Back on my Thunderbolt I was able to force LTE only, which comes in handy while I'm at work and don't need to worry about voice calls and want a fast data connection. In my office the 4G reception is just weak enough to push me onto 3G, but the weak 4G connection is still much faster than the strong 3G connection.
Google only turned up the *#*#4636#*#* / Phone Info app method, which works fine for disabling LTE but not forcing it. I can select 'LTE only' with this method, but the selection doesn't stick and immediately reverts to 'CDMA/LTE/EVDO' if I press back or restart or turn off and on the radio.
Can someone please detail a way to force a 4G LTE connection or shed some light on why the method I've tried may be failing?
foxalot said:
Back on my Thunderbolt I was able to force LTE only, which comes in handy while I'm at work and don't need to worry about voice calls and want a fast data connection. In my office the 4G reception is just weak enough to push me onto 3G, but the weak 4G connection is still much faster than the strong 3G connection.
Google only turned up the *#*#4636#*#* / Phone Info app method, which works fine for disabling LTE but not forcing it. I can select 'LTE only' with this method, but the selection doesn't stick and immediately reverts to 'CDMA/LTE/EVDO' if I press back or restart or turn off and on the radio.
Can someone please detail a way to force a 4G LTE connection or shed some light on why the method I've tried may be failing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe if you download the app called phone info from the market it has an option for lte only...not 100% sure but worth a shot
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Using the phone info app is the same as *#*#4636#*#*, which, as detailed in op, doesn't work.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
foxalot said:
Using the phone info app is the same as *#*#4636#*#*, which, as detailed in op, doesn't work.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok and like I stated I wasn't sure if it would work and I do know it had the option...sorry for wasting your time by trying to lend a hand
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
No need to be defensive, thanks anyway.
:Bump:
I would also like to know if there's a way to force LTE.
or even a way to force 3g/4g only, no 1x. 1x totally kills my battery whenever my phone gets a bad enough connection, I'd rather just turn off mobile network than have 1x, but would be way easier if this was done automatically for me
Related
I cannot find a setting, or an app in the market. Is there a way to use Edge instead of 3G? When am at my inlaws I get 1 bar of 3G inside, and the connection doesn't work. If I step outside I get 3 bars and a great connection. Every once in a while my phone will switch to edge, I get full bars and a slow, but stable, connection. I want to be able to force it to switch to edge when I am there.
I am using perception 10.2.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
quarlow said:
I cannot find a setting, or an app in the market. Is there a way to use Edge instead of 3G? When am at my inlaws I get 1 bar of 3G inside, and the connection doesn't work. If I step outside I get 3 bars and a great connection. Every once in a while my phone will switch to edge, I get full bars and a slow, but stable, connection. I want to be able to force it to switch to edge when I am there.
I am using perception 10.2.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option is under wireless network
Mobile network
Network mode
I only get GSM or WCDMA mode. Either way it uses 3G.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
gsm is edge.
Rebooted my phone and tried again, GSM does only edge. Guess after 350+ hours uptime it needed a little refresh. I tried turning on and off airplane mode, but GSM was still pulling H, not E. Maybe Perception is too stable
I never had that issue with the stock Rom, I rebooted at least daily, mostly without me wanting to, or knowing it was going to.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
You can switch by disabling mobile data first in the extended power menu then changing mobile network then re enabling.
I tried that before, and airplane mode, but it didn't make a difference. Works fine after the reboot. I'll have to try to reboot my phone more often than every two weeks.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Yes. I do it once a day at least but I am always flashing something
I would if I could find an audiobook player that doesn't use the phones "music" collection, and supports bookmarking. I can only find one or the other.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Dial *#*#197328640#*#*
Select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
Select [8] PHONE CONTROL
Select [4] UE STATE CONTROL
If you want 2G, select:
[3] CHANGE RAT TO GSM
If you want 3G, select:
[2] CHANGE RAT TO WCDMA
Try that.
This is starting to bug me..... for no reason the 4g connection and even when I turn off the mobile network, wait a few minutes and turn it back on, it still wont work until I reboot the phone. Sometimes rebooting it doesn't work and I have to pull the battery.
Anyone know whats causing this? When this is happening I see the ^ arrow on the 4g connection lit up like a christmas tree but nothing is uploading and theres no data connection....... HELP!
