Note 4 searching for service on WiFi - Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I recently picked up a Note 4 for my wife and it's unrooted, locked up normal everything. It's on 5.1.1. Where she works, they do not get good cell reception (mostly not at all) and her phone is always searching for service even when she's on the company WiFi.
How can I make it stop searching for service? She does have advanced calling turned on as well.

You'd have to put it in airplane mode, and then turn on wifi separately. This will shut off the cellular radios, she won't receive any calls or texts (unless she's using Message+) and this will save a lot of battery.

Go into wifi settings and un click always search for available wifi. Enable airplane mode to kill the modem from searching for service.
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[Q] Can I turn off the cell radio completely?

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)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Cellular Network Connected but cannot call nor text

Does anyone have this problem of having excellent cellular network connection but still being unable to call, text or even use the internet? My friend sitting beside me is using the same network so I don't think it's an issue with the cell tower.
The only fix is to enable airplane mode and disable it. And even sometimes, the airplane mode refuses to turn back off and I have to reboot the phone. I've never had such cellular issues with a HTC phone before. Makes me think twice before ever buying one of their phones.
I'm using stock ROM, unrooted.

Airplane mode + WiFi calling

Where I live there is -50 bars of cell service, so when WiFi calling drops it starts searching and absolutely murders my battery life. Is there anyway to hack the system to allow WiFi calling while in airplane mode? I've heard certain phones can do it. Are there any devs on here that have the know how? I know we have some very talented people in the community so I'm hopeful. It seems like it should be pretty easy because while on WiFi calling the cell radios get shut off and WiFi works in airplane mode, so?
I'm just not convinced WiFi calling will ever be more reliable and only getting 9-12 hours on a charge really sucks! Anyways, here's to hoping for a fix!
If you go to WiFi Calling Settings -> Conection Preferences -> WiFi Only.
I think that would do the trick.
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^ Tried it out of curiosity because it would be useful to me, but that does not work.
I wonder if it would work if you used a program like Tasker to cut only the cell radios without explicitly entering "airplane mode". Although I'm not 100% sure that is possible or if some other work-around is needed.
Maybe there's something that can be added to the csc feature.xml? Not sure what it'd be but theres already these listed:
<CscFeature_Settings_Airplane_Wifi_Dependency>false</CscFeature_Settings_Airplane_Wifi_Dependency>
CscFeature_Web_Bool_StartWIFISettingInAirplaneMode>false</CscFeature_Web_Bool_StartWIFISettingInAirplaneMode>
You could check other devicrs that have wifi calling and see if theirs is listed. This may not even work, but could be worth a look.
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---------- Post added at 05:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 AM ----------
Also, there's an app in the store called Bobsled Calling (also a Bobsled Messaging app) listed under T-Mobile top picks. Don't know how good it really is, but I was thinking bout giving it a shot on my old phone that has no cellular service at all.
One of the only ones I've seen where the people you call don't also have to have the app.
Maybe it'll allow you wifi calls under airplane mode?
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You can try going to your Phone app and typing in *#*#4636#*#* -> Device information and then hit the 'Turn off radio' button. I used it before when Hurricane Sandy knocked out the cell towers and I was left with just random WiFi hotspots, but this was back on ICS. Though I don't see why it shouldn't work with JB.
If the code doesn't work, go to the Play Store and download an app called 'Phone info' (Author: [email protected]). The app should take you to the Testing menu.
Instead of constantly typing all those numbers (*#*#4636#*#*), download the app, Phone Info in the Play Store and there you go....
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That app doesn't work because when WiFi calling is working the radio is idle. Service menu is a no go.
Sorry I didn't post it as a Q but I didn't have a clear question. I wanted to discuss the topic. I thought about yet where to post it before I did, thanks.
