Develop Bugs

[HOW-TO] Get a Data Signal While Roaming

Background:
Ever since I've had this phone I couldn't get a data signal while roaming in areas where I knew one was available. Old phones would get data while roaming without a problem.
The Epic Touch would just give a notification saying "you have lost data connectivity" or something.
I understand certain Sprint roaming areas just plain don't have data available. This howto can not fix that.
What this howto does help you do is get a data signal while roaming in areas where a roaming data signal is available.
Credit:
This was apparently discovered by someone on the sprint forums, and I found a reference to it on the Android Central forums, so I do not know who credit goes to for discovering this.
What to Do:
It's best if you are in a roaming-only area to test this, or if you can force roaming. You'll also need to be on the stock kernel (rooted is fine) so you have the ability to update your Profile.
Let's do that now. Go to the Settings menu and tap About Phone - system updates - update profile and wait for it to complete, then tap ok.
From the home screen, tap Menu - Settings - Wireless and Networks - Roaming - Roaming Settings.
Un-check all options here (voice and data for both domestic and international)
With no boxes checked, tap the "Data" box under domestic roaming. Tap only this one, not voice.
You will get a box asking you to confirm. Click yes. This will then automatically enable voice as well.
Another pop up with a red box will ask if you really want to use data while roaming. At this point you can tell it to never ask again and click Roam.
Now you can use data while roaming where it's available!
Update:
after trying this multiple times to verify it works, occasionally the final pop-up with the red box disappears before you can read it. I was able to long press the home button to show recent apps, then tap the "Data Roaming Guard" app. Then I could tap Roam.
This is critical for me as sometimes I am in roaming areas for work and I need internet and this phone is the only access I have. Now I can use it!
Report back with any corrections or feedback. Mileage may vary.
I don't know if it's necessary to update the profile. I have that step in there because that is the sequence I used. If you try it without updating the profile, let me know. This would allow people on a custom kernel to do this too.
I spent an hour and a half with Sprint yesterday on the phone trying to resolve this. They turned me over to new reps three times (including to the international support department) each one not aware of my issue so I'd have to explain everything again.
Finally I started digging on the web and found the tip on AC. Took me 2 minutes.

DOH! Stupid Tapatalk.
Mods, please move to General. Didn't mean to start this in development.

Thanks for sharing this. I will try this out.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

I have the same issues. My girlfriend has an EVO and she will have data while roaming, and I wont. Even if were right next to each other.

Thanks, this worked great for me & did not have to update profile. I am on stock rooted deodexed rom.

Worked for me! Thanks, that was very annoying!

thanks! now i can play wwf at work lol

I did this awhile back when I saw it on the AC forums. I also read this phone cannot roam on PCS networks because of a limitation in the radio so there still may be times it won't roam when other phones will.

Greetings All!
I was able to make roaming calls before; but I followed these instructions and now I can use roaming data as well. Fortunately Atlanta is a pretty good 4G metro area so I rarely need to use roaming data. Usually either 3G or 4G is available. Nonetheless it's nice to have the option.
FYI I forced roaming by using the Roam Control app and have verified that for the first time with this phone I have a nonzero "Sprint 3G Data Roaming" entry in the detailed usage screen on the Sprint website.
Many thanks!
Cheers, Henri

Ok, glad this is working for people! I know it was the biggest gripe I had about the phone by far.

MoMatt said:
Ok, glad this is working for people! I know it was the biggest gripe I had about the phone by far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. And such a simple solution. Thanks again.

4G - 3G Toggle for Verizon GN?

Sorry if this has been asked, but searching for the word "4G" fails for some reason.
I use the Extended Controls widget, but the 4G toggle setting isn't supported on the Nexus (or perhaps for Verizon?), so is there a widget out there that will work with the VZW Nexus?
Thanks!

I found a 4g toggle bewteen SwitcherPro Widgets' toggles...