Mine dropped Last night for the first time. When I first got the phone it flip from 3g to 4g at my job. Last night finally went dead. I rebooted and still no network. Then I used the new LTE switch to keep it @3g only. It worked.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
reg83ny said:
Mine dropped Last night for the first time. When I first got the phone it flip from 3g to 4g at my job. Last night finally went dead. I rebooted and still no network. Then I used the new LTE switch to keep it @3g only. It worked.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you get the LTE switch?
I have seen it step down to 3g and back up to 4g LTE but its just sometimes 4g just chokes for no reason......
Surprise u didn't hear about it. Its a free app. If it was a paid app it would sell like hot bread. Check the market. I can't post a link yet since I'm brand new to the site
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
same issue with mine in Denver
You also go to your dialer and type in *#*#4636#*#* to get to the menu.
same issue here Philadelphia sub
when i bought the phone, it is very easy to get 4G in my home and work
and recently, I only can get 3G in home and 1x in work.
and it is not stable, very easy to drop.
Yea sometimes 4g just hangs and it wont step down to 3g...... forcing me to reboot or hard reset .....
stoneskin2 said:
same issue here Philadelphia sub
when i bought the phone, it is very easy to get 4G in my home and work
and recently, I only can get 3G in home and 1x in work.
and it is not stable, very easy to drop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Stoneskin,
I live in Hawaii and I have the very same issue as well. I picked up 4g easily in the "so called" extended 4g coverage region when I first got the TB. Then about the middle of last week, poof, no more 4g except for in the true 4g areas. My thought is because so many people were having 4g connectivity issues in these extended area, VZW simply stopped allowing it as a troubleshooting measure that apparently is still going on. I brought this up to VZW tech support and they were clueless as usual. I also posted in the VZW Community Forum hoping to get an answer, but none thus far.
you could try dialing ##778# and pressing send, select edit mode, password is 000000 and then under modem settings change it to rev A. then press the menu button to save and reboot. it has helped me out in the El paso area. friend showed it to me the other day Far as i can tell is that it disables the new network that allows voice and data at the same time since that's the only difference i have noticed other than not loosing my connection anymore. I just a heads up this does not work on the latest version of virus rom RC1B3 sensless but did with previous version and several other roms i had tried
thetwiztidfreak said:
you could try dialing ##778# and pressing send, select edit mode, password is 000000 and then under modem settings change it to rev A. then press the menu button to save and reboot. it has helped me out in the El paso area. friend showed it to me the other day Far as i can tell is that it disables the new network that allows voice and data at the same time since that's the only difference i have noticed other than not loosing my connection anymore. I just a heads up this does not work on the latest version of virus rom RC1B3 sensless but did with previous version and several other roms i had tried
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, but it didn't work. VZW must have changed something to where extended coverage area no longer get 4g. Only those in true 4g areas. I really think this has a lot to do with the folks experiencing the constant drop 4g issues. They must have rationalized that if the extended area for 4g is not up to par and forcing 3g would be better. Only way I can explain it. From consistent 4g to only 3g. I sure miss the speeds.
Sometimes while the battery is low, I like to put the phone into 2G mode also known as edge and get off the 4G network. I remember my myTouch had this with cyanogen and really any other asop Rom also had it.
How do we enable it on a device running sense? Or this phone for this case.
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
It should be under the Mobile Network sub menu.. it's not ASOP or Cyanogen exclusive.
The option doesn't exist for us on our ROM. I like that feature too. Here is a workaround. Go into your dialer and type in *#*#4636#*#* and a menu will pop up. Go to Phone Information and you'll see a drop down that shows WCDMA Preferred as the default. Go into the drop down menu and choose GSM Only. It will cycle the radio off and then back on and then you will have Edge only. Alternatively if you select WCDMA Only, you will only ever have 4G. This is useful if you live in an area that is right on the cusp on 2G/4G. Our phones will drop to Edge if the Edge signal is stronger than the HSPA signal. Sometimes this is annoying since you could still have 4G speed if the phone didn't automatically switch to Edge.
Also, I don't remember who the dev is, but there is an app in the Market called Network. This app allows you to go right into that phone info menu mentioned above without needing to put that code into the dialer. It can be hard to find since there are so many search results if you search for "network" in the Market. If you are interested I will look up the devs name for you and you can find it that way. Hope this helps.
