You know that special kind of panic where the signal bars on your phone just… disappear? One minute you're following your GPS, the next your map is frozen, your music is dead and you're stuck in a dead zone. It's not just an inconvenience; this can be a real security issue.
But before you start bashing your cell phone provider, you should know that the problem is often not the network, but that your phone is simply being lazy. And the fix is usually a ridiculously simple trick that takes about five seconds.
Stop putting up with terrible reception as if it's just a fact of life. Do you have iPhone or AndroidThere are quick and easy ways to force your phone to find the best signal. Here's how to do it.
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Note: Although the software for different iPhone models is approximately the same, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other Android phones may have different versions of the software, so some settings and where they are located may vary depending on the device.
See more details. how you can use Google Maps when you're offline And how can you fix the internet when it doesn't work?.
To improve your mobile phone experience, try the following steps first.
Your phone's settings can help you improve cellular signal quality, but there are other ways to improve reception without even touching your phone's software.
- Move so that there are no obstacles between your phone and the cell towers outside.. This may require moving away from metal objects or concrete walls that impair reception. Instead, go to a window or, if possible, go outside.
- Remove the case from your phone. It doesn't hurt to remove the case from the phone, especially if it's thick, so that the phone's antenna is not blocked by anything and can receive a better signal.
- Make sure your phone is charged. Finding and connecting to a stronger signal uses up power, so if your phone's battery is already low, you may have difficulty getting good service.
Some phone cases cause more signal disruption than others.
Always start by turning airplane mode on and off.
Disabling and then re-enabling the connection on your phone is the fastest and easiest way to fix signal problems. If you're moving from one location to another, switching Airplane mode restarts Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular modems, forcing them to search for the best signal in the area.
Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel, then tap the Airplane mode icon. Wait until your phone is completely disconnected from Wi-Fi and cellular data. This doesn't happen instantly, so wait a good 15 seconds before tapping the airplane mode icon again.
iPhone: On an iPhone, you can access Airplane mode from Control Center, but this depends on what model of iPhone you have. On iPhone X and later, swipe down from the top right corner to access Control Center. On older iPhone models, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. Then tap the Airplane mode icon, which will turn orange when it's on. Again, wait up to 15 seconds before turning it off.
Left: Airplane mode on your iPhone. Right: Airplane mode on Android.
If airplane mode doesn't work, restart your phone.
Our phones are miniature computers, and just like computers, sometimes network connection problems can be solved by simply rebooting them.
Android: Hold the Power button or the Power button and Volume Down key (depending on your Android phone) until the OSD menu appears, and then tap Restart. If your phone doesn't have the option to reboot, you can simply press Power off to turn off the device and then boot it again using the Power button.
iPhone: On iPhone X and older models, hold the Sleep/Wake button and one of the Volume buttons, then swipe right on the power slider to turn off the device. Wait until it turns off completely, then press the sleep/wake button to turn it back on.
Alternatively, you can perform a hard reset on your iPhone: Press the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button. Keep holding it until your phone screen goes black and you see the Apple logo again.
If your iPhone has a Home button, hold down the Sleep/Wake button until the power slider appears, then drag the slider to the right. After your device turns off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo.
Left: Restarting an Android phone. Right: Turning off the iPhone.
Old phone? Pull out the SIM card
Another troubleshooting step that may help is to remove the SIM card if your phone has one, and then put it back in while the phone is on. If the SIM card is dirty, clean it. If it has any physical defects, you may need to replace it.
You will need a SIM card tool, usually included with the phone, or an unrolled paper clip or sewing needle to remove the SIM card tray from the phone.
All phones: Remove the SIM card, check that it is not damaged and that it is positioned correctly in the SIM card tray, then insert it back into the phone.
For example: For phones with eSIM, i.e. built-in electronic SIM card on your phone – you have nothing to delete. The best thing you can do is restart your phone.
Removing and inserting the SIM card back into the phone takes just a couple of seconds.
Check your carrier settings (and update your software)
Mobile operators often send out carrier settings updates to improve the quality of calls, data and messages on their network. While this feature is available on all iPhone models, it is not universal to Android, so you may not find carrier settings if you don't have a supported phone.
iPhone: Carrier updates should just appear and you can update them from the pop-up message that appears. To force your iPhone to check for carrier settings updates, go to Settings > General > ABOUT on your phone. If an update is available, you will be prompted to install it.
Android: As mentioned earlier, not all Android phones have carrier settings, so you will have to open the Settings app and enter “Carrier Settings” to find possible updates. If you are using supported pixels, go to Settings > Network and Internet > Internettap the cog next to your carrier's name, then tap Carrier settings versions.
Left: iOS carrier settings. Right: Android carrier settings.
Reset your phone's network settings
Sometimes all you need is a fresh start to fix an annoying connection problem. Updating your phone's network settings is one way to do this. But be aware: resetting your network settings will also reset all saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN connections, and custom APN settings for those carriers that require additional configuration.
Android: In the Settings app, search for “reset” or more accurately “reset network settings” and tap on the setting. On Pixel this setting is called Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Phone and Bluetooth. After resetting your network settings, be sure to reconnect your phone to your home and work Wi-Fi networks.
iPhone: Go to Settings > Transfer or reset iPhone settings > Reboot > Reset network settings. The next page will warn you that resetting your network settings will reset your Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings. Tap Reset network settings and your phone will reboot.
Resetting your network settings should be one of the last troubleshooting steps you try.
Contact your carrier
Sometimes unexpected signal problems can be due to problems with your wireless carrier. A cell tower may have failed or the tower's fiber optic cable may have broken, resulting in a network outage.
If you have persistent problems connecting or maintaining a connection to a cellular or data network, your carrier's coverage may not be sufficient in your area.
In other cases, the detected signal problem may be due to a problem with your phone or a faulty SIM card. Once you try these fixes, contacting your carrier to begin troubleshooting will be the next best step to fixing the unstable signal.
Sometimes contacting your carrier is the only way to resolve signal problems.
If all else fails, try a signal booster to improve cell reception.
If after following all of our troubleshooting steps, including talking to your carrier to discuss your options, you're still having trouble maintaining a good signal, try a booster. A signal booster takes the same cellular signal your carrier uses and then boosts it just enough to provide coverage in a room or entire home.
The big disadvantage here is the cost. Wilson offers three different amplifiers designed for home use, ranging in price from From $349 for a single room to $999 for whole home coverage.. To be clear, we did not specifically test these models. Wilson offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty if you have any problems with its products.
