Develop Bugs

[SOLVED] ALL 2.1 ROM BATTERY Life Problem FIX..(lots of trial results) +EXTRA OPTIONS

Check the thread pages to see results from other users who have had much better results than the ones I got.
This solution was discovered while I was checking out the CDMA Hero forum, so I don't take credit for discovering the method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=651848&highlight=cell+standby
Goto dialer and dial *#*#4636#*#* (DO NOT press send) wait a second and you will get the test menu.
In the test menu choose 'Phone Information'
scroll down and choose on the first drop down - GSM auto (PRL) (for high speed data) or GSM only (You may get 3g if not use GSM auto (PRL))
Back out to test menu then back into 'Phone information' to see if it sticks (if not try again) then back all the way out.
You might want to reboot, but I found the settings worked straight away.
Edit 3 - I don't take any responsibility for step 6 - 6) Try other settings on the dropdown if you are brave as I don't know the consequencies of using settings like "EvDo only" and "unknown" as they may be better depending on the way your provider provides information.
Edit 4 - can't seem to select the other settings like EvDo and unkown anyway.
Edit 3 - TBH - GSM auto (PRL) is working for me with HSDPA and I will try
(PRL) instead of GSM auto (PRL) <- edit - previously it mistakenly said GSM only
the CDMA and WCDMA settings later to see what other effects there are.
This way I managed to get 5½ hrs and only lose 10% battery (GSM Only)! (Edit 3-) Slightly more drain with GSM auto (PRL) but still better than before.
Previous to this I lost 35% in the same amount of time with the same use (sometimes even more when I didn't even use the phone all night).
Hope the devs can make use of this (maybe mess with other settings in there to improve battery more.). I did notice that the GSM auto (PRL) uses a bit more battery than GSM only, but that is to be expected.
Edit: Actually you might need to set it on each reboot, not sure, the settings stayed when I rebooted
Edit 2: When you change roms (or re-install a rom) you will need to do this again, but should stay after a normal reboot as it does for me.
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Results:
Your results will vary depending on the rom, but it should improve battery performance - some have had better results than me using this.
GSM only <---- If you don't get 3g with this it is the same as 2g setting then use GSM auto (PRL) if you want faster than 2g (as some people are getting 3g on GSM only - I will investigate. (if you don't use internet or don't need fast internet)
5½ Hrs - lost 5% Battery - This one is same as running 2g as you don't get HSDPA, but using Opera browser makes browsing fast even using this. If you want Higher speed data use the one below.
GSM auto (PRL) <---- Recommended if you want High speed Internet and save battery
1:40am to 2:00pm (12hrs 20 mins) - lost 40% battery with moderate use a bit of surfing at HSDPA speeds, a few calls and messing with a few apps. Other people have had even better results than me though, so I might change my rom and try again. (I would usually about this amount of time I would have lost about 70-75% - and yes it was that ridiculous - I had to find something to stop this).
" WCDMA Only"
2:06pm to 11:37pm - (9hrs 31mins) lost 46% battery again moderate use and a reboot
This one might be useful if you live in a place that has low GSM signal like the chap in post #10 as it does give HSDPA - but this is only a suggestion as I cannot test it in Iceland. Anyway
" WCDMA preferred"
6:02am to 2:51pm - (8hr 49mins) lost 41% battery this time with less use that the WCDMA use and no reboots.
=============================
Conclusion: (For me anyway)
SO my preference is GSM auto (PRL) some people have got some excellent results with this. You may, however, require one of the other options depending on your service provider signals.
===========================================
EXTRA OPTIONS :
Other settings you can change: (You may have tried this already)
If you don't get GSM auto (PRL) then if you press the menu button on your phone in the 'phone information' page and select 'radio band', you may be able to change it to Automatic or one of the other settings and then you might get GSM auto (PRL).
Available Radio Bands * You may get others depending on the radio you have installed, but I haven't confirmed this*
Automatic
EURO Band
USA Band
JAPAN Band
AUS Band
AUS2 Band
There are other settings there that I haven't messed with, maybe someone with more knowledge may be able to help
Thanks to those who found out what PRL stood for, I will try to update this info in the instructions soon.
========================
I think the reason this works is because it prevents the phone from constanly looking a round for various networks types as it I did notice that the Cell standby time is always high and using this method the cell can standby without constantly searching for a signal thereby wasting power. ALso using this method my "Awake time" is a LOT LOT lower than my "Up time" - about 1200% less (is that right 12 times lower (Up 12hrs - Awake 1hr) ?) - before this the two times were most of the time the same and some times slightly lower. - I'm sure someone will let me know if this theory is incorrect - and I'm open to and welcome that.
This is my experience you can read other peoples who have achieved a lot better than me, and I'm glad I spotted this and let you guys know. (Those who are saying that you've known about this test menu thanks for letting me know that you knew about it before, but a lot of other people didn't know about it. ALso I don't think people have used this as a tool for increasing battery in the GSM section of the forum. As I mentioned at the top of this post I noticed it in the CDMA section as a way of increasing battery performance. - credits to them for thinking it up in the first place.) -
All I am saying though, is to test it out yourself.
.
.

Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.

petsasj said:
Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case I don't know whether I want it to work now, LOL, unless you're a fit babe.

I went back to 1.5 for battery problems, let me know if it works so i can go to 2.1 roms

This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?

xangma said:
This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said in the first post GSM (auto) PRL gives you 3g/hdspa but not as brilliant battery as GSM only, but is better than before.

I am now unplugged from fully charged. Will report back in the morning and throughout the day to let you know if this works.

About PRL, here's what some telecom website says:
The term PRL actually refers to file stored in your phone. This file directs the phone to find alternative networks to operate on when the primary operator cannot be reached. Updating the PRL will store in the phone which are the most up to date, current networks to operate on. In order to operate on another carrier’s network your primary service provider must have a roaming agreement with other carriers.
Almost all phone carriers, such as Oxygen, Locus, Cingular, Verizon, etc. have roaming agreements with other major service providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess it's useful?

Suppose so.

I am on a fairly small operator in Iceland and my phone started roaming when I did this.
I lost 3G connection and went over to Edge...
Switched back to the WCDMA Preferred.... My provider has a little limited coverage but has no roaming charges on the GSM network.
Any ideas what setting I should use for my phone other then WCDMA preferred

Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average

skimminstones said:
Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on T-Mobile UK and GSM auto (PRL) gives me 3g/H and GSM only gives me gprs. Like I said, both give me loads of battery time (GSM auto PRL is a bit less than GSM only though).

Interesting, I may have done this accidentally a few days ago...
I just checked and it was already on GSM auto PRL, I'd changed this in my build.prop last time i was fiddling:
ro.telephony.default_network = 0
I thought that would give me wcdma preferred but apparently not...

I'll have done your tutorial ... will wait till end of day what happens

Definitely helped battery life.
Thumbs up!

In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred

Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?

frederikk said:
In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't HSDPA faster than 3G?
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Downlink_Packet_Access
in which case you would get your faster browsing using GSM auto (PRL) - giving you HSDPA. I certainly get a H showing at the top of the screen while browsing and it isn't constantly connected when I'm not browsing, which it was doing (connecting and disconnecting all the time) before I chose this setting, and thereby my battery life was extended a lot.
Edit: Just try it - if it doesn't work just put it back to your original setting, it has worked for me - There are other settings in there but I have not tested them out yet.

btdag said:
Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be, but not if you choose GSM auto (PRL) - also make sure you have the correct APN settings from your service provider. I did notice that the standard APN's on the phone have always been a little different from the ones on the T-Mobile UK website.

This is not a fix for the battery issues in 2.1 roms, althought it may help as 3g doesn't use the same amount of battery as 2g. But i think everyone knows that anyway. Much easier having the 2g/3g toggle on the home screen and changing it to 2g only when you are not using the web browser etc
ps: before people say other wise this menu has been known for ages and every rom I use is always on GSM.

Use only 2G networks.

I have a problem with setting android to only use 2G networks. I can tick an option under settings "Use only 2G networks" but after i leave the settings menu it gets "unticked" again threfore i,m constantly on 3G which wouldn't be a problem but in the areas where there is no 3G signal android loses signal and wont connect to 2G network. I can turn off 3G under winmo tof orce android to only use 2G networks but it takes time. My question is can anyone successfully setup their android to use only 2G networks?

Same Problem
I´m having the same problem and for me it´s worse because it drain my battery really fast (don´t last more than 4 hours).
Could somebody please fix it as soon as possible because this way is really difficult to use android as main OS.
When I put a Sim Card that doesn´t have 3g I don´t have this battery problem.
I hope somebody could help me with this problem.

could someone please look into this? 3G kills my tilt realy fast too. this is the only thing stoping my from using android as my main os.

odz said:
could someone please look into this? 3G kills my tilt realy fast too. this is the only thing stoping my from using android as my main os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this:
$ su
# rwsystem
# nano system/build.prop
Find the part that says something about default_network=0. Try changing it to 1. Save with dpad-center+x, then y and enter.
# rosystem
Restart your phone to have it take effect. I'm currently trying out the value 3 which is "use GSM or WCDMA, whichever provides the strongest signal" and it seems to work better for me. Before I often had switched to Roaming after calls and somethings loosing connection completely, but I have only tested it for a short time so I'm not 100% sure if it helped or not.
Next release will include scripts to change this and some other things easily.
Oh, and the value 1 is supposed to be "GSM only" so it might help.

