Mars (TV story)|Empress of Mars]]'' [[PROSE]]: ''[[Catastrophea (novel)|Catastrophea]]'')
 
During his lifetime as the Twelfth Doctor, the Time Lord claimed to have abandoned sonic screwdrivers in favour of wearable technology like his [[sonic sunglasses]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Under the Lake]]'') However, after returning to [[Gallifrey]] and departing again, he resumed using them, as his TARDIS fashioned a new one for him as a gift. Furthermore, after the Doctor had lost sight of who he was, [[Clara Oswald]] left him a reminder to "be a Doctor" after leaving his company. As part of his role of being a Doctor to use a sonic screwdriver, the Doctor accepted the TARDIS's gift. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'')
 
== Variants of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver ==
[[File:Doc2Sonic.jpg|thumb|right|The earliest version of the sonic screwdriver in use. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'')]]
=== The First and Second Doctors' sonic ===
One sonic screwdriver, a small, simple [[metal]] rod similar to a penlight, was used by the [[First Doctor|First]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Venusian Lullaby (novel)|Venusian Lullaby]]'') and [[Second Doctor|Second]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Fury from the Deep (TV story)|Fury from the Deep]]'') Doctors. It was also used by the [[Eighth Doctor]] after being destroyed "centuries ago", with the Doctor claiming to his [[companion]] [[Samantha Jones]] that this was possible because "It's a [[Time Lord]] [[tool]]. [[Time]] doesn't work the same way for Time Lord tools." ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'')
 
The Eighth Doctor carried a similar model near the end of his life. Cylindrical and [[silver]], with a [[blue]] emitter diode tip, he used it in a surgical procedure to scan his patient and to seal incisions. This model could glow with an "almost [[white]]" light and emit great [[heat]], be used to sharpen surgical instruments and be turned "on" and "off". ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Osskah (short story)|Osskah]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Cracking the [[code]] for an [[aerodynamic shuttle]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Venusian Lullaby (novel)|Venusian Lullaby]]'')
* Overriding the security [[lock]]s on a [[lift]] on [[Helicon Prime]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Helicon Prime (audio story)|Helicon Prime]]'')
* Opening up hatches, panels and control panels. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fury from the Deep (TV story)|Fury from the Deep]]'', ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'')
* Opening a [[cell]] [[door]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fear of the Daleks (audio story)|Fear of the Daleks]]'')
* Destroying the [[Dalek crystal]] at the heart of a [[mind projector]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fear of the Daleks (audio story)|Fear of the Daleks]]'')
* Dismantling a [[Hawker]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Apocalypse Mirror (audio story)|The Apocalypse Mirror]]'')
* Cutting through a section of a [[wall]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]'')
* As a conventional [[screwdriver]] without physical contact with [[screw]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'')
 
=== The Third, Fourth and Fifth Doctors' sonic ===
[[File:Pertweewithscrewdriver.jpg|thumb|left|The Third Doctor's sonic. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]'')]]
The [[Third Doctor]]'s most-used model of the sonic screwdriver was much larger than the one his first and second incarnation used; its elaborately detailed silver collar featured [[black]] and [[yellow]] stripes and [[red]] trim, and could be pulled down to active the screwdriver. It had a removable [[burgundy]] emitter head which the Doctor would change with others, each performing a different function. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'')
 
The Third Doctor later fitted the head of his sonic screwdriver with a cylindrical black magnet which enabled it to open bolted doors, especially when its polarity was reversed. This refit left the metal mostly unpainted, with a dark red emitter ring. The head of this model could be extended. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
 
[[File:Four uses Sonic on drone.jpg|thumb|The Fourth Doctor with the sonic. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')]]
Before this model met its demise, its head was repainted twice after the original coat wore off. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'', ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') It was ultimately destroyed when a [[Terileptil]] leader forced the [[Fifth Doctor]] to drop the screwdriver inside a holding cell, then incinerated it with a laser gun — causing the Doctor to remark "I feel as though you've just killed an old friend." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'') The Doctor went without a sonic screwdriver for some time after this model, with [[Nyssa]] lamenting his decision not to replace it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]'') The [[Tenth Doctor]] also lightly mocked his past incarnation for going "hands-free" following this incident when their TARDISes accidentally collided. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'')
 
This sonic operated at a frequency of 80 kilohertz. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Light Fantastic (short story)|Light Fantastic]]'')
 
The Doctor, leaving [[UNIT]], left behind a prototype. UNIT scientists then tried to use reverse-engineering to understand its workings; this went on into the [[21st century]]. Despite them trying to keep it quiet from the Doctor, he was well aware of the project by [[Seventh Doctor|his seventh incarnation]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Persuasion (audio story)|Persuasion]]'')
 
A version of this screwdriver was kept in the [[Twelfth Doctor]]'s [[The Doctor's office (The Pilot)|office]] at [[St Luke's University]]. His companion [[Nardole]] made use of it in a [[War zone (Friend from the Future)|war zone]] where the [[Dalek]]s and [[Movellan]]s skirmished. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Scanning for alarm systems in [[the Master's TARDIS]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Colony in Space (TV story)|Colony in Space]]'')
* Remote detection and detonation of [[land mine]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'')
* Unlocking a holding cell within a [[Sea Devil]] base. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'')
* To open an electronic door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mutants (TV story)|The Mutants]]'')
* Creation of a spark of [[fire]] and igniting [[swamp gas]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]'')
* Open electronic locks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]'')
* Curing [[Henry VIII]] of his [[cataract]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Hiccup in Time (short story)|Hiccup in Time]]'')
* Overloading the brains of [[Space Greyhound]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]'')
* Unbolting a door. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
* Fusing shut a sliding door. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Daleks (TV story)|Planet of the Daleks]]'')
* Opening a lift door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Green Death (TV story)|The Green Death]]'')
* Distracting [[giant maggot]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Green Death (TV story)|The Green Death]]'')
* Detecting booby-trapped floor tiles. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death to the Daleks (TV story)|Death to the Daleks]]'')
* Breaking a [[hypnotic]] trance. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death to the Daleks (TV story)|Death to the Daleks]]'')
* As conventional screwdriver, on large, flathead screw. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Monster of Peladon (TV story)|The Monster of Peladon]]'')
* Opening a refinery door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Monster of Peladon (TV story)|The Monster of Peladon]]'')
* Remotely detonating mines. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'')
* Cutting locks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'')
* Undoing screws. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'')
* Repairing wires chewed by the [[Wirrn]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'')
* Fixing a circle of [[transmat]] refractors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')
* Breaching a [[force field]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')
* Shutting down [[Styre's robot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')
* Sabotaging a two-way [[radio]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* Deactivating an [[energy loop]] opening up [[Sutekh]]'s [[deflection barrier]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'')
* Melting plastic vines. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Android Invasion (TV story)|The Android Invasion]]'')
* Working on the TARDIS' thermal couplings. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hand of Fear (TV story)|The Hand of Fear]]'')
* Shattering the [[Clynex]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Naked Flame (comic story)|The Naked Flame]]'')
* Safe-cracking. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sun Makers (TV story)|The Sun Makers]]'')
* Creating a temporary hole in [[Gallifrey]]'s [[force field]] above the Citadel. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'')
* Using the correct sonic frequency to return the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Ernestina Stott]] and later, [[The Doctor's scarf|his scarf]], to normal size. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Dead Shoes (audio story)|The Dead Shoes]]'')
* Opening doors on [[Ribos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'')
* Unlocking multi-levered interlocks to the Ribos crown jewels casket ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'')
* Opening the door to the real [[Queen]] [[Xanxia]]'s chamber. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'')
* Freeing [[Romana I]] from her bonds on a [[prison ship]] in [[hyperspace]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'')
* Blowing up a [[Dalek]] bomb. ([[TV]]: ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'')
* Unscrewing the [[Zero Room]]'s hinges and assisting in constructing the [[Zero Cabinet]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'')
* Disarming [[fusion bomb]]s by reversing the polarity of the neutron-flow. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Cold Fusion (novel)|Cold Fusion]]'')
* Creating a piercing loud noise to prevent security cameras from picking on the conversation between the Fifth Doctor, [[Adric]], Nyssa, and [[Tegan]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
* Opening a door to escape confinement. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
* Reversing the magnetic field on [[Monopticon]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
* Short-circuiting [[android]]s in conjunction with a [[pencil]], the [[graphite]] acting as a conductive material for the screwdriver's power. ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'')
* As a component in a [[delta wave augmenter]], to induce sleep. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'')
* Activating various panels in a [[Dalek-Movellan War|Dalek-Movellan]] [[War zone (Friend from the Future)|war zone]], and sealing off entrances to trap the [[Dalek]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
 
=== Used by the Sixth Doctor ===
The [[Sixth Doctor]] once carried an unspecified replacement model for the sonic screwdriver, but had to leave it tied to the side of a video camera in a dungeon cell in order for it to keep the visual feed disabled. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Nightmare Fair (novelisation)|The Nightmare Fair]]'') He later carried another sonic model during his adventures with [[Crystal]], [[Jason (The Ultimate Adventure)|Jason]], and [[Zog (Face Value)|Zog]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Ultimate Adventure (audio story)|The Ultimate Adventure]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Disabling a video camera indefinitely. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Nightmare Fair (novelisation)|The Nightmare Fair]]'')
* Closing and sealing Dalek doors. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Ultimate Adventure (audio story)|The Ultimate Adventure]]'')
* Repairing the [[TARDIS control console]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Ultimate Adventure (audio story)|The Ultimate Adventure]]'')
* The Doctor attempted to use it to free [[Envoy|the American Envoy]] from the Dalek [[laser wall]], but this failed. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Ultimate Adventure (audio story)|The Ultimate Adventure]]'')
 
=== The Seventh and Eighth Doctors' sonic ===
{{Section stub|As per [[Thread:133842]], there is a sonic in the Doctor's possession by the time of his travels with Benny in the NAs. Info needs to be added from these sources, as well as numerous Big Finish audio dramas.}}
[[File:ChangLooksThroughSonic.jpg|thumb|[[Chang Lee]] discovers the sonic screwdriver amongst the things he stole from the [[Seventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')]]
The [[Seventh Doctor]] acquired a sonic screwdriver at an unspecified point of his life. Many contradictory accounts existed, including one which claimed he had acquired it at some point before meeting  [[Bernice Summerfield]], ([[AUDIO]]:  ''[[Love and War (audio story)|Love and War]]'' et al.) and another, which claimed he acquired it from himself on [[Silurian Earth|a parallel Earth]] where the species [[Silurian|Homo Reptilicus]] had conquered the Earth and killed [[Third Doctor|his third incarnation]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Blood Heat (novel)|Blood Heat]]'', ''[[First Frontier (novel)|First Frontier]]'') The Doctor himself claimed that he had only recently built one shortly before re-encountering [[the Monk]], ([[PROSE]]: ''[[No Future (novel)|No Future]]'') and that he received it as compensation after suing the Terileptils for [[criminal]] damage. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[GodEngine (novel)|GodEngine]]'')
 
This model looked similar to the screwdriver used up until his fifth incarnation: it was silver with a brass trim ring in the lower grip and a handle that resembled that of the previous sonic screwdrivers', now with a flat base. Its upper section was able to undergo telescopic collapse for ease of carrying, and, at its top, it held an emitter with a silver ring and a red bullet-shaped crystal at its centre. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'') Once, while suffering from amnesia, the Doctor was able to operate this sonic screwdriver on instinct. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[EarthWorld (novel)|EarthWorld]]'') This version remained in the Eighth Doctor's use throughout his life, up until its destruction at the hands of a [[Cyber-Leader]] on Earth. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]'')
 
The Eighth Doctor had resumed using this model by the end of his life during the [[Last Great Time War]]. It was the second and final model the Doctor used thus far that bore an emitter-ring head. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'') The Eighth Doctor's other choice of a diode-tipped model would become the standard for his later incarnations. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'', ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'', ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'', ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'', ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'')
 