WiFi calling with Cellular Radio turned off
I am trying to accomplish the same thing but was approaching it from a different angle. The service menu idea doesn't work.
We are both trying to accomplish the same thing. Use WiFi calling while having the Cellular radio turned off. Airplane mode turns off all radios and you can re-enable the WiFi radio. However the Galaxy S III will not allow a call to be made while the phone is in airplane mode. This is a low level system issue and not related to the dialer (I tired three different dialers).
Does any body know of a way to do this??? PLEASE??? I'm leaving for Brazil in 4 days for a month and I would like to be able to do this in Brazil.
This is a copy from another posting:
ChitownWingMan said:
I am trying to enable WiFi calling with the cellular radio turned off.
According to Samsung & T-Mobile the only official way to turn of the cellular radio is to enable Airplane mode.
Here is the procedure that I tried:
Enable Airplane Mode
Turn on WiFi
Connect to a functioning WiFi hotspot
Enable WiFi Calling
Wait for the WiFi Calling Icon to appear in the status bar
Make a WiFi call
At this point the dialer sits at the dialing screen for more than 10 minutes (I bailed at 10 minutes). As soon as I abort the dialing attempt a dialog box pops up saying you cannot make a call while in Airplane mode.
Is there any way to completely disable the cellular radio without putting the phone in Airplane Mode?
Is there an app that will do this?
Is there a hidden that will do this?
Please don't use bandwidth by asking why I want to do this or suggesting that I use Skype or some other app. My goal is to be able to make and receive VOIP calls while the cellular radio is completely disabled.
Thank you for your help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think maybe the phone HAS to ping a cell tower in order to make WiFi calling work. For your purposes just set the WiFi calling connection preference to WiFi only.
psykhotic said:
I think maybe the phone HAS to ping a cell tower in order to make WiFi calling work. For your purposes just set the WiFi calling connection preference to WiFi only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have zero reception at my house and wifi calling works.
Setting it to "WIFI only" doesn't allow it to work the way that's wanted - it just tells the phone to only make calls over WIFI - but that doesn't open up the ability to do so when the radios are off. From what is described I agree that this sounds like a conflict with the low-level integration.
Did anyone try that Bobsled app I mentioned earlier?
It claims that I could put it on a tablet or my old phone that has no sim/data, and it would work.
If it were to work is that something that could get you by for a while? I understand not wanting to go 3rd party, but it could be the only option for now. It is a tmobile app btw.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
I meant for the guy going abroad. Although he needs to also make sure data roaming is off, I think.
Doc I did look but my problem is I want to use my tmo number. I have a house phone but it's really frustrating to tell people they have to try me at two different numbers. And not being able to text.
psykhotic said:
I meant for the guy going abroad. Although he needs to also make sure data roaming is off, I think.
Doc I did look but my problem is I want to use my tmo number. I have a house phone but it's really frustrating to tell people they have to try me at two different numbers. And not being able to text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's also a Bobsled messaging app. Pretty sure its the same deal and works via wifi.
Also, I could've sworn it said that you have the option of using your current cell number. Maybe I'm mixed up on it...
Anyway, its just a suggestion for looking at. I have no idea how good it really is... just don't have many other ideas for you guys at this point.
I wonder if there could be a build.prop value that would disable cellular only. Or set its scan frequency like you can do for wifi.
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What were they thinking
psykhotic said:
I think maybe the phone HAS to ping a cell tower in order to make WiFi calling work. For your purposes just set the WiFi calling connection preference to WiFi only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done some more research.
I was able to turn off just my cellular radio by using the phone info application to enter the service menu (Phone Info App->Device Information, scroll down and select Turn off radio).
