I work in a building that is well shielded in most places and get no signal. My phone drains incredibly quick when this is the case. Is there a way to reduce the polling frequency that it looks for a tower to stop this? I thought juicedefender might but I can't figure a way to do this.
Rom: Fresh 4.0.0.4b
Kernel: netarchy 4.3.1.4 cfs have no sbc
hw version 0003
juicedefender ultimate
setcpu 200-1152MHz, smartass governor
Thanks!
When I'm in an area where I roam or have very poor signal I notice increased drain rate as well. This was the same with my TP2. I've always just understood that when the phone is constantly seeking signal and cycling back and forth between roam/3G/1x the battery drains faster.
Your best option, is to utilize "airplane mode" when you know you're going to be in an area that had no signal/you won't be able to use it. I hate to do it because I don't like my family not being able to reach me in case of an emergency, but it is one option for you.
I second the airplane option. Also, WiFi is available while in airplane mode. Perhaps your building has WiFi you can connect to and you can keep something like AIM or Facebook or Google Voice/Talk open and instruct those who might need you in an emergency to reach you through the method of your choice so that you may call out from a landline or step away from the building if there is an emergency.
Just a thought.
See if you can get in on the new Google voice option where you can make your sprint # your Google voice number. Once you have done that you can have your work # as one of your forwarding numbers if your work allows. Or airplane mode with a 2nd charger for work.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Yep, Airplane mode is the ONLY way to turn off the cell radio. Otherwise, it will be constantly polling for a tower.
Dial ##3282# from a froyo sense rom and it will bring up a menu where you can change how often it polls the tower. It's Going to affect how long it takes your phone to receive calls though.
Sent from my EVO
If you know you're not getting reception, why not just use airplane mode? I mean, if you don't have reception you're not getting contacted anyway.
If you want to go the airplane mode route, Tasker is a great app that lets you control lots of things. You should be able to turn off your radios at set times during the day and have them enable after you get out of work.
I just loaded the 2.1 EPST and run a Verizon PRL when I am at work. I get a crappy Sprint signal at work. However your issue seems to be different as the walls/windows may be blocking all signals? Verizon seems to penetrate better though.
With Tasker, you can also set your phone to airplane mode during work hours, but automatically turn it off and enable data every fifteen minutes (or however long) to check for text messages, voicemails, etc. That is assuming that you get any signal at work... if you don't have a signal at all, just turn airplane mode on yourself.
To answer your question:
Yes, not having a signal will drain your battery. The phone will keep increasing the radio strength to lock onto a tower. Opposite is true to, if you have a strong signal, the radio will decrease the power level thus saving battery power.
You might want to contact Sprint ([email protected]) and let them know that you don't get service in your work building. They gave me a airwave device, but have to have Internet connection for it to work. The only other option might be to have some type of power booster/repeater that are typically very expensive. Not sure how your employer would feel about these suggestions - but never hurts to ask.
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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In that case, if you don't already have Tasker, I'd just turn airplane mode on yourself when you get to work & turn it off when you leave. Or there are free apps that will do it automatically that aren't as complex as Tasker. Unless you find another use for it, then go ahead.
Would roam control work to try verizon towers? I think they have a stronger signal locally.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
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LOL you said it yourself. If the military doesn't want you getting signal, you're not getting signal. In general, if you can't get radio signal you can't get cell phone signal. Early cell phones operated on FM (type: frequency modulation) radio and what we're using now is basically a digital-type FM radio. In the end it's all EM waves and you're likely in a giant Faraday cage of a military base. I say avoid even trying to fix your problem and just go airplane mode.
Related
I want a more selective "airplane mode". There are some times when I don't care about receiving calls or texts, but want to use wifi only (or gps only). Turning off APN data isn't enough when I'm still wasting battery life on looking for cell towers.
Any suggestions? Is this kind of radio control even possible (i.e. I could write an app for it if no one has yet)
cdawzrd said:
I want a more selective "airplane mode". There are some times when I don't care about receiving calls or texts, but want to use wifi only (or gps only). Turning off APN data isn't enough when I'm still wasting battery life on looking for cell towers.
Any suggestions? Is this kind of radio control even possible (i.e. I could write an app for it if no one has yet)
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SwitchPro Widget, has an option in there for keeping Wifi on in Airplane mode. Great widget for the price.
