When a Thijarian remnant sample overloaded the sonic, for having too many inputs, the Doctor noted that this had never happened before. This was because of the immeasurably high density of this substance, containing the remains of Thijar and all their ancestors. ( TV: Demons of the Punjab) On another occasion, the sonic could calculate such an impossible density, but that "density [blew its] mind". ( TV: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos) To the Doctor's extreme surprise, her sonic could be rendered inoperative by reconnaissance scout Daleks. ( TV: Resolution) If its way is cleared, the Doctor can summon the sonic screwdriver to her hand. ( TV: Can You Hear Me?) In contrast with Nathan-Turner's attitude that the sonic screwdriver should not be used as a cure-all, the new production team gave it even more functionality than previous versions. Some of the uses in the new series include: repairing electronic equipment; re-attaching materials such as barbed wire; detecting, intercepting and sending signals; remotely operating the TARDIS; burning, cutting, or igniting substances; fusing metal; scanning and identifying substances; amplifying or augmenting sound; modifying mobile phones to enable "universal roaming"; disabling alien disguises; resonating concrete; reversing teleportation of another entity. It is sometimes used to disassemble robotic enemies or turn other objects into weapons; healing cuts and wounds. In " The Parting of the Ways" (2005) and " Utopia" (2007), it is used to operate the TARDIS controls remotely; when the Doctor attempts to counteract the Master's theft of the TARDIS, it is used to limit the TARDIS' destination. In " Doomsday" (2006), the Doctor states that the sonic screwdriver does not kill, wound or maim; however, it is sometimes brandished in a threatening manner, such as in " The Christmas Invasion" (2005), " The Impossible Planet" (2006), " The Runaway Bride" (2006), " The Lazarus Experiment" (2007), " The Day of the Doctor" (2013), and The Infinite Quest (2007). In " World War Three" (2005), when confronted by a group of Slitheen, the Doctor threatens to "triplicate the flammability" of a bottle of port wine with the sonic screwdriver, though one of the Slitheen realises he is bluffing. In " Closing Time" (2011), ringed energy beams are seen emitted from the device, giving it a more weapon-like appearance, particularly when used to disable a weakened Cyberman at a distance. In the series 6 episode " Let's Kill Hitler", the Doctor has a sonic cane which appears to have the same functions as the sonic screwdriver.

The customisable 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.A metal version of the sonic screwdriver produced by Wow Stuff mounts a functional set of changeable flat and Phillips heads under a removable cover as well as providing light and sound effects. [15] [ bettersourceneeded] Having it ready for the 60th anniversary specials, I think is a genuine first in our history with the Doctor Who Brand and once again it’s with huge thanks to all involved that we’ve been able to achieve this.” Aside from being a tool, the sonic screwdriver can be used and considered as a defensive weapon, which is effective for a few types of assault weapons, but not designed to kill or injure living things as the only way it can really hurt or incapacitate an organism is by emitting painful bursts of sound, or, as of " Day of the Moon" (2011) by blasting a green wave of energy to incapacitate a target, though only the Eleventh and Twelfth's sonic has been shown to do the latter. Steven Moffat twice over, so the Twelfth Doctor didn't have a hand-me-down from Eleven; just like with Eleven from Ten. Overloading/imploding a Cybermat; unfortunately wiping its memory in the process. ( TV: Closing Time)

One wheelchair-bound Doctor postdating their fifteenth incarnation used a sonic screwdriver. ( PROSE: Rose [+] Russell T Davies, adapted from Rose ( Russell T Davies), Target novelisations ( Target Books, 2018). Edition: 2023 Illustrated Edition.) Removing DNA bombs from Graham, Grace, Ryan and Yaz's collarbones and installing them into a Stenza gathering coil. ( TV: The Woman Who Fell to Earth) According to one account, the Doctor got her sonic screwdriver from the planet Argos. ( TV: Untitled [+] The Lily Savage Show ( 1997).) 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.Scanner, diagnostics, tin opener!” Everything an adventurer needs for the incredible journey ahead! In " Hell Bent", the TARDIS gives the Doctor a brand new sonic screwdriver. The new screwdriver has a TARDIS-blue shaft with gold and silver highlights. The upper half is a rectangular light grid that, when switched on, has four different functions: green light with low-pitched sound, blue light with high-pitched sound, green lights that pulse with a pulsing sound, and a blue light chasing pattern with a pulsing sound. The new sonic screwdriver is meant to represent the TARDIS. The Doctor first uses it in "The Husbands of River Song" (although he also employs the sonic sunglasses earlier in the episode). The new screwdriver has seen use in the spin-off show Class, where the Doctor increases the voltage of flood lights to expel the Shadow Kin and partially close a rift in space-time. He is shown to have working copies of every version of the Sonic Screwdriver ever seen before in a cup on his desk in "The Pilot." Nardole uses the Fifth Doctor's version when sealing bulkhead doors to keep out Daleks later in the episode. Receiving a signal from the TARDIS indicating that it had returned and indicating its location. ( TV: Cold War)

Matt Smith used the Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver to turn on the Christmas Lights in Cardiff in November 2010. Its appearance was cheered by the crowd. During the Doctor Who panel at San Diego Comic Con in 2018, Jodie Whittaker produced the new sonic screwdriver, prompting applause from the audience. Each model used the same software. Essentially, the sonic screwdriver in use by the War Doctor was the same as that in the Eleventh Doctor's possession, some 400 years later. ( TV: The Day of the Doctor) Seemingly adding an extra layer of super-dense water vapour to keep the Ice Governess "trapped for the moment" ( TV: The Snowmen) a b c d "Series 8 Sonic Devices for Paternoster Gang Revealed". doctorwhotv.co.uk. 19 December 2013 . Retrieved 21 December 2013. In a universe where the Doctor was exiled to Earth in the 1990s rather than the 1970s, the Doctor didn't carry a sonic screwdriver, but he recognized a device similar to it. ( AUDIO: The Emporium at the End)Throughout the programme, there have been many different versions of the sonic screwdriver, as with subsequent Doctors the design of it was changed. It has also been destroyed on a number of occasions, thus leading to the introduction of the next model. Not all iterations of the Doctor have used the sonic screwdriver on screen; the Fifth Doctor in fact opted not to replace his after it was destroyed in " The Visitation". The sonic screwdriver could amplify sound waves to become hypersonic from various audio devices, including radios, speakers and, once, a pipe organ. ( TV: The Runaway Bride, Evolution of the Daleks, The Lazarus Experiment) In conjunction with Miss Foster's sonic pen, it created an ultra-high sonic frequency. ( TV: Partners in Crime) The sonic screwdriver could also calculate resonation patterns for materials like concrete, ( TV: The Doctor Dances) and increase the radiation output of an x-ray scanner, though the latter burned out the device. ( TV: Smith and Jones) Granting a football referee's glasses the ability to watch every football game in the galaxy. ( COMIC: Bow-ties for Goal Posts)