[Q] Possible to disable HSDPA but not 3G? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi XDA Folk,
I've been searching for a way to disable the HSDPA but still use 3G for mobile internet. Just wanna clarify that I'm not asking how to set the Network Mode to 2G Only. We all know how to do that.
I'm searching for a way to keep it on 3G and not H when using the mobile internet. They used to have that option in Windows Mobile, which I found fantastic.
Before I get flamed with things like "Dude, H is like way more awesome than 3G!" and things like that. Here is the reason. In certain parts, where the signal is just is strong enough for 3G and only just making it for HSDPA, the signal constantly switches between 3G & H, and during the switching time it's not connected. Therefore, ideally, a way to have an option such as a 2G/3G/HSDPA toggle switch would be just perfect.
I don't mind doing some dirty work, just need some inspiration pointing me to the right direction.
Cheers,
Phugz

Not one person? Been hearing here and there that a previous version of CyanogenMod had this option or something.
Can anyone confirm?

I am pretty sure that there isn't an option currently out there, but it would be possible to develop.

Hmm, if I install the ROM that has this option, use LogCat to see what's happening when the switch is performed, it should be possible to recreate that switch, like a toggle widget.
Since no one seems to have an answer, I guess development seems like the best route. Thanks (to the mate ^)

I actually thought that on some of the first ice builds for miui.au there was an option to enable 3g only. It has since been changed to 2g only for power saving. Maybe check some of the early miui or sand old ics builds out.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

hey can anyone reply this thread? I find this thread very helpful and i'm still in the process of looking for an answer. Will post when I manage to do it.
apparently the thread starter is from the same country as me. It is virtually impossible to use HSDPA network while travelling on the go (like the subway etc) because the phone is trying to find a HSDPA network instead of 3g even though 3g is full..
leaves us looking at other passengers' iphones with jealousy..
anyway @phugz I think cynogenmod can do it... I'm using HTC desire bravo edition btw.

LTE Disable
Cyanogenmod9 released their RC recently which I use and it has a settings feature that turns off LTE. I need to encode this feature as well (along with completely disabling the radio), the suggestion to watch log cat to see how Cyanogenmod does this seems the best I've found on the subject so far. But if you flash their ROM you will have the feature built into the notification screen, very handy.

Phugz said:
Hi XDA Folk,
I've been searching for a way to disable the HSDPA but still use 3G for mobile internet. Just wanna clarify that I'm not asking how to set the Network Mode to 2G Only. We all know how to do that.
I'm searching for a way to keep it on 3G and not H when using the mobile internet. They used to have that option in Windows Mobile, which I found fantastic.
Before I get flamed with things like "Dude, H is like way more awesome than 3G!" and things like that. Here is the reason. In certain parts, where the signal is just is strong enough for 3G and only just making it for HSDPA, the signal constantly switches between 3G & H, and during the switching time it's not connected. Therefore, ideally, a way to have an option such as a 2G/3G/HSDPA toggle switch would be just perfect.
I don't mind doing some dirty work, just need some inspiration pointing me to the right direction.
Cheers
Phugz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
settings/wireless and network/mobile network/network mode/ there you can chose from gsm/ hspa/ and gsm hspa as defalt. There my may also be something in the play store or some other non playstore app site.google is your friend

Thanks @DiazFlac and @liquidribs, not so much the other guy who I don't think really understood.
I'm on Sensation and using Sense, so I dunno bout moving to CM9, but if it's there means it's possible.. Having exams now so I think in the next couple of weeks I can test it out.
And yeah @liquidribs, it's a problem here in Singapore, especially with M1.
Really awesome that this thread is somehow still alive! Haha

Related

Fixing Signal Issues (3G/H Switching)