kallt_kaffe said:
Try this:
$ su
# rwsystem
# nano system/build.prop
Find the part that says something about default_network=0. Try changing it to 1. Save with dpad-center+x, then y and enter.
# rosystem
Restart your phone to have it take effect. I'm currently trying out the value 3 which is "use GSM or WCDMA, whichever provides the strongest signal" and it seems to work better for me. Before I often had switched to Roaming after calls and somethings loosing connection completely, but I have only tested it for a short time so I'm not 100% sure if it helped or not.
Next release will include scripts to change this and some other things easily.
Oh, and the value 1 is supposed to be "GSM only" so it might help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kalt, should we change this "ro.telephony.default-network=0"? to "1"
If so, it didn't work for me . I'm still on 3G.

-Arturo- said:
Kalt, should we change this "ro.telephony.default-network=0"? to "1"
If so, it didn't work for me . I'm still on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's the one. Well, getting information about the settings in build.prop isn't easy. I'm don't know if the information I found was a fact or just a guess.

kallt_kaffe said:
Yes that's the one. Well, getting information about the settings in build.prop isn't easy. I'm don't know if the information I found was a fact or just a guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kalt does this issue also occur while running Android from Nand?

HELP!!!
I have tried everything here and still no 2G. I love android but battery life sucks. There has to be a way to force 2G all the time. 3G is great but if batterylife will suffer so badly I want to turn it off perminently. Does anyone know how to do this? I'm using VaniljEclair RLS7c and I have been messing with the scrips in the update and still nothing after reeboot.

Takiyon said:
I have tried everything here and still no 2G. I love android but battery life sucks. There has to be a way to force 2G all the time. 3G is great but if batterylife will suffer so badly I want to turn it off perminently. Does anyone know how to do this? I'm using VaniljEclair RLS7c and I have been messing with the scrips in the update and still nothing after reeboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried everything too with almost all builds (1.6 2.1 and 2.2). My opinion is that ro.telephony.default-network command do not work on Kaiser. If ro.telephony.default-network is removed from build.prop nothing happens. Maybe TelephonyPprovider.apk is something to do with 2G 3G switching.

Bump... Please someone help us!! There has to be some hack we can try.

Please help us!!!

I agree,
Would be great to be able to force certain networks. If you look at the power usage/ per network the faster the network the more power it consumes. I'd like to be able to by default use the low speed and switch it to fast when I'm really using the phone. My EVO has a 4G widget switch. If it didn't the phone would be worthless to me as 4G in my area is not great. 2hrs 4G on (with no 4g network) = -40% battery... Love to do the same for 3G as that would save "about" 20% more battery life alone. I might get a whole day of use without charging...

-Arturo- said:
I have a problem with setting android to only use 2G networks. I can tick an option under settings "Use only 2G networks" but after i leave the settings menu it gets "unticked" again threfore i,m constantly on 3G which wouldn't be a problem but in the areas where there is no 3G signal android loses signal and wont connect to 2G network. I can turn off 3G under winmo tof orce android to only use 2G networks but it takes time. My question is can anyone successfully setup their android to use only 2G networks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very simple. You use file follow. You install it,only mark or unmark for 3G or 2G. I'm from Vietnamese. I speak E not very well. I'm sr if you don't undertand

looks like this is only for 3g-2g data connection.Discussion is about GSM -CDMA network

pro_hvtc said:
Very simple. You use file follow. You install it,only mark or unmark for 3G or 2G. I'm from Vietnamese. I speak E not very well. I'm sr if you don't undertand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know apndroid disables both 2g/3g connections and we only need to block system from using 3g connections leaving 2g still connectable.

Has anybody seen this before?
http://www.android-cellphones.org/android-motorola-droid-tricks-disable-3g.html/
I get the settings, but the problem is that I can't choose any - no matter what I choose it stick to "Unknown" type..

milanche said:
Has anybody seen this before?
http://www.android-cellphones.org/android-motorola-droid-tricks-disable-3g.html/
I get the settings, but the problem is that I can't choose any - no matter what I choose it stick to "Unknown" type..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that a while ago and it didn't work for me.