Edit: The person above is correct actually, I didn't see it before but you can choose WCDMA/GSM Auto, GSM Only or WCDMA Only from that Mobile Network submenu in the Wireless & Networks menu in your standard settings menu. Thank you for pointing that out.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Putting 2g only on kills battery faster....harder for stuff to sync faster ...phone stays awake longer. Google put out a whole video on YouTube about it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
wow, totally forgot to try this trick at work. My phone sits there with a full strength 2G signal, but the bars lie, it's very unreliable and cripplingly slow (much slower than edge is capable of). Now I have a 1-2 bar 4G signal and am getting very acceptable speeds. 1.8Mbps down 1.3Mbps up (FCC mobile broadband test, 3 tests averaged).
I just wanted to add that I hunted around for widgets to provide a quick toggle for this function, whether that be forcing GSM as some need to do, or forcing WCDMA as others need to. My search turned up a few like EasySwitch but it seems that none of them work with gingerbread.
No need for the special code...
You can find that here too:
Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode
xdviper said:
Sometimes while the battery is low, I like to put the phone into 2G mode also known as edge and get off the 4G network. I remember my myTouch had this with cyanogen and really any other asop Rom also had it.
How do we enable it on a device running sense? Or this phone for this case.
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best option is menu>settings>power>"enable power efficiency"
The S series, and Sensation, use less power in 3G mode than in 2G mode. RTFM.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Keeping it on disk space may use more battery charge, but it helps preserve my 2GB 4G data cap. It seems like a reasonable trade-off for me. Does anyone know if the "Data Used" number shown under the "My Account" app is accurate?
Sometimes while the battery is low, I like to put the phone into 2G mode also known as edge and get off the 4G network. I remember my myTouch had this with cyanogen and really any other asop Rom also had it.
How do we enable it on a device running sense? Or this phone for this case.
Thanks
Rubyjennifer4 said:
Sometimes while the battery is low, I like to put the phone into 2G mode also known as edge and get off the 4G network. I remember my myTouch had this with cyanogen and really any other asop Rom also had it.
How do we enable it on a device running sense? Or this phone for this case.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should be under the pulldown notifications bar? or at least I think I remember seeing an option for it on CM9/AOKP. itll have your list of toggles and should have "2G" listed as well. havent tried it out tho cuz Im on Sense now, and if I ever have EDGE data, I usually just connect to WiFi (lol only at my house, service sucks)
hi has anyonr else eperiance this same issue. whenever I go to an area that has little signal or turn the wifi off and on my phone resets to 3g. I have to keep going into the apn settings and change it from EHRPD to 4GLTE and then restart my phone. I cant change any of the settings oe delete extra APN's so I posted a screenshot and im hoping someone can help me out. Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
plasmasnakeusa said:
hi has anyonr else eperiance this same issue. whenever I go to an area that has little signal or turn the wifi off and on my phone resets to 3g. I have to keep going into the apn settings and change it from EHRPD to 4GLTE and then restart my phone. I cant change any of the settings oe delete extra APN's so I posted a screenshot and im hoping someone can help me out. Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not that it helps much, but this is an issue seeming to affect alot of us. I havent been able to correct it yet however. If I find anything out I'll post it.
Just put on airplane mode and turn it back off. Boom your done.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Is that an app you use to change those settings or is that buried somewhere?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I just checked as I haven't seen it yet either. Settings, More settings, mobile network, access point names
Kind of cool. Mine showed the first option chosen but it hope between 3G and 4G as usual. Choosing LTE made no difference for me. I have virtually no 4g signal where I love
Sent from my SCH-I535
xceebeex said:
Is that an app you use to change those settings or is that buried somewhere?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Airplane mode is a feature of the phone and turns off all radios. You can hold the power button and choose airplane mode or use the quick toggle in the notification window. Since it sounds like you may be in an area with weak 4G, you can also use an app called Phone Info to set it to CDMA auto (PRL) under Device Information. You can also change it back to LTE/CDMA/EvDO if you want it to switch as normal.
With the Verizon S3, is there the need to do *228 (or *22899) ? I did this every so often on my old HTC Incredible.
frankybeenz said:
With the Verizon S3, is there the need to do *228 (or *22899) ? I did this every so often on my old HTC Incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work on LTE devices. A reboot essentially does the same thing. Some have recommended pulling the battery with the phone on, removing the sim card for about 30sec and then putting everything back in.
Thanks, I know what airplane mode is, wasn't sure where the APN setting was. I will look in to phone info though.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Are you guys also experiencing the "No Sim Card" and "No Network Connection" issues?
Or is this an entirely different issue?