With the cellular radio turned off I tried to enable Wifi Calling (Settings->More Settings->W-Fi Calling).
The phone says "enabling", turns on the cellular radio (without any messaging saying that it is doing this) and then says "Ready for Calls".
I also tried enabling WiFi Calling first and then turning off the cellular radio (using the method outlined above). But the cellular radio would not turn off as long as WiFi calling is enabled.
I don't know if this is a bug or a "feature" but for WiFi Calling to work on the T-Mobile SGH-T999 (4.0.4 Firmware) the cellular radio must be enabled. Though I'm sure T-Mobile has a reason for this the logic of it escapes me. WiFi calling should not need the cellular radio for any reason. I use Skype all the time and it doesn't need cellular service to operate on WiFi.
If anybody out there knows how I can make and receive phone calls using my regular cell phone number exclusively via WiFi (with the cellular radio disabled) please let me know. Many thanks to the person who figures this out
As long as you are connected to Wi-Fi, with Wi-Fi calling activated (blue icon showing), it should automatically disable the cellular radio. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, but no blue Wi-Fi calling icon, then it will turn on cell radio and start searching for towers.
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Lagar said:
As long as you are connected to Wi-Fi, with Wi-Fi calling activated (blue icon showing), it should automatically disable the cellular radio. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, but no blue Wi-Fi calling icon, then it will turn on cell radio and start searching for towers.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duh.. the reason to use it in airplane mode for me is that WiFi calling disconnects every few minutes and when the cell radio is searching since I have 0 coverage it absolutely kills my battery.
psykhotic said:
Duh.. the reason to use it in airplane mode for me is that WiFi calling disconnects every few minutes and when the cell radio is searching since I have 0 coverage it absolutely kills my battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but you're not making any sense. You're complaining about your phone's search for cell towers killing your battery because your Wi-Fi calling keeps disconnecting? Let's say you find a way to disable your cell connection. Your Wi-Fi calling still keeps disconnecting and you still can't receive or place calls. What's the point? Longer lasting "iPod"? Maybe start looking for a way to fix your Wi-Fi calling problem would be a better solution, ie. Flashing a different ROM until you find something more stable. Duh!
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Lagar said:
As long as you are connected to Wi-Fi, with Wi-Fi calling activated (blue icon showing), it should automatically disable the cellular radio. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, but no blue Wi-Fi calling icon, then it will turn on cell radio and start searching for towers.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the following options available (all of these options have the cellular radio enabled and working at all times):
1. Make calls using the cellular network only - WiFi Calling disabled.
2. Wi-Fi Preferred - Make calls using WiFi Calling if a valid WiFi network is available and connected. Cellular network calls are made when a WiFi network is not available.
2. WiFi Only - Makes only WiFi calls. Cellular calls are not made when a WiFi network is not available. Note: This does NOT disable the cellular radio.
3. Cellular Preferred - Makes cellular network calls are made if a cellular network is available. WiFi calls are made if a cellular network is not available and a WiFi network is available and connected.
When enabling WiFi Calling the cellular radio is briefly disabled and then re-enabled..
Lagar said:
Sorry but you're not making any sense. You're complaining about your phone's search for cell towers killing your battery because your Wi-Fi calling keeps disconnecting? Let's say you find a way to disable your cell connection. Your Wi-Fi calling still keeps disconnecting and you still can't receive or place calls. What's the point? Longer lasting "iPod"? Maybe start looking for a way to fix your Wi-Fi calling problem would be a better solution, ie. Flashing a different ROM until you find something more stable. Duh!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried multiple ROMs and multiple routers so.....
My only "solution" would be to not use my phone at all at home and just turn it off. I'd rather have a longer lasting iPod than a paperweight.