The Eighth Doctor once commented that he felt undressed with his sonic screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sontaran Ordeal (audio story)|The Sontaran Ordeal]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Opening the security gate to the [[Crook Marsham]] [[radio telescope]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Nightshade (audio story)|Nightshade]]'')
* Scanning Crook Marsham's Palaeolithic quarry. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Nightshade (audio story)|Nightshade]]'')
* Scanning energy from [[The Sentience (Nightshade)|the Sentience]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Nightshade (audio story)|Nightshade]]'')
* Hacking into [[System]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Harvest (audio story)|The Harvest]]'')
* Melting ice. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Magic Mousetrap (audio story)|The Magic Mousetrap]]'')
* Attempting to break out of a cell on board the [[Daedalus]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Dead to the World (audio story)|Dead to the World]]'')
* Breaking into [[Jal Brant|Major Brant]]'s [[library]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Excelis Decays (audio story)|Excelis Decays]]'')
* Opening a service duct for [[Artaris]]' old [[Imperial Museum]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Excelis Decays (audio story)|Excelis Decays]]'')
* Locking the casket containing [[the Master]]'s remains. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')
* Performing maintenance on new parts in the TARDIS console. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')
* Opening the organic locks used by the [[Zygon]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Bodysnatchers (novel)|The Bodysnatchers]]'')
* Destroying a [[Red Dalek]]'s brain (when placed directly against the Dalek's casing around its head). ([[PROSE]]: ''[[War of the Daleks (novel)|War of the Daleks]]'')
* Causing [[Gunstick|Dalek weapons]] to detonate. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Legacy of the Daleks (novel)|Legacy of the Daleks]]'')
* Repelling [[ghost]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Vanderdeken's Children (novel)|Vanderdeken's Children]]'')
* Opening a door in a [[force field]] large enough for the Doctor and his companions to travel through. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[EarthWorld (novel)|EarthWorld]]'')
* Opening the chest of the mobile [[nuclear weapon]] [[Fatboy (Eater of Wasps)|Fatboy]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Eater of Wasps (novel)|Eater of Wasps]]'')
* Decapitating the [[King of Beasts]], leader of the [[Babewyn]], through the symbolic power of the screwdriver over the King. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Adventuress of Henrietta Street (novel)|The Adventuress of Henrietta Street]]'')
* Locking a bank vault from the inside. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Trading Futures (novel)|Trading Futures]]'')
* Temporarily disabling an [[electron bomb]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Tomorrow Windows (novel)|The Tomorrow Windows]]'')
* Subduing hostile dogs. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Deadstone Memorial (novel)|The Deadstone Memorial]]'')
* Disrupting the control signal for floating magnetic discs. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[To the Slaughter (novel)|To the Slaughter]]'')
* Turning [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] against each other. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]'')
* Opening a bulk head door on a crashing spaceship. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
* Scanning for life signs. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
* Transfer the code sequence for the oil pipes from Nardole's computer into itself to then detonate them on command. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'')
 
=== Replacement on Ha'olam ===
During his imprisonment by [[INC]] on [[Ha'olam]], the Doctor's sonic screwdriver was confiscated. After his escape, he briefly used a replacement screwdriver resembling a slender metal rod with a crystal at its tip. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Seeing I (novel)|Seeing I]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Making milkshakes. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Seeing I (novel)|Seeing I]]'')
* Hacking into the [[Ubernet]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Seeing I (novel)|Seeing I]]'')
 
=== The Eighth Doctor's second screwdriver ===
[[File:Dark Eyes sonic.jpg|thumb|The Eighth Doctor's second screwdriver. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pictures of Josephine Day (comic story)|The Pictures of Josephine Day]]'')]]
Later in his eighth incarnation, the Doctor carried a sonic screwdriver with a wooden handle. It had a metallic tip with six prongs that nested a clear diode at the end, which glowed blue when activated. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'') Its handle doubled as a torch. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Sword of Orion (audio story)|Sword of Orion]]'') The Doctor claimed that he made this version of the sonic screwdriver to do more than open doors and blow up land mines. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'') He later made further modifications to the screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Beachhead (audio story)|Beachhead]]'')
 
It was referred to as a [[pennywhistle]] by numerous [[World War I]] medics. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'') The Doctor possessed it as early on as his travels with Charley Pollard, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'') and was still using it in the early part of the [[Last Great Time War]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Natural Regression (short story)|Natural Regression]]'') He had returned to using his original model by the end of his life. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* To locate the TARDIS, but instead opening a [[Vess]] forcefield. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'')
* To hack into the reality orientation controls in a Vess weapons factory. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'')
* Breaking the security lockdown in a Vess facility with the help of the Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'')
* Touching with the Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver to release enough temporal energy to force the door to the TARDIS to open. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'')
* Disorienting a [[ROSM|Rescue Operational Security Module]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Embrace the Darkness (audio story)|Embrace the Darkness]]'')
* Raising the bulkheads between [[Romana II]] and the Matrix chamber. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Neverland (audio story)|Neverland]]'')
* Jamming motion-sensitive sensors long enough for the Doctor and his companions to get to safety. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Scaredy Cat (audio story)|Scaredy Cat]]'')
* Locking the TARDIS [[console room]] away from the rest of the ship until it could repair itself during a [[Hellion]] attack. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Absolution (BFA audio story)|Absolution]]'')
* Tracking residual energy traces. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Girl Who Never Was (audio story)|The Girl Who Never Was]]'')
* Reactivating a long-dormant [[telegraph]] machine. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Girl Who Never Was (audio story)|The Girl Who Never Was]]'')
* Oscillating the atoms of [[wickerwork]] to weaken the structure. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Dead London (audio story)|Dead London]]'')
* Vibrating [[Molluscari]] from their shells by duplicating the precise frequency necessary. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Orbis (audio story)|Orbis]]'')
* Weakening a stone wall by weakening the molecular bonds between atoms. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Book of Kells (audio story)|The Book of Kells]]'')
* Fixing a train track. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'')
* To locate the TARDIS. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fugitives (audio story)|Fugitives]]'')
* Trying to shatter the walls of a prison. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Tangled Web (audio story)|Tangled Web]]'')
* Detecting a temporal intrusion. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'')
* Being activated by [[Herbert Goring]], allowing the Doctor to track the screwdriver with the TARDIS. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The White Room (audio story)|The White Room]]'')
* Breaking into the [[Ides Scientific Institute]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'')
* Unlocking a freezer door slowly from the inside. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'')
* Settings twelve and twenty could override security on a Ramossan spaceport. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Reviled (audio story)|The Reviled]]'')
* Cancelling an alarm. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Masterplan (audio story)|Masterplan]]'')
* Tampering with a spaceship computer. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Masterplan (audio story)|Masterplan]]'')
* Unlocking handcuffs. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Monster of Montmartre (audio story)|The Monster of Montmartre]]'')
* Attempting to unscrew Gallifreyan bolts. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Eleven (audio story)|The Eleven]]'')
* Access information from a terminal. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Satanic Mill (audio story)|The Satanic Mill]]'')
* To send the TARDIS to the Doctor's location. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Satanic Mill (audio story)|The Satanic Mill]]'')
* To detect energy emissions. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Beachhead (audio story)|Beachhead]]'')
* To detect tremors caused by [[the Gift]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sonomancer (audio story)|The Sonomancer]]'')
* To hack into a lock with three million possible combinations. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sonomancer (audio story)|The Sonomancer]]'')
* To access a Gallifreyan computer. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Crucible of Souls (audio story)|The Crucible of Souls]]'')
* To scan for [[animae particle]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pictures of Josephine Day (comic story)|The Pictures of Josephine Day]]'')
* To use a satellite dish to communicate with the [[Spherion]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Music of the Spherions (comic story)|Music of the Spherions]]'')
* Opening the back door to a theatre in [[Edinburgh]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Silvering (comic story)|The Silvering]]'')
* Unlocking a cell door. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Silvering (comic story)|The Silvering]]'')
* Destroying the Silversmith's mirrors. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Silvering (comic story)|The Silvering]]'')
* As a torch. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Briarwood (comic story)|Briarwood]]'')
* To escape a cell on board a [[Bakri resurrection barge]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[A Matter of Life and Death (comic story)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'')
* As a torch when the Doctor visited [[Rontan 9]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Natural Regression (short story)|Natural Regression]]'')
* Fusing the lock of a metal door. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Natural Regression (short story)|Natural Regression]]'')
 
=== The War Doctor's sonic ===
[[File:War Doctor sonic.jpg|thumb|The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')]]
By the end of his life, the [[War Doctor]] used a sonic screwdriver with a simple metallic handle and a red-light-emitting diode at the end. It appeared to be a further upgraded version of the Eighth Doctor's first sonic screwdriver, which he kept strapped in a bandoleer on his chest. It shared the same casing type as the screwdriver used by the Fourth Doctor, but had an extending diode head instead of an emitter head, and an additional piece added to the end of the handle that looked like a small red cap. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
After regenerating at the end of the Last Great Time War, the Doctor kept this model with him during the early adventures of his ninth incarnation. This version was destroyed when the Doctor rigged it to explode in order to seal a rift in interstital space.  ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Bleeding Heart (audio story)|The Bleeding Heart]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
* Summoning the TARDIS to materialise around him. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Thousand Worlds (audio story)|The Thousand Worlds]]'')
* Summoning the TARDIS to materialise nearby. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Heart of the Battle (audio story)|The Heart of the Battle]], ''[[AUDIO]]: ''[[A Thing of Guile (audio story)|A Thing of Guile]]'')
* Dismantling an [[Interstitial]]'s [[possibility engine]] by removing its bolts. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Engines of War (novel)|Engines of War]]'')
* Receiving homing signals from the TARDIS in the TARDIS Undercroft below the Citadel. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Engines of War (novel)|Engines of War]]'')
* Implanting a permanent subroutine within the architecture of the sonic screwdriver's software that would begin the centuries-long calculation to disintegrate a door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Creating a force field with two other screwdrivers to force back and destroy an attacking Time War Dalek. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Continuing a calculation to move Gallifrey into a pocket universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Scanning a corpse. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Bleeding Heart (audio story)|The Bleeding Heart]]'')
* Wiping security footage. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Bleeding Heart (audio story)|The Bleeding Heart]]'')
 
=== The Ninth and Tenth Doctors' sonic ===
[[File:Ninth Doctor Good with Teleports.jpg|thumb|The Ninth Doctor's sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')]]
After the destruction of the previous model, the Ninth Doctor built himself a new sonic screwdriver. This one had a creamy light grey handle with a "cracked-porcelain" texture, silver metal at both the bottom of the handle and the top, and was capped off with a black pommel. Its emitter was blue and sat atop a silver metal section attached to a transparent tube containing black and red wires twisted around each other in the center that was hidden inside the handle until extended by the slider on the side. This model was carried by the [[Ninth Doctor]], who used it far more frequently than his previous incarnations had done before. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'', et al.) The [[Tenth Doctor]] also used this model, as he liked tinkering with technology to make devices he needed.
 
[[File:Human Nature Universal Remote Sonic.JPG|thumb|left|A replacement sonic used by the Tenth Doctor after overloading the former model. ([[TV]]: ''[[Human Nature (TV story)|Human Nature]]'')]]
This version was burnt out by accident after the Tenth Doctor used it to modify an [[X-ray]] output to over 5000%, but he replaced it with a similar model with a flatter slider, two yellow wires in the tube instead of the black and red ones, and a truer light grey handle, ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'') though it reverted to its cream handle during his time with Queen Elizabeth ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') and appeared to have a blue handle following his regeneration. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') The model underwent several changes in shape{{fact}} and colouration, some inadvertent. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Laundro-Room of Doom (comic story)|Laundro-Room of Doom]]'') This version of the sonic screwdriver was also the first to be shown to have a direct connection to the Doctor's TARDIS ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'') and could be used to override its functions. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'') The Tenth Doctor had this screwdriver on his person during his [[regeneration]], but it was damaged repeatedly afterwards, leading to many malfunctions. Despite the damage, the [[Eleventh Doctor]] used it to overload technology in an attempt to alert the Atraxi to Prisoner Zero's location. This fried it into useless, charred metal, much to his growing annoyance and anger. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
===== Security =====
* Opening a door. ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'')
* Freeing the Ninth Doctor from his manacles. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'')
* Unlocking handcuffs. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
* Locking and unlocking a hatch in Cybus Industries ([[TV]]: ''[[The Age of Steel (TV story)|The Age of Steel]]'')
* Unlocking a taxi door and window. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Hacking into the [[H.C. Clements]] website. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Bypassing the key needed to access the secret basement in H.C. Clements. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Opening air-tight seals. ([[TV]]: ''[[Gridlock (TV story)|Gridlock]]'')
* Unsuccessfully activating emergency by-pass switches. ([[TV]]: ''[[Gridlock (TV story)|Gridlock]]'')
* Bypassing and turning off security systems. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment (TV story)|The Lazarus Experiment]]'')
* Disabling [[security orb]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Wrath of the Warrior (comic story)|Wrath of the Warrior]]'')
* Trying unsuccessfully to hack into New New York's police communications to call for help. ([[TV]]: ''[[Gridlock (TV story)|Gridlock]]'')
* Destroying a security camera. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'', ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'')
* Opening and closing the Titanic's doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[Voyage of the Damned (TV story)|Voyage of the Damned]]'')
* Disabling emergency exit alarms and locks, but causing sparks as a result. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime (TV story)|Partners in Crime]]'')
* Controlling a cable cart; also locking it in a "sonic cage" to prevent anything but another sonic device from controlling it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime (TV story)|Partners in Crime]]'')
* Breaking into a silo on the [[Ood-Sphere]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]'')
* Fusing a lock shut, forcing it to be broken down. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]'')
* Temporarily turning off lethal security beams. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Daughter (TV story)|The Doctor's Daughter]]'')
* Opening the casing of a cleaning robot. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Carnage Zoo (comic story)|Carnage Zoo]]'')
* Opening bus doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'')
* Accessing [[Bowie Base One]]'s records on the [[Flood]] infection. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'')
* Unlocking the door to [[Adelaide Brooke]]'s house. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'')
* Switching the ''[[Hesperus (spacecraft)|Hesperus]]''{{'}} power off. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'')
* Locking [[Prisoner Zero]] in the room it was hiding in. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
 