Hi
Does anyone know how to fix this issue? I am in a good area for signal and with previous phones am consistently on H. With my S2 it frequently switches between 3G and H even if it stays in the same spot. It will do it every few minutes.
This is causing havok when I try and tether and my Transformer and laptop keep getting signal interruptions.
Does anyone have a fix? I have Fast Dormancy disabled and I'm aware there may be some other engineer menus that have signal settings in that might work?
Thanks
Paul
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Interesting.. And I thought it was just my network vodafone
Mine also switches between G/H/H+ all within 5 secs... yeah 5 seconds and it is kinda annoying.
Are you on GIFFGAFF as stated on you profile? or other network? cause I thought if might have do to something with vodafone..
Otherwise may be its something to do with the hardware settings, I too would like to know the answer
I've kept mine to use WCMA all the times...
tfn said:
Interesting.. And I thought it was just my network vodafone
Mine also switches between G/H/H+ all within 5 secs... yeah 5 seconds and it is kinda annoying.
Are you on GIFFGAFF as stated on you profile? or other network? cause I thought if might have do to something with vodafone..
Otherwise may be its something to do with the hardware settings, I too would like to know the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm on giffgaff.
Glad its not just me. Maybe the antenna is a little too sensitive.
Anyone know the secret code to get to the GSM/UTMS bits?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
TheMathMan said:
Yes, I'm on giffgaff.
Glad its not just me. Maybe the antenna is a little too sensitive.
Anyone know the secret code to get to the GSM/UTMS bits?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1069015
This thread has lots of codes, if any help i have no clue which might help us
OK. Found the 2263 code but that seems to want to enable/disable actual bands.
Am I looking into it too hard!?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
hazem77 said:
I've kept mine to use WCMA all the times...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, for me wouldn't 3G and H/H+ both be considered as WCDMA under Mobile Network Settings? G and E would be GSM right?
If that is the case, staying on WCDMA wouldn't fix the problem.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Your phone shouldn't lock onto a H/H+ signal unless it has started to download data. That's how the protocol works.
If your phone is sitting idle it should be on 3G.
You should only get H/H+ when your phone is actively downloading.
Your phone shouldn't lock onto a H/H+ signal unless it has started to download data. That's how the protocol works.
If your phone is sitting idle it should be on 3G.
You should only get H/H+ when your phone is actively downloading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. So how can I stop it flicking between the H and 3G. For instance when I am trying to stream it will get interrupted, or if I'm wirelessly tethered?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
i'm from tunisia and have the same pronlem here.
Please developers help us to get rid of this 3g/h issue.
Guys,
I got the same problem here i n Brazil using a VIVO carrier.
I set in CONFIG -> WIRELESS AND NETWORK -> MOBILE NETWORKS -> NETWORK MODE -> WCDMA ONLY
I don`t know why it worked but now its working fine.
Could you test?
Rgds
Flavio
No problems to report in Amsterdam.
I'm biking through the whole city to get to work, no disconnects using TuneIn or Google Music. Provider is Vodafone, HSDPA+ all along the way.
Its Android issue
Think when iPhone, Windows phones have not had this issue, wat else other than Android. I have tried 3 different handsets. 3 different network - 3, O2 and Vodaphone. All has same problem. Android is the only thing common. I have been scouring the internet and posted everwhere possible since Dec 2010 from when I became Android user. There is no solution. Everone seems busy making their own Android versions and apps. Result there is no basic data and voice stability on Android. Have been relying on my decade old treo to receive n make important calls. Wonder where this is going. My heart n soul seems to sway to the iPhone lately. Atleast wat they give works well.
Its Android issue
BTW those config settings are useless too. I have even used the code to get into hidden menu and change config but no use. It's the same issue. From H to 3g and from G to E I gsm.
Sorry for the question, but whats the problem with switching? I have the same thing but is not a problem for me.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Nobody should get worried about that switching, THIS IS NORMAL!
H/H+ is an high speed 3G protocol.
Basically:
1. 3G means DL 384 Kbps tops. The modem is under 3G signal most of the time. Whenever something on your phone starts checking/d-loading it communicates at THE BEGINNING under 3G protocol. Also, long ping time> 210 ms.
2. HSDPA max 14 Mbps/HSDPA+ can go as high as 42 Mbps ( topped only by cell tower). If there's need for large packet data or shorter ping time, IT AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO H/H+(IF AVAIL). Hsdpa consumes more power and it's a communication protocol. When connected under H/H+ error correction bits are transmitted along data stream. It's like switching your home wifi on b/g/n. ...or like the automatic gearbox going to overdrive.
If you see a lot of this switching it means there's a lot of downloading/uploading going on.
I have it switching too between 3g and h on o2 and its making the internet so unstable you cannot do anything at all. This is certain not normal as the switch happens every second and continues to do so until phone is off
Mine is also switching to 3G once connection is idle for about 3 seconds. So far no problem and it uses less power than my SGS1 for browsing since my SGS1 doesn't switch to 3G when idle.
Mine is no problem between this signal switching, check your area or check your country maybe too much communication devices there so that's why it is distorted. Just use the common carrier with plenty of cell sites for a good signal of your phone.
What do i need to dial to fix it to 3g only from 2g?

