Develop Bugs

[Q] Preferred Network Type won't stick?

I'm trying to set "Preferred Network Type" to "GSM auto (PRL)" on my Galaxy Nexus as 3G coverage is really poor at work.
I get into the menu with *#*#4636#*#*, select "Phone information", choose the option in the drop down box, but if I press back and then enter the information menu again, it's back on "GSM/WCDMA auto" (the default)
Does anyone know a way to make this setting stick? There doesn't appear to be a save or update button anywhere.

Bumping this as it got little attention before.

webvictim said:
I'm trying to set "Preferred Network Type" to "GSM auto (PRL)" on my Galaxy Nexus as 3G coverage is really poor at work.
I get into the menu with *#*#4636#*#*, select "Phone information", choose the option in the drop down box, but if I press back and then enter the information menu again, it's back on "GSM/WCDMA auto" (the default)
Does anyone know a way to make this setting stick? There doesn't appear to be a save or update button anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't stick on the nexus s either. I've simply come to the conclusion that samsung doesn't implement these things properly. Never have I had as many radio/gps issues on devices made by any other manufacturer as I have on samsung devices.

Just posting to say that the settings does stick on mine (I know this since I had to use it to disabled 2G back when the volume bug was rampant) so it must be a problem with certain set ups. No idea how to fix it though. Try a factory reset I guess?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Interesting. I guess I'm going to have to go for a factory reset when I root it so will give it a try again afterwards.

Same thing here, any updates on this issue? Thank you.

The factory reset made no difference. In the end I've gone with rooting my phone and installing Toggle2G, which switches the phone to 2G when on wifi or when the screen's been off for a long time. This basically has the effect I wanted and saves a *lot* of battery power into the bargain.

Instead of hitting back after setting just hit home button it sticks if I do that
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iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn

I thought that but I can't really be certain that it's ever made the right option stick.

Yea just go back in and it will stay where you left it....hit home to get out
-----------
iphones are the creation of people with nowhere left to turn

Thought I'd update this and point out that the LG Nexus 4 seems to have the same problem - putting GSM auto (PRL) on doesn't actually disconnect the HSDPA service. Of course, it's possible that the networks just aren't very good at updating their own PRLs as I understand it's something that has to be engineered by them. I just want a setting where if the 3G signal is rubbish and the 2G is good, it'll stop trying to use the crap 3G and use the good 2G instead and save my battery. Might be requesting something impossible, though.

Don't press back, select it and just press home, don't swipe it off the recent app list too, that way it will stick.

This appears to work much better on the Nexus 4 (which I now have) than it did on the Galaxy Nexus

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I just moved a locked Samsung A10e from AT&T to Mint (T-Mobile).
Here's what I learned:
I should have first unlocked the phone while still active on AT&T. This way I could still perform actions on the phone.
Then test the phone with the new sim before transferring the number. This way I can still use the phone.
I would have discovered the unlock still had a problem.
Here's what I learned. My Samsung was Unlocked by AT&T through their online request (https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/)
I inserted the new sim but it wasn't connecting to Mint. I found that if I changed the preferred network to "GSM/WCDMA preferred," (*#*#4636#*#*)
this resulted in a connection to Mint. But if I rebooted, it would revert back.
Then I found code *#2263#. I changed the setting here and the phone stayed on Mint after reboot. I changed the Band Selection from Automatic to WCDMA/GSM auto connect.
If you want to re-enter your unlock code, try this code #7465625*638*#.
The last thing would be to transfer the number according to AT&T process or dial *PORT.

At&t temoraly RAT removal

I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.

could you explain what "RAT restriction" is and what removing it will provide?

kirkgbr said:
could you explain what "RAT restriction" is and what removing it will provide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a thread that talks about RAT restrictions. It appears to have to do with restricting access to certain bands, but I am swimming in waters that are deeper than my skills will allow.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1189241

norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Units->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gonna do a run for this later today to see if it will actually work for allowing band selection and sticking.

It seemed to work for me, but it's only been a couple of minutes so far after turning off LTE. BTW, the first menu is "UMTS", not "Units".
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Any suggestions on how to make these changes permanent without rooting?

