So I'm in Canada on Koodo (Telus) in Toronto. I'm flashed to the Generic LAM firmware to get the fingerprint reader, and rooted with Magisk Hide. On my old Nexus 5, I usually connected to LTE on Band 2 (1900) or Band 4 (AWS). They share a network with Bell including Band 17 (700B) but since it's a pretty narrow band the signal usually went to the stronger 2 or 4 instead.
I can tell what band my X Compact is on by way of the testing menu (*#*#4636#*#*) which shows the EARFCN number on the bottom of Phone Information, and then you can convert that to frequency here: http://niviuk.free.fr/lte_band.php
So based on that, I can see inside my basement apartment (where the N5 usually got decent LTE) that it's bouncing around between bands 2/4/17 but none of them are particularly strong. Today I was inside a pub where it stubbornly clung onto B17 and got nearly no data flow, and I had to force it over to (very strong) HSPA+ in order to get any data actually flowing.
I'm just wondering, is there anything I can do to tell my device to prefer strong HSPA over very weak LTE, without totally disabling LTE? I don't want to have to keep toggling it manually to get data working well.
I've been back and forth with Samsung over this. My new S8 (the unlocked USA version, SM-G950U1) has a poor signal in some office buildings, frequently losing signal entirely. Other phones at the same time and place have a strong signal with 4G LTE service. We've tried reflashing the software, changing the sim card, and booting it in safe mode. The same sim card in a different phone gets a signal. I've run Open Signal on multiple phones at the same time to compare results and to show to service reps so they can see what's happening, though that gets me no closer to understanding the source of this problem.
In most places, this S8 works fine and has a great signal. Any thoughts about what could be causing it? Has anyone else experienced this?
Due to summer travel, I didn't catch the problem until after my 14-day return period. Samsung claims I need to mail them the defective one "for repair" and plan to be without my phone for 9-11 days, which seems absolutely crazy to me. (I made a big fuss and they offered to expedite it, but that's still 5 days without my phone.) Looking for last-ditch suggestions... anyone? Thank you!
Edit - more technical details including network screenshots posted here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/galaxy-s8-unlocked-sm-g950u-maintaining-t3680887
Had the same issue. Had to have to repaired.
They changed everything except the screen and frame.
The issue occured after a software update. After repairs the issue returned after the Orea update... but isnt as bad as before. I seem to have lost Band 5.. 850Mhz
My phone also *just* updated to Oreo, and I think the problem may be back in a milder form. I haven't had a chance to really test or debug it, yet.
My best theory has been that the phone was prioritizing non-LTE signals over a weak LTE signal. How I fixed it the first time: enter the BAND service mode via the native dialer by dialing *#2263# (2263 spells BAND). Clear all bands, then select all LTE bands (ONLY LTE) and apply the changes. This forces the phone to use only LTE signals, no matter their strength. It's worth noting that you may need to alter this when traveling through areas without LTE service, by re-entering the menu and selecting all bands and applying the changes.
Good luck! Please let me know if you figure anything out with your phone after its oreo update!
It is because you will not be on the network band that is stronger
Since flashing my phone back to Nougat I still cannot enable band 20 which I need for better signal. So I’m stuck with poor signal
wezzel98765 said:
It is because you will not be on the network band that is stronger
Since flashing my phone back to Nougat I still cannot enable band 20 which I need for better signal. So I’m stuck with poor signal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the unlocked USA version, SM-G950U1 ? If you load the *#2263# service menu, you can't enable/disable LTE band 20?
If that's the case, I'm not sure why that's happening! When you flashed back to Nougat, did that include a flash back to the baseband you were previously on?
I'm using the g950F from UK unlocked to all networks
Almost all networks rely very heavily on Band 20 in my town to provide good coverage- so with our It I have a major problem
Facing same issue - loss of lte signal - s8+ switching to weaker lte band
Just got the S8+ and updated it to the latest OREO. After detailed diagnosis using service codes, the issue is that the phone is definitely prioritize a weaker LTE BAND Signal during radio activity with the network tower.
Getting full signals on with the same SIM card on other phones.
The new service mode is also not operable or I don't know the key yet. Using *#0011# only shows the SERVICE MODE (Stack 1 & Stack 2), but is not navigable using the Q0 and Q 0000 keys.
Anyone found a solution to this problem or do we have to wait for an update to fix this?
Enter the BAND service mode menu via the native dialer by dialing *#2263#
(2263 spells BAND)
If this doesn't work, what android software build are you running? (It still works for me, on my S8, running oreo G950U1UES5CRL2 )
Solved - jan security patch update
Hi, Just got the update for the JAN SECURITY PATCH UPDATE.
Its working fine now. They fixed the bug. So relieved, finally able to use the handset properly now.
Cheers!
dovesong said:
Enter the BAND service mode menu via the native dialer by dialing *#2263#
(2263 spells BAND)
If this doesn't work, what android software build are you running? (It still works for me, on my S8, running oreo G950U1UES5CRL2 )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's excellent! And also interesting; I'm still waiting for my Jan update, and I'm hoping the delay means it will be my PIE upgrade... *crosses fingers*
I have a problem with the Samsung Galaxy S8 unlocked, carrier-free USA version (SM-G950U1) and the way it interacts (or fails to interact) with certain cell towers/bands/frequencies while trying to connect with T-Mobile.
