We have reviewed mobile phones for many years, concentrating on radio waves and networks. So, we’ve compiled a list of simple strategies for when you’re stuck.

Check out our post on how to improve the sound quality of your mobile phone conversations if you’re more concerned with call quality than with data or signal quality in general.

1. Switch Airplane Mode, Update Your Phone, or Reboot It

People might be confused by phones. They may sometimes cling to outdated notions of network availability, particularly if you’re relocating. You must take action yourself since your phone isn’t always looking for the best signal—that would drain your battery.

Switching Airplane mode on, waiting ten seconds, and then turning it off again is the fastest approach to resolve this problem. When you do this, your phone rechecks the available networks. Generally speaking, you can activate airplane mode by swiping down from the top of your screen to the Quick Settings panel on your Android phone or the Control Center on your iPhone.

You may need to restart your phone in some situations. Crossing international borders and sometimes entering or exiting roaming carrier zones need that.

Updates to the phone’s firmware may sometimes help fix signal issues. To ensure that the same upgrade won’t lead to more issues, just keep an eye on the news. We discuss significant version upgrades for iOS and Android, along with any common problems they may cause.

2. Clean your SIM or get a new one.

You may not be able to connect to the newest network bands with your SIM card if you have been with your carrier for a long period. A single offender? Intermittent failures may be caused by either worn-out or unclean contacts. To begin, remove your SIM card and wipe off the metal surface. Use a cotton swab soaked in a little amount of rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant wipe.

Another option is to request a new, up-to-date SIM card from your carrier’s customer support representatives. Instead than going to a shop, use the online chat feature on the carrier’s website. Let’s say you wish to test a fresh SIM card since you’re experiencing network issues. They ought to send you one at no cost.

Keep in mind that you won’t experience any of the issues associated with a physical SIM card if you own an iPhone 14 or later, or any other device that employs an eSIM.

3. Modify Your G

Signal characteristics fluctuate between 4G and 5G, and they may originate from separate towers. I have seen situations when a network requires a phone to attempt to pick up a weaker signal that is further away in order to display a “5” in the status bar. This isn’t just marketing; your phone utilizes carrier resources more effectively on networks that are more recent. Therefore, having as many devices on the newest networks as feasible is worthwhile for the carriers.

Regretfully, this can occasionally result in individual devices becoming stuck due to poor connections. In the event that your carrier’s logic favors more recent systems over more functional ones, it is worthwhile to switch between the various available network modes. After all, depending on where you are, a 4G connection may be quicker than a 5G one.

Changing G on an iPhone

(Source: PCMag)

To access Voice & Data on an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. Here, 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE (4G) are your options.

To find the Connections, Network & Internet, or a comparable section on an Android phone, open the Settings app. Select SIM & Network, Mobile Network, or a comparable option. You ought to be able to turn off 5G service, which would restrict your connection to 4G.

4. Switch from Cellular to Wi-Fi

Are you getting the most out of Wi-Fi? Your home network may be the best network for your phone, even when making calls. Wi-Fi calling is supported by almost all modern phones, and it can usually be enabled in the phone’s cellular or calling settings. It may be simpler to upgrade your home Wi-Fi with a mesh system than to try to get a cellular signal where you live.

Our evaluation of the top Wi-Fi mesh network systems can help you select the correct one for your requirements. We can even assist you set up your new Wi-Fi setup.

5. Check Your Bands (And Maybe Get a New Phone)

Carriers add additional frequencies to their networks every few years. If your phone is very old, it may not connect to the newest ones, even on 5G.

Here’s how to cross-reference which bands you need at your location. Go to CellMapper.net, pick your carrier and location, and check for your nearby towers. Clicking on these should tell you the frequency bands you’re hitting. Then, you can go to FrequencyCheck.com and see which bands operate on your phone model. If those numbers don’t line up, your phone can’t utilize what the tower is transmitting. Depending on the degree of your connection troubles, it could be time for a new 5G phone.

6. Move Around

Any variety of physical items may block your phone from acquiring a signal, including bricks, concrete, glass, and metal. Since most buildings use those materials, you might experience connection issues in some indoor locations, including your home. If you do, try wandering about to see if the signal is better at a different spot. It may seem absurd, but if your phone is connected to mmWave 5G, an open window may make the difference between a strong and poor signal.

Consider changing your cell provider if you get regularly terrible service. A strong connection to a provider that delivers poor service doesn’t do you much good.

T-Mobile’s median cellular download speed (188.96 Mbps) was more than twice as fast as Verizon’s (91.62 Mbps) and AT&T’s (90.82 Mbps), according to a recent research by Ookla Speedtest. (Note: Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag.com, owns Ookla.)

7. Have patience

For a variety of reasons, carriers may restrict your device’s access to the fastest areas of their networks. First, depending on the monthly data allotment in your plan, they may intentionally slow things down. For instance, you could only be able to use 10GB or 25GB of high-speed service with your package. Once you surpass that limit, your service can be cut down for the rest of the billing period, frequently to a 3G-like speed of 396Kbps.

More likely, however, you could be experiencing real-time network congestion. Throttling may be the cause if you see different speeds at a location you know has excellent service. This shouldn’t be a problem very frequently since modern 5G networks can manage a lot more traffic than LTE 4G, but it does arise when a large number of people congregate in one place.

In either case, you might have to wait patiently for your billing cycle to renew or for local traffic to subside before you can resume faster speeds.

8. Invest in a cellular enhancer

The most costly, yet most successful, remedy for subpar network performance is cellular boosters. They employ big antennas to gather weak signals, which they then rebroadcast inside your home or vehicle. A portable, one-device set costs about $200, but whole-home systems may cost up to $1,200 or more. Despite being expensive, they may have a significant impact, often transforming a single, shaky bar of signal into a strong, quick connection.

See our overview of the finest cellular signal boosters to learn more about how they operate and help you select the appropriate one for your requirements.