Since there is now a known code to lift restrictions until reboot, I hope some dev will figure out a way on stock based roms (both stock and mods), as well as AOSP based, to make it permanent. I have tried AOKP and CM10 in hopes the LTE and 2G toggles would work but no dice with AT&T SGS3.
Anonymously_Unknown said:
Any suggestions on how to make these changes permanent without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given the issue at hand, it is most likely a deeply embedded setting that will not be available to standard user base (non rooted), henceforth root access or even on a programming level will be needed to make the necessary changes. How the changes will be made available, if it is done, will depend on what was needed to make it permanent. This raises the question of where is this restriction coded into the AT&T SGS3. Is it firmware, ROM, SIM related, Radio? Seriously doubt it is hardware itself since there are ways to get around the restriction.

larryka said:
It seemed to work for me, but it's only been a couple of minutes so far after turning off LTE. BTW, the first menu is "UMTS", not "Units".
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are corect. I make correction in OP.

Testing RAT unlock now.
norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Testing this method now. So far I am running on 2G. I will give it at least a couple of hours and will update this post accordingly.
Update: I was messing around and decided to save this USSD (the official name of these secret dialer codes) in my contacts. From dialer you can start pressing *#1 and when it appears just press it. This gives quick access should you need to change radios often. I also want to add that instead of going back into *#2263# you can also select the band from *#197328640#. If you want to change it immediately, then once you get the confirmation "Now RAT Free Supporting" press the menu key on the left of the Home button. Select back and repeat again to go back again. Then, instead of choosing Network Lock choose Network Control-->Band Selection. This takes you to the same menu that *#2263# does and you can select accordingly.
@norbarb...perhaps you can update your OP to reflect that you can stay within the original selection instead of *#2263# and just go back twice to access the band selection. It is just one more way of doing things.
I also did the test of rebooting my phone. As mentioned by norbarb, if you have rebooted the RAT restriction is back in place. Regardless of which option you take to the band selection it will show RAT restriction until you follow the OPs steps again to remove restriction. Have not found a way for permanent removal of the restriction yet (I am optimistic and really want this permanent so I will look very hard to find a solution.). Also when I rebooted I had GSM 2G only selected prior and I kept the option upon reboot so only the RAT restriction is reset...not the network band settings.
Update 2: After 4 hours I am still on 2G Edge. I am in a very good LTE location so this is definitely the most promising outlook. I have found that I despite my love for the look of AOSP roms, the inability to turn on 2G at all will keep me with TW for now. Thankfully I do not mind the look of TW and with root, I can kill the Bloatware. I will look at all of the options in the *#197328640# menus and see if there is anything that may can be applied for permanent access. I also wonder if the secret to overriding the lack of options for network choices in *#*#4636#*#* will be here as well as this would more preferable to shut down LTE only.

aybarrap1 said:
I also did the test of rebooting my phone. As mentioned by norbarb, if you have rebooted the RAT restriction is back in place. Regardless of which option you take to the band selection it will show RAT restriction until you follow the OPs steps again to remove restriction. Have not found a way for permanent removal of the restriction yet (I am optimistic and really want this permanent so I will look very hard to find a solution.). Also when I rebooted I had GSM 2G only selected prior and I kept the option upon reboot so only the RAT restriction is reset...not the network band settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Isn't the problem with doing this, say if you disable LTE and only select HSPA, it wont go to any 2G networks if you are out of coverage. Because its not on 'automatic', its on HSPA. So if you are out of a service zone of HSPA, then you dont have anything to fall back to.
If only there was a way to disable LTE, and use the other networks 'automatically'.

geoldr said:
Isn't the problem with doing this, say if you disable LTE and only select HSPA, it wont go to any 2G networks if you are out of coverage. Because its not on 'automatic', its on HSPA. So if you are out of a service zone of HSPA, then you dont have anything to fall back to.
If only there was a way to disable LTE, and use the other networks 'automatically'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the problem. However, AT&T in their infinite focus on trying to force users to their networks of choice has purposely had the ability to do network selections disabled. Under normal circumstances in android devices the option of network selection is under settings and mobile networks option. This is removed I am sure at AT&T's request. The other way to access this is to use USSD *#*#4636#*#* in dialer and select "Device Information" which will give you an option to choose a network preference. While the USSD works the option to select network preference does not work.
At least with the option to unlock RAT and using USSD *#2263#, it gives some sort of ability to choose a network. For me this is perfect since I want the 2G only due to poor 3G and LTE signals at work. However you are right that it is not convenient if you just want LTE off. For the moment there is no known way to obtain this option on the AT&T SGS3.