Cyanogen 7 Rc Mobile Network Selection Question.....

Which ones should we be using for the Tbolt?
So far from what i noticed...
LTE Only (when iuse this i dont get phone calls or cant make calls)
Global+LTE (seems to be the 4g Only mode to me? i canmake calls)
GSM/WCDMA/LTE (not for us? )
CDMA+LTE/EvDO auto (This is for full 1x,3g,4g)
Global (????)
CDMA w/o EvDO- (Guessing just plain 1x?)
CDMA/EvDo Auto (3g/2g? )
i assume we dont use the ones below:
GSM/WCDMA Only
GSM Only
GSM/WCDMA Preffered
I did a quick search but didnt find a answer..
Still Googl'in....
You want to use CDMA+LTE/EvDO auto
I find that i have to set it to CDMA / EvDO and wait for a 1x or 3g connection then switch to the CDMA+LTE?EvDO mode to actually get 4g.
I was hoping i can set it to 4g only again like with The sense roms to save on battery?
No sir
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
LTE+Global seems to work too.
LTE alone doesnt let me make phone calls.
My question now is.. what is "Global"?
I'd really like to have this answered as well.. I just flashed Cyanogenmod 7.1.1 and if I use LTE only (like I used on Sense roms) I keep getting sms not delivered errors (haven't tried making a call... but from this thread I'm guessing it won't work)
is Global + LTE our "LTE only" on this rom?
I like using LTE only because the 3g/4g auto choices like to chomp my battery.
(And I second the question: What is "Global"?)
If you're wise, you will avoid messing with those and just use the toggle button on the power widget.
yareally said:
If you're wise, you will avoid messing with those and just use the toggle button on the power widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand where you're coming from, however, the "4g" option on those types of toggles usually means 4g/3g auto, rather than 4g only. The reason we are looking for the answer for this is we want the 4g only option that will still get voice reception. I like to use the 4g only option to conserve battery (and it makes a huge difference to me, I'm at work for 10.5+ hours a day, and if I have it on 4g/3g auto, it dies pretty quickly. If I have it on 4g only, I can go home with up to 60% of my battery left!)
CaseyJames said:
I understand where you're coming from, however, the "4g" option on those types of toggles usually means 4g/3g auto, rather than 4g only. The reason we are looking for the answer for this is we want the 4g only option that will still get voice reception. I like to use the 4g only option to conserve battery (and it makes a huge difference to me, I'm at work for 10.5+ hours a day, and if I have it on 4g/3g auto, it dies pretty quickly. If I have it on 4g only, I can go home with up to 60% of my battery left!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do "4g only" it's still going to fall back to 1x if LTE is not available. I don't quite see the advantage of it really.
Settings to Try
Cyanogen is built for multiple phones so a lot of these options apply to GSM phones not our CDMA phone, our phones are at their base a CDMA phone with an LTE chip added on for only data access.
so you don't use options that don't reference CDMA.
Cynogenmod doesn't have a CDMA/LTE only mode.
Don't Use
LTE Only - don't use this it turns off the cdma radios, ie no phone calls or texts
GSM/WCDMA/LTE - not for us, this is for GSM or World phones not ours
Global+LTE - (This is for full 1x,3g,4g), but I wouldn't use it, this for for verizon world phones that have CDMA and GSM radios, my guess is that a lot of unnecessary GSM code is running with this option
Global - this for for verizon world phones that have CDMA and GSM radios, my guess is that a lot of unnecessary GSM code is running with this option
Valid options
CDMA+LTE/EvDO auto (This is for full 1x,3g,4g) - this is what the vast majority should use most of the time.
CDMA w/o EvDO- (Guessing just plain 1x?) yes it's just plain 1x, if you really need to save battery life for calls this will save it, but your data will be basically unusable.
CDMA/EvDo Auto - If your in a 3G only area for a long time this can save you some battery life, because it won't constantly be looking for a lte signal that isn't their.