When this phone goes to 3g, it does seem extra bad on how long it takes to switch back to 4g. i have areas where i live where it goes to 3g when going in between hill (less than a 50 foot stretch) and it will not go back to 4g for over 10 minutes if i dont manually do it. Not to mention my LTE never goes above 10 mbps on the best days
Somewhat related...If you use Anycut to create a shortcut to IOTHiddenMenu, enter the ##DATA# Menu, edit. Under "Advanced", there is an LTE toggle, under "Other" > "HDR/1X" you can set the phone mode, and then under "Other" > "LTE APN Settings" you can somewhat modify the APN settings, reset and discard. If it asks for a password, it's 000000.
I gave these a try. I'm trying to find a way for my phone to favor 4G when there's a 4G signal, no matter how weak.
Yesterday I did a test, 3G with 3 bars vs 4G with 0 to 1 and 4G had consistently faster download speeds and shorter ping times. The upload varied from similar to 3G to slower.
Sent from my SCH-I535
Josolanes said:
I gave these a try. I'm trying to find a way for my phone to favor 4G when there's a 4G signal, no matter how weak.
Yesterday I did a test, 3G with 3 bars vs 4G with 0 to 1 and 4G had consistently faster download speeds and shorter ping times. The upload varied from similar to 3G to slower.
Sent from my SCH-I535
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably easier said than done. The phone info app can force LTE but you lose voice and text.
Ya I found that out yesterday when testing speeds. I went to send a text then make a call and no luck
Otherwise 4G service where I live could be excellent at one spot then a mile away no service. If I had excellent 4G consistently I'd consider GoSMS which I believe has the option for data text and also a separate VoIP app
Ah well hopefully something will be figured out eventually. With a strong 4G signal 4G is considerably faster and more consistent than my 20mbps home broadband
Sent from my SCH-I535
send it back
I've had similar issues with my network. I had no 4G in 4G areas, but mainly my wifi would disconnect randomly and 3G also dropped to 1X a lot. I ended up having to send it back and get another one. So far no issues. Also the new ones have an "Updated" sticker on them. I think it was just a software update they applied, but I never got the OTA on my old phone.
lefos123 said:
I've had similar issues with my network. I had no 4G in 4G areas, but mainly my wifi would disconnect randomly and 3G also dropped to 1X a lot. I ended up having to send it back and get another one. So far no issues. Also the new ones have an "Updated" sticker on them. I think it was just a software update they applied, but I never got the OTA on my old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your new phone came with an already updated firmware version I535VRALG1 instead of the original version I535VRALF2.
lefos123 said:
I've had similar issues with my network. I had no 4G in 4G areas, but mainly my wifi would disconnect randomly and 3G also dropped to 1X a lot. I ended up having to send it back and get another one. So far no issues. Also the new ones have an "Updated" sticker on them. I think it was just a software update they applied, but I never got the OTA on my old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue with my second replacement phone... My first one was replaced for an entirely different issue (loose home button).
Did you get the "No Sim Card" notification and "No Network Connection" message?
I think I might have to return this one as well...
PJnc284 said:
probably easier said than done. The phone info app can force LTE but you lose voice and text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if anyone will have the same luck I have with the "Phone Info" app, but with it I was able to get my 4g service back and my phone is functioning normally again. Just open the app, select Device Information and scroll down to "Set preferred network type" and select "LTE/CDMA/EvDo" then get out of the app.. 4g should return shortly there after. When I looked at it, my device was set to "GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)"
So let me start off by saying I have pretty bad reception at home with 4g.
I had an iphone 4 with a 3g range extender before I got the S3 and it worked great.
Found a free app called phone info
Went in under device information, selected cdma auto (PRL). I restarted my phone.
I now have 5 bars and perfect clarity.
*** I must have been on another planet with this post...
gingi999 said:
Went in under device information, selected cdma auto (PRL). I restarted my phone.
I now have 5 bars and perfect clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get 4g in CDMA auto (PRL) mode?
gingi999 said:
So let me start off by saying I have pretty bad reception at home with 4g.
I had an iphone 4 with a 3g range extender before I got the S3 and it worked great.
Found a free app called phone info
Went in under device information, selected cdma auto (PRL). I restarted my phone.
I now have 5 bars and perfect clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am usually about 2 bars where I am. Making this switch didn't change my number of bars or dbm. I'm glad it worked for you however.
I expect by making this change, you are basically downgrading to 3G until you set it back.