===== Medical =====
* Acting as a medical scanner and diagnostic tool. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'')
* Dislodging and reinserting [[Tooth|teeth]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Lodger (comic story)|The Lodger]]'')
* Partially reversing the [[Abzorbaloff]]'s absorption of [[Ursula Blake]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'')
* Confusing the [[Antibody|antibodies]] of a living [[planet]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Lonely Planet (comic story)|Lonely Planet]]'')
* Building a DNA scanning device. ([[TV]]: ''[[Daleks in Manhattan (TV story)|Daleks in Manhattan]]'')
* Scanning for fluctuating DNA, specifically that of Professor [[Lazarus]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment (TV story)|The Lazarus Experiment]]'')
 
===== Diagnostic =====
* Detecting and stopping [[Telepathy|telepathic]] signals. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'')
* Scanning a life form for information, specifically [[Donna Noble]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Scanning the Eleventh Doctor to confirm his identity as a future incarnation ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Four Doctors]]'')
* Detecting heated [[water]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Halls of Sacrifice (comic story)|The Halls of Sacrifice]]'')
* Scanning shadows for the presence of [[Vashta Nerada]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library (TV story)|Silence in the Library]]''/''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Checking [[Crusader 50]]'s control console for faults. ([[TV]]: ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]'')
* Scanning for [[Infostamp]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'')
* Scanning the [[Eleventh Doctor]] to identify if he was an imposter. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Four Doctors (comic story)|Four Doctors]]'')
* Tracing [[distress signal]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Ghost Factory]]'')
* Scanning slime. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Doomsilk]]'')
* Scanning the [[President of Earth (Return of the Klytode)|President of Earth]] for [[alien]] influence. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Return of the Klytode]]'')
* Detecting and illuminating [[ultraviolet]] characters. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Game of Death]]'')
* Detecting the arrival of [[spacecraft]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Pictures of Emptiness]]'')
* Picking up traces of [[Psychic energy|psychic spoor]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Mortal Beloved (comic story)|Mortal Beloved]]'')
* Detecting time traces. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'')
* Detecting the progress of the War Doctor's calculation in his iteration of the sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Scanning a crack in Amelia Pond's wall. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
 
===== Technology =====
* Destroying the controls of a [[lift]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'')
* Establishing an interface with a [[computer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'')
* Controlling a lift. ([[TV]]: ''[[World War Three (TV story)|World War Three]]'')
* Causing [[rain]] via [[atmospheric excitation]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Death to the Doctor! (comic story)|Death to the Doctor!]]'')
* Obtaining money from a cash machine. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'')
* Opening a panel to [[Satellite Five]]'s mainframe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'')
* Obtaining access to Satellite Five's core computer. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'')
* Charging from a battery. ([[TV]]: ''[[Father's Day (TV story)|Father's Day]]'')
* Reversing teleport devices. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
* Destroying a television camera. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'')
* Dematerialising the TARDIS and initialising TARDIS processes from outside the craft. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways]]'')
* Blowing up [[Roboform Christmas tree|a remote control Christmas tree]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'')
* Re-establishing the time window's connection to a space ship in the future. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'')
* De-activating [[Scribble creature|a living graphite scribble]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fear Her (TV story)|Fear Her]]'')
* Reversing an [[anti-gravity]] [[umbrella]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Smart Bombs]]'')
* Detonating an explosive device. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'')
* Calling immediately a number in a phone box without the need of pressing number buttons. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Getting money from a cash machine, at both regular and extra-high rates of ejection. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Detonating the head of a [[roboform]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Searching a phone for an app or a feature. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Scanning through hospital records, specifically to find any patient suffering from strange symptoms (an alien in disguise). ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'')
* Partially activating ventilation air ducts. ([[TV]]: ''[[Gridlock (TV story)|Gridlock]]'')
* Sending out a signal to tell the Daleks where he was. ([[TV]]: ''[[Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Evolution of the Daleks]]'')
* Reversing the polarity of Lazarus' machine, sending an energy pulse out to knock Lazarus unconscious and revert him to human form. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment]]'')
* Disabling robotic flies. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Exhausting Evil]]'')
* Modifying hearing aids. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Screaming Prison]]'')
* Reversing [[Teleportation|teleport feeds]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Warriors' Revenge]]'')
* Giving [[mobile phone]]s [[Superphone|the ability to call across time and space]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[42 (TV story)|42]]'', ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Daughter (TV story)|The Doctor's Daughter]]'')
* Completing the propulsion system for the ship destined for [[Utopia (Utopia)|Utopia]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'')
* Fusing the TARDIS' navigational coordinates, allowing only travel between its current position and the previous one. The fusion was imperfect; at least 18 months before or after take-off were allowed as destinations. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'')
* Fixing and upgrading a decades-broken [[vortex manipulator]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'')
* Rewiring a television/portrait to show ship's systems. ([[TV]]: ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'')
* Looping temporal energy of a [[fraxis pod]] back into a [[zygma drive]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Blooms of Doom!]]'')
* Shattering robot assassins. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[A Suitable Showdown]]'')
* Disabling a [[Sontaran]] teleport. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]'')
* Unsuccessfully trying to bypass the Sontarans' control of the [[ATMOS]], forcing the Doctor to use reverse-psychology with the machine to avoid drowning. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]'')
* Changing the destination of a Sontaran teleport. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'')
* Opening a broadcast channel on a Sontaran ship in order to communicate ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'')
* Changing the "channel" on a broadcast when the [[Sontaran]]s began chanting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'')
* Building a terraforming device to ignite the poisonous clouds. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'')
* Accessing hidden areas on a holographic map. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Daughter (TV story)|The Doctor's Daughter]]'')
* Unintentionally showing a hologram of [[Donna Noble]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Tinting a helmet visor and increasing the mesh density of a spacesuit. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Disabling the [[Crusader 50]]'s entertainment system. ([[TV]]: ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]'')
* Modifying a [[gravity converter]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Skydive! (comic story)|Skydive!]]'')
* Disabling a [[Cyrronak robot]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Highway Robbery]]'')
* Cancelling out a [[phonic blast]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[We Will Rock You]]'')
* Repairing an overloading distribution box. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Graves of Mordane]]'')
* Downloading a journal. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Colour of Darkness]]'')
* Remotely controlling environmental controls. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Game of Death]]'')
* Overriding [[Gadget]]'s controller and increasing the robot's speed to the point where it left trails of flames behind. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'')
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Disabling a [[shimmer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'')
* Helping repair the ''[[Hesperus (spacecraft)|Hesperus]]''. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'')
* Remotely controlling the TARDIS to change its course, saving the Doctor and his vessel the fate of colliding into [[Big Ben]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
* Opening a "[[Time field|crack in space-time]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
* Switching a radio between several international channels to determine that the Atraxi were broadcasting their warning for Prisoner Zero to surrender or be destroyed along with the "human residence" to the entire Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
* Trying to set off multiple technological resources on Earth to draw the attention of the Atraxi; however, due to the damage it had sustained from Prisoner Zero and continued abuse, this action overtaxed the screwdriver and caused its components to fail, which ultimately led to it burning up and exploding with a large burst of sparks. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'')
 
===== Amplification =====
* Setting up a [[resonation pattern]] in [[concrete]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'')
* Destroying the Robot Santas with sound (used in conjunction with a professional sound system). ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Increasing the radiation output of a device such as an [[x-ray]] scanner; this action burned out the screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'')
* Producing hypersonic sound waves which led to the death of the mutated [[Richard Lazarus]], in conjunction with a pipe organ. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment (TV story)|The Lazarus Experiment]]'')
* Used with [[Miss Foster]]'s [[sonic pen]] to create an ultra-high frequency. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime (TV story)|Partners in Crime]]'')
 
===== Utility =====
* Corroding thin metal (e.g. [[barbed wire]]) so that it crumbled into rust. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'')
* Re-connecting barbed wire. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'')
* Igniting [[swamp gas]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Hunt of Doom]]'')
* Stopping the emergence of [[Mirrorling]]s from mirrors. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Mirror Image]]'')
* Lighting a candle. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'')
* Cutting rope. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Age of Steel (TV story)|The Age of Steel]]'')
* Illuminating [[Rose Tyler]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Warfreekz!]]'')
* Partially cracking glass so it could be smashed with the tiniest press of a finger. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
* Cutting a spider web. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]'')
* Overloading [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybermen]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Power of the Cybermen]]'')
* Crashing an [[aircar]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Time of the Cybermen]]'')
* Trying to strip off pieces of [[Dalekanium]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Evolution of the Daleks]]'')
* Lighting a Bunsen burner from a distance. ([[TV]]: ''[[Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Evolution of the Daleks]]'')
* Melting hardened asphalt into heated [[tarmac]], and reversing the process, so as to catch animals in a road. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Last Dodo]]'')
* Sinking a ship. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Second Wave]]'')
* Resonating a floor to destroy it, via crystal gems. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Operation Lock-up]]'')
* Melting [[chocolate]] by increasing the resonance frequency of a torch. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Crimes and Punishment]]'')
* As a soldering iron to make [[perception filter]]s using [[TARDIS key]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'')
* Uncorking a champagne bottle. ([[TV]]: ''[[Voyage of the Damned (TV story)|Voyage of the Damned]]'')
* Knocking over stone tablets. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]'')
* Cutting rope holding Donna to a sacrificial altar. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]'')
* Putting [[horseshoe]]s onto [[horse]]s. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Death and the Queen (audio story)|Death and the Queen]]'')
* Creating a [[stasis beam]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[School of the Dead]]'')
* Teleporting a [[Graske]] to the other side of the universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[Music of the Spheres (TV story)|Music of the Spheres]]'')
* [[Teleport]]ing onto a [[Nim]] [[spacecraft]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Day the Earth Was Sold]]'', ''[[The King of Earth]]'')
* As a [[sonic toothbrush]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Continuity Cap]]'')
* Shattering ice. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Arctic Eclipse]]'')
* Blowing up a fire hydrant. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Creature Feature]]'')
* [[Atmospheric excitation]] to cause [[rain]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Mudshock]]'')
* Tickling a [[lion]] with sonic waves. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Slitheen Excursion]]'')
* Tinting the Doctor's glasses, effectively making them sunglasses. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'')
* Stopping and winding up a winch. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'')
* Incapacitating a [[Gizou]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Fugitive]]'')
* Making [[toast]] and [[butter]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Dead Air (audio story)|Dead Air]]'')
* As an actual screwdriver, without touching the screws. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Daughter]]'')
* Combining power with the Eleventh and War Doctors' sonic screwdrivers to create a sonic force to blast back and destroy an attacking Dalek in the [[Time War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
=== The Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors' sonic ===
[[File:ElevenScrewdriverTHE.jpg|thumb|left|The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth (TV story)|The Hungry Earth]]'')]]
After the loss of the previous sonic screwdriver, the TARDIS gifted the Doctor with a new model. Differing radically from the last, with its extendible "claws" and green crystalline emitter resembling the inner structure of the TARDIS's new time rotor, it also had copper plating similar to the new control room. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') A psychic interface allowed its user to point it at a target and think of the function they wanted. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)|Let's Kill Hitler]]'', ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'') Having been mentioned to be more than sonic, ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors (TV story)|Night Terrors]]'') this screwdriver also shot beams of green energy in the shape of sonic waves. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon (TV story)|Day of the Moon]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'') By at least the time of the Doctor's thirteenth regeneration, it had a voice-activation feature, which the Doctor forgot about when he needed it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'') It had a charge that could last centuries; it once lasted 300 years before the Doctor could charge it in the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
 
Retaining ineffectiveness against [[wood]], it also didn't work against [[Peg Doll]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors (TV story)|Night Terrors]]'') or the [[Wooden King]] and [[Wooden Queen|Queen]].  ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') The Doctor considered it embarrassing and said that "I need to invent a setting for wood." ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors (TV story)|Night Terrors]]'') In similar situations, he yelled at it in panic; "Aliens made of wood, you know this was always going to happen!", "Yes, I know it's wood. Get over it!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') Though aware of this flaw, he was still able to successfully bluff a [[Wooden Cyberman]] into destroying itself.  ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'') He also once defended this weakness, saying "Oi! Don't diss the sonic!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth (TV story)|The Hungry Earth]]'') At some point it had an anti-freeze setting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'') This screwdriver was also shown to have a "red setting", ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold War (TV story)|Cold War]]'') similar to [[#River's screwdriver|River's sonic screwdriver]].
 