[Q] TITAN II is out! how's the signal strength on this one???

I have a the TITAN windows phone and I really love it!
I know a lot of people have that problem too and, the only thing that's making me thinking about changing it is its signal strength.
It is very bad!
I always have only 2 or 3 bars at most. And, when the phone is in 3g/4g mode, the calls drop when I have only 1 bar of signal. Can't make phone calls at 1 bar neither so, I always switch the phone to 2g/edge (using the ##3282# trick...).
It works fine on 2g/edge network, no problems at all and lots of signal too!!!
So, I was just wondering if anybody bought the new TITAN II, is the signal strength any better than the TITAN?
Because if it is, I'll buy it and give this one to my wife because I cannot work with a phone on 2g/edge only. I need fast internet.
It would be nice to post some pictures of it too with the back cover off so we can see if the antennas look better (updated) ....
Thanks!
My Titan II is full bars almost everywhere I go.
No LTE coverage in my area til December though.
I'm also wondering how the call quality is. Even thought the Titan is a badass phone, I suffer from that muffled sound that people complain about when I talk to them without a bluetooth headset. I was wondering if the call quality on the Titan II is much better than the original
I am wondering the same. Its funny how the Titan II doesn't have its own section on xda
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
lesd777 said:
I am wondering the same. Its funny how the Titan II doesn't have its own section on xda
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing as the only difference is LTE and the Camera there isn't much need for a completely different section. When ROMS are released the only issue that might come up with compatibility is the camera Driver.
As for signal see as its a rubber/plastic back compared to the original metal = Better Signal all around
92GTA said:
My Titan II is full bars almost everywhere I go.
No LTE coverage in my area til December though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be kind enough to post a picture of it with the back cover off?
I really want to see if the antennas are the same as the TITAN.
And, what about the sound?
Do people hear you loud and clear? not muffled???
Thanks !!!
Anyone with Titan 2 - could you please see if you have the SRS HD issue or not? i.e. play some graphic intensive game with SRS HD on - see if it lags or pauses. Then switch it off and see if it doesn't?
I hope it's fixed and you could have sound in SRS HD with excellent graphics!
jojapath said:
I always have only 2 or 3 bars at most. And, when the phone is in 3g/4g mode, the calls drop when I have only 1 bar of signal. Can't make phone calls at 1 bar neither so, I always switch the phone to 2g/edge (using the ##3282# trick...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This my first time hearing about the ##3282# trick. What do all the settings mean and how do you switch to 2g
bennyj71 said:
This my first time hearing about the ##3282# trick. What do all the settings mean and how do you switch to 2g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
These settings look awesome!
Especially the 2g/3g and Auto! "Auto" is the one which will help those who suffer from bad 3g I suppose.
Via settings menu we can only do 2g or 3g (on 8107). However, If this trick allows to select Auto, it means instead of constantly looking for either 2g or 3g, the phone will be able to easily swap with whatever is available! Excellent!
However, don't know if this is with data or without data!
EDIT: I am 'guessing' and now testing that by increasing the polling frequency from 3sec to 10 sec we will be able to calm down the battery drain and theoratically the battery will last longer. I am going to keep testing at 10sec for couple of charge-discharge cycles and report back. I've also manually set it to 'auto' instead of 3g only from settings. If anyone knows that this might be harmful or bad, please drop me an alert!