Wi-Fi is separate from the cell radio already. I was on a flight recently with the EVO in airplane mode. I turned on the wi-fi and used the free connection onboard.
Theres a setting for mobile connecion, just look for it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Just turn on Airplane Mode, then turn on WiFi. Done.
I work in a large warehouse where I get great signal on the docks around the buildings perimeter but nothing in the aisles. my phone is dying every day while searching for signal. is there a way to change the frequency at which it looks for towers? or am I stuck with putting it in airplane mode and getting yelled at by the old lady for leaving it on and missing her texts?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
jeffeulogy said:
I work in a large warehouse where I get great signal on the docks around the buildings perimeter but nothing in the aisles. my phone is dying every day while searching for signal. is there a way to change the frequency at which it looks for towers? or am I stuck with putting it in airplane mode and getting yelled at by the old lady for leaving it on and missing her texts?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Menu->Settings->Wireless & Networks->Mobile Networks->Roaming->Sprint Only
Won't go on any other network and instead will connect when you have a Sprint tower to connect to. So no service and no battery drain while in the aisles, connects and gets texts when on docks and perimeter.
If she has a problem with it ask the old lady if she wants to be able to text you every couple of hours or have you stranded with a dead phone. Then tell her to get back in the kitchen.
In all seriousness, one option is do forced roaming, which will make your phone connect only to the 850MHz Sprint/Verizon signals. You won't have 3G, and Google Voice won't connect incoming calls (if you even use it), but you will get better reception.
If you have CyanogenMod, you can open the wireless settings, go to mobile networks, system select, and choose "Affiliated Networks".
On Sense ROMs, the ability to force-roam isn't built in, but there are apps which will let you do so in the Market.
I just transferred to the University of Minnesota,and it seems like T-Mobile has terrible coverage and penetration on campus; my average bars are lower, and my battery life has tanked, with battery stats telling me that the cell standby is taking 35-50%, with anywhere between 5-35% time without signal. I can only guess that the radio is sitting at max power trying to grab signal, but I may be wrong.
I've tried both the 26.08.04.30 radio, and the newest Bell one, both seeing terrible performance. I find myself needing my phone data, so I'd rather not slap on airplane mode or turn off 3G if I can help it. I was even considering tethering whenever I decide to get a laptop.
Anyone have any tips?
EDIT: A couple additions, fixes.
Sent from my G2
Does your school have WiFi pretty much everywhere? My university does, and I am on a newer Even More plan so I was able to get free WiFi calling (does not use minutes). WiFi saves battery especially when using data when compared to cellular data. Just make sure you set the WiFi sleep policy to never in Settings > Wireless > WiFi settings > Menu > Advanced
I've been attempting to use that as my solution, but it seems like there are plenty of areas with flaky wifi. I feel like that's going to make the radio work hard to try grabbing a good signal, in addition to Wifi Calling trying to enable if it drops. I'm seeing how it goes.
Sent from my G2
Wifi calling is your best bet, I use it on campus and in lecture halls all the time. If Tmobile has crappy service in the area there really isn't much you can do to change it. Sucks.
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk
i noticed that i get much better 2g reception in my house than 3g so would it be possible to set the galaxy nexus to make the switch to 2g sooner and automatic? im using a toggle right now but it would be nice to be able to set the point at which the phone will make the jump to 2g.
The 3g signal is so weak in certain areas that i dont lose the signal but i wont be able to receive calls and goes straight to voicemail but the annoying thing is that sometimes the phone doesnt make the jump to 2g. Im using the mod in aokp to see my signal in dBm instead of the bars and have found the difference is -111 to -113dBm for 3G and under -100dBm for 2G in the same spot. i would like to be able to set the phone to make to jump to 2G when the 3G signal is weaker than -110dBm for example.
anyone? do we know how the phone decides when to switch to 2g?
Why don't you just keep manually toggling it as needed? Problem solved. That said goto YouTube and watch the everything is amazing but nobody is happy video.
And remember kids. Your smartphone is not a pacifier.
iphone. helping computer illiteracy become popular since 2007.
cause it would be easier if it did it automatically like its suppose to. if i forget to toggle the 2g everytime i home then i miss a call in the house? this is a phone we're talking about im not asking for anything special just for it to work like its suppose to.
neotekz said:
? this is a phone we're talking about im not asking for anything special just for it to work like its suppose to.