[[File:Sonic and psychic paper.jpeg|thumb|right|The sonic screwdriver and [[psychic paper]] on the TARDIS console. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flatline (TV story)|Flatline]]'')]]
This model was lost and replaced by the Doctor repeatedly, having been bitten in half by a [[sky shark]] and left behind, ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') left with the [[Ganger Doctor]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh]]'') destroyed by [[Danny Fisher]] ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Blood of Azrael (comic story)|The Blood of Azrael]]'') and, in one instance, simply burnt out due to overuse. In the latter instance, a replacement was given to him by [[Santa Claus]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Silent Knight (comic story)|Silent Knight]]'') One of the Twelfth Doctor's sonic screwdrivers was incinerated by the [[Governor (The Blood Cell)|Governor]] when he was admitted into [[the Prison]]. Clara Oswald attempted to give him a new one disguised as a large candle in a birthday cake, but the Governor refused to give the cake to the Doctor. He created a [[sonic spoon]] in the interim. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Blood Cell (novel)|The Blood Cell]]'') Ultimately, he left one of his screwdrivers with [[Davros]] after abandoning him as a child. Davros had it in his possession for many years after, until [[Colony Sarff]] returned it to the Doctor. By this point, it was no longer of any real use to him, as it had become heavily damaged and inoperable, visibly weather-beaten from exposure to war and conflict, and with one of the clawed prongs broken off. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]'')
 
The Doctor eventually declared that he was "over" sonic screwdrivers, saying that they "spoil the line of your jacket". He replaced the screwdriver with a pair of [[sonic sunglasses]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'')
 
However, he did not keep this promise, as he used this sonic screwdriver several times afterwards. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Clara Oswald and the School of Death (comic story)|Clara Oswald and the School of Death]]'', ''[[The Fourth Wall (comic story)|The Fourth Wall]]'')
 
When the Eleventh Doctor met the Tenth Doctor in [[England]], [[1562]], upon the latter realising that the former was a future incarnation of himself, they both got out their sonic screwdrivers. The Eleventh Doctor immediately showed off how much bigger his was, to which the Tenth Doctor claimed that his future incarnation was compensating, remarking that "[[regeneration]], it's a [[lottery]]." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
==== Uses ====
===== Security =====
* Trying (unsuccessfully) to open the exit back into ''[[Starship UK]]''. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* Opening the chest plate of [[Edwin Bracewell|an android]]'s controls. ([[TV]]: ''[[Victory of the Daleks]]'')
* Opening the entrance hatch of a space ship. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Breaking open padlocks. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
* Locking the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]], [[The Doctor's Wife]]'')
* Opening the gate to the [[London Underground]]. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Opening up a discarded [[Dalek]] dome. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Bypassing Dalek security seals. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Opening up control panels in [[Kaalann]]. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Closing and locking a door to a [[Cyber-conversion]] room. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Unlocking [[Cyber-conversion unit]] manacles. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Opening an electronic door. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
* Opening the door to a [[79B Aickman Road|time ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
* To open, close and lock the Pandorica. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'')
* Unlocking the door to Melody's room. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'')
* Unlocking Amy's restraints. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'')
* Locking and failing to unlock the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Wife]]'')
* Unlocking a grating. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Almost People]]'')
* Locking a grating into place. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Almost People]]'')
* Closing doors inside a [[Cyber Ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Opening doors on [[Demons Run]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Opening a fake door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* Sealing the trapdoor that [[Gantok]] fell down, out of fear of the carnivorous skulls. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
* Unlocking Dalek prisoner restraints. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Dalek Project (comic story)|The Dalek Project]]'')
* Turning off the defence system of [[Kahler-Jex]]' ship. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Town Called Mercy (TV story)|A Town Called Mercy]]'')
* Locking a door in the [[Great Intelligence Institute]] office. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Stripping away the disguise around the [[Great Intelligence]]'s voice. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen]]'')
* Unlocking the door of the Maitland home. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Unlocking the door of an aeroplane's cockpit. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Opening the secret entrance to the Doctor's tomb. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
* Disabling a Sontaran invisibility field to leave two Sontarans invading the town of [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]] defenceless against the [[Papal Mainframe]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Unlocking restraints around Clara and the Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'')
* Opening a Dalek drainage hole. ([[TV]]: ''[[Into the Dalek (TV story)|Into the Dalek]]'')
* Unlocking the seal to a space capsule door. ([[TV]]: ''[[Listen (TV story)|Listen]]'')
* Opening air vents. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Heist (TV story)|Time Heist]]'')
* Shutting an automatic door on the ''[[Pollyanna]]''. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Eye of Torment (comic story)|The Eye of Torment]]'')
* Opening a door on the ''Pollyanna''. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Eye of Torment (comic story)|The Eye of Torment]]'')
* Fusing a lock. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Eye of Torment (comic story)|The Eye of Torment]]'')
* Opening a panel which released cooling gases, causing harm to [[Rann-Korr]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Terrorformer (comic story)|Terrorformer]]'')
* Unlocking the door of [[3W]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'')
* Opening and closing the inner and outer airlock of a spaceship. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Spirits of the Jungle (comic story)|Spirits of the Jungle]]'')
 
===== Medical =====
* Forcing a [[star whale]] to regurgitate by overloading its chaemo-receptors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* Simultaneously healing and analysing wounds. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Vampires of Venice]]'')
* Scanning lifeforms to determine how integrated into a host body they are. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
* Scanning piles of dust for traces of people. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
* Scanning an infection. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'')
* Unwittingly pleasing a [[Krafayis]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Vincent and the Doctor]]'')
* Stunning the Silence. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'')
* Confirming how long [[Idris]]'s body has before the TARDIS Matrix causes it to die. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'')
* Scanning the Flesh. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh (TV story)|The Rebel Flesh]]'')
* Detecting differences between Gangers and humans. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Almost People]]'')
* Dissolving [[Ganger]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Almost People]]'')
* Detecting if a person was fatally wounded. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Stunning the [[Rutan Host|Rutan]] [[Elizabeth Winters|Lady Winters]]. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The Gunpowder Plot]]'')
* Scanning the deceased to determine what caused death with no success. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* Scanning for life signs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Scanning pieces of what used to be the Ice Governess. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Stripping away the disguise of the [[Great Intelligence]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Melting the [[Ice Governess]] using the new anti-freeze setting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Trying but failing to melt the Ice Governess again once she came back. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Stripping away the disguise of a [[Spoonhead]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Scanning the people in an [[aeroplane]] to find out that they were unconscious. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Removing a [[dream crab]] from [[Clara Oswald]]'s face by electrifying its nerve centres. ([[TV]]: ''[[Last Christmas (TV story)|Last Christmas]]'')
 
===== Diagnostic =====
* Scanning ''[[Starship UK]]''{{'}}s engine room to determine that there was no actual engine powering the spaceship. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* Scanning voting booth for memory erasing function. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* Scanning Father [[Octavian (The Time of Angels)|Octavian]]'s computer. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of Angels]]'')
* Determining the nature of [[time Field|the cracks]] throughout time and space, which was "extremely very not good." ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Scanning for heat signatures. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'')
* Scanning [[Stonehenge]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
* Helping trace who received the [[Pandorica]]'s summons. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
* Scanning the Pandorica. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
* Scanning with a parabolic satellite dish for an exploding TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'')
* Scanning a [[vortex manipulator]] to see if it was wired into something. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'')
* Confirming the [[isomorphic controls|isomorphic]] nature of a control panel. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]])''
* Scanning boxes of stolen NASA equipment to confirm that they are just what they look like. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Astronaut]]'')
* Scanning a spacesuit. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'')
* Confirming if a [[nano-recorder]] was on telepathic transmission or a replay. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'')
* Confirming the nature of an alien life-support system. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of the Black Spot]]'')
* Scanning for [[Hypercube]] transmissions to locate their source. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Wife]]'')
* Scanning for monsters and how powerful they were. ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'')
* Scanning [[dimensional lesion]]s. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The Gunpowder Plot]]'')
* Detecting electrical interference. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Confirming increased [[sulphur]] emissions. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Scanning a Dalek's database for information, specifically anything that his oldest enemies knew about [[the Silence]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
* Scanning a Headless Monk head box to confirm its contents. ([[TV]]:'' [[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
* Scanning [[Albert Einstein]]'s liquid to determine if it was the ingredient he thought he needed to make a time machine. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death Is the Only Answer]]'')
* Scanning the life-force transference crown. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'')
* Detecting a magnetic field. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Dalek Project]]'')
* Scanning a load of rocks and wood, determining that they were just that. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Town Called Mercy (TV story)|A Town Called Mercy]]'')
* Scanning the electric lights in Mercy to determine how far advanced the technology was. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Town Called Mercy (TV story)|A Town Called Mercy]]'')
* Scanning a [[Weeping Angel]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]]'')
* Scanning a frozen pond. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Scanning the melted Ice Governess to make sure she was gone and draining through the carpet. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Scanning a [[Cybermite]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'')
* Scanning the Doctor's time stream. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
* Detecting the progress of the War Doctor's calculation in his iteration of the sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* A heat sensor to discover the hiding place of the [[Mara]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Dreaming (short story)|The Dreaming]]'')
* Scanning Dalek memory technology. ([[TV]]: ''[[Into the Dalek (TV story)|Into the Dalek]]'')
* Scanning a lock of hair. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Scanning an apple. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Scanning [[Bank of Karabraxos]] technology. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Heist (TV story)|Time Heist]]'')
* Tracing the [[Skovox Blitzer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
* Calculating how long before the Skovox Blitzer would return. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
* Scanning a cocoon. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kill the Moon (TV story)|Kill the Moon]]'')
* Scanning a [[spider germ]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kill the Moon (TV story)|Kill the Moon]]'')
* Scanning the [[Excelsior Life Extender]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Mummy on the Orient Express (TV story)|Mummy on the Orient Express]]'')
* Scanning for traces of the [[Boneless]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flatline (TV story)|Flatline]]'')
* Scanning trees. ([[TV]]: ''[[In the Forest of the Night (TV story)|In the Forest of the Night]]'')
* Scanning [[Clara Oswald]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'')
 