It says in the market that it doesn't work for LTE. What's up with that?
Might have to wait for a VZW specific ROM that has it in the pulldown menu.

arrtoodeetoo said:
It says in the market that it doesn't work for LTE. What's up with that?
Might have to wait for a VZW specific ROM that has it in the pulldown menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I'd like something with Tasker/Locale features. Turn off LTE when the screen is off, turn on LTE when it's on...

That's what I have been looking for all day...lte off when screen off. Not that my screen has been of much so far...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

takaides said:
Personally, I'd like something with Tasker/Locale features. Turn off LTE when the screen is off, turn on LTE when it's on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or 4G when screen is on, 3G when screen is off so you still get notifications. Also, an option to auto switch to 3G after the battery gets below a certain level would be nice.
Of course, even running 3G all day, my battery life stinks. I'm going to let it discharge overnight and see if that helps it condition a little.

Glad someone else thought of this
I agree with the idea of LTE being on/off with the screen...however, I would also like to see a toggle as well for times when I'm using the phone but not the internet.

I feel like switching between 4G and 3G that often would hurt your battery life (Keep having to find signal)

Bobb_o said:
I feel like switching between 4G and 3G that often would hurt your battery life (Keep having to find signal)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I think it would be a very poor solution. One of the most battery intensive tasks is searching for signal. Doing that every time you turn on and off your screen?
I had and an EVO 4G and now an EVO 3D (my buddy just got a GN LTE and is looking for a 4G toggle) and I've found the best way to preserve battery is to stay on 3G 90% of the time. If I'm about to download a bunch of apps or 3G is just going too damn slow, I quickly toggle on 4G and turn it off before I pocket the phone. Treating it as a "turbo mode" basically.

I don't know of a working toggle as of yet. If you wanted, you can manually change the setting under Settings > Mobile Networks > Network mode and changing it to "CDMA" only

Widgetsoid 2.0 has a 4g enable/disable widget but it says experimental and is greyed out. Hopefully something coming soon...

Have you tried juice defender (free version in market)? I don't live in a 4g area so my lte radio is always off, but hypothetically juice defender would auto toggle the 3g/4g radios.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I'm still searching for a 3g/4g toggle widget or something. I would also like to leave the 4g off except when I am downloading or browsing. My house is also just out of 4g's reach so It would also be nice to disable 4g when on wifi.
Has anyone found anything that works? It seems like it would be a very simple app to create.

I have the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and I had this same problem. I use "Date Enabler Widget" and it works perfect

Doubler9 said:
I have the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and I had this same problem. I use "Date Enabler Widget" and it works perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.farproc.data.enabler
This appears to be a complete data on/off toggle - not a 3G/4G toggle

thrillerbee said:
This appears to be a complete data on/off toggle - not a 3G/4G toggle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nd that. There is a 'toggle' called LTE Switch but it just takes you to the menu item, so it's not a true solution. But it gets us about 80% of the way there. I figure it's only a matter of time until Extended or Widgetsoid get a working toggle.

nycebo said:
2nd that. There is a 'toggle' called LTE Switch but it just takes you to the menu item, so it's not a true solution. But it gets us about 80% of the way there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep. that's what i've been using. works fine..

I'll give the Data Enabler a shot.
Saves me a bit of trouble at least for the time being

takaides said:
Personally, I'd like something with Tasker/Locale features. Turn off LTE when the screen is off, turn on LTE when it's on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locale + widgetsolid combo gives you the option to make a locale rule. It seems to work most of the time....
I'm still waiting for a widget toggle,...

I leave my phone on 4g all the time and get ~13 hours. I tried only 3g and my battery life was significantly less. IMO there isn't a built in switch for a reason.

Is there a way to FORCE HSPA?

My pings are terrible when on 3G but they are drastically reduced when it switches over to HSPA. Is there a way to force this? Would be nice to have this feature when using latency critical apps...or tethering for things like Xbox live.

Don't your phone switch over to HSPA when you are downloading?
It should be switching over to HSPA when downloading.
Beamed from my Grouper.