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Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself. Now I need to go start a thread asking how come my phone won't clean my room. Ç'mon it's a smartphone.
iphone. helping computer illiteracy become popular since 2007.
receiving calls and making calls is not something special for a 700 dollar phone. this is the first phone i got that has this kind of trouble switching between 2g and 3g. go troll somehwere else if you have nothing helpful to add.
Seriously what is so hard about manually toggling your phone to 2g at home? I have to do it occasionally still even though 3g isn't the juice sucker it used to be a few years ago. Another alternative is to get a micro cell but I an sure you don't want to pay ~$200 and $20 a month. There are apps that will do the 2g toggle when you're on your home wifi. Nfc tag might be able to do it too. It seems you want somebody to write an app specifically for your "problem".
iphone. helping computer illiteracy become popular since 2007.
you're really not getting it, its not about a toggle and im not asking anyone to make an app so i dont have to use the toggle. im not talking about switching to 2g to save battery or data but when the 3g is weak or isnt there and there is a stronger 2g signal available. i am using a toggle right now but thats not a solution. this is a phone, i shouldnt have to toggle anything to make calls. All my previous android phones stayed in 2g 90% of the time in my house all by themselves.
Phones are suppose to be able to switch between 2g and 3g when 3g is not available or is too weak, the galaxy nexus is not doing that properly it hangs at 3g even to the point where it drops the signal and there's always is a good 2g signal that it should be going to. i have no 2g deadspots in my house but a few for 3g.
i've tried all the radios and they all have this problem some worst than others. i was just thinking if there is a way to mod the phone so that it will switch to 2g sooner or faster
And I am telling you to do it manually to solve your issue. You still want it done faster automatically and nobody here is going to be able to mod a radio for you. Aside from aaaaaaaall the barriers prohibiting devs from doing so, there is just plain and simple the issue of it actually transferring from 2 to 3 and 3 to 2, handshaking with the tower which is not instaneous. Like I said watch that video and get a grip and laugh. The best and fastest solution is manually. I have to do it myself occasionally for different reasons. If you don't like having to do something manually because you have a $700 smartphone then all I can tell you is good luck with the rest of your life.
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iphone. helping computer illiteracy become popular since 2007.
i looked into this some more and it turns out there is a setting that can do exactly what i want but is disabled in the new 4.0.4 update. in the *#*#4636*#*# menu you can set network preferred type to gsm auto prl which will only switch to 3g if there is a strong signal and will favor 2g. With the new update(4.0.4) the setting cannot be changed and is stuck on wcdma preferred which is the opposite of gsm auto prl, favors 3g over 2g. hopefully this can be fixed somehow so that the network settings can be changed.
neotekz said:
i looked into this some more and it turns out there is a setting that can do exactly what i want but is disabled in the new 4.0.4 update. in the *#*#4636*#*# menu you can set network preferred type to gsm auto prl which will only switch to 3g if there is a strong signal and will favor 2g. With the new update(4.0.4) the setting cannot be changed and is stuck on wcdma preferred which is the opposite of gsm auto prl, favors 3g over 2g. hopefully this can be fixed somehow so that the network settings can be changed.
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I'd stay out of that menu on nexus. It has caused many a problem for gnex owners, one which is it automatically goes back to default setting no matter what you select and erasing smsc number randomly. Toggling 2g in settings or getting a 2g/3g toggle in power control is fastest and easiest solution still.
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iphone. helping computer illiteracy become popular since 2007.
The phone is constantly connected to cell towers which can triangulate your location.
Is there some sort of root software which would completely intercept and monitor all traffic between you and cell towers? One that would tell you what is being sent and received? And tell you if the GPS is really off.
What about forcing the phone to connect to only one tower?
Dinger558 said:
The phone is constantly connected to cell towers which can triangulate your location.
Is there some sort of root software which would completely intercept and monitor all traffic between you and cell towers? One that would tell you what is being sent and received? And tell you if the GPS is really off.
What about forcing the phone to connect to only one tower?
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You could remove the battery. That will solve it.
antonis_sp said:
You could remove the battery. That will solve it.
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The idea is to have the phone usable...
Monitoring is done mainly by the towers not the phone. Theres no way to stop your carrier from tracking your phones movements around its network.
Your other worries have nothing to do with the carrier. If GPS is off it will show as off unless your phone is compromised, location data will only be sent if you have location reporting on (this does not affect mobile towers from recording device connections).