Wow, Lots of settings to get wrong lol, Very handy to know that trick though, Await your findings drupad, best of luck
AndyFZ1S said:
Wow, Lots of settings to get wrong lol, Very handy to know that trick though, Await your findings drupad, best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah! It's been one hour so far.
Data on, Auto set, Polling 10 secs. Phone idle. Not touched it. It only syncs my hotmail, outlook, twitter and facebook as item arrives. No other background tasks.
The battery has dropped 1% in roughly 63-64 minutes. BTW This includes a restart too which is weird as restart always drops 4-5% of battery for me.
Too early to say anything
Superb stuff, looks very promising so far, I noticed I couldn't change polling to ten as only went up to nine? Have gotta give it a go now.
Update: Settings don't stay active on my handset, as soon as you leave Field Test then go back the settings have defaulted.
Ok now disappointing news. On restart, it sets back to 3g only and also polling resets to 3 seconds! Also, on switching on WiFi and switching off leads to reset! I am not sure if this answers the question of - wifi/3g and non-APN SIM cards. Could you please try the WiFi bit? Does your SIM have APN settings saved on it or you need manual addition?
Sent from my TITAN X310e using Board Express
Left field test open and turned on wi-fi, went back to field test and settings remain, As for APN Have no clue
I only use the field test settings to switch to 2G/Edge and keep the data on because, as I said in my previous post, it is the only way I get good signal.
I also noticed that if you change the poll frequency to anything else than 3, it will eventually reset both to default.
Also, when I change the settings to 2G, I have to hit the back button and wait about 5 sec. for the change to take effect or else it does not work.
jojapath said:
I only use the field test settings to switch to 2G/Edge and keep the data on because, as I said in my previous post, it is the only way I get good signal.
I also noticed that if you change the poll frequency to anything else than 3, it will eventually reset both to default.
Also, when I change the settings to 2G, I have to hit the back button and wait about 5 sec. for the change to take effect or else it does not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this different to changing it from the settings, do you know?
Also, are you using it only because you haven't got the update with toggle yet?
---------- Post added at 07:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------
AndyFZ1S said:
Left field test open and turned on wi-fi, went back to field test and settings remain, As for APN Have no clue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
surely my phone is one of the kind then!
APN settings won't be an issue for you I think.
Giffgaff uses O2's network,so doesn't have it's own settings on the SIM. That's why everytime I use wifi, I can't access marketplace on 3g. After turning off wifi, I have to edit APN manually and restart if I want marketplace/zune on 3g. Otherwise 3g works normally.
drupad2drupad said:
How is this different to changing it from the settings, do you know?
Also, are you using it only because you haven't got the update with toggle yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have force-updated to 8107 but I don't have the 3G toggle option. Only Data on/off option so I use this trick to be able to still receive data but on 2G only...
drupad2drupad said:
surely my phone is one of the kind then!
APN settings won't be an issue for you I think.
Giffgaff uses O2's network,so doesn't have it's own settings on the SIM. That's why everytime I use wifi, I can't access marketplace on 3g. After turning off wifi, I have to edit APN manually and restart if I want marketplace/zune on 3g. Otherwise 3g works normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is weird, Must be a Giffgaff thing? Am O2 but never had any issues with Wifi to 3G toggle.