I've bin going thru htcgeneric-ril.c (source of libhtcgeneric-ril.so), provided in another topic and noticed this lines:
Code:
switch (rat)
{
case 0: at_rat = "1,2"; break;/* Dual Mode - WCDMA preferred*/
case 1: at_rat = "0"; break; /* GSM only */
case 2: at_rat = "2"; break; /* WCDMA only */
}
Could there be a solution lurking in those lines to ongoing 2G/3G switching problem on Kaiser devices with Android?

Those look like the settings from the phone information screen in testing, it's certainly the right area to be looking in.
Question: who's gonna be brave enough to hack htcgeneric-ril.c and recompile that lib?

I already asked n2rjt to do it, if it's possible - still waiting for his reply.

Help on fixing cell standby battery drain?

Hey yall, I've got a bit of a problem with cell standby and I know it's a reception issue, hopefully you guys can help me.
You see, I live in one of the outermost neighborhoods in Jerusalem in a big building made out of thick bricks and cement...as one could imagine, reception is really bad.
My problem stems from the fact that the only way I can get 3G service is by sticking my phone right at the window and forcing it to 3G by hitting WCDMA Only in the *#*#4636#*#* menu. then I just tether to my laptop and everything is all good. After I take it off the windowsill, once it is more than a foot away, I lose all service. I forget to put it back to WCDMA preffered and it just looks for 3G all day in my pocket and I get a battery drain.
anyway I guess my question is this... is there a program or setting I can use to force it to 3g when it knows there is a 3G connection possible? WCDMA Preferred doesn't work because the EDGE network overpowers the 3G network and it would never connect unless I completely disable EDGE.
TL;DR Is there a way to make the radio default to EDGE when it is completly impossible to find any trace of 3G?

Menu > Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile Networks > Use only 2G networks
That will force your phone to use only EDGE and will put less drain on your battery when it comes to cell network.

Personally, I would move out of jeruselum and go to a place that pumps out 4g. Or at least theoretical 4g. (Hspa+)
Sent from my G2 CM6.1.1, OC'd to 1.5ghz, using XDA App

Yeah...this june. I am going back to memphis TN with full tmo 4g....I am only here for a year
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

rhodes588 said:
Menu > Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile Networks > Use only 2G networks
That will force your phone to use only EDGE and will put less drain on your battery when it comes to cell network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always do that when I don't need a fast data connection, I have a widget to switch back quick when I need to do some surfing or tethering

[Q] Control H/3G/E/G switchover threshold

Can anyone explain how the Arc (or is it generic to android) controls the switch between HSPDA / 3G / GSM etc?
I live right on the edge of a HSPDA / GSM reception area, so sitting in the same chair I'm often browsing using "H", and then slowed down to "G" - and vice-versa. Unfortunately, every time it switches it seems (to me) that there is a lag while it establishes a connection again.
Is their any way to configure the ARC to make it attempt to stay with "H" for a bit longer?

Go to Setting - Wireless & networks - Mobile Networks and change the Network Mode into WCDMA
Hope that help you!
Sent from my LT15i using XDA Premium App

Changing from Edge(E) to Hspda(H) doesnt drop the connection but the from H to E does. Also if the H signal is weak, it will change automatically to E. If you are in a building , parking etc you will have à weak H signal since your phone is covered by the walls
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App

thank you both repliers.
It looks like there's no practical alternative to just letting the switch over happen as Sony have programmed it (or moving house).

You can try forcing to use GSM only or WCDMA only instead of GMS / WCDMA preferred.
The setting is under Wireless --> Mobile network settings --> Network Mode.
By forcing it to use WCDMA, the phone doesn't try to switch to GSM even when it has low signal. Good thing here is that, it doesn't try to switch between the two frequently hence battery might be saved and the bad thing about this is that, when you have a week signal, the phone tries to get better signal since it cannot switch to over to another frequency, hence the boosting uses more battery power.
Try it for yourself .

prathaban said:
You can try forcing to use GSM only or WCDMA only instead of GMS / WCDMA preferred.
The setting is under Wireless --> Mobile network settings --> Network Mode.
By forcing it to use WCDMA, the phone doesn't try to switch to GSM even when it has low signal. Good thing here is that, it doesn't try to switch between the two frequently hence battery might be saved and the bad thing about this is that, when you have a week signal, the phone tries to get better signal since it cannot switch to over to another frequency, hence the boosting uses more battery power.
Try it for yourself .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... Double Post huh?

r_southampton said:
thank you both repliers.
It looks like there's no practical alternative to just letting the switch over happen as Sony have programmed it (or moving house).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not only happening as programming by Sony but more likely by your operator. The operator defines the parameters that decide when they wish your mobile to switch from one network to the other, how weak they will allow the signal to become etc.
You can contact you operator, maybe they will log a case on it and investigate if the radio planning could be changed in your area.