Mach3.2 said:
Don't your phone switch over to HSPA when you are downloading?
It should be switching over to HSPA when downloading.
Beamed from my Grouper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does... I was just wondering if there was a way to keep it in this mode even when not downloading. Sometimes it takes it a moment to switch over. And strictly running ping tests doesn't always cause it to switch.

colonelcack said:
Yes, it does... I was just wondering if there was a way to keep it in this mode even when not downloading. Sometimes it takes it a moment to switch over. And strictly running ping tests doesn't always cause it to switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It switches like that to save battery life, haven't heard of a way to force it though.

peachpuff said:
It switches like that to save battery life, haven't heard of a way to force it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yes I figured that was the reason for it. I just remember being able to force 3G in areas when the signal was weak and kept switching to EDGE with my old G1 by using anycut and making a shortcut to "phone info". Tried doing the same again with the Nexus but HSPA isn't an option to pick from. Still only "WCDMA" (3G) or GSM (2G).

If you go to your phone dailer and enter in *#*#4636#*#*, then go to phone information and at the bottom you can select WCDMA only.

biscuitownz said:
If you go to your phone dailer and enter in *#*#4636#*#*, then go to phone information and at the bottom you can select WCDMA only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, didn't know you could do it that way too...but this was the same thing I was describing above by using anycut. The problem with that is, even by selecting "WCDMA only" it doesn't differentiate 3G from HSPA...it's both.

LTE toggle app?

For those of us in Canada and some on AT&T that were fortunate enough to snag some LTE for their Nexus 4s, can anyone develop a nice toggle that allows us to flip between LTE and HSPA+/3G?
I guess all we need is something that can switch between the options of "WCDMA preferred" and "LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)" in the *#*#4636#*#* menu.
Can anyone take a shot at it or point me to the direction that can accomplish the same thing? Maybe use Tasker?
Thanks in advance.

Is the connection type when you boot the phone determined by the carrier or some kind of system setting? If it's a system setting, could a different kernel or editing a system file stop it from reverting back when you power down the phone?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

hoponpop said:
Is the connection type when you boot the phone determined by the carrier or some kind of system setting? If it's a system setting, could a different kernel or editing a system file stop it from reverting back when you power down the phone?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already a build.prop edit method floating around that prevents a reboot from reverting back to HSPA+, but I'm more concerned with a toggle that flips LTE on and off.
The battery drain is pretty immense with LTE so I don't want it permanently on and would like to be able to flip it on and off when needed.

Enhanced said:
There is already a build.prop edit method floating around that prevents a reboot from reverting back to HSPA+, but I'm more concerned with a toggle that flips LTE on and off.
The battery drain is pretty immense with LTE so I don't want it permanently on and would like to be able to flip it on and off when needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Certain things such as location based services dont work with the LTE,
im hoard 4sq and such so yea, it doesn't work properly
but i do enjoy the speeds

Tethering doesn't work with LTE enabled for me. Is this normal?
OP, couldn't you just use a 3G or HSPA only toggle to toggle LTE on and off?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

hoponpop said:
Tethering doesn't work with LTE enabled for me. Is this normal?
OP, couldn't you just use a 3G or HSPA only toggle to toggle LTE on and off?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea, except I don't know if there is such thing as a 3G/HSPA toggle? I searched the Play Store and didn't find one.

just use the 'phone info' app to quickly switch LTE only or GSM auto PRL
those are my two settings i need only
i do have rogers APN ltemobile.apn in network settings, im on rogers
when i reboot it always uses that ltemobile.apn
it doesn't use the other default rogers one

cobyman7035 said:
just use the 'phone info' app to quickly switch LTE only or GSM auto PRL
those are my two settings i need only
i do have rogers APN ltemobile.apn in network settings, im on rogers
when i reboot it always uses that ltemobile.apn
it doesn't use the other default rogers one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is nice to bridge the inconvenience a little, but I would still prefer if there was something that could just one click LTE on and off. I assume this won't be something as simple as an app that could do this and would require some sort of coding or script that is out of my skill level.
Just hoping some crafty dev could come along and churn something out.
Thanks for the help though, the app definitely alleviates some of the hassle.