aybarrap1 said:
That is the problem. However, AT&T in their infinite focus on trying to force users to their networks of choice has purposely had the ability to do network selections disabled. Under normal circumstances in android devices the option of network selection is under settings and mobile networks option. This is removed I am sure at AT&T's request. The other way to access this is to use USSD *#*#4636#*#* in dialer and select "Device Information" which will give you an option to choose a network preference. While the USSD works the option to select network preference does not work.
At least with the option to unlock RAT and using USSD *#2263#, it gives some sort of ability to choose a network. For me this is perfect since I want the 2G only due to poor 3G and LTE signals at work. However you are right that it is not convenient if you just want LTE off. For the moment there is no known way to obtain this option on the AT&T SGS3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I also think it's something to do with AT&T network setup. Because on AOSP ROM's we can't toggle LTE either. But the same ROM on a Canadian model phone will work just fine.
Even though the iphone has an LTE toggle. At least I read somewhere that it does.

geoldr said:
Yep. I also think it's something to do with AT&T network setup. Because on AOSP ROM's we can't toggle LTE either. But the same ROM on a Canadian model phone will work just fine.
Even though the iphone has an LTE toggle. At least I read somewhere that it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with the network setup...it is the carrier forcing restrictions on their customers. I have had three other android phones (including my wifes) in the last three years. All of them were restricted from choosing the network from stock rom. The moment I uploaded a ROM such as CM or other AOSP Roms I was magically able to do a network select. I even had to Windows phones (6.1 and 6.5) and both of them were stripped but with some registry edits I was able to add the option back to select between 3G/2G and 2g only. It is AT&T's way and they are notorious for it.
On a side note, I would not be surprised if AT&T is the primary corporate network that pushed for this network SIM lock ruling by the Congressional Librarian. Of all the carriers they have the most to lose.

If you want to select multiple bands and still turn lte off..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37334232
Galaxy S III I747

fmllc said:
If you want to select multiple bands and still turn lte off..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37334232
Galaxy S III I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been testing this for the last 4 hours and it does seem to work. Went to 2g only area and it switched perfectly to 2G and reverted back to 3g when I left the area. However I am not able to do GSM ONLY (2G only) using this method. You will have to follow the instructions on this thread for that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to set radio by pressing *#2263#?
And what is RTA will lock back after restarting?

So what is the benefit of the ability to change bands?

OKAstro said:
So what is the benefit of the ability to change bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could result in battery savings and reduced dropped calls. For instance, I am often in and out of areas with little to no bandwidths under LTE. At default, my phone would always looking for an LTE signal which means my battery takes a pounding. By having my phone only look for 2G/3G, I do not take as large of a battery hit. Besides that, LTE does consume more power. For the most part I leave my phone with LTE off because the data speed is not crucial for me. At home I have a really fast WiFi network so it is better to be on it anyway while at home.

aybarrap1 said:
It could result in battery savings and reduced dropped calls. For instance, I am often in and out of areas with little to no bandwidths under LTE. At default, my phone would always looking for an LTE signal which means my battery takes a pounding. By having my phone only look for 2G/3G, I do not take as large of a battery hit. Besides that, LTE does consume more power. For the most part I leave my phone with LTE off because the data speed is not crucial for me. At home I have a really fast WiFi network so it is better to be on it anyway while at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK Thanks. But under Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks/Network Mode there are 13 "band" combination choices. Do those choices not provide what you''re looking for (i.e.2G/3G)?
I've never changed mine, so I'm curious

SCH-530U US Cellular on Tmobile 4G LTE (HELP)