Battery drain on bad reception

Hey, guys.
I have my phone now for 4 month and I've checked following thing: the battery drain is incredible on bad mobile coverage. In my apartment I have really pur reception, all phones loose the reception permanently (in this way one x is much better than my wife's Iphone 4).
It is normal, that the phone consumes much energy, but one x consumes just to much. For example, if I'm at home, the drain is like 2 or even 3 procent in hour even on sense roms, and if I'm in place with good reception, it's like 1 procent in 2 and more hours, so the overall batter life is waaaay much better...
Now the question is, if I could do something to make my phone to be not so aggressive on searching for the network? I know, it can bring worse network, but it is not really a problem for me.
P. S.:switching to flight mode is not an answer for me
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

flight mode is the first thing i would have said, but not an option, so the next thing i would look at is something like vodafone suresignal - check with your network provider, they might offer a service similar, basically you get a little box from them, plug into your internet connection, and it will give your phone signal.
can't really think of something apart from a kernel tweak of some sort that would stop the phone scanning so much for cell towers, but i'm not sure where that would be, or even if it is possible..

its normal when signal drops out the phone turns the phones radio on full to scan for a network.
i would try going to settings > mobile network ( click the word not the switch) > network mode
and set it to GSM only, this will force the phone to only use 2g signal, means you don't get 3g internet so it will be very slow for internet, but 2g uses less power than 3g.
i do this alot as where i live there is low/2g signal only so i force it on to the 2g to stop it looking for a 3g network
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app

treebill said:
its normal when signal drops out the phone turns the phones radio on full to scan for a network.
i would try going to settings > mobile network ( click the word not the switch) > network mode
and set it to GSM only, this will force the phone to only use 2g signal, means you don't get 3g internet so it will be very slow for internet, but 2g uses less power than 3g.
i do this alot as where i live there is low/2g signal only so i force it on to the 2g to stop it looking for a 3g network
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this option a lot, this is not directly what I asked for. I just want my gsm radio to be not so aggressive. Just like changing cpu governors values
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

Hi
Zlotin said:
I use this option a lot, this is not directly what I asked for. I just want my gsm radio to be not so aggressive. Just like changing cpu governors values
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there is no reception at all the phone radio shouldn't use much power, this is because it is just listening for a signal and will not be transmitting anything. If the radio is consuming more power, it is likely because it can hear the transmitter (they obviously transmit with much more power) and so the phone on hearing the mother ship is trying to reply at full transmit power available to it, but this isn't enough to be heard which drains more power. It doesn't taking many attempts at transmitting at full power to have a battery draining faster than usual.
Some applications on having no data connection might start waking the device a lot in a panic and don't back off trying, so every few seconds they will be waking the phone trying to connect to a remote server somewhere. Do you have Wi-Fi on to keep applications happy if they want to keep phoning home?
You have few options really,
1) is to just the mobile phone part off and leave Wi-Fi running which should help. You can do this by switching to flight mode then enabling just the Wi-Fi, or there will be widgets available I'm sure to just turn off the mobile phone part.
2) Turn off syncing to see if it is an application getting panicky, again you will have widgets you can add to your home page to easily switch this setting
3) You can use a Phone Schedule type application and have your phone go to flight mode automatically timed for when you are usually at home and overnight to save battery drain, free ones at the Play store.
4) If you have internet access at your apartment and depending on your mobile phone operator you might be able to get a femtocell, this will give you a full signal and service at home.
Regards
Phil

Its not just the HOX that does this, its all phones and it is bloody annoying.
My wifes parents live in the middle of nowhere and if we didnt' change our phones (inc, hox, s2,n900,iphone3...) to flightmode when there over night they would be flat.

treebill said:
its normal when signal drops out the phone turns the phones radio on full to scan for a network.
i would try going to settings > mobile network ( click the word not the switch) > network mode
and set it to GSM only, this will force the phone to only use 2g signal, means you don't get 3g internet so it will be very slow for internet, but 2g uses less power than 3g.
i do this alot as where i live there is low/2g signal only so i force it on to the 2g to stop it looking for a 3g network
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have that option. What's up with that? Does AT&T lock that option on their phones?

Tcndeb said:
I don't have that option. What's up with that? Does AT&T lock that option on their phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dial *#*#4636#*#* and goto phone information, scroll down, and you'll have all different modes there.
sometimes this doesn't stick though
that option would probably be there on a normal custom rom (unless this isn't actually possible on at&t??)
i could be misinformed, im from uk, so a little un educated on how the networks work over there..