===== Technology =====
* Isolating the lighting so that the [[Weeping Angel]]s could not drain the power. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Redirecting all the power to the doors in order to open them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Uploading proximity-alerting software to Amy's communicator. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Detecting the location of lights. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
* Exploding lightbulbs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
* Hacking into computer records. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
* Activating bio-programmed soil. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
* Disabling [[Silurian]] weapons. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'')
* Accessing the [[Visualiser]] eye and repowering it. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Tampering with the [[Dalek Emperor (City of the Daleks)|Dalek Emperor]]'s casing. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Activating a Dalek console trap. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Constructing a [[Dalek Vision Disruptor]]. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
* Fixing platform lift control panels. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Disassembling a [[Chronon Blocker]]. ([[GAME]]: ''[[TARDIS (video game)|TARDIS]]'')
* Activating emergency light switches. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
* Turning on the lights inside a generator. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
* Setting the TARDIS on its "adventure setting". ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
* Unsuccessfully attempting to free [[Sophie (The Lodger)|Sophie]]'s hand from the time ship console. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
* Changing a [[hologram]] between its different forms. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
* To send a signal through to [[Amy Pond|Amy]]'s communicator to help guide her through a forest. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Scrambling a Cyberarm's circuits. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
* Giving orders to androids. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The War of Art (WEB short story)|The War of Art]]'')
* To reconfigure the binaries in the TARDIS. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Evacuation Earth]]'')
* Disabling a force field. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Hailing the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s [[sonic cane]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
* Disabling privileges from the ''[[Teselecta]]''{{'}}s crew. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
* Activating [[George (Night Terrors)|George]]'s toys. ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'')
* Detaching the view glass from the visitation facility. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited]]'')
* Augmenting the view glass to work disconnected. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited]]'')
* Locking on to Amy's timestream. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited]]'')
* Switching off CCTV monitors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* Repairing and activating a lift. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Fusing the controls of a [[Cyberman#Cybermen of the Cyber Legions|Cyberman]] teleporter. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Overloading/imploding a Cybermat; unfortunately wiping its memory in the process. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]])''
* Repairing the controls of a Cyberman teleporter and using it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
* Taking apart a [[Supreme Dalek]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
* Freezing the ''Teselecta'' in place; this caused sparks to fly inside of it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
* Reprogramming [[Proto-Dalek]]s to recognise Daleks as enemies. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Dalek Project (comic story)|The Dalek Project]]'')
* Used to help with rewiring the TARDIS; he told Lilly it was because the light in his "wardrobe" wasn't working, claiming it was the reason he dressed as he did. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'')
* Deleting an answering machine message from the phone the message was made from. ([[WC]]: ''[[Pond Life (webcast)|Pond Life]]'')
* Activating the reverse in a badly damaged, insane Dalek's casing to send it into other insane Daleks (as it was going to self-destruct). ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks]]'')
* Taking apart the device emitting the [[Silurian Ark]]'s signal, and activating it upon placing it in [[Solomon (Dinosaurs on a Spaceship)|Solomon]]'s ship. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dinosaurs on a Spaceship]]'')
* Disabling the [[android]] the [[Shakri]] put on [[Earth]] to control the [[Shakri cube]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
* Reversing the Shakri's programming of the cubes to jump-start the hearts of the humans they previously stopped. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
* Reversing a [[friction amper]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]]'')
* Overloading a light bulb, creating a blinding light, to act as a distraction to escape the Angels. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]]'')
* Getting rid of the shield that was blocking the Ice Governess and putting a new one behind the Doctor and Clara ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Seemingly adding an extra layer of super-dense water vapour to keep the Ice Governess "trapped for the moment" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
* Shattering a glass window ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'', ''[[Flatline (TV story)|Flatline]]'')
* Turning off the TARDIS [[Anti-gravity|anti-grav]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Ringing the bell in [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]]' Clock Tower. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Bluffing a [[wooden Cyberman]] into thinking that he sent a signal to its flamethrower so it would reverse its direction as soon as it tried to fire. Though a [[Truth Field]] was active, the Cyberman was not told the screwdriver couldn't affect wood. It pointed its weapon backwards, thinking it would reset, and killed itself by accident. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Sealing a damage crack within a Dalek. ([[TV]]: ''[[Into the Dalek (TV story)|Into the Dalek]]'')
* Activating a holographic scanner. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
* Leading the [[Skovox Blitzer]] to [[Coal Hill School]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
* Attracting the attention of the Skovox Blitzer with pulses of [[helicon energy]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
* Transferring a video phone message to a screen monitor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kill the Moon (TV story)|Kill the Moon]]'')
* Activating and altering a 3D projection. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kill the Moon (TV story)|Kill the Moon]]'')
* Altering a phone so it would work wireless. ([[TV]]: ''[[Mummy on the Orient Express (TV story)|Mummy on the Orient Express]]'')
* Changing a train signal from green to red. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flatline (TV story)|Flatline]]'')
* Detecting the location of a mobile phone. ([[TV]]: ''[[In the Forest of the Night (TV story)|In the Forest of the Night]]'')
* Activating an [[emotional inhibitor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Using energy waves from android weapons to recharge a teleport bracelet. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'')
 
===== Amplification =====
* Amplifying an electrical beam. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* To increase a signal's strength. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of Angels]]'')
* Making the voice of a [[star whale]] audible to the human ear. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below]]'')
* Displaying energy barricades which are usually invisible to the naked eye. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
* Transmitting [[Abigail Pettigrew|Abigail]]'s singing from one broken segment to the other to open the [[cloud belt]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'')
* Amplifying Amy's [[sonic probe]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited]]'')
* Creating a high pitched noise to get attention. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* As a microphone. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* Creating a sound loud enough to distract [[Kahler-Tek]] to allow the Doctor's escape. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Town Called Mercy (TV story)|A Town Called Mercy]]'')
* Amplifying the sound of the Time Lords calling out "Doctor who?" to the Daleks to remind them how easy it would be to answer their call and the difficulty it would take to kill him if he could live for ages. Also bouncing sonic waves of the bell in the clock tower on Trenzalore to mark the coming of war. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Amplifying the sound wave produced by an Ice Warrior made sonic cannon. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Let it Snow (short story)|Let it Snow]]'')
* Creating localised [[gravity]] to hold the entities which surrounded [[Maebh Arden]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[In the Forest of the Night (TV story)|In the Forest of the Night]]'')
* Creating an acoustic corridor to allow communication from 50 feet away. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]'')
 
===== Other =====
* As a torch with blue light. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Beast Below (TV story)|The Beast Below]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'', ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]]'')
* Blocking out the effects of [[perception filter]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Vampires of Venice]]'')
* Giving a [[Cybermat]] a "Cyber-Migraine". ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Distracting Cybermats. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Heating [[water]] and ice. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
* Destroying a [[Weeping Angel (Good as Gold)|Weeping Angel]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
* Lighting flaming torches. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
* Heating up a [[tea]]pot. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Snowfall]]'')
* As a lure to attract a [[sky fish]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'')
* Attempting self-reconstruction via signalling its other half; it failed at this and was left behind by the Doctor to be replaced by a similar sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'')
* Protecting two versions of [[Rory Williams]] from falling victim to the [[Blinovitch Limitation Effect]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Touched by an Angel]]'')
* Damaging a [[Cyber Ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Disarming [[River Song|Melody Pond]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
* Igniting a cannon. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The Gunpowder Plot]]'')
* Destroying the [[Star of Solitude]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]]'')
* Opens and closing Dalek [[Transmat]] portals. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Dalek Project (comic story)|The Dalek Project]]'')
* Holding a heavy door with an acoustic lock open in the [[pyramid]] of the rings of [[Akhaten]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'')
* Holding back the [[Vigil]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'')
* Tracking the location of [[Grand Marshall]] [[Skaldak]] as he sneaked around out of his armour. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold War (TV story)|Cold War]]'')
* Receiving a signal from [[the TARDIS]] indicating that it had returned and indicating its location. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold War (TV story)|Cold War]]'')
* Enhancing the power of an arsenal of bombs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold War (TV story)|Cold War]]'')
* Relaxing the grip from someone's hand. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Shroud of Sorrow (novel)|Shroud of Sorrow]]'')
* Combining power with the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[War Doctor]]'s sonic screwdrivers to create a sonic force to blast back and destroy an attacking [[Dalek]] in the [[Time War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Used for centuries as a weapon against his greatest enemies during the [[Siege of Trenzalore]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Disconnecting a horse's reins. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'')
* Tracking a radiation signal. ([[TV]]: ''[[Into the Dalek (TV story)|Into the Dalek]]'')
* Blowing up an [[archery]] target. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Driving off "[[skunkey]]s" which were attacking Clara. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Terrorformer (comic story)|Terrorformer]]'')
* Sending the [[Boneless]] back to their dimension. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flatline (TV story)|Flatline]]'')
* Granting a [[football]] referee's glasses the ability to watch every football game in the galaxy. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Bow-ties for Goal Posts (comic story)|Bow-ties for Goal Posts]]'')
* Connecting to the Doctor's [[Bookface]] account and projecting its posts. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Timeliney Wimey (comic story)|Timeliney Wimey]]'')
* Creating a noise deafening to [[Sea Devil]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Clara Oswald and the School of Death (comic story)|Clara Oswald and the School of Death]]'')


=== The Twelfth Doctor's second screwdriver ===
[[The Doctor]] claimed to have either invented or designed the specific [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver which they owned]]. In fact, the [[Seventh Doctor]] claimed to have filed a [[patent]] on the technology, ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Unknown (audio story)}}) and to have [[copyright]] on the design. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Quantum Possibility Engine (audio story)}})
[[File:Sonic Screwdriver Twelfth_Doctor comic.jpg|thumb|The Doctor's screwdriver is pulled away from him. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Terror of the Cabinet Noir (comic story)|Terror of the Cabinet Noir]]'')]]
After spending a period of time using a combination of [[sonic sunglasses]] and his green-emitter sonic screwdriver, ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Clara Oswald and the School of Death (comic story)|Clara Oswald and the School of Death]]'') the Twelfth Doctor was gifted a new model by the TARDIS.


While one account showed him gaining it after he had found [[Gallifrey]] at the [[end of the universe]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'') another account depicted him using it whilst travelling with [[Clara Oswald]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Day at the Doctors (comic story)|The Day at the Doctors]]'')
When [[Kazran Sardick]] was confused as to what to do when it looked like [[Abigail Pettigrew]] was about to [[kissing|kiss]] him, the [[Eleventh Doctor]] told Kazran to trust him and kiss Abigail, as "it's this, or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes." ([[TV]]: {{cs|A Christmas Carol (TV story)}}) When Captain [[Jack Harkness]] asked the [[Ninth Doctor]], "Who looks at a screwdriver and thinks 'Ooh, this could be a little more sonic'?", the Doctor defensively responded, "What? You never been bored? Never had a long night? Never had a lot of [[cabinet]]s to put up?" ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Doctor Dances (TV story)}})


This new model had a very mechanical and complicated looking, TARDIS blue metal handle with multiple emitters, once again resembling the inner structure of the [[time rotor]] itself. The emitter was once again blue in colour, and the ring of emitters could all light up in a circling motion when activated. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'') He continued to use his sonic sunglasses as well, thus giving him two choices of sonic instruments. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')  
Other individuals had similar devices, such as the [[sonic pen]] (which appeared to serve a near-identical function) used by [[Cofelia|Miss Foster]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Partners in Crime (TV story)}}) and the [[sonic blaster]] used first by Captain [[Jack Harkness]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Empty Child (TV story)}} / {{cs|The Doctor Dances (TV story)}}) and later [[River Song]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Silence in the Library (TV story)}} / {{cs|Forest of the Dead (TV story)}}) [[Sarah Jane Smith]] had her [[sonic lipstick]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|Invasion of the Bane (TV story)}}, etc.) and the Doctor himself once used a [[sonic cane]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)}}) Even Missy used a [[sonic umbrella]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|World Enough and Time (TV story)}}/{{cs|The Doctor Falls (TV story)}}) River Song also had [[River Song's sonic screwdriver|her own sonic screwdriver]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Silence in the Library (TV story)}} / {{cs|Forest of the Dead (TV story)}}) that the Twelfth Doctor gifted her. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Husbands of River Song (TV story)}})


While it usually emitted a blue light, this screwdriver could also glow red ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Robo Rampage (comic story)|Robo Rampage]]'') or green. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Gallery (comic story)|Gallery]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|For Tonight We Might Die]]'') It was still ineffectual against [[wood]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Empress of Mars (TV story)|Empress of Mars]]'')
From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Monsters Inside (novel)}}, [[COMIC]]: {{cs|Bizarre Zero (comic story)}}) It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. ([[TV]]: {{cs|A Christmas Carol (TV story)}}) One account held that a sonic screwdriver was powered by a type of [[crystal]] that was similar to the [[Metebelis crystal]]s. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Forgotten (comic story)}})


The Doctor sometimes attached this screwdriver to his guitar so that he could use both at the same time. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pestilent Heart (comic story)|The Pestilent Heart]]'')
Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a [[deadlock seal]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|School Reunion (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Night of the Doctor (TV story)}}) However, Miss Foster's sonic pen could open the deadlock seals that it was programmed to within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver could not. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Partners in Crime (TV story)}}) It also couldn't unlock the doors to the TARDIS if they had been manually locked at the console. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Utopia (TV story)}}) Some or all versions were ineffective against [[wood]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Night Terrors (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Time of the Doctor (TV story)}}, {{cs|Empress of Mars (TV story)}}) It didn't work in the presence of some models of [[hairdryer]]s, although the Tenth Doctor stated he was working on it. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Forest of the Dead (TV story)}}, [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Catastrophea (novel)}})


