Measuring LTE signal strength

docal97 · Dec 29, 2012, 10:09 AM

I have read that there is a way to measure LTE signal strength, but I cannot seem to find out how to do it after a web search. I have also read of a method for actually showing the signal strength on the top bar of the Iphone near the AT&T symbol, but I forgot where I read this also.

I was recently in NYC and was surprised to have my battery drain in a very short time despite limited use and despite adjusting all of the appropriate settings to minimize battery use(bluetooth, brightness, notifications, location services). I suspect this was happening due to LTE connection strength in the city, and I would like some way to measure signal strength.

scaredpoet · 10:36 AM

What you're looking for is called Field Test Mode. To access it, go into the phone app's keypad, dial *3001#12345#* and tap "call."

Signal strength will show up next to the AT&T symbol as a unit of deciBels (dB), respresented as a negative number. So the numbers will kinda be in reverse: higher negative dB values will mean lower signal.

-105 to -100 = Bad signal/you're probably going to drop calls
-99 to -90 = Mediocre
-89 to -80 = OK
-79 to -65 = Good
Over -65 = Are you sure you aren't holding your iPhone right next to the cell site transmitter?

Realistically though, the way to know for sure whether LTE is causing the battery drain is to go into Settings -> General -> Cellular and turn LTE off. Then see if you get the same battery drain or not.

evilrt · Dec 29, 2012, 10:51 AM

thats cool

docal97 · Dec 30, 2012, 01:11 PM

what's interesting is that the iphone is not automatically switching to the 4g network w/ connections above 110 etc.

Dec 29, 2012, 10:26 AM	#2
scaredpoet macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2007	What you're looking for is called Field Test Mode. To access it, go into the phone app's keypad, dial 3001#12345# and tap "call." Signal strength will show up next to the AT&T symbol as a unit of deciBels (dB), respresented as a negative number. So the numbers will kinda be in reverse: higher negative dB values will mean lower signal. -105 to -100 = Bad signal/you're probably going to drop calls -99 to -90 = Mediocre -89 to -80 = OK -79 to -65 = Good Over -65 = Are you sure you aren't holding your iPhone right next to the cell site transmitter? Realistically though, the way to know for sure whether LTE is causing the battery drain is to go into Settings -> General -> Cellular and turn LTE off. Then see if you get the same battery drain or not. __________________ If you're not a clairvoyant, then you shouldn't be speaking for a dead guy. The Apple "QC cycle," explained. Slow data, fewer bars? No, you don't have a bad SIM. Last edited by scaredpoet; Dec 29, 2012 at 10:36 AM.
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Dec 29, 2012, 10:09 AM	#1
docal97 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southampton	Measuring LTE signal strength I have read that there is a way to measure LTE signal strength, but I cannot seem to find out how to do it after a web search. I have also read of a method for actually showing the signal strength on the top bar of the Iphone near the AT&T symbol, but I forgot where I read this also. I was recently in NYC and was surprised to have my battery drain in a very short time despite limited use and despite adjusting all of the appropriate settings to minimize battery use(bluetooth, brightness, notifications, location services). I suspect this was happening due to LTE connection strength in the city, and I would like some way to measure signal strength.
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Dec 29, 2012, 10:51 AM	#3
evilrt macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011	thats cool
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Dec 30, 2012, 01:11 PM	#4
docal97 Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southampton	what's interesting is that the iphone is not automatically switching to the 4g network w/ connections above 110 etc.
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