Enhanced said:
The app is nice to bridge the inconvenience a little, but I would still prefer if there was something that could just one click LTE on and off. I assume this won't be something as simple as an app that could do this and would require some sort of coding or script that is out of my skill level.
Just hoping some crafty dev could come along and churn something out.
Thanks for the help though, the app definitely alleviates some of the hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now, I'm using Notification Toggle, it can add a 4G toggle to your notification shade that sends you directly to the 4636 menu, after that, you still have to select the LTE option in that menu, but its better than nothing I guess.

[GUIDE] [HOW TO] Fix VS986 dropping down to 3G/H+ from 4G LTE

I've been working on a fix since a long time now. If you are in SD community then you prolly know me. Anyway I was able to fix this on two of my phones and it's working fine. I tested for 12 hours now. I'll also tell you in the end what problems I'm seeing. I'm also working on a fix for that.
I noticed that a service is started when the fallback happens but if I kill that service the network also dies. But if you follow the below method it safely starts a new service which kills the one that's responsible for killing the 4G/LTE
1. Upgrade your phone to 13B firmware
2. Root 13B
3. Now download Shortcut Master lite app from play store.
4. Now add these shortcuts to your favorites in the "Shortcut Master lite app". You can search for "LTE" and click on search button
LTEBandSelection
LTETestMain
LTE System Selection
CDMAPreference
5. Now click on "LTEBandSelection" and enable all the bands
6. Save and reboot
7. You now need to enable your data and turn off your wifi. Make sure your phone is in Global mode (in settings >> Mobile networks >> System select)
8. After your phone is rebooted open "Shortcut Master lite" app.
9. Now tap on LTETestMain
10. Select Click on CDMA preference.
Now choose Band preference and select "any"
P_REV_Preference ---> "MOB_P_REV 3
This is important.. EVDO Revision --> Rev A
11. "LTE Connect w/o IMS PDN" must be checked
12. Now go back to your main menu in shortcut master lit app
13. This step is very important. Changing the timeout is important. Tap on LTE System Selection
Except "Scan duration" add a couple zeros to all the other timers. For eg: T_mpsr timer (Min) is 200
The fallback timer will reset itself after reboot. But don't worry the configuration is already updated with the new value. For some reasons the shortcut master lite app is not picking it up.
14. Now finally click on "CDMA preference" in the main menu and make sure it has the value you set in Step 10
At step 10 or 13 your network should go away and your phone should complain about "no network". That's fine. just ignore the message.
Now finally reboot your phone. That's it. You should now have 4G LTE and it won't fallback to 3G or H+
The only problem is when I'm on a call my 4G LTE is dropped to 3G/H+. But after I hang up it goes back to 4G LTE after 12 seconds. I don't know if it's an expected behavior. But I'm trying to see if there is a fix for that.
I tested this with Tmobile. Make sure your APN settings are correct.

Not working for me on Cricket (AT&T). Still will always go back to H+, 4G LTE only works when I select CDMA.

konradsa said:
Not working for me on Cricket (AT&T). Still will always go back to H+, 4G LTE only works when I select CDMA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it on my two phones (Both tmobile). My friend just tried it on his phone. It worked for him too.

motorhead_biker said:
I tried it on my two phones (Both tmobile). My friend just tried it on his phone. It worked for him too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great! I hope we can figure out also what we need to do to get it to work for AT&T, I am sure it's probably just some small tweaks required.

konradsa said:
That's great! I hope we can figure out also what we need to do to get it to work for AT&T, I am sure it's probably just some small tweaks required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try it with my roomies att sim tonight. He has a nano sim, I need to find a sim adapter.

Awesome, thank you! worked for me T-mobile.
it initially didn't work but I had to turn data off then on.
It also cycles me to 2g speed for a few seconds sometimes but that may be due to poor signal in building.

pwtzz said:
Awesome, thank you! worked for me T-mobile.
it initially didn't work but I had to turn data off then on.
It also cycles me to 2g speed for a few seconds sometimes but that may be due to poor signal in building.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah It's due to the poor signal. I got that too. You can check your signal strength using LTE discover app.
But overall it's working fine for Tmobile. I'm gonna try and fix ATT tonight.