If you have a network extender for 3G then that's the fix. Not turning on thst option.
mtnmeow said:
You get 4g in CDMA auto (PRL) mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It switches to 3G
michael* said:
I am usually about 2 bars where I am. Making this switch didn't change my number of bars or dbm. I'm glad it worked for you however.
I expect by making this change, you are basically downgrading to 3G until you set it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am downgrading to 3G and my range extender only works for 3G not 4g. Verizon claims to not have a 4g extender yet.
Elite49 said:
If you have a network extender for 3G then that's the fix. Not turning on thst option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly. The phone will stay in 4g with one bar even if 5 bars of 3G is available. So forcing the phone to switch to 3G is the only way I got the call quality I needed to make calls in my house
What's the make and model of this range extender?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Unstable 3G performance
So I've had my S3 for a little over a month and have noticed the poor call reception that people have mentioned,especially in my office building. My old droid 2 global never had a problem, but when I receive calls on the S3 i have to walk to A window down the hall to keep the call from dropping. In an attempt to stay on the more stable 3G coverage in the area I installed phone tools and forced 3G. The problem I have now is that when I'm out of the office or house and not on wifi, I pull the phone put of my pocket to check something and there is no data connection at all now. Even if I open my browser and try to force a connection I get nothing. If I set the radio back to include LTE I have a reliable data connection everywhere but my calls are still poor.
Am i missing something when setting the phone to be 3G only? Thanks.
Ok i tried that phone info program and set it tup cdma auto or whatever, and no improvement. How do i get back to stock? I tried setting to lte/cdma/evdo but it does not stick. I tried uninstalling the program and the phone would stick to 3g. Help!
hypertek said:
Ok i tried that phone info program and set it tup cdma auto or whatever, and no improvement. How do i get back to stock? I tried setting to lte/cdma/evdo but it does not stick. I tried uninstalling the program and the phone would stick to 3g. Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just download the phone info app and switch it back to lte/CDMA/evdo when you switch it turn off the radio at the bottom and wait for a couple secs then turn it back on
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I wish Verizon and Samsung would just get together and try and resolve why their phones don't work well on Verizon's network. I figured they'd learn what they did wrong with the Nexus - pretty upset they never resolved it with the S3. I'm hoping the DNA/DLX from HTC doesn't have this issue. I liked the Samsung S3 in just about every way but the reception is wretched compared to Motorola phones.
yea I agree...the reception is awful. Literally can't use the phone for business. Everything else about it is awesome though
gingi999 said:
Not exactly. The phone will stay in 4g with one bar even if 5 bars of 3G is available. So forcing the phone to switch to 3G is the only way I got the call quality I needed to make calls in my house
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm missing something. How does 3g/4g have anything to do with your calls? The phone works with data turned off. Are you using Skype?
sincerity said:
yea I agree...the reception is awful. Literally can't use the phone for business. Everything else about it is awesome though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've pretty much given up on Samsung and Verizon as much as I love the phone as a PDA, as a phone it sucks.
sincerity said:
yea I agree...the reception is awful. Literally can't use the phone for business. Everything else about it is awesome though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has to do more with your location I think..I work in the tri-county are of Detroit and my reception is excellent. Had a Cappy on ATT before my GS3 on Verizon and could not even get a signal in our office building..now on Verizon I'm at least 4 bars and full strength pretty much everywhere else..
Tyggy said:
It has to do more with your location I think..I work in the tri-county are of Detroit and my reception is excellent. Had a Cappy on ATT before my GS3 on Verizon and could not even get a signal in our office building..now on Verizon I'm at least 4 bars and full strength pretty much everywhere else..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to have to do with the technology of the Verizon towers in your area. In LA with a motorola phone I lock on no problem and get great reception. With the S3 you'll switch from 4 bars - drop the call and switch back to 4 bars even when stationary. Motorolas don't have that issue with Verizon's network. I know several people with the S3 including people in CT and TX - all having the same issue on Verizon's network.
mysterysauce said:
Just download the phone info app and switch it back to lte/CDMA/evdo when you switch it turn off the radio at the bottom and wait for a couple secs then turn it back on
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks, i tried this, and still seems to be stuck.
boe said:
I wish Verizon and Samsung would just get together and try and resolve why their phones don't work well on Verizon's network. I figured they'd learn what they did wrong with the Nexus - pretty upset they never resolved it with the S3. I'm hoping the DNA/DLX from HTC doesn't have this issue. I liked the Samsung S3 in just about every way but the reception is wretched compared to Motorola phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1000 on Verizon and Sammy needing to fix this
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2