If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time on your phone, getting emails on your way to work, or catching up on the latest news with social media during lunch. Regardless of your phone use, having a solid signal is key to doing these tasks without frustration. If your signal doesn’t seem as strong as it used to be, here are some ways to improve the signal strength on your android phone.
One of the biggest annoyances of using an Android phone (or any smartphone) is dealing with poor signal strength and dropped calls. When you’re out of your home or office, it’s nearly impossible to get in touch with someone who has terrible signal strength, and that can cost you in various situations. That’s why many Android users are looking for simple ways to improve their phone’s signal strength at home, work, or anywhere else they spend time away from the cell tower.
Why does your Android phone’s mobile signal quality seem poor?
Let’s start by looking at some of the most typical reasons why cell phone service is inadequate. The following is a list of the most common elements that have an impact on cell signal strength:
- Signal source distance: You are too far from the signal source, the nearest cell tower. Your Android phone is searching for a carrier signal, but you may be in a rural area with few nearby cell towers. As a result, to improve cell coverage, this condition necessitates using a cell phone signal booster for rural areas.
- Signal-blocking materials: These lucky signal blocks can be found in the materials used to build homes, offices, vehicles, and apartments. Concrete, steel, brick, masonry, drywall, Low-E glass, and electrical wiring can all interfere with cell signals.
- High network traffic: In densely populated areas, more people attempt to connect to the same signal sources to slow or overload the network.
- Environmental factors: Weather, dense vegetation, and mountains can interfere with Android phone signal reception.
How to improve the signal strength on android phone-Simple ways
Fortunately, there are numerous tried-and-true solutions for a weak Android phone signal. Here are the best methods for increasing the number of bars on your Android device, increasing download speeds, and improving call quality.
Check Your Location
If you’re getting a weak signal, you can do a few things to improve it. Make sure that your phone is not in an enclosed space, like under your desk or in a purse. Also, make sure you are using the right cellular band for your carrier. For example, if you have AT&T and are in the United States, use GSM 850/1900. If you have T-Mobile and are in the United States, use WCDMA 1900/2100. And if you have Verizon and are in America, use CDMA 800/1900 and LTE 700MHz instead of 2100MHz.
Finally, ensure your phone is not near large metal objects or appliances like microwaves or refrigerators, which can interfere with cell signals.
Check Wi-Fi Settings
Wi-Fi is a great way to improve the signal strength on your android phone, but first, you’ll need to ensure Wi-Fi is enabled. Open Settings and scroll down until you see Wi-Fi. Tap it and then enable Wi-Fi by tapping the toggle switch in the upper right corner of the screen.
If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, tap Disconnect before connecting again. This will allow your phone to search for better networks if there’s one available nearby.
Remove or Replace the Case
You can do a few things right now that may help with your signal. First, try turning off your phone and removing the case if you have one. This will allow you to locate where the problem is coming from. If your phone appears too far from a tower, move closer or find a better location with more towers in range. If it still doesn’t work, try switching SIM cards or taking the battery out and putting it back in.
Clear Cache Data
Clearing your cache data is an excellent way to start your phone fresh. The cache can contain data that slows down your phone, and removing it can help you experience better performance. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings and select Storage & USB or Storage.
- Select the app you want to clear the cache for.
- Tap Clear Cache.
- Check out how much space has been freed up by tapping Free Up Space at the bottom of the page.
- Repeat this process for each app until all have been cleared of their cache.
Reset Network Settings
The first thing you should try is resetting your network settings. To do this, tap Settings, then General. From there, tap Reset Network Settings. You will be prompted to enter your passcode if you have one set up, or your phone will ask permission to erase all content and settings (assuming you don’t have a passcode). Tap Erase all Content and Settings, enter your passcode (if applicable), and follow the prompts.
Next, try restarting your phone. Do this by pressing and holding down both of the volume buttons at the same time until the phone company logo appears.
Factory Reset the Device
If you’re still having problems, you should factory reset your device. Make sure you back up all of your data before doing this, so it’s not lost in the process. Factory resets do not erase any of your data, but they clear many system settings that can cause problems with signal strength. If you’ve been using your phone for an extended period and haven’t had a problem before, then there’s likely nothing wrong with your phone, and it’s just an issue with poor reception where you are.
Update Firmware
A poor signal can be a big bummer. Luckily, you can take some simple steps to improve your signal at home or in the office. First, ensure your phone is up-to-date with the latest firmware and software updates. Software changes can improve battery life and fix bugs affecting your call quality.
You should also check for any service outages in your area. If you have a carrier other than Verizon or Sprint, you might want to contact them directly, as they will be more familiar with their service in your area.
Change Wi-Fi Frequency (2.4Ghz vs. 5Ghz frequency range)
One of the simplest ways to improve the signal strength on your android is by changing your Wi-Fi frequency. You might have heard that there are two frequencies that wireless devices use: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. The difference between these two frequencies is how much bandwidth they can handle at any moment. 2.4Ghz has a much greater range but a lower capacity for data transfer speed- meaning it’s not as good for video streaming, gaming, or other activities with high bandwidth needs.
Also read: How to Extend Wifi Range to Another Building