Inside some large buildings, it doesn't get a signal. What *appears* to be happening, based on my limited knowledge of these things, is that the phone can't see/maintain a connection to any LTE or GSM signals, and keeps defaulting to CDMA.
Other phones DO have service at the same time and place, *including* my Galaxy S5 with the same T-Mobile sim card that I'm trying to use in my S8. I can take my S8 outside (or into many other buildings) and it maintains an LTE/GSM signal without problems. The trouble spots are consistent, so this is annoying to debug because I have to go to certain places, but once I'm there, the problem reliably happens.
Since my old phone with my current sim card still works in these same locations, I don't think it's exclusively a carrier problem, and is either a) something wrong with the phone, or b) something wrong with the interaction between T-Mobile and the unlocked Galaxy S8. Because I can't find discussion anywhere online about option B, I've been assuming it was option A. However, I've tested 2 S8's so far and both had the same problem, so now I'm not sure what to think. I've just picked up a third S8 that I'll test in the next few days.
All the S8's are running the latest stock Touchwiz software and are not rooted.
Does anyone know enough about these things to help? I'm attaching screenshots of info from the app LTE Discovery - all tests are using the same T-Mobile sim card except in one case, as noted:
** (QA) S8 at location "V", with no LTE and a HSPA+ signal -103 dBm. It appears to be connecting to/only see CDMA towers.
** (QB) S8 at "V", with no LTE and a GSM (?) signal -97 dBm.
** (QC) S8 at "V", with a VERIZON sim card that I briefly borrowed to test with, with LTE on band 13 with -108 dBm and a CDMA 1xRTT signal at -96 dBm.
** (QD) S5 at "V", an LTE signal on band 4 with -113 dBm and GSM -69 dBm.
** (QE) S8 at location "P", with no LTE and a HSPA+ signal -99 dBm. It appears to be connecting to/only see CDMA towers.
** (QF) S8 at "P", with no LTE and a CDMA (?) signal -89 dBm.
** (QG) S8 at "P", with an LTE signal on band 2 (through a CDMA tower?) at -130 dBm. The cell radio is "connecting" and it sees a bunch of LTE and GSM towers that it apparently decides not to use...
** (QH) S5 at "P", an LTE signal on band 4 with -113 dBm and GSM -75 dBm.
What on earth is going on? Anyone else experiencing this? Your insights are appreciated!
(This is a follow up to the thread I posted at https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/s8-signal-loss-buildings-phones-4g-lte-t3660313)
(Also possibly of interest, discussion of this same question at https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/7351hb/galaxy_s8_unlocked_smg950u_not_maintaining_tmo/)
dovesong said:
I have a problem with the Samsung Galaxy S8 unlocked USA version (SM-G950U) and the way it interacts (or fails to interact) with certain cell towers/bands/frequencies while trying to connect with T-Mobile.
Inside some large buildings, it doesn't get a signal. What *appears* to be happening, based on my limited knowledge of these things, is that the phone can't see/maintain a connection to any LTE or GSM signals, and keeps defaulting to CDMA.
Other phones DO have service at the same time and place, *including* my Galaxy S5 with the same T-Mobile sim card that I'm trying to use in my S8. I can take my S8 outside (or into many other buildings) and it maintains an LTE/GSM signal without problems. The trouble spots are consistent, so this is annoying to debug because I have to go to certain places, but once I'm there, the problem reliably happens.
Since my old phone with my current sim card still works in these same locations, I don't think it's exclusively a carrier problem, and is either a) something wrong with the phone, or b) something wrong with the interaction between T-Mobile and the unlocked Galaxy S8. Because I can't find discussion anywhere online about option B, I've been assuming it was option A. However, I've tested 2 S8's so far and both had the same problem, so now I'm not sure what to think. I've just picked up a third S8 that I'll test in the next few days.
All the S8's are running the latest stock Touchwiz software and are not rooted.
Does anyone know enough about these things to help? I'm attaching screenshots of info from the app LTE Discovery - all tests are using the same T-Mobile sim card except in one case, as noted:
** (QA) S8 at location "V", with no LTE and a HSPA+ signal -103 dBm. It appears to be connecting to/only see CDMA towers.
** (QB) S8 at "V", with no LTE and a GSM (?) signal -97 dBm.
** (QC) S8 at "V", with a VERIZON sim card that I briefly borrowed to test with, with LTE on band 13 with -108 dBm and a CDMA 1xRTT signal at -96 dBm.
** (QD) S5 at "V", an LTE signal on band 4 with -113 dBm and GSM -69 dBm.
** (QE) S8 at location "P", with no LTE and a HSPA+ signal -99 dBm. It appears to be connecting to/only see CDMA towers.
** (QF) S8 at "P", with no LTE and a CDMA (?) signal -89 dBm.
** (QG) S8 at "P", with an LTE signal on band 2 (through a CDMA tower?) at -130 dBm. The cell radio is "connecting" and it sees a bunch of LTE and GSM towers that it apparently decides not to use...
