The ultimate guide - 3 ways to check LTE, 4G, (and 5G) cell signal strength

Do you ever have problems with your cell phone signal? It has probably happened to all of us. You're in the middle of an important phone call or trying to watch a movie on Netflix, and suddenly your phone dies because there's not enough signal strength. Dropped calls, slow internet, or no service can be frustrating.

Stay connected and learn how to check signal strength on your mobile devices, and find out where the problem is. This article will also provide tips on how to improve your signal strength and get the most out of your cell phone connection.

Skip to checking signal strength of 4G / LTE device.

Skip to checking signal strength of 5G device.

What Is Cellular Signal Strength?

Cellular signal strength is the strength of the connection between your phone and a nearby tower. The unit of measuring connection is dBm, which stands for decibels relative to one milliwatt. Generally speaking, you want a stronger signal because it results in faster connection speeds and better service quality. On most phone models, the signal bars represent this connection rating in your phone's status bar. So, when you have fewer signal bars, it means that you have a weak signal.

Ideal Cell Phone Signal Strength 

The ideal phone signal strength varies depending on the phone model. Generally, you should aim for a connection above -85dBm. Some phone models will show between 0 and -100dBm. If it's below -100 dBm, your phone will likely lose connection or have very poor service quality. 

Below are the signal strength ranges and their associated strength quality.

• Close to 0 dBm: Outstanding signal (near the cell tower) 
• -50 to -64 dBm: Very good signal 
• -65 to -84 dBm: Good signal 
• -85 to -100 dBm: Below average/Poor signal 
• Below -100 dBm: Close to no signal

How To Measure 4G or LTE Signal Strength of Mobile Device

Measuring your mobile device's signal strength can help you identify where to set up your router for optimal performance. It can also help find areas where your device is not getting a strong signal. Read on to learn how to measure WiFi signal strength.

1. Check With a Cell Phone App

Are you interested in knowing how to measure WiFi signal strength through a cell phone app? Using an app to measure signal strength is the easiest and most reliable way. Apps like Opensignal, Network Signal Info, LTE Discovery, or Network Speed can be downloaded for free and are used to determine signal strength in a particular area.

Opensignal is a great app for signal strength tests. It can detect the cellular network your phone is connected to, the download speed, and how crowded the network is. Besides, it indicates how your signal strength changes over time. With this app, you can easily check how strong your signal is and how it varies over time to determine the best spot for optimal network performance.

Network Signal Info is another cell phone app that provides users with useful information about their network signal strength. It helps you check how strong your internet connection is, how fast, and how reliable it is in different locations. It gives you a signal quality rating based on the strength of your WiFi or cell phone service. The app also provides information about how to check WiFi signal strength, optimize network speed, and improve signal strength.

LTE Discovery is a band identifier and 4G and 3G data analyzer. It allows you to measure signal strength, check your coverage, and find the best spot for optimal network performance. It also provides a signal strength rating and helps you understand band compatibility issues. With LTE Discovery, you can also do a full band scan to identify all the bands your phone is connected to and discover why your device has connection issues. 

2. Check Through the Phone Status (In Case of Android Devices)

Another way to check signal strength is through the Phone Status in Android devices. To do this, go to Settings > About phone > Status > Signal strength. This will display the network type, signal strength, and other information about your device's connectivity. The closer the number is to 0, the better the signal strength. For example, -50 dBm is a strong signal; anything lower than -85 dBm can cause slow or no connection. 

Through this tool, you can determine if the location of your device is causing a weak signal. Make sure to check the signal strength regularly, as it can provide valuable data in finding solutions to any connectivity issues you may be experiencing. 

3. Check With a Field Check Mode (In Case of iOS Devices) 

If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad, you can check the signal strength of connected devices using field test mode. Go to the settings of your model. Then, type in "Field Test Mode" or "Engineering Mode" in the search field. You should then find the field test mode, which will allow you to see your signal strength. It is usually displayed in decibels. 

You can also find field test mode in the Dialer app of your device. First, go to settings and turn off the WiFi. Type in *3001#12345#* and press call to launch the field test mode menu. From the menu, select LTE, Serving Cell Meas, and then rsrp0 to get the signal strength from the nearest cell tower.

Use Signal Boosters To Solve Bad Cellular Coverage

Cell phone signal boosters are a great solution for bad cell coverage. These devices work by amplifying the cell signal from your cell tower to your connected devices, allowing you to stream and download content faster.

Signal boosters come in many forms, including cell phone repeaters, cell phone amplifiers, and cell signal boosters. These devices capture weak cell signals with an antenna and amplify them to provide a stronger signal to connected devices. With the right signal booster, you can reduce dropped calls and increase the range of your cell signal.

If you're looking to improve the signal strength for your cell phone, Novotech got you covered with different signal boosters that match your specifications. Shop now to power up your signal and get the most out of your cell phone connection.

Checking Signal Strength of a 5G Device

To check the signal strength of 5G, you can use similar methods as for 4G but with some adjustments due to the differences in technology:

1. Using a smartphone's built-in settings: For both Android and iOS, navigate to the settings where network information is displayed. The process might slightly differ from 4G due to different network architecture.
2. Signal strength apps: Apps like OpenSignal or Network Cell Info can show detailed network data, including 5G signal strength, by accessing the phone's radio system information.

The main difference in checking 5G signal strength compared to 4G lies in the technology's nature, including different frequency bands (mmWave for high-band 5G) which might not be covered by all signal strength apps or phone settings.

Use Signal Boosters To Solve Bad Cellular Coverage

Cell phone signal boosters are a great solution for bad cell coverage. These devices work by amplifying the cell signal from your cell tower to your connected devices, allowing you to stream and download content faster.

Signal boosters come in many forms, including cell phone repeaters, cell phone amplifiers, and cell signal boosters. These devices capture weak cell signals with an antenna and amplify them to provide a stronger signal to connected devices. With the right signal booster, you can reduce dropped calls and increase the range of your cell signal.

If you're looking to improve the signal strength for your cell phone, Novotech got you covered with different signal boosters that match your specifications. Shop now to power up your signal and get the most out of your cell phone connection.