How to increase consistency/strength of the phone signal

My phone - I have ICS - S-OFF Amaze with Energy ROM and I had tried to apply blas0id tweaks.
The problem - In certain areas I don't have phone signal for a few minutes, then suddenly it will show 4 bars for a few minutes. In general the signal seems fickle.
Before ICS upgrade, when I had GB, I always had 4 bars in the same places. I *think* I had good signal with ICS before I did blat0id tweaks, but I am not certain of that. (ICS and the tweaks were within a few days)
My wife's Iphone still has excellent signal in those places. Tmobile Mytouch also has excellent signal in the same places. So something has changed on my amaze and not the cell towers.
What I have done so far -
1. went back to stock ICS by flashing the img file. That did not improve the signal. So then got back to energy
2. Tried another ROM - speedrom. No improvement in signal
3. Tried few apps like fresh network. They did not help
Please help me
What can/should I do? I love my amaze, but if I dont get consistent signal, I will have to replace it
Are there any tweaks that I can try?
How about the custom kernels that have been made for ICS recently, would those help?
Is there a way to increase the power to look for and catch on better signal? I can trade battery life for better signal
Thanks
I have same issue but with WiFi only. I never had GB I hope there is a work around
Sent from my Dark Unicorn Resurrected v.2.5 using xda premium
Found a workaround
This was dumb luck, but when I was trying to play around the app opensignal, it wanted me to set 2G for some of its functionality, since that functionality does not work over 3g. So I went to setup and set Network mode to "GSM Only" from "GSM/WCDMA Auto"
And walla! right after that my signal jumped from 1 bar to 4 bars and has stayed there. I went back to WCDMA and signal dropped, so now I change the network mode only when I need 4G. Its a pain, but at least, the signal is good when I need it.
So with that information, can someone help how I can tweak something to get my 4G and also good signal?
Thanks
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to kno also but let kno what radio u flash from the ruu
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked the version of my software and I think I already have R2
Build number
2.14.531.3_R2 CL373265 release-keys
So not sure if that would change anything
I have always had this problem as well sometimes I have 4 bars of signal then it drops to the X as in no signal,can't make calls or sends texts until it picks up again, happens totally random don't think it has to do anything with tmobile coverage since I live in the center of Miami. Also most of the time I have 2 bars of signal in most places, I believe it's faulty hardware
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
kenneth11414 said:
try updating the radio if you have done so, even though you are going to have to go through the process of locking the device again and unlocking the bootloader again, that would be an idea to try, we still dont know what changes R2 radio update has done but its deff worth a shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Krazex2005 said:
I have always had this problem as well sometimes I have 4 bars of signal then it drops to the X as in no signal,can't make calls or sends texts until it picks up again, happens totally random don't think it has to do anything with tmobile coverage since I live in the center of Miami. Also most of the time I have 2 bars of signal in most places, I believe it's faulty hardware
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Krazex .. did you try to set your network mode and see if that helps your signal stick around longer and get better signal? That is working well for me.
I've tried setting my network to GSA and my data speed dropped to 2G.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
soundping said:
I've tried setting my network to GSA and my data speed dropped to 2G.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, that's what this setting is supposed to do, but it increased the quality of my phone signal, that is what I am trying to make better/consistent. Because even after all the bells and whistles, calling someone/receiving the calls is the primary purpose of the phone for me and if that doesn't work, the phone doesn't work for me
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
My amaze won't get 4g in my house whatsoever, only switches to 2g when it feels like it.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A new sim card is a good idea.. so is removing the back cover and cleaning off the contacts with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Taking something and SLIGHTLY bending out each of the gold contacts so they make better contact with the case, making sure there is no debris.
Another thing to look into- there is a TON of hacks for cellphone signal that can be done in build.prop.. playing with those settings is probably a good idea.
The last idea- the signal is actually NOT different. The number of bars it shows you is now just more ACCURATE. You still lose signal in ONLY the exact places you would have before.. but now when your phone would show you as having 1 or 2 bars(on gingerbread) right before you lose all signal, on ICS it shows you as having NO bars because you truly have almost lost the signal. It is VERY accurate, now that I am in an area with bad signal.. I have actually flashed gingerbread again and things did NOT get better, there was just fewer bars that weren't as accurate. But I lost signal in the same spots, and would lost 4g in the same exact spots..
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RZJZA80 said:
My amaze won't get 4g in my house whatsoever, only switches to 2g when it feels like it.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys, OP here. This question/workaround is not about getting 4G. I am getting 4G just fine. Its about the phone signal (the bars). My amaze does not get good phone signal in some areas and when I set the network mode to GSM only (2G), phone signal strength and stability increases. and now I want to figure out how I can keep the setting to 4G and get a good phone signal
Silentbtdeadly said:
A new sim card is a good idea.. so is removing the back cover and cleaning off the contacts with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Taking something and SLIGHTLY bending out each of the gold contacts so they make better contact with the case, making sure there is no debris.
