So I've confirmed today that there is in fact an LTE issue with the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, and thankfully, it's software based. Hopefully, Google and/or Samsung implement a fix in short order. In the meantime, here's the cause (so that you can prevent the issue), and here's the workaround (so that you can correct the issue if you're affected).
Background:
Comparing the Google Play Edition to the Touchwiz Edition, there is a setting that is slightly different on both phones. If you go to Settings --> Wireless & Networks --> More --> Mobile Networks --> , you will see a setting; either "Use only 2G networks/saves battery (GPE)," or "Network Mode (TW)."
The Network Mode on Touchwiz allows you to toggle between available network modes based on carrier, usually 3 individual settings and a full Automatic setting. The 2G Networks setting on the Google Play Edition is the cause for concern here. It's directly ported from the Nexus 4, and here's where the problem lies.
Cause:
While both devices have numerous hidden network modes, the toggle only allows for you to switch between two modes; GSM Only, and WCDMA Preferred. GSM Only occurs when the box is ticked. This sets you on Edge-only for battery savings. WCDMA preferred tells the phone to look for GSM/UMTS (Edge/3G/H), but to prefer the latter if both are available, even if the latter has a weaker signal. Did you see LTE in the equation? If you noticed that it's absent, here's why.
The S4 has an additional mode; LTE/GSM (Auto PERL). This sells the phone to switch between LTE/H/3G/Edge based on signal strength and T-Mobile's/AT&T's APN settings and roaming list. The S4 GPE comes with this mode on by default. If you tick the 2G box, you'll go to Edge only. If you untick the box, instead of going back to LTE/GSM, you are sent to WCDMA Preferred. Now, you're stuck between 2G/3G/H, or 2G only. LTE is gone. Nice oversight by Google/Samsung
The "Fix":
Because this is an issue with the firmware, there is no permanent fix. However, there are easy user-facing applications that will allow you to toggle LTE back on. The one I'm using is LTE Setting (Google Play Link). From the main page, go down about 2/3s of the way and you'll see a drop-down menu. Select "LTE/GSM (Auto PERL)" to restore LTE. Now, the next time that you set your phone to 2G Only for the sake of battery savings, you'll need to use this app again to restore LTE compatibility.
I've enclosed two pictures. The first is the setting as it appears in the Google Play Edition. The second is as it appears in a Touchwiz model, and why the Touchwiz variant does not have this problem.
i had this problem when i have flashed 3 various roms so i have to flash back a rooted stock rom which you can find in this forum (in my case XXUBMGA). after flashing i checked Settings --> More (under wireless) -->Mobile Networks and there shoud be 4 choices 1. LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) 2. WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) 3. WCDMA only and 4. GSM only. i checked no.1 to see if it worked (after rebooting). then there was no 4G connection on the status bar, so i begin to search for the answer in this forum also. here's a list of what i did to solve my problem.
1. i asked my carrier for an LTE capable SIM (micro SIM)
2. i see to it that there is an LTE coverage in my area for testing
3. LTE is activated in my prepaid account which is separate from internet access.
4. (optional) in settings/more/mobile networks/networks operators i selected manual because it drained my load when my network is not available when connection to LTE coverage of another network.
5. asked from carrier the correct APN
of all the listed steps i made above, it was the SIM card that was at fault, because my carrier gave me a normal sim but was just cut to a micro sim so i insist to have a pre manufactured micro sim. you can google for answers but i don't think this is a bug. i have read plenty of lte issues during my search and all point to coverage, SIM card and requesting the carrier for an LTE activation on your account.
hope this helps
I've edited the original post for clarity. I apologize for any confusion that I have caused.
Bug has been submitted to and acknowledged by Google. It's evident in the latest 4.3 leak, so no idea if the fix makes it into the final push, or a subsequent update.
Bug has been fixed as of last night's OTA to 4.3.
Hi,
I am using a fairly stock ROM on my S5 that has been rooted and debloated. The phone was Verizon branded, but I am using it on T-Mobile. I like 4.4.4 as my system, and have safestrap installed.
In order to get full band functionality I had to enter service mode and select LTE/GSM/WCDMA instead of CDMA preferred.
I also edited the build.prop to ensure LTE preferred and GSM mode enabled after reboots.
My problem is that if I enable Power Saving on the phone and it goes to sleep after a minute the network completely drops and I cannot reconnect to T-Mobile network. Additionally the phone seems to reset itself to CDMA preferred.
I have to turn off the phone for a few minutes then boot and now my network is restored.