While messing with the setting in the hidden Menu.
I unlock the T-Mobile LTE Network on My US Cellular GS3
Internet: T-Mobile US LTE
Band: LTE:14
Data Speeds 20mbps down 3.6 mbps up
Mms: Works Flawless
Now My Problem. i cant make a phone call or receive a phone call
My Setting
Hidden Menu: *#22745927
enable hidden menu
*#197328640#
[1] UMTS > DEBUG SCREEN > PHONE CONTROL > NETWORK CONTROL > BAND SELECTION to set GSM Band preference
[2] CDMA > COMMON > NEXT PAGE > NEXT PAGE > PREF MODE SET to select GSM/WCDMA ONLY
SIM>TEST CSIM
WAIT 90 SECONDS THE REBOOT
VOILA! TMOBILE LTE.
Now i have succesfully unlock The Verison GS3 to Tmobile on Edge is there a way to port that radio. to get cell connectivity.
or if anyone want to try to tweak these settings to get more than just LTE connection. or get Voice over LTE working!

I do believe that you need the HSPA radio to make phone calls as T-Mobile does not yet support VoLTE.
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-5627

What are you doing for apn setting? There are 3 for tmo-us that I know of. 1)gsm 2)lte 3)lte ipv6. You may have to down load an apn app. Apn manager pro worked well for me or offline sim apn database. Not sure what you use for network mode settings but use build prop editort open it up and find the settings telephony.lteoncdmadevice & telephony.lteongsmdevice use value 1 on both. Add lines if not there. This may open up more network types under setting/...network mode. Google build prop edit or tweaks to find more info. Good luck.

i535 radio/modem
Been thinking about you question to swap modems. Do not use the i535. The modem that would be ideal I believe is the r530m. That is metro PC variant. T-Mobile merged with the.... Do I need to explain more? Any how I can not say it will even work. I will say that T999L is no good. Found out first hand and still dead in the water with it. I would explore the APN settings and network selection modes with build prop mods before flashing. I am not even sure about the LTE bands and who has what and where. If I am able to revive my 530u I will see what I can find.

Where can I get the r530m modem? Can't find it anywhere.

mjstallion said:
Where can I get the r530m modem? Can't find it anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also stuck, bumping an old thread but I need to figure this out

Testicopolicious said:
I'm also stuck, bumping an old thread but I need to figure this out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, is it possible to flash the R530M modem????

I'm in need of the Testmode Menu settings for G920P unlocked for TMO

***SOLVED*** Thanks!
Hey guys I'm in need of the default settings for a Sprint S6's Testmode Menu. Specifically, the Network Controls, GCF, Preference Mode or pretty any way to set the S6 back to the way it came with Sprint plus the GSM unlock for T-Mobile. In settings/Mobile Networks/Network Mode was Auto before my mishap with the settings. I also had two APNS for TMO one for LTE data and the other for MMS and in service mode, it was set to Global. I changed stuff around in Testmode Menu and thought I had put it all back to how it was, but now when I set it to GSM/WCDMA/LTE, I will get GSM in areas I know for sure had full LTE. It will also say GSM/WCDMA/LTE in Network Mode through settings, which isn't an available option through there and which was originally Automatic when working. I wish to get back to the way things were. My phone was unlocked via GC Pro from an XDA member. I had changed the settings in hopes to improve my signal at homr because going to my neighbor's house improved signal. M changes worked, but randomly would say No Service. Anyway, please please help! If you have any other suggestions, that'll work to.

Force 4G only.

Is there any way we can force cellular network to be 4G LTE only? I want to stop it from automatically switching to H+.
I'm on stock nougat, rooted.

I think you can change it in the hidden service menu. BUT be VERY CAREFUL not to change other things in there.
First make sure your preferred network type is LTE auto, not 3g or 2g only.
Next, go to phone / dialer app.
Enter: *#*#4636#*#*
It should automatically direct to Testing menu, with Phone information, Usage statistics, and Wi-Fi information choice.
Select "Phone information".
Warning: There's many things to see here, but you can easily ruin your radio band in here. Just follow this guide and do not even touch other things.
Go to "set preferred network type"
I'm not sure what it would show for your phone, but for mine it shows "LTE/UMTS auto (PRL)".
Select "LTE only". It should immediately reset your network to 4G.
If it still switches to 3G, then test other options in the "set preferred network type" option.
After finish, exit the hidden menu and clear it from recent apps menu.
Warning: DO NOT CHANGE OTHER VALUES IN THERE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IT COULD RUIN YOUR RADIO BAND IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL.

Thanks. It worked.