Another thing to look into- there is a TON of hacks for cellphone signal that can be done in build.prop.. playing with those settings is probably a good idea.
The last idea- the signal is actually NOT different. The number of bars it shows you is now just more ACCURATE. You still lose signal in ONLY the exact places you would have before.. but now when your phone would show you as having 1 or 2 bars(on gingerbread) right before you lose all signal, on ICS it shows you as having NO bars because you truly have almost lost the signal. It is VERY accurate, now that I am in an area with bad signal.. I have actually flashed gingerbread again and things did NOT get better, there was just fewer bars that weren't as accurate. But I lost signal in the same spots, and would lost 4g in the same exact spots..
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Hi SBD, thanks for coming in. I will look into build.prop (ro.ril properties I think) I will also clean any dust inside the phone, may be that will help. The sim card was new when I got my amaze .. but no harm in trying. So I will ask for a new sim card too.
However, in my case, I have a different experience. This is what I did in a weak signal spot.
Have 4G on. I get 0 signal. Can't make a call
go to 2G at the same spot, I get 2-3 bars. I can make a call
I used opensignal app to check signal strength in both cases. with 4G it showed 0. With 2G it showed 42%
Another test. On my route to drop kids off for their day camp, I was on a call (with 4G on) and dropped the call twice (bad reception areas) while going. I switched it to 2G and while coming back did not drop the call.
Before I found this workaround .. people called me and complained that it directly went to voicemail and I never got the call. (no signal). Since I found the workaround, I haven't heard that from anyone.
So I am convinced that there are some real issues in catching the signal with 4G on that get resolved in "2G only" mode. (may be it has to do with the kind of cell towers we have in our area and nothing to do with the phone)
will update if I find more
tnkrer said:
Hi SBD, thanks for coming in. I will look into build.prop (ro.ril properties I think) I will also clean any dust inside the phone, may be that will help.
However, in my case, I have a different experience. This is what I did in a weak signal spot.
Have 4G on. I get 0 signal. Can't make a call
go to 2G at the same spot, I get 2-3 bars. I can make a call
I used opensignal app to check signal strength in both cases. with 4G it showed 0. With 2G it showed 42%
Another test. On my route to drop kids off for their day camp, I was on a call (with 4G on) and dropped the call twice (bad reception areas) while going. I switched it to 2G and while coming back did not drop the call.
Before I found this workaround .. people called me and complained that it directly went to voicemail and I never got the call. (no signal). Since I found the workaround, I haven't heard that from anyone.
So I am convinced that there are some real issues in catching the signal with 4G on that get resolved in "2G only" mode. (may be it has to do with the kind of cell towers we have in our area and nothing to do with the phone)
will update if I find more
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Yea, it should be lines that have ro.ril that youd eant to change.. and fortunately one of those that you can add(it isn't included by default) will do exactly what you need, default to 2g signal when 4g is too weak. I actually need the same thing, in Jacksonville we have great signal.. except in this new place I moved into. It drains my battery by trying to stay with 4g.. but I don't have time before work to find it.
Look for a tthread by "master&slave" titled something like "super build.prop tweaks" in the vibrant forums, I THINK they had that line.. otherwise google around for something like "build.prop signal tweak" as if it isisn't in that thread, there's a really good one on some other forum.
Also, I remember there being some app that requires root that allows you to toggle between GSM preferred and 2g only.. it changes it at system level, and I don't think it was on the play store, I think it was on Xda.
But yea, I understand your dilemma, and until we get an alternative radio to flash(which I don't forsee), that is the kind of workarounds you need. If you find a reasonable solution make sure to post as it will help me too!
Sent from my nook color until my broke college students azz can afford the new nexus 7 tablet.. if my post from my nook color helped you, you COULD consider a donation..
Found that thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1151608
and a few others
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1227269
http://androinica.com/2009/12/hack-for-rooted-phones-promises-faster-2g3g-speeds/
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/9781-buildprop-roril-meanings/
I will try to figure out what these different ril properties control and which one to modify .. will report after my experimentation. I haven't found a good comprehensive explanation of all those properties yet.
Glad I'm not the only one...
hasoon2000 said:
GSM = 2G
WCDMA = 3G/4G
Get a new SIM card.
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I have had this problem ever since I got my phone in October (right after launch). Updating to ICS didn't help. i've been planning to root and try another ROM, but so far have been skittish as this is my only phone. hasoon, you say it's the SIM card? I am trying the switch to GSM only to see if it makes a difference. My problem is at home - I have terrible service and I live on a mountain with cell phone towers everywhere. My daughter's AT&T and my old AT&T Nokia E71x had excellent service there. I'll let you know if this helps. Maybe a trip to my local t-Mobile store is in order.
It's not the sim card. I noticed on google a lot of people have this problem with htc phones. It's just a bad radio.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
soundping said:
It's not the sim card. I noticed on google a lot of people have this problem with htc phones. It's just a bad radio.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
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We know. If you wanna help read my post number 16 or try some of the links he posted in 17.. we just need a decent workaround.