Is 13B the main thing in the solution? I've changed these settings before on 11A and wasn't fixed. I tried these numbers on 11A and still don't work.
Also, unless a phone supports VOLTE, it'll fall back to 3G/H for calls.

eigen said:
Is 13B the main thing in the solution? I've changed these settings before on 11A and wasn't fixed. I tried these numbers on 11A and still don't work.
Also, unless a phone supports VOLTE, it'll fall back to 3G/H for calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried in 11A and it didn't work for me. So I guess it needs 13B.

So I tried various combinations last night for AT&T/Cricket, but I was not able to get it to work. No matter what I tried, when I had 4G LTE, voice wouldn't work and whenever voice worked, I was back to H+.
If others are reporting that T-Mobile works reliably on 4G and nobody can figure out how to make this work for AT&T, I guess it's time to switch to T-Mobile.

konradsa said:
So I tried various combinations last night for AT&T/Cricket, but I was not able to get it to work. No matter what I tried, when I had 4G LTE, voice wouldn't work and whenever voice worked, I was back to H+.
If others are reporting that T-Mobile works reliably on 4G and nobody can figure out how to make this work for AT&T, I guess it's time to switch to T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Hold on. I have a solution for ATT too. I tried something last night. Actually while I was working on a solution for ATT I found that we don't even have to go through the steps I mentioned in my OP to solve the problem. It boils down to invoking a service and killing a native VZW service.
The ATT solution I have works but in low signal area 4G fades and it doesn't fallback to 3G or H+. I had to recycle data to get 3G or H+.

It's Working!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
You just made my life much better now!
I finally have a phone which is great and also finally have good reception!
I Love U!

motorhead_biker said:
No. Hold on. I have a solution for ATT too. I tried something last night. Actually while I was working on a solution for ATT I found that we don't even have to go through the steps I mentioned in my OP to solve the problem. It boils down to invoking a service and killing a native VZW service.
The ATT solution I have works but in low signal area 4G fades and it doesn't fallback to 3G or H+. I had to recycle data to get 3G or H+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that same thing happens when you switch to CDMA mode with AT&T. Voice doesn't work then (obviously), but it also doesn't fall back to H+ automatically, when you lose 4G coverage you pretty much lose signal all together.

konradsa said:
Yes, that same thing happens when you switch to CDMA mode with AT&T. Voice doesn't work then (obviously), but it also doesn't fall back to H+ automatically, when you lose 4G coverage you pretty much lose signal all together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know. I also know why that is happening. Actually I think it's a bug in the baseband firmware. But we can fix that issue by just overriding the command that was sent by baseband firmware.

ron.r said:
It's Working!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
You just made my life much better now!
I finally have a phone which is great and also finally have good reception!
I Love U!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol.. rep me in SD :laugh:

konradsa said:
Yes, that same thing happens when you switch to CDMA mode with AT&T. Voice doesn't work then (obviously), but it also doesn't fall back to H+ automatically, when you lose 4G coverage you pretty much lose signal all together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a working fix for AT&T/Cricket? Is it different than the T-Mobile?

motorhead_biker said:
Lol.. rep me in SD :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha! You are repped!
What root did you use? and steps?
easyroot?
did you split the file and merge it back?

I must have really bad luck or something. It doesn't work for me. The Tbsr_cdma timer resets back to 2 at reboot.
Edit: Appears to be working. Nice job!

renoob said:
Ha! You are repped!
What root did you use? and steps?
easyroot?
did you split the file and merge it back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root? I just flashed the rooted sys image. That's it. instead of copying it in the FAT32 memory card just copy it to your phone's internal and you don't have to deal with split and merge stuff

If it drops out of 4G on a call then you're talking on 1X. So no video chat, no HD voice and no voice + data?