Need advice- traveling avoiding roaming fees

Wondering if i can get some advice from some fellow members. I'm heading to Bahamas Sunday and i just called Verizon to find out what roaming fees would be like. Well to make a long story short, they but rape u very badly (.50/ text, 1.99/min, $25/mb of data!).
I did a test and was surprised that when airplane mode was on, that my WiFi still wouldn't work. I want to kill all data connection other than WiFi so i can use Google voice to text and make calls over the hotels WiFi. Is there a way to do this?
I was thinking that i could just kill data, however the kicker is there is also a charge for each text i receive also, even if i do not open it!
Any advice would help!!!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
You can turn airplane mode on, then manually turn WiFi back on as well. Cell data should remain off.

When on Wifi, cell signal switches from 4G and I lose all bars

So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
apols said:
So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
djpingpong said:
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the response, but I've already had wifi calling off.. because that feature was basically useless (could not rely on it ever).
My wife Note3 got the same problem, set cellular network preferred and then turn off wi-fi calling. Lose all cell signal bars. When no cell signal, caller ID became funny, like 718-123-4567;oli=63 212-123-4567;oli=00, had no idea.
My own note3 had the same setting, but everything fine. full cell signal bar. Try to google it, no glue!!!
Then I returned my wife note3 and get another one, everything fine.
I had the same problem. When I was on wifi I had no signals. I got a new sim card and the problem is now gone.
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danstarr said:
I had the same problem. When I was on wifi I had no signals. I got a new sim card and the problem is now gone.
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app
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Click to collapse
i dont think thats the issue, and why do you care because if you call someone it should be able to call and once you need to switch back to tmo it will w/o issue.
XxLostSoulxX said:
i dont think thats the issue, and why do you care because if you call someone it should be able to call and once you need to switch back to tmo it will w/o issue.
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Click to collapse
Uhh... it certainly doesn't switch back to t-mobile without issue. I drop the call. I haven't had a single call work the entire time while leaving my wifi on in my home.
Clearly, when it's on wifi, even if you have wifi calling turned off, it switches to some other network specifications, which appear to barely work where I live. The problem likely lies in the fact that when you turn wifi calling off, it does not switch your cellular network preferences back to normal properly, Instead, when wifi calling is off and you're still on wifi, it just doesn't route things through wifi, but doesn't actually change your mobile network settings back properly.
apols said:
Uhh... it certainly doesn't switch back to t-mobile without issue. I drop the call. I haven't had a single call work the entire time while leaving my wifi on in my home.
Clearly, when it's on wifi, even if you have wifi calling turned off, it switches to some other network specifications, which appear to barely work where I live. The problem likely lies in the fact that when you turn wifi calling off, it does not switch your cellular network preferences back to normal properly, Instead, when wifi calling is off and you're still on wifi, it just doesn't route things through wifi, but doesn't actually change your mobile network settings back properly.
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Click to collapse
well here's a question do you leave mobile data on even though you're connected to WiFi? As i have no problem because i have bars even when connected to WiFi because i leave mobile data on and have WiFi calling turned off. even if WiFi calling is turned off, and i turn WiFi off it switched to T-Mo network in seconds and i'm able to call someone so yeah no issue. you clearly have a problem with something or its the network where you live.
i'm not trying to be rude but it just doesn't make sense to me that you're having issues with something that shouldn't be a problem.
XxLostSoulxX said:
well here's a question do you leave mobile data on even though you're connected to WiFi? As i have no problem because i have bars even when connected to WiFi because i leave mobile data on and have WiFi calling turned off. even if WiFi calling is turned off, and i turn WiFi off it switched to T-Mo network in seconds and i'm able to call someone so yeah no issue. you clearly have a problem with something or its the network where you live.
i'm not trying to be rude but it just doesn't make sense to me that you're having issues with something that shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do leave mobile data on, all the time, continued issue.
djpingpong said:
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't actually work currently on the Note 3. there is a bug where any time you have wifi on the cellular entenna turns off regardless of the state of your wifi calling on a very large number of Note 3's. Lost Soul clearly hasn't been reading on the threads here. there are many on this topic. We get that you don't have the issue LostSoul, but that doesn't mean it isn't an issue.
HughesNet said:
This doesn't actually work currently on the Note 3. there is a bug where any time you have wifi on the cellular entenna turns off regardless of the state of your wifi calling on a very large number of Note 3's. Lost Soul clearly hasn't been reading on the threads here. there are many on this topic. We get that you don't have the issue LostSoul, but that doesn't mean it isn't an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Hughes,
I have found that when it enters that state, that if I go and turn wifi calling on and then set it to mobile-network preferred, it turns the cellular modem back on, at least for a little while. Can you point me in the direction of a more robust thread where others are discussing the issue?
apols said:
So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem on stock rom. Flash wicked rom earlier this morning, signal bars now showing bars instead of no bars on stock rom. been testing it all day long, signal bars still showing. Didn't change any settings. Just disable wifi calling.
sic_lic1o1 said:
I had the same problem on stock rom. Flash wicked rom earlier this morning, signal bars now showing bars instead of no bars on stock rom. been testing it all day long, signal bars still showing. Didn't change any settings. Just disable wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've flashed a rom as well and it appears as it might be fixed... hope so.. my phone is useless if it can't function as a phone while on wifi.
I had same issue. Called TMo and had them unregister my wifi calling, and got bars back immediately. I had wifi calling turned off, but it seemed to be the default regardless. I could only receive and make calls with wifi turned off...but it all works fine now.
That didn't work for me
debz said:
I had same issue. Called TMo and had them unregister my wifi calling, and got bars back immediately. I had wifi calling turned off, but it seemed to be the default regardless. I could only receive and make calls with wifi turned off...but it all works fine now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Tmo four times and asked them to unregister wifi calling. They said that it wasn't even turned on for my account then that it doesn't matter what is or isn't turned on. The phone is going to run calls, text over whatever wireless connection it thinks is appropriate. When you have a strong wifi connection, it chooses that connection regardless of wifi calling being turned off or on. I set the wifi calling preference to cellular networks and it still does the same thing.
I'm pretty pissed off about it. Anyone fix this?
Not true. I shut off Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobiles site and bars came back. Had the exact same problem.
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