You could monitor traffic on your phone with something like tcpdump and analyse the data, but a better way would be don't use apps you don't trust.
What exactly are you worried about?
Dubhar said:
Monitoring is done mainly by the towers not the phone. Theres no way to stop your carrier from tracking your phones movements around its network.
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So the protocol is such that you don't address any particular tower but rather just broadcast and that's how they are able to triangulate you?
What about turning the RF radio off and on without taking out the SIM card, know any app to do that? (Assume that I don't need to take calls only place them. The goal being to minimize tracking/interaction with carrier.)
Also can you explain to me or link me to how this cellular protocol knows where to route calls to you? If there is a keepalive signal how frequently is it transmitted? What if you turn off all broadcast but not the radio itself, will the tower still try to route calls to your last known location and if you are there you would be able to take them?
Dinger558 said:
So the protocol is such that you don't address any particular tower but rather just broadcast and that's how they are able to triangulate you?
What about turning the RF radio off and on without taking out the SIM card, know any app to do that? (Assume that I don't need to take calls only place them. The goal being to minimize tracking/interaction with carrier.)
Also can you explain to me or link me to how this cellular protocol knows where to route calls to you? If there is a keepalive signal how frequently is it transmitted? What if you turn off all broadcast but not the radio itself, will the tower still try to route calls to your last known location and if you are there you would be able to take them?
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If you turn the radio off it wont connect to a tower but you also cant use your phone.
Theres maybe a little misunderstanding when it comes to how mobile networks work. There no different from computer networks, and just like computer networks mobile networks track where devices are located on the network. It isn't miserableness for malicious reasons, keeping track of where devices are located on the network helps maintain the networks performance and fix problems. The side effect of mobile devices is there are almost always attached to a body and inadvertently allow the potential for a person to be tracked within a margin of error.
When the radio is on (and im not an expert on this) the phone will periodically contact the mobile tower as far as i know, and does this to make sure your connected to the right tower for it to route traffic to your phone or move you to a tower with a better signal.
If your really bothered by it, put it in air plane mode and use wifi only with encrypted calls. But wifi can still be used to approximate a location just like any other means of communication.
It would be good to know your goal? If it is simply to not be tracked your _only_ option is to not use a mobile phone. People do that, for that exact reason.
Dubhar said:
If you turn the radio off it wont connect to a tower but you also cant use your phone.
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By not use it do you mean it won't even boot properly or I simply won't be able to place or receive calls?
If the latter, I would still like to know how. Is there an app for that?
Dinger558 said:
By not use it do you mean it won't even boot properly or I simply won't be able to place or receive calls?
If the former, I would still like to know how. Is there an app for that?
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Put it in airplane mode. By not use I mean no phone calls or internet.
Dubhar said:
Put it in airplane mode. By not use I mean no phone calls or internet.
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Airplane mode disables WiFi as well, this won't do.
Surely there is a root app that can toggle the cellular RF radio?
Dinger558 said:
Airplane mode disables WiFi as well, this won't do.
Surely there is a root app that can toggle the cellular RF radio?
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You can turn on wifi after you put airplane mode on, but it defeats the purpose. You can be tracked via wifi.
Non of this also considers if the phone is compromised or if it collects data and sends it once it is connected.
Dubhar said:
You can turn on wifi after you put airplane mode on, but it defeats the purpose. You can be tracked via wifi.
Non of this also considers if the phone is compromised or if it collects data and sends it once it is connected.
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WiFi tracking is impractical. I'm only interested in disabling the cellular network unless I want to place calls.
Dinger558 said:
WiFi tracking is impractical. I'm only interested in disabling the cellular network unless I want to place calls.
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Actually WiFi can be even more beneficial. It's not dependant on the phone network meaning the tracking information can be sent anywhere in the world, you can send more information than just mobile tower beacons, tracking data can be recorded and sent later when a connection is made either though WiFi or mobile data. Its not dependant on your phone either, your phone sends out a WiFi beacon periodically looking for wireless networks, any WiFi AP within range will pick up this broadcast from your phone and potentially record it ( it is identifiable), additionally your phone broadcasts all WiFi APs you've connected to to see if it can reconnect to them, these can be recorded and used to predict and track movements as well.
You still haven't said what the purpose of this is and im starting to think your just trolling. Turning off the mobile radio is practically pointless if you're connected by any other means.