When the Doctor was stuck in [[1972]], the screwdriver "ran out of juice" and the Doctor was unable to charge it because he was without his TARDIS. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Moving In (comic story)|Moving In]]'')
== Individual sonic screwdrivers ==
=== The Doctor's screwdriver ===
{{Main|The Doctor's sonic screwdriver}}
[[The Doctor]], throughout many of their lives, possessed a sonic screwdriver. They originally used [[Second Doctor's sonic screwdriver|a basic model]] in their [[First Doctor|first]] ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Venusian Lullaby (novel)}}) and [[Second Doctor|second incarnations]], ([[TV]]: {{cs|Fury from the Deep (TV story)}}) before [[Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver|upgrading]] in [[Third Doctor|their third]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Sea Devils (TV story)}}) However, according to one account, the First Doctor was unfamiliar with the sonic screwdriver when he met the [[Twelfth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Twice Upon a Time (TV story)}}) Similarly, the accounts depicting the Doctor's life as the Timeless Child prior to their first incarnation showed at least one of them as being unfamiliar with the sonic screwdriver and dismissive of it. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)}}) The Doctor continued to use the model introduced during his third incarnation until it was destroyed in [[Fifth Doctor|their fifth]] by a [[Terileptil]] leader. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Visitation (TV story)}}) It wasn't until they were in their [[Seventh Doctor|seventh incarnation]] before they began to use [[Seventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver|a screwdriver]] again, taking on various different models throughout the years. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Doctor Who (TV story)}}, {{cs|Rose (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Eleventh Hour (TV story)}}, {{cs|Hell Bent (TV story)}}, {{cs|The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)}}, [[WC]]: {{cs|The Fourteenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (webcast)}}, [[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The World Tree (audio story)}})


==== Uses ====
[[File:Jeremy Enecio 3rd Doctor cropped.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Third Doctor]] wields an early model of [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver]]. ([[GRAPHIC]]: {{cs|Doctor Who Evergreen (illustration)}})]]
===== Security =====
Early versions of their sonic screwdriver were used mainly for the [[lock picking|picking]] of [[lock]]s and for projecting [[sound]] so as to, for example, [[explosion|detonate]] objects and fry [[circuit]]ry. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Sea Devils (TV story)}}) By the time of the [[Ninth Doctor]], the sonic was able to also be used as a sophisticated [[scanner|scanning]] device, with [[medicine|medical]] applications. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Empty Child (TV story)}}) Subsequent incarnations gave it even wider functionality, such as the ability to [[hacking|hack]] into [[computer]]s, ([[TV]]: {{cs|Smith and Jones (TV story)}}) provide [[geolocation]] ([[TV]]: {{cs|Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)}}) and actively defend against some types of assault [[weapon]]s by frying their internal mechanics and causing the weapons to burst into flames and spark from the inside. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Cold Blood (TV story)}}) The tool could create powerful frequencies and signals, ([[TV]]: {{cs|Partners in Crime (TV story)}}, {{cs|Thin Ice (TV story)}}) as well as use sound to carry out its functions, even to the point where three of its latest incarnations where able to create a [[sonic blast|sonic force blast]] powerful enough to repel and destroy a [[Dalek]] while working together, ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}}) as well as shoot green sonic energy waves to briefly incapacitate or stun a target. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Doctor Falls (TV story)}})
* Unlocking the front door of [[Idra Panatar]]'s house. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Twist (comic story)|The Twist]]'')
* Opening a secret bookcase door in Panatar's house. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Twist (comic story)|The Twist]]'')
* Unlocking an alleyway entrance into the [[London Underground]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pestilent Heart (comic story)|The Pestilent Heart]]'')
* Opening a window. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'')
* Opening and closing a bridge door on a spaceship. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'')
* Keeping the security features on the [[Vault (The Pilot)|vault]] up-to-date. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'')
* Closing a door on a space station. ([[TV]]: ''[[Oxygen (TV story)|Oxygen]]'')


===== Diagnostic =====
All of these [[incarnation]]s utilised the same core [[software]], though they used different [[hardware]]. While it was different individual model, for all intents and purposes the [[War Doctor]]'s sonic was the same as the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s some 400 years later. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}}) However, the [[Thirteenth Doctor]], having lost the Twelfth Doctor's sonic screwdriver, created her own version. As such, hers used unique software, and was made from 21st century Earth components, as well as part of a Recall Circuit from the Stenza Homeworld. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)}}) Although, by the time of the [[Fifteenth Doctor]], [[Fifteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver|his screwdriver]] featured the same software as previous models. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The World Tree (audio story)}})
* Detecting temporal distortions. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Stockbridge Showdown (comic story)|The Stockbridge Showdown]]'')
* Scanning for life readings. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Gallery (comic story)|Gallery]]'')
* Following an alien signal. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pestilent Heart (comic story)|The Pestilent Heart]]'')
* Diagnosing an alien disease in [[Lloyd Collins]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Pestilent Heart (comic story)|The Pestilent Heart]]'')
* Scanning [[April MacLean]] to confirm that her heart was being shared by [[Corakinus]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|For Tonight We Might Die]]'')
* Scanning [[Grant Gordon]] to confirm he had swallowed an alien gemstone. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'')
*Scanning the [[Vardy]] microbots to learn of their function. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smile (TV story)|Smile]]'')
* Scanning the doors in a space station. ([[TV]]: ''[[Oxygen (TV story)|Oxygen]]'', ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'')
* Scan and discover the access code to an air tight door but couldn't physically input the combination itself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pyramid at the End of the World (TV story)|The Pyramid at the End of the World]]'')


===== Technology =====
=== Romana's screwdriver ===
* Using the power cell of the ''[[Harmony and Redemption]]'' to push its thrusters. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')
{{Main|Romana's sonic screwdriver}}
* Repairing a damaged time ship. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Ghosts of the Seas (comic story)|Ghosts of the Seas]]'')
[[File:Romana's Screwdriver.jpg|thumb|The [[Fourth Doctor]] compares [[The Doctor's sonic screwdriver|his sonic screwdriver]] with [[Romana's sonic screwdriver|Romana's]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Horns of Nimon (TV story)}})]]
* Disassembling [[K2]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Robo Rampage (comic story)|Robo Rampage]]'')
[[Romana II]] constructed [[Romana's sonic screwdriver|her own sonic screwdriver]], which was so impressive that the Doctor attempted to substitute his own with hers, but she noticed the switch. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Horns of Nimon (TV story)}}) Her version also included a silencer. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Luna Romana (audio story)}}) She later gave it to the Doctor. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Lungbarrow (novel)}}) Nonetheless, during the final term of her presidency, her [[Romana III|third incarnation]] used a sonic screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Intervention Earth (audio story)}})
* Activating [[Charles Abbott]]'s [[Incredulitas 4]] pen to teleport him into [[the writer's block]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Shock Horror (comic story)|Shock Horror]]'')
* Scanning the control panels of a spaceship. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'')
* Activating lights projectors. ([[TV]]: ''[[Oxygen (TV story)|Oxygen]]'', ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'') Likewise, it could also turn them off. ([[TV]]: ''[[Extremis (TV story)|Extremis]]'')
* Reversing and erasing the command programmes of the [[Vardy]] microbots, causing them to forget their original directives. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smile (TV story)|Smile]]'')
* Transmitting a signal to redirect the detonator for explosives. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
* Frying the circuits of a [[Smartsuit|smartsuit]], albeit being broken itself in the process. ([[TV]]: ''[[Oxygen (TV story)|Oxygen]]'')


===== Utility =====
* Removing a [[paint]] can's lid.  ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Gallery (comic story)|Gallery]]'')
* Closing a tear in space-time. ([[TV]]: ''[[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|For Tonight We Might Die]]'')
* Combine with Missy's [[sonic umbrella]] to successfully create a force field strong enough to delay a [[Cyberman (Dark Water)|fully evolved Cybermen]] long enough for Bill's cybernetic energy blast and the Master's [[Laser screwdriver]] to disable it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'')
===== Other =====
* Blowing up a school. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Haunted (short story)|Haunted]]'')
* Temporarily stunning [[Alien (Gallery)|an alien]].  ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Gallery (comic story)|Gallery]]'')
* Defending himself against [[Yeti]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Day at the Doctors (comic story)|The Day at the Doctors]]'')
* Increasing the voltage of the lights at [[Coal Hill Academy]] to break the solid form of [[Corakinus]] and the [[Shadow Kin]] ([[TV]]: ''[[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|For Tonight We Might Die]]'')
* Zapping a gun out of [[Brock (The Return of Doctor Mysterio)|Brock]]'s hand. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'')
* Dissipating [[Ethan Hall|the Smoke]]'s particles. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Ghost Stories (comic story)|Ghost Stories]]'')
*It can create a buzzing sound to attract attention and act as a torch, ([[TV]]: ''[[Knock Knock (TV story)|Knock Knock]])'' even under water. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
*The head can be removed to reveal a red highlighter pen which the Doctor can use to write with. ([[TV]]: ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'')
* Could act as a communicator with Nardole and download the software from Nardole's computer, enabling it to incinerate and blast numerous types of Cybermen and ignite the entirety of [[Floor 0507]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'')
== Others' sonic screwdrivers ==
=== River's screwdriver ===
=== River's screwdriver ===
[[File:River Gifted her Sonic Screwdriver.jpg|thumb|River receives her sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')]]
{{Main|River Song's sonic screwdriver}}
The Twelfth Doctor gave [[River Song]] another screwdriver before River's final date with him at the [[Singing Towers]] of [[Darillium]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'', ''[[Silence in the Library (TV story)|Silence in the Library]]'') This version of the sonic screwdriver somewhat resembled the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s model when he met her at [[the Library]], though it looked elaborately decorated and modified, featuring increased and enhanced functionality, including "dampers" and a "red setting" that allowed it to work without interference from the [[Doctor Moon]]. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in [[the Library]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
[[File:River Gifted her Sonic Screwdriver.jpg|thumb|River receives her sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Husbands of River Song (TV story)}})]]
[[File:River Gets Her Own Sonic Screwdriver - Doctor Who The Husbands Of River Song - BBC|thumb|left|On their final night together, the Doctor gifts River her new sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')]]
The [[Twelfth Doctor]] gave [[River Song]] [[River Song's sonic screwdriver|another screwdriver]] before River's final date with him at the [[Singing Towers]] of [[Darillium]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Husbands of River Song (TV story)}}, {{cs|Silence in the Library (TV story)}}) This version of the sonic screwdriver somewhat resembled the [[Ninth Doctor|Ninth]] and [[Tenth Doctor]]'s [[Ninth Doctor's sonic screwdriver|model]], which was notable when she met the latter in [[the Library]], though it looked elaborately decorated and modified, featuring increased and enhanced functionality, including "[[damper]]s" and a "[[red setting]]" that allowed it to work without interference from the [[Doctor Moon]]. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in [[the Library]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Forest of the Dead (TV story)}}, [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Time Lord Technology (feature)|page=56}})
It was the first gift the Twelfth Doctor personally gave to River face-to-face, after seeing that she was using a [[sonic trowel]], which he found "embarrassing". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')
 
Unbeknownst to her, this version included a [[neural relay]] which would save her [[data ghost]] for uploading into [[Charlotte Lux|the main computer]] of the Library. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
 
[[File:Everybody lives? - Doctor Who - BBC|thumb|The [[Tenth Doctor]] figures out the true purpose of River's screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')]]
==== Uses ====
* Increasing mesh densities to over 800%. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library (TV story)|Silence in the Library]]'')
* Activating and disabling [[gravity platform]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Slowing the descent of a fall. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Fixing [[light bulb]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')
* Storing the consciousness of an individual (specifically River's). ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')


=== Other screwdrivers ===
=== Other screwdrivers ===
[[Vastra]] had a sonic screwdriver that was a gift from the Doctor. She used it to shatter the glass of the [[Crystal Palace]]. It had a red tip, and was similar in design to that used by his eleventh incarnation. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Crystal Throne (comic story)|The Crystal Throne]]'')
[[Quadrigger]] [[Stoyn]] possessed [[Stoyn's sonic screwdriver|a sonic screwdriver]] in his workcase aboard [[the Doctor's TARDIS]], which he had been working on shortly before the [[First Doctor]] stole the ship. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Beginning (audio story)}})
 
[[Second Doctor (clone)|A clone of the Second Doctor]] also possessed a sonic screwdriver, which he used along with the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s to send [[Hexford]] home. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Survivors in Space (audio story)|Survivors in Space]]'')
 
[[Romana II]] constructed her own sonic screwdriver. Her version was so impressive that the Doctor offered to swap sonic screwdrivers with her. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Horns of Nimon (TV story)|The Horns of Nimon]]'') Her version also included a silencer. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Luna Romana (audio story)|Luna Romana]]'') She later gave it to the Doctor. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Lungbarrow]]'') Nonetheless, during the final term of her presidency, her [[Romana III|third]] incarnation used a sonic screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Intervention Earth (audio story)|Intervention Earth]]'')
 
[[Jackson Lake]] carried a primitive iteration of the sonic screwdriver. His version was a regular [[19th century]] screwdriver, which he claimed was sonic by virtue of it making a sound when it was struck against a surface. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'')
 
While trapped on [[Apalapucia]] for thirty-six years, [[Amy Pond]] cobbled together a sonic device from various pieces of technology, but insisted upon calling it a [[sonic probe]]. She later conceded that it was a "sonic screwdriver". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited (TV story)|The Girl Who Waited]]'')
 