** (QH) S5 at "P", an LTE signal on band 4 with -113 dBm and GSM -75 dBm.
What on earth is going on? Anyone else experiencing this? Your insights are appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
US Unlocked S8's model # is: G950U1. I have the same model and used it on T-Mobile for about 2 months before flashing firmware on it. My work building has Band 4 and Band 12. There are spots in the building where phone would have low Band 4 signal, then would connect to Band 12. I haven't seen any weird behavior of the signal in my building. The reason I keep bringing my building as an example is because it is very tricking for phones without band 12 to properly have signal there, at least on T-Mobile.(haven't checked other carriers)
Then I flashed my phone with T-Mobile firmware and continue to have coverage as I did when my phone was running an unlocked firmware. You could flash your phone with T-Mobile's firmware which will give you all T-Mobile features, but will also give you few of their apps, but they can be disabled.
If you decide to flash the phone, use "flashing standard firmware" option - https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Charkatak said:
US Unlocked S8's model # is: G950U1. I have the same model and used it on T-Mobile for about 2 months before flashing firmware on it. My work building has Band 4 and Band 12. There are spots in the building where phone would have low Band 4 signal, then would connect to Band 12. I haven't seen any weird behavior of the signal in my building. The reason I keep bringing my building as an example is because it is very tricking for phones without band 12 to properly have signal there, at least on T-Mobile.(haven't checked other carriers)
Then I flashed my phone with T-Mobile firmware and continue to have coverage as I did when my phone was running an unlocked firmware. You could flash your phone with T-Mobile's firmware which will give you all T-Mobile features, but will also give you few of their apps, but they can be disabled.
If you decide to flash the phone, use "flashing standard firmware" option - https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! So you think the S8 isn't properly connecting to band 4 or 12, and that could be the problem? It does look like it might only ever be connecting to bands 2 and 4, so if it doesn't by default connect to band 12, maybe that is the problem. Although my S5 connects to band 4 in both those spots, but my S8 doesn't, so I don't know if band 12 is really the issue.
I have the unlocked AQH3 firmware and bootloader installed now - I assume this is the "XAA" version? If I try flashing the T-Mobile version of that same firmware release, should I expect that to change something about the network settings/capabilities that I can't otherwise change? And this does not require root, correct?
Thanks again!
dovesong said:
Thank you! So you think the S8 isn't properly connecting to band 4 or 12, and that could be the problem? It does look like it might only ever be connecting to bands 2 and 4, so if it doesn't by default connect to band 12, maybe that is the problem. Although my S5 connects to band 4 in both those spots, but my S8 doesn't, so I don't know if band 12 is really the issue.
I have the unlocked AQH3 firmware and bootloader installed now - I assume this is the "XAA" version? If I try flashing the T-Mobile version of that same firmware release, should I expect that to change something about the network settings/capabilities that I can't otherwise change? And this does not require root, correct?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root isn't needed.
I don't really know what changes it will bring as far as networking capabilities, but if it is the T-Mobile firmware, then it most likely be very well suited for its network. Unlocked model still connected to band 12 and I don't know if your city or place has band 12, but you can easily find out by using LTE Discovery app and it will show you. Flashing to T-Mobile firmware gave me the ability to place "video call, have advanced massaging and has DIGITS service build into the phone app" + some people also mention that 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM are also supported on T-Mobile's firmware + I have read stories that they got better signal as well.
An update, for anyone else having this issue: my best theory has been that the phone was prioritizing non-LTE signals over a weak LTE signal. How I fixed it the first time: enter the BAND service mode via the native dialer by dialing *#2263# (2263 spells BAND). Clear all bands, then select all LTE bands (ONLY LTE) and apply the changes. This forces the phone to use only LTE signals, no matter their strength. It's worth noting that you may need to alter this when traveling through areas without LTE service, by re-entering the menu and selecting all bands and applying the changes.
My phone *just* updated to Oreo, and the problem may be back, although I haven't had a chance to thoroughly test or debug it, yet...
Hi everyone,
Network signal guru is not working on rooted Oneplus 5. It shows the details and all but i wanted to use its Lte Band Locking functionality. However Lte band option is not visible in the options list.
or else if anyone could point to the correct secret menu code for this phone for native lte band selection?
or some other app which can force lock onto specific lte bands on this phone?
Thanks
hello guys,
I just purchased HTC U Ultra last week and it's very good.
I get 138mbps download speed with LTE band 1, but the problem is I can't choose the band, it keeps changing between B1, B3, and B28.
I found Guru Network Signal application can change the LTE band, but root is required.
How can I get this root for HTC U ultra??
Is there a way to change the LTE band without a root?
There are detailed rooting tutorials online, I suggest using Magisk as Super user.
Band Lock works with Network Signal Guru (confirmed that).
Although the Radio capability is very limited Like on the Google Pixel (2) (XL).