How to toggle 2g/3g off while keeping 4g on

I'm looking for a way to only have 4g on on my note 2. In my current location I have 1-2 bars of 4g but my phone continues to switch back to 3g every few minutes. I can easily get 4g back by toggling airplane mode on and off but it is a huge annoyance to have to do this. I have tried the 4g lte on/off thunderbolt app but receive a force close with beans 21. I'm also running nova launcher and don't see any widgets for toggling 2g/3g and 4g. Thanks for the help
Bump still looking for a solution
bladerealm124 said:
Bump still looking for a solution
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You don't want 4G only. You wouldn't be able to send/receive calls or texts.
akellar said:
You don't want 4G only. You wouldn't be able to send/receive calls or texts.
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I realize that but that's why if I was able to toggle it on/off easily when needed it would be very useful. I was able to do this on my thunderbolt with lte on/off app(had toggles for 2g/3g/4g) so I'm wondering why it seems so difficult to perform on my note 2 or if it's simply a beans compatibility issue.
The problem is when I have a low/moderate 4g signal(1-2 bars) my phone seems to prefer 3g and switches to it every few minutes. The only way I can get it to switch back is to enable then disabled airplane mode and it will hold for another few minutes.
Still looking for any input/apps/ideas, thanks
Bump still looking for a solution to this. Currently in a situation(new location from before) with 1-2 bars of 4g but my phone continues to switch between 3g and 4g. There must be a way to "lock" 4g or toggle 3g off. This was super easy to do on my Thunderbolt
bladerealm124 said:
Bump still looking for a solution to this. Currently in a situation(new location from before) with 1-2 bars of 4g but my phone continues to switch between 3g and 4g. There must be a way to "lock" 4g or toggle 3g off. This was super easy to do on my Thunderbolt
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Install an AOSP rom. They almost all have a 4g toggle.
akellar said:
Install an AOSP rom. They almost all have a 4g toggle.
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But do they also have a 2g/3g toggle? I need to be able to leave 4g on while not allowing it to switch to 3g. I guess I could try this but I really love beans rom and have actually been very satisfied with touchwiz in general with the note 2. But I guess I try that as a last resort. Thanks
Bump still looking for solutions
I'm pretty sure there isn't an option for this that actually works. If our phone doesn't have 4g I think it just goes to 3g and there is no option to toggle it to 2g/3g. There was a thread that suggests switching it to 2g to save battery life, but all of the apps that are used to accomplish this don't have that option. I think it might've been something just in the international ROMS but i'm not sure.
kimdoocheol said:
I'm pretty sure there isn't an option for this that actually works. If our phone doesn't have 4g I think it just goes to 3g and there is no option to toggle it to 2g/3g. There was a thread that suggests switching it to 2g to save battery life, but all of the apps that are used to accomplish this don't have that option. I think it might've been something just in the international ROMS but i'm not sure.
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That's upsetting to hear, it used to be so easy on my thunderbolt. The problem is when I have a decent 4g connection(by decent I mean 1-2 bars, not great) my phone seems to still prefer 3g which I typically have 3+ bars of. The problem is that 1-2 bars of 4g is substantially faster than 3+ bars of 3g. I can usually flip airplane mode on and off and lock a 4g signal for a minute or two but then it seems to jump right back to 3g. Incredibly frustrating, especially since there is one location where I spend a lot of time that this is an issue.
If anyone else has any info please let me know. Another user posted his custom application for me that was similar to the LTE on/off app(which force closes running beans 21) but his custom app force closes as well even though he stated it worked for him
bladerealm124 said:
That's upsetting to hear, it used to be so easy on my thunderbolt. The problem is when I have a decent 4g connection(by decent I mean 1-2 bars, not great) my phone seems to still prefer 3g which I typically have 3+ bars of. The problem is that 1-2 bars of 4g is substantially faster than 3+ bars of 3g. I can usually flip airplane mode on and off and lock a 4g signal for a minute or two but then it seems to jump right back to 3g. Incredibly frustrating, especially since there is one location where I spend a lot of time that this is an issue.
If anyone else has any info please let me know. Another user posted his custom application for me that was similar to the LTE on/off app(which force closes running beans 21) but his custom app force closes as well even though he stated it worked for him
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I have the same issue where I live. My concern wasn't the fact the speed, though. My battery drops a lot when i'm at certain places at work because it is constantly searching, dropping, and using 3g/4g.
I looked for this awhile back, but I'm pretty sure this was a function only available on the international variants in their ROMS. That is why when you look at certain guides to improve battery life, it says to make it exactly like you are speaking of.

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