== Related tools ==
The [[Fifth Doctor]] had a device called a [[sonic prodder]], although he didn't consider it a tool like "his beloved sonic screwdriver" ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Falling from Xi'an]]'')
 
The Fifth Doctor also kept a [[Molenski Univarius]] in the TARDIS for repairs. He described it as a Gallifreyan "[[Swiss Army knife]]". While exploring the [[Axis]], he carried it with him and used it in the same fashion as later models of the sonic screwdriver, once even using the sonic properties to fend off creatures with sound waves before it ran out of power and was discarded. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Axis of Insanity]]'')
 
The [[Eighth Doctor]], despite having lost his memories, built a device he called a [[sonic suitcase]] using technology from Earth in the 1980s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Father Time (novel)|Father Time]]'')
 
{{Simm|c}} had a similar tool, called a [[laser screwdriver]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums]]'')
 
Captain [[Jack Harkness]] had a [[sonic blaster]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child]]'' / ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'') which was later used by [[River Song]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'')
 
Using stolen and incomplete [[UNIT]] design plans, [[Toshiko Sato]] created a [[sonic modulator]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]'')
 
[[Matron Cofelia|Miss Foster]] had a [[sonic pen]] with a design similar to the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime]]'')


[[Sarah Jane Smith]] possessed a [[sonic lipstick]], a similar tool. ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Bane]]'')
[[Second Doctor (clone)|A clone of the Second Doctor]] also possessed [[Second Doctor clone's sonic screwdriver|his own sonic screwdriver]], which he used along with the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s to send [[Hexford]] home. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Survivors in Space (audio story)}})


The Doctor claimed that he once had a [[laser spanner]] as well, but [[Emmeline Pankhurst]] took it from him. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones]]'')
[[Narvin]] had [[Narvin's sonic screwdriver|a sonic screwdriver]] made, based on the Doctor's design, after seeing its utility when carried by the Doctor. At first he objected, preferring to call it a sonic [[lockpick]], but then admitted the nature of his new device. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Quantum Possibility Engine (audio story)}})


[[Mrs Wormwood]] was in possession of a ring called a [[phonic disruptor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Enemy of the Bane]]'')
[[Ace]] had [[Ace's sonic screwdriver|a sonic screwdriver]] which she took with her to [[Outpost Delta]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Enemy Lines (audio story)}})


The [[Sixth Doctor]] defeated [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] using a [[sonic lance]]. It was similar in function to the sonic screwdriver, but a weapon. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
[[Doctor Ogron]] built [[Doctor Ogron's sonic screwdriver|his own sonic screwdriver]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Planet of the Ogrons (audio story)}})


[[Banto Zame]], a con artist who posed as [[the Doctor]], used a [[psychic screwdriver]] to seemingly foil an attack on [[Generios 1]] by the [[Skelloid]]s, which were in fact a [[hologram|holographic]] illusion created by him. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The One Doctor]]'')
[[Jackson Lake]] carried [[Jackson Lake's screwdriver|a regular screwdriver]] from the [[19th century]] which he claimed was sonic by virtue of it making a sound when it was struck against a surface. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Next Doctor (TV story)}})


The [[Eleventh Doctor]] used a [[sonic cane]] to scan the ''[[Teselecta]] '' and to contact [[Amy Pond]] and [[Rory Williams]], who were miniaturised inside. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
While trapped on [[Apalapucia]] for thirty-six years, [[Amy Pond]] cobbled together [[Amy Pond's sonic probe|a sonic device]] from various pieces of technology, but insisted upon calling it a [[sonic probe]]. She later conceded that it was a "sonic screwdriver". ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Girl Who Waited (TV story)}})


[[Gabriel (The Pirate Loop)|Gabriel]] created a similar device that was made out of [[Firearm|guns]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Pirate Loop]]'')
[[Vastra]] had [[Vastra's sonic screwdriver|a sonic screwdriver]] that was a gift from the Doctor. She used it to shatter the glass of the [[Crystal Palace]]. It had a red tip, and was similar in design to that used by the Doctor's eleventh incarnation. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Crystal Throne (comic story)}})
 
While in [[the Prison]], the [[Twelfth Doctor]] created a [[sonic spoon]] when his sonic screwdriver was destroyed by the [[Governor (The Blood Cell)|Governor]]. He created it from items in the Prison workshop and a spoon he took from mealtime. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Blood Cell (novel)|The Blood Cell]]'')
 
The Twelfth Doctor eventually tired of using sonic screwdrivers and instead created a pair of [[sonic sunglasses]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'') He eventually switched back though. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')
 
[[River Song]] used a [[sonic trowel]] before she was given a sonic screwdriver by the Doctor. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Boundless Sea (audio story)|The Boundless Sea]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'')


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
=== The sonic screwdriver prop ===
According to the fiction source [[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary]]'', a sonic screwdriver was a common and basic [[Time Lord]] device. If needed, a Time Lord could make one from scratch in very little time.
* The sonic screwdriver was [[retire]]d during the [[Fifth Doctor]] serial ''[[The Visitation]]'', as it was felt that it had been overused. It was absent for the [[Sixth Doctor|Sixth]] and [[Seventh Doctor]]'s eras, except in [[Doctor Who (TV story)|the TV Movie]], in which the Seventh Doctor used it to lock [[the Master]]'s remains away. The [[Eighth Doctor]] recovered it at the end of the film. After appearing in many Seventh and Eighth Doctor audio adventures from [[Big Finish Productions]], the tool was reintroduced with the [[Ninth Doctor]] and has become the show's most frequently used gadget besides [[the TARDIS]] itself.
* The screwdriver was given a rest once more in [[Series 9 (Doctor Who)|Series 9]], only appearing in [[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|the first episode]], and a new version introduced in [[Hell Bent (TV story)|the last episode]]. It was replaced by [[sonic sunglasses]] for that entire season.
* For unexplained reasons, the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s sonic screwdriver had a green casing in ''[[The Infinite Quest]]''.
* During early production of [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|Series 1]] (2005), the production crew decided to switch from their original prop to one based on the toy sonic screwdriver because the first prop was prone to falling apart. The production team secured moulds of the toy replica to make a more reliable prop for [[Series 2 (Doctor Who)|the next season]].
* There are two main versions of the Tenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver — one which has a slide feature with button, and one which does not slide and has a fixed button. The two prop types varied each episode.
* The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver prop was created by modifying a Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver replica toy.
* When the Doctor handles the screwdriver, the clinking noises produced (when he throws and catches it) are created by repeating the motions with a corkscrew, the handles of which bump against the casing to produce the required noise. These noises are dubbed over the footage.
 
* Sometimes the production team use the Character options toy to replace the actual prop. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'') {{what}}
 
=== Concept art ===
* Early conceptual art of the modern era sonic screwdriver features a different "tube" section. Notes refer to "glowing organic circuitry" and a movable ball-joint on the emitter to allow use around corners and in tight spaces. Instead of the "glowing circuitry," the actual prop and toy reproductions featured a black "swivel" like a simple helix. When given a personal copy of the concept art, [[David Tennant]] himself commented on the lack of the swivelling emitter. {{Source}}
* Another early piece of concept art, similar to a simple Bitmap drawing, reveals that the black "cap" at the reverse end of the sonic screwdriver was intended to be an opening set of "feet," allowing the sonic screwdriver to plug into a section of the [[TARDIS console]]. This feature was also dropped from the eventual prop model. {{source}}
* [[Dan Walker]] redesigned the sonic screwdriver, devising how it looks when used by the Ninth and Tenth Doctors. "We hit upon the idea of spark plugs, which in themselves are very iconic," Walker stated. "Initially, we started off quite techy, with retractable elements that would interface with an unlimited number of devices." Despite his work on redesigning the device, Walker wasn't allowed to take one of the sonic screwdriver props home with him. (''ImageFX'' magazine, October 2008, pp. 63 & 64)
 
=== Sonic screwdriver toy ===
* A toy of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s version was seen in "Light Echoes", an edition of [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk7h "The Sky at Night"] broadcast on [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc4 BBC4] on Wednesday 5th October 2010. The screwdriver was (jokingly) used to scan a part of the [http://www.lofar.org.uk LOFAR] radio telescope, then under construction in Chilbolton, Hampshire, UK.
* The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy has a total of four sound effects, two of which alternate with every other button press. The third is activated by pressing twice and holding on the third button push. The fourth is activated with three presses and a hold on the fourth push. However, in some models of the toy, over-use of the hidden sound effects causes the sound functions to eventually break, leaving only the LED functional.
* The customiseable toy sonic screwdriver set featuring three screwdrivers with interchangeable parts can produce up to eight sound effects: the first two are the basic screwdriver sound, with slightly different pitches, and alternate each time the button is pressed. The other six effects are achieved in a similar manner to those of the Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy, and are accompanied by a flashing lights instead of a constant light.
* Since the War Doctor's sonic screwdriver prop was created by modifying a toy replica, the toy version that was subsequently produced is screen accurate.
 
=== ''The Visual Dictionary'' ===
* According to the non-fiction source [[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary]]'' (which this wiki does not count as a [[valid source]]) the sonic screwdriver was a common and basic [[Time Lord]] device. If needed, a Time Lord could make one from scratch in very little time.
 
=== ''Attack of the Graske'' ===
In [[NOTVALID]]: ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]'', the [[Tenth Doctor]] appears to break the [[fourth wall]] by noting the player at home's been watching his adventures. Later, he points the sonic screwdriver at the television screen, transferring its powers to the player's digital remote control. This, along with having the player choose multiple endings to this game, disqualifies it as a [[valid source]] on this wiki.
 
=== Other matters ===
* In the original script for ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'', the Doctor referred to his screwdriver as "Level 4000" technology.
* Scientists at the University of Dundee invented a device which turns objects with ultrasonic waves, an invention which has been described as a real-world version of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17760077 Dr Who's sonic screwdriver 'invented' at Dundee University]</ref>
* ''[[Legacy (video game)|Doctor Who: Legacy]]'' mobile game contains a premium pack called "Sonic Adventure", which is centred around finding various sonic devices used by different incarnations of the Doctor and by several other characters. The playable characters form this premium pack represented almost every model of sonic screwdriver encountered in the DWU.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv31/sonicscrewdriver.html "Is That A Sonic Screwdriver in your Pocket, Doctor?" article by Jon Preddle]
* [http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv31/sonicscrewdriver.html "Is That A Sonic Screwdriver in your Pocket, Doctor?" article by Jon Preddle]
{{Dwlx|The Second Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Second Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Template:Sonic devices}}
{{Dwlx|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 2|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 2}}
{{Dwlx|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 3|The Third Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 3}}
{{Dwlx|The Fourth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Fourth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Fifth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Fifth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Seventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Seventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Eighth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Eighth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Ninth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Ninth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The War Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The War Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Tenth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Tenth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Eleventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 6|The Eleventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 6}}
{{Dwlx|The Eleventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 7|The Eleventh Doctors Sonic Screwdriver Mk 7}}
{{Dwlx|The Twelfth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver|The Twelfth Doctors Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|River Songs Sonic Screwdriver|River Songs Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|Romanas Sonic Screwdriver|Romanas Sonic Screwdriver}}
{{Dwlx|The Girl Who Waited Sonic Screwdriver|The Girl Who Waited Sonic Screwdriver}}


== Footnotes ==
[[cs:Sonický šroubovák]]
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sonic screwdrivers| ]]
[[Category:Sonic devices]]
[[Category:The Doctor's devices]]
[[Category:Keys and lockpicks]]
[[Category:Security breaches]]
[[Category:Problem solving]]
[[Category:Fasteners]]
[[Category:Gallifreyan technology]]

Latest revision as of 22:44, 20 November 2024

Sonic screwdriver
Appearances
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The sonic screwdriver, also called a sonic probe or simply "the sonic", was a highly versatile tool used by many people throughout the universe, the most prominent of them being the Doctor.

While almost always referred to as a sonic screwdriver, this device has on occasion been referred to as a sonic probe by people other than the Doctor, such as Dalek Sec (TV: Doomsday [+]Loading...["Doomsday (TV story)"]) and a version of Amy Pond who had been stuck on Apalapucia for 36 years. (TV: The Girl Who Waited [+]Loading...["The Girl Who Waited (TV story)"]) The Tenth (TV: Doomsday [+]Loading...["Doomsday (TV story)"]) and Eleventh (TV: The Girl Who Waited [+]Loading...["The Girl Who Waited (TV story)"]) Doctors openly disliked this and corrected those who did so. The Ninth (TV: The Doctor Dances [+]Loading...["The Doctor Dances (TV story)"]) and Twelfth Doctors (TV: The Husbands of River Song [+]Loading...["The Husbands of River Song (TV story)"]) also defended when others claimed it was inferior to other sonic devices like a sonic blaster or sonic trowel.