The easy answer is that simply never use power saving - and why bother when I get great battery life anyway.
However - it begs the question - why would power saving kill network carrier connection? Is the antenna powered down?
If so - where else do I need to modify settings to stop the phone from returning to CDMA?
Lastly - why is it so difficult to configure a new phone like the S5 to jump carriers ? the phone is global in its band support and fully capable - but carrier branding renders this useless. Shouldn't custom ROMs be more universal in their nature and exclude carrier locks- or at least enable menus for users to select the carrier they prefer to use?
I have a SGS5 (SM-G900F) downgraded to Kitkat. (4.4.2)
I can use LTE with one operator A (4G shows in statusbar, speedtest measures above 50Mbits).
I bought a sim for operator B but I cannot switch to LTE mode in Mobile Data Settings -> Mobile Networks -> Network Mode. Any option with LTE is simply not available.
I tested the sim for operator B on an iPhone 6 plus, it works just fine.
I have found some guide for secret codes and walked through it to force LTE. It works, but it does not switch to 3G automatically when I receive a call (it does this with the card of operator A)
So I know that my phone does support both operators frequency bands, I can force it to work, but I want to have the convenience of automatic switching on a phone call.
Is there a list somewhere in the software that has flags for networks to enable and disable LTE options in the menu ? Can I edit this ? Where is it ?
Will updating my Android version fix this ? ( I would really prefer to avoid this, since I use SnoopSnitch )
Operator A is: Vodafone (DE), A1 (AT)
Operator B is: HoT (AT)->MVNO for T-Mobile (AT)
This is a guide for those who want to force 'LTE only' on LG V20 Global dual sim version.
As anyone knows, *#*#4636#*#* WILL NOT work with LG V20 and all LG phones starting with Lollipop and later Android versions except for the LG-Nexus releases. LG has locked this menu. Samsung and Huawei are also notorious for locking this menu. These phones will show 'access denied' when you try to force 'LTE only' using the *#*#4636#*#* service menu.
There are however phone manufacturers who do not lock this menu. These include Sony, Asus, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, and Nexus phones (various manufacturers). I don't know why manufacturers lock this menu when it is very helpful to users in areas with weak but consistently available LTE signal. By being able to force 'LTE only', you get dramatically better speeds as compared to 3G only.
Anyway, the good news for LG V20 H990 (dual sim version) users is there's a way to force 'LTE only' despite LG locking out the *#*#4636#*#* service menu:
I've outlined here the steps for the workaround:
Note: For LG V20 (H990 dual sim model) only
How to set ‘LTE only’ data mode for SIM1 slot on
LG V20 H990 dual sim version:
Important:
1. When on ‘LTE only’ – you cannot receive calls but you can receive texts. If you go out of an LTE area, your SIM1 (on ‘LTE only’) will be off or will not have any network signal; it will not do automatic switching to 3G or 2G under ‘LTE only’ so you lose the ability to send/receive text messages as there is no LTE signal.
2. This setting only applies to SIM1 slot of the dual SIM model of LG V20 H990. This will not work on SIM2 slot so be sure to place your ‘data-only’ sim to SIM1 tray while placing your ‘call and text’ sim to SIM2 tray (so it won’t be affected by the ‘LTE only’ setting).
Here’s the code to input on your dialer:
*#546368#*990#
Field Test
Modem Settings
RAT Selection
Choose LTE only
If you want to revert back to auto network settings, you can follow the same procedure but choose 'GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto' or other settings instead.
It works, but sometimes it makes the signal to no signal.
Great
I trie many things to changing roms...None of them worked. I'm very thankfull to this simple solution. I chose LTE/GSM and now network problems completetely finished.
APK
The app LTESwitch will work. I uncheck all options in the program, and just use the dropdown setting from the status bar to select (L)TE or (A)uto.
A side benefit for me is that if I set it to LTE Only, the phone rejects all incoming calls. That way, if I'm downloading something, a phone call won't interrupt the download.
The unfortunate issue is that it breaks my ability to make/receive calls if I select "(G)SM Only". I'm sure that is because my market is almost exclusively HSPA/HSPA+ for calls.
However, if I need to force LTE, it does it immediately.
I then set to "Auto" for normal operation.
HTH
Looking for a solution for my new used H800K that is now rooted. Sadly *#546368#*990# does work on my old Hong kong model that I am leaving yet *#546368#*800# menu does not show Field Test, although my H990N can do it in the menu so I always had it on 3G only because radiation is very low compared to 4G, and even 2G is higher then 3G as testing. 4G is nearly always in the RED!!! Whereas 3G is in the GREEN nearly always.
