3 Easy Ways to Check Signal Strength on an Android Phone
For smartphone users who often play online games, a stable internet connection or strong signal is essential. Many online games today require a reliable signal to be playable.
With a strong signal, you can also make calls, browse the internet, and perform other activities smoothly on your mobile network.
Unfortunately, signal strength can be unpredictable. Sometimes you have a fast, stable connection, but within seconds, it can weaken or even drop completely. This can be very frustrating, especially if your activities rely on a steady internet connection.
Some people may rely on the signal bars on their smartphone to gauge signal strength. However, there are several other ways to check the actual signal strength on an Android phone.
Before learning how to check signal strength, it’s essential to understand how signal strength is measured. Generally, signal strength is expressed in decibels (dB) as a ratio of measured power referenced to one milliwatt (mW), commonly referred to as dBm.
When measuring signal strength, a lower number indicates a stronger signal. For instance, a cellular signal at around -50 dBm is stronger than a signal around -120 dBm. As a reference, you can refer to the table below:
| Signal Strength | Signal Quality |
|---|---|
| Under -60 dBm | Excellent |
| -60 up to -80 dBm | Good |
| -80 up to -95 dBm | Average |
| -95 up to -109 dBm | Poor |
| Above -110 dBm | Extremely Poor |
Now that you know the benchmarks for strong and weak signals, Carisinyal will guide you through some easy ways to check the signal strength on your phone. Follow these steps:
Using the Phone Settings
The first and easiest method is to check through the phone settings. Here, you can view the signal strength without needing any additional apps. Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings menu on your phone.
- Go to About Phone (usually located at the bottom).
- Select Status.
- Choose Network Status or SIM Card Status.
In this section, you’ll find information about your mobile network, including the signal strength in dBm or ASU (Arbitrary Strength Unit). If your device supports dual SIM cards, you can also choose which card’s signal you want to check.
Using a Dial Code
Another way to check signal strength is by entering a special code in the phone app. For example, on Samsung smartphones, you can use the code *#0011# to access information about the mobile network being used. Here’s how:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the code *#0011#.
- Select the SIM card you want to check for signal quality.
The information displayed may not be easy to interpret, as it’s mostly text and designed for smartphone technicians who need detailed network diagnostics.
Please note that the code may vary depending on the brand or model of your smartphone. It’s a good idea to look up the specific code that works for your device.
Using Signal Strength App
If you want more detailed information about signal strength, you can download the Signal Strength app, available for free on the Google Play Store.
On the app's main page, you can view the signal strength for both your SIM card and WiFi connection. You can also choose how the signal strength is displayed—either as a percentage or in dBm.
In addition to showing signal strength, the app includes features to measure the internet speed of your current network. Lastly, it offers a chart that displays the history of your signal strength over time.
So, those are several ways to check signal strength on an Android phone. Hope this article is helpful to you.