Technology and functions[[edit] | [edit source]]

Identified by the Daleks as a "sonic probe", (TV: Doomsday [+]Loading...["Doomsday (TV story)"]) the sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced Gallifreyan technology, (PROSE: Heart of TARDIS [+]Loading...["Heart of TARDIS (novel)"]) although the Doctor could make one by using resources found on 21st century Earth with help from Stenza technology. (TV: The Woman Who Fell to Earth [+]Loading...["The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)"]) During the Dalek-Movellan War, Davros dismissed the sonic screwdriver as a "simple" tool. (AUDIO: The Triumph of Davros [+]Loading...["The Triumph of Davros (audio story)"])

The Doctor claimed to have either invented or designed the specific sonic screwdriver which they owned. In fact, the Seventh Doctor claimed to have filed a patent on the technology, (AUDIO: The Unknown [+]Loading...["The Unknown (audio story)"]) and to have copyright on the design. (AUDIO: The Quantum Possibility Engine [+]Loading...["The Quantum Possibility Engine (audio story)"])

When Kazran Sardick was confused as to what to do when it looked like Abigail Pettigrew was about to kiss him, the Eleventh Doctor told Kazran to trust him and kiss Abigail, as "it's this, or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes." (TV: A Christmas Carol [+]Loading...["A Christmas Carol (TV story)"]) When Captain Jack Harkness asked the Ninth Doctor, "Who looks at a screwdriver and thinks 'Ooh, this could be a little more sonic'?", the Doctor defensively responded, "What? You never been bored? Never had a long night? Never had a lot of cabinets to put up?" (TV: The Doctor Dances [+]Loading...["The Doctor Dances (TV story)"])

Other individuals had similar devices, such as the sonic pen (which appeared to serve a near-identical function) used by Miss Foster (TV: Partners in Crime [+]Loading...["Partners in Crime (TV story)"]) and the sonic blaster used first by Captain Jack Harkness (TV: The Empty Child [+]Loading...["The Empty Child (TV story)"] / The Doctor Dances [+]Loading...["The Doctor Dances (TV story)"]) and later River Song. (TV: Silence in the Library [+]Loading...["Silence in the Library (TV story)"] / Forest of the Dead [+]Loading...["Forest of the Dead (TV story)"]) Sarah Jane Smith had her sonic lipstick, (TV: Invasion of the Bane [+]Loading...["Invasion of the Bane (TV story)"], etc.) and the Doctor himself once used a sonic cane. (TV: Let's Kill Hitler [+]Loading...["Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)"]) Even Missy used a sonic umbrella. (TV: World Enough and Time [+]Loading...["World Enough and Time (TV story)"]/The Doctor Falls [+]Loading...["The Doctor Falls (TV story)"]) River Song also had her own sonic screwdriver (TV: Silence in the Library [+]Loading...["Silence in the Library (TV story)"] / Forest of the Dead [+]Loading...["Forest of the Dead (TV story)"]) that the Twelfth Doctor gifted her. (TV: The Husbands of River Song [+]Loading...["The Husbands of River Song (TV story)"])

From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. (PROSE: The Monsters Inside [+]Loading...["The Monsters Inside (novel)"], COMIC: Bizarre Zero [+]Loading...["Bizarre Zero (comic story)"]) It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. (TV: A Christmas Carol [+]Loading...["A Christmas Carol (TV story)"]) One account held that a sonic screwdriver was powered by a type of crystal that was similar to the Metebelis crystals. (COMIC: The Forgotten [+]Loading...["The Forgotten (comic story)"])

Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a deadlock seal. (TV: School Reunion [+]Loading...["School Reunion (TV story)"], The Night of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Night of the Doctor (TV story)"]) However, Miss Foster's sonic pen could open the deadlock seals that it was programmed to within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver could not. (TV: Partners in Crime [+]Loading...["Partners in Crime (TV story)"]) It also couldn't unlock the doors to the TARDIS if they had been manually locked at the console. (TV: Utopia [+]Loading...["Utopia (TV story)"]) Some or all versions were ineffective against wood. (TV: Night Terrors [+]Loading...["Night Terrors (TV story)"], The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe [+]Loading...["The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)"], The Time of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Time of the Doctor (TV story)"], Empress of Mars [+]Loading...["Empress of Mars (TV story)"]) It didn't work in the presence of some models of hairdryers, although the Tenth Doctor stated he was working on it. (TV: Forest of the Dead [+]Loading...["Forest of the Dead (TV story)"], PROSE: Catastrophea [+]Loading...["Catastrophea (novel)"])

Individual sonic screwdrivers[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor's screwdriver[[edit] | [edit source]]

Main article: The Doctor's sonic screwdriver

The Doctor, throughout many of their lives, possessed a sonic screwdriver. They originally used a basic model in their first (PROSE: Venusian Lullaby [+]Loading...["Venusian Lullaby (novel)"]) and second incarnations, (TV: Fury from the Deep [+]Loading...["Fury from the Deep (TV story)"]) before upgrading in their third. (TV: The Sea Devils [+]Loading...["The Sea Devils (TV story)"]) However, according to one account, the First Doctor was unfamiliar with the sonic screwdriver when he met the Twelfth Doctor. (TV: Twice Upon a Time [+]Loading...["Twice Upon a Time (TV story)"]) Similarly, the accounts depicting the Doctor's life as the Timeless Child prior to their first incarnation showed at least one of them as being unfamiliar with the sonic screwdriver and dismissive of it. (TV: Fugitive of the Judoon [+]Loading...["Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)"]) The Doctor continued to use the model introduced during his third incarnation until it was destroyed in their fifth by a Terileptil leader. (TV: The Visitation [+]Loading...["The Visitation (TV story)"]) It wasn't until they were in their seventh incarnation before they began to use a screwdriver again, taking on various different models throughout the years. (TV: Doctor Who [+]Loading...["Doctor Who (TV story)"], Rose [+]Loading...["Rose (TV story)"], The Eleventh Hour [+]Loading...["The Eleventh Hour (TV story)"], Hell Bent [+]Loading...["Hell Bent (TV story)"], The Woman Who Fell to Earth [+]Loading...["The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)"], WC: The Fourteenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver [+]Loading...["The Fourteenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (webcast)"], AUDIO: The World Tree [+]Loading...["The World Tree (audio story)"])

The Third Doctor wields an early model of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver. (GRAPHIC: Doctor Who Evergreen [+]Loading...["Doctor Who Evergreen (illustration)"])

Early versions of their sonic screwdriver were used mainly for the picking of locks and for projecting sound so as to, for example, detonate objects and fry circuitry. (TV: The Sea Devils [+]Loading...["The Sea Devils (TV story)"]) By the time of the Ninth Doctor, the sonic was able to also be used as a sophisticated scanning device, with medical applications. (TV: The Empty Child [+]Loading...["The Empty Child (TV story)"]) Subsequent incarnations gave it even wider functionality, such as the ability to hack into computers, (TV: Smith and Jones [+]Loading...["Smith and Jones (TV story)"]) provide geolocation (TV: Evolution of the Daleks [+]Loading...["Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)"]) and actively defend against some types of assault weapons by frying their internal mechanics and causing the weapons to burst into flames and spark from the inside. (TV: Cold Blood [+]Loading...["Cold Blood (TV story)"]) The tool could create powerful frequencies and signals, (TV: Partners in Crime [+]Loading...["Partners in Crime (TV story)"], Thin Ice [+]Loading...["Thin Ice (TV story)"]) as well as use sound to carry out its functions, even to the point where three of its latest incarnations where able to create a sonic force blast powerful enough to repel and destroy a Dalek while working together, (TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"]) as well as shoot green sonic energy waves to briefly incapacitate or stun a target. (TV: The Doctor Falls [+]Loading...["The Doctor Falls (TV story)"])

All of these incarnations utilised the same core software, though they used different hardware. While it was different individual model, for all intents and purposes the War Doctor's sonic was the same as the Eleventh Doctor's some 400 years later. (TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"]) However, the Thirteenth Doctor, having lost the Twelfth Doctor's sonic screwdriver, created her own version. As such, hers used unique software, and was made from 21st century Earth components, as well as part of a Recall Circuit from the Stenza Homeworld. (TV: The Woman Who Fell to Earth [+]Loading...["The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)"]) Although, by the time of the Fifteenth Doctor, his screwdriver featured the same software as previous models. (AUDIO: The World Tree [+]Loading...["The World Tree (audio story)"])

Romana's screwdriver[[edit] | [edit source]]

Main article: Romana's sonic screwdriver
The Fourth Doctor compares his sonic screwdriver with Romana's. (TV: The Horns of Nimon [+]Loading...["The Horns of Nimon (TV story)"])

Romana II constructed her own sonic screwdriver, which was so impressive that the Doctor attempted to substitute his own with hers, but she noticed the switch. (TV: The Horns of Nimon [+]Loading...["The Horns of Nimon (TV story)"]) Her version also included a silencer. (AUDIO: Luna Romana [+]Loading...["Luna Romana (audio story)"]) She later gave it to the Doctor. (PROSE: Lungbarrow [+]Loading...["Lungbarrow (novel)"]) Nonetheless, during the final term of her presidency, her third incarnation used a sonic screwdriver. (AUDIO: Intervention Earth [+]Loading...["Intervention Earth (audio story)"])

River's screwdriver[[edit] | [edit source]]

Main article: River Song's sonic screwdriver
River receives her sonic screwdriver. (TV: The Husbands of River Song [+]Loading...["The Husbands of River Song (TV story)"])

The Twelfth Doctor gave River Song another screwdriver before River's final date with him at the Singing Towers of Darillium. (TV: The Husbands of River Song [+]Loading...["The Husbands of River Song (TV story)"], Silence in the Library [+]Loading...["Silence in the Library (TV story)"]) This version of the sonic screwdriver somewhat resembled the Ninth and Tenth Doctor's model, which was notable when she met the latter in the Library, though it looked elaborately decorated and modified, featuring increased and enhanced functionality, including "dampers" and a "red setting" that allowed it to work without interference from the Doctor Moon. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in the Library. (TV: Forest of the Dead [+]Loading...["Forest of the Dead (TV story)"], PROSE: Time Lord Technology [+]Loading...{"page":"56","1":"Time Lord Technology (feature)"})

Other screwdrivers[[edit] | [edit source]]

Quadrigger Stoyn possessed a sonic screwdriver in his workcase aboard the Doctor's TARDIS, which he had been working on shortly before the First Doctor stole the ship. (AUDIO: The Beginning [+]Loading...["The Beginning (audio story)"])

A clone of the Second Doctor also possessed his own sonic screwdriver, which he used along with the Fourth Doctor's to send Hexford home. (AUDIO: Survivors in Space [+]Loading...["Survivors in Space (audio story)"])

Narvin had a sonic screwdriver made, based on the Doctor's design, after seeing its utility when carried by the Doctor. At first he objected, preferring to call it a sonic lockpick, but then admitted the nature of his new device. (AUDIO: The Quantum Possibility Engine [+]Loading...["The Quantum Possibility Engine (audio story)"])

Ace had a sonic screwdriver which she took with her to Outpost Delta. (AUDIO: Enemy Lines [+]Loading...["Enemy Lines (audio story)"])

Doctor Ogron built his own sonic screwdriver. (AUDIO: Planet of the Ogrons [+]Loading...["Planet of the Ogrons (audio story)"])

Jackson Lake carried a regular screwdriver from the 19th century which he claimed was sonic by virtue of it making a sound when it was struck against a surface. (TV: The Next Doctor [+]Loading...["The Next Doctor (TV story)"])

While trapped on Apalapucia for thirty-six years, Amy Pond cobbled together a sonic device from various pieces of technology, but insisted upon calling it a sonic probe. She later conceded that it was a "sonic screwdriver". (TV: The Girl Who Waited [+]Loading...["The Girl Who Waited (TV story)"])

Vastra had a sonic screwdriver that was a gift from the Doctor. She used it to shatter the glass of the Crystal Palace. It had a red tip, and was similar in design to that used by the Doctor's eleventh incarnation. (COMIC: The Crystal Throne [+]Loading...["The Crystal Throne (comic story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

According to the fiction source REF: Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary, a sonic screwdriver was a common and basic Time Lord device. If needed, a Time Lord could make one from scratch in very little time.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

v • e
Sonic devices and sonic technology
Used by the Doctor
Used by the Doctor's companions
Used by River Song
Used by Iris Wildthyme
Used by the Paternoster Gang
Used by the Doctor's enemies
Dalek technology
Weapons
Other
From Non-valid stories
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