Also helps not downloading to fast to burn up the mobile and make it slow.
So... Looking for a way to get only 3G on my H800K... Sad with all the nonsense they do to phones and waste so much time of ours. Tyrants is what they are, coding Tyrants!
Hash-82 said:
APK
The app LTESwitch will work. I uncheck all options in the program, and just use the dropdown setting from the status bar to select (L)TE or (A)uto.
A side benefit for me is that if I set it to LTE Only, the phone rejects all incoming calls. That way, if I'm downloading something, a phone call won't interrupt the download.
The unfortunate issue is that it breaks my ability to make/receive calls if I select "(G)SM Only". I'm sure that is because my market is almost exclusively HSPA/HSPA+ for calls.
However, if I need to force LTE, it does it immediately.
I then set to "Auto" for normal operation.
HTH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed it seemed it does work!!! YEEAAAAAA THANKS SO MUCH. F800K now running 3G or WCDMA only
Found it here And am running 3G only now Ha ha ha, nice. Unto next problem! As usual a line of them.
4G LTE Switch for Android - APK Download (apkpure.com)
Jesus is God Almighty said:
Looking for a solution for my new used H800K that is now rooted. Sadly *#546368#*990# does work on my old Hong kong model that I am leaving yet *#546368#*800# menu does not show Field Test, although my H990N can do it in the menu so I always had it on 3G only because radiation is very low compared to 4G, and even 2G is higher then 3G as testing. 4G is nearly always in the RED!!! Whereas 3G is in the GREEN nearly always.
Also helps not downloading to fast to burn up the mobile and make it slow.
So... Looking for a way to get only 3G on my H800K... Sad with all the nonsense they do to phones and waste so much time of ours. Tyrants is what they are, coding Tyrants!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I was looking for that!!!
don brian said:
This is a guide for those who want to force 'LTE only' on LG V20 Global dual sim version.
As anyone knows, *#*#4636#*#* WILL NOT work with LG V20 and all LG phones starting with Lollipop and later Android versions except for the LG-Nexus releases. LG has locked this menu. Samsung and Huawei are also notorious for locking this menu. These phones will show 'access denied' when you try to force 'LTE only' using the *#*#4636#*#* service menu.
There are however phone manufacturers who do not lock this menu. These include Sony, Asus, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, and Nexus phones (various manufacturers). I don't know why manufacturers lock this menu when it is very helpful to users in areas with weak but consistently available LTE signal. By being able to force 'LTE only', you get dramatically better speeds as compared to 3G only.
Anyway, the good news for LG V20 H990 (dual sim version) users is there's a way to force 'LTE only' despite LG locking out the *#*#4636#*#* service menu:
I've outlined here the steps for the workaround:
Note: For LG V20 (H990 dual sim model) only
How to set ‘LTE only’ data mode for SIM1 slot on
LG V20 H990 dual sim version:
Important:
1. When on ‘LTE only’ – you cannot receive calls but you can receive texts. If you go out of an LTE area, your SIM1 (on ‘LTE only’) will be off or will not have any network signal; it will not do automatic switching to 3G or 2G under ‘LTE only’ so you lose the ability to send/receive text messages as there is no LTE signal.
2. This setting only applies to SIM1 slot of the dual SIM model of LG V20 H990. This will not work on SIM2 slot so be sure to place your ‘data-only’ sim to SIM1 tray while placing your ‘call and text’ sim to SIM2 tray (so it won’t be affected by the ‘LTE only’ setting).
Here’s the code to input on your dialer:
*#546368#*990#
Field Test
Modem Settings
RAT Selection
Choose LTE only
If you want to revert back to auto network settings, you can follow the same procedure but choose 'GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto' or other settings instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to install this app for FREE
at Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teknokia.force4glteonly
pro version : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teknokia.force4glteonlypro
galaxy store: https://apps.samsung.com/appquery/appDetail.as?appId=com.teknokia.force4glteonly
pro version : https://apps.samsung.com/appquery/appDetail.as?appId=com.teknokia.force4glteonlypro
Any help, please?
Settings - Mobile Network - Right above the Mobile Data Toggle will have a small box (For me it says T-Mobile and my phone number, it's a small slightly darker white box) - Press that. This section is called Sim Info and Settings. This is where they moved Preferred Network Type, APN settings, Roaming, etc. All it did when you updated to 12 was it probably toggled 4G/LTE and turned off 5G. I keep mine on 5G On.
This should solve your issue