{"id":536,"date":"2022-03-31T13:40:44","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T13:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/?p=536"},"modified":"2022-03-31T13:40:46","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T13:40:46","slug":"check-phone-signal-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Check Signal Strength On Your Phone (With Pictures)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This quick tutorial gives you step-by-step instructions on checking the actual signal strength on an iPhone or an Android phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The little bars on the main display of your phone often show a higher signal than your phone is really receiving. This tutorial shows you how to check the real signal strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll also explain what a good signal strength looks like so you can see how your phone measures up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66285cdd93bc5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66285cdd93bc5\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/#How_To_Check_Signal_Strength_On_An_Android_Phone\" title=\"How To Check Signal Strength On An Android Phone\">How To Check Signal Strength On An Android Phone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/#How_To_Check_Signal_Strength_On_An_iPhone\" title=\"How To Check Signal Strength On An iPhone\">How To Check Signal Strength On An iPhone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/#How_Is_Signal_Strength_Measured\" title=\"How Is Signal Strength Measured?\">How Is Signal Strength Measured?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/#What_Is_Good_Signal_Strength_On_My_Phone\" title=\"What Is Good Signal Strength On My Phone?\">What Is Good Signal Strength On My Phone?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Check_Signal_Strength_On_An_Android_Phone\"><\/span>How To Check Signal Strength On An Android Phone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a summary of the steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>Open Settings<\/li><li>Click on \u201cAbout phone\u201d<\/li><li>Click on \u201cStatus\u201d<\/li><li>Click on \u201cSim card status\u201d<\/li><li>Check the \u201cSignal strength\u201d section<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the step-by-step in pictures from an Android phone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Open the Settings page on your phone.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is usually a cog icon in the top right of your screen as shown in this picture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"546\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/android_settings_cog.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/android_settings_cog.jpg 546w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/android_settings_cog-300x114.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Click the \u201cAbout phone\u201d link at the bottom of the settings list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Scroll down to the end of the list to find \u201cAbout phone\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"357\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_about_phone.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_about_phone.jpg 357w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_about_phone-235x300.jpg 235w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Click on the Status link<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll see the Status section under the model and serial number information about your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Status link brings you to the Phone Status page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"392\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_phone_status.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_phone_status.jpg 392w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_phone_status-257x300.jpg 257w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Click on SIM card status<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The SIM card section is at the top of your screen. Click this link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"363\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_sim_card_status.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_sim_card_status.jpg 363w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_sim_card_status-300x260.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 363px) 100vw, 363px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Check the Signal Strength section<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The signal strength is provided in decibels per milliwatt (dBm) and a measure called arbitrary strength unit (ASU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We prefer to focus on dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"303\" height=\"322\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength.jpg 303w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength-282x300.jpg 282w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you wondering if your dBm number is good or bad? We explain this in a later section (after the iPhone instructions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Check_Signal_Strength_On_An_iPhone\"><\/span>How To Check Signal Strength On An iPhone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To check the real signal strength on an iPhone, you will be using a menu that is usually reserved for iPhone engineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, you\u2019ll have to type a cryptic number and pretend to \u201ccall\u201d it. This brings up the hidden Field Test menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The number includes asterisks and pound signs. Just enter it exactly as we provide it below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary of steps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a summary of the steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>Turn off Wi-Fi<\/li><li>Open the Phone app<\/li><li>Enter *3001#12345#*<\/li><li>Press call to view the Field Test menu<\/li><li>Check the \u201cSignal strength\u201d section<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Here ais the step-by-step in pictures from an iPhone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: turn off Wi-Fi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the wireless icon on the main screen to toggle your Wi-Fi connection off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Call the number that brings up the Field Test menu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the Phone app to enter this exact number (including the asterisks and hashes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>*3001#12345#*<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"467\" height=\"183\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_field_menu_number.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_field_menu_number.jpg 467w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_field_menu_number-300x118.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Choose LTE as device type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see a different menu than in the picture below, then your iPhone isn\u2019t running on an Intel chip. Unfortunately, this method will not work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you see a list that contains \u201cLTE\u201d, then you are good to go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click into LTE at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"361\" height=\"260\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_choose_lte.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_choose_lte.jpg 361w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_choose_lte-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Choose \u201cServing Cell Meas\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may see more or different sections to what we are showing below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But you just need to find the section called \u201cServing Cell Meas\u201d and click into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"373\" height=\"314\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_serving_cell_meas.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_serving_cell_meas.jpg 373w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_serving_cell_meas-300x253.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This takes to the serving cell measurements page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: find your signal strength<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You are now on a flicking page of numbers that change as you scroll through them. This is because they are being constantly updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of acronyms on this page. Look for the acronym \u201crsrp\u201d, which stands for \u201cReceiving Signal Received Power\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be several rsrp labels that end with a number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rsrp0 is the nearest cell tower to your current location. Rsrp1 is the next nearest, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve highlighted the measurement I see on my iPhone. Your display may look a little different, but you should be able to scroll through the list and find \u201crsp0\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"379\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_rsrp_numbers.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_rsrp_numbers.jpg 360w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iphone_rsrp_numbers-285x300.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Check the Signal Strength section<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you\u2019ve found the correct measurement, check the number beside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It will be a negative number between about -124 (a very poor signal) up to -80 (a great signal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The iPhone doesn\u2019t tell you the measurement unit. \u00a0I will tell you that the signal strength is provided in decibels per milliwatt (dBm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But is your number good or bad? We&#8217;ll get into that in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Signal_Strength_Measured\"><\/span>How Is Signal Strength Measured?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Signal strength is measured in units called decibels per milliwatt or dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time the cellular signal arrives at your home from a cell phone tower, it will be about -70 dBm down to -110 dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A signal strength of -70 dBm is stronger than -110. You can consider -70 as a good strong signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Good_Signal_Strength_On_My_Phone\"><\/span>What Is Good Signal Strength On My Phone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A good dBm measure depends on the type of network you are using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are typical figures for 3G and 4G:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Signal Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Good Strength<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Poor Strength<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3G<\/td><td>&nbsp;-75 dBm<\/td><td>-105 dBm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4G<\/td><td>&nbsp;-90 dBm<\/td><td>-110 dBm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LTE (optimized 4G)<\/td><td>-100 dBm<\/td><td>-120 dBm<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bear in mind that comparing signal strength between 3G and 4G is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4G is a more efficient technology than 3G. This means the data and voice quality is better on a weaker strength 4G signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The picture in the prior section of the signal strength on my Android phone shows it as -111 dBm on my LTE (4G) phone. That isn\u2019t great, but I have a reasonable service experience in my home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This quick tutorial gives you step-by-step instructions on checking the actual signal strength on an iPhone or an Android phone. The little bars on the main display of your phone often show a higher signal than your phone is really receiving. This tutorial shows you how to check the real signal strength. We\u2019ll also explain &#8230; <a title=\"How To Check Signal Strength On Your Phone (With Pictures)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/\" aria-label=\"More on How To Check Signal Strength On Your Phone (With Pictures)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=536"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":548,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536\/revisions\/548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}