You're not alone. Spotty cell phone reception and limited cell signal are common problems in the digital age. According to a Pew Research Study on mobile phone problems, 72% of Americans drop calls and 77% of them experience extremely slow internet speeds on a weekly basis.
With the growing number of smart-enabled devices and slow development of cell phone towers, mobile internet bottlenecking is the new traffic jam of the 21st century. This is why we have developed a thorough list of free and paid options to help improve your cell phone reception and coverage. Have a look!
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1. Find Out Which Part of the House Has the Best Reception
Do you know where your cell tower is located? If not, find out. The area of your house closest to the cell tower gets the best signal.
The best way to find cell phone signal strength is to look at decibel (dB) reading. The bars on your phone vary from one company to another. For example, what might be 2 bars on Verizon, may be 1 bar on and full bars on T-Mobile. Confusing yes?
There's no industry standard for bar readings. However, cell phone signals are radio frequencies that work in a certain range: -50 dB to -110 dB. -50 dB is great signal, full bars. -110 dB is basically a dead zone.
While you could use a dedicated signal meter for super-accurate results, any iPhone or Android phone can show dB readings just fine. To see how strong your signal is, use the following instructions to see dB reading if you own an iPhone:
Find your dB on an iPhone:
- 1. Go into Phone Mode
- 2. Dial and Call *3001#12345#*
- 3. You'll enter Field Test Mode
- 4. Drag down your notifications bar and you will see your dB reading in the left-hand corner.
Find your dB on an Android Phone:
- 1.Access Settings
- 2.The General
- 3.Go to About Phone
- 4.Click on Status
- 5.Go to Network
- 6.You should see your dB Value
Walk around your house and look for the number closest to -50 dB. Once you do, you will have found the best area in your house for cell service.
2. Find Open Space
Cell signals are basically radio waves, the AM/FM kind. They're great for covering long distances, but they're terrible at penetration. Almost everything can affect cell signals. Here's a not-so-complete list:
Outside Interference:
- 1.Trees
- 2.Hills
- 3.Mountains
- 4.Any tall structure
- 5.Weather
Inside Interference:
- 1.Thick Building Material
- 2.Electrical
- 3.Magnetic
- 4.Metal
- 5.Lots of clutter
All these and more can impede or block incoming cell signals. To avoid this, get near a window or balcony and be elevated. The second story of a home likely gets a better signal than the first floor, and basements tend to be even worse.
3. Avoid Tower Congestion
Ever noticed your cell phone starts crawling even slower in public places, especially at venues and crowded events? That's because cell towers are only able to hold a certain number of connections simultaneously.
If you're in a densely populated area you can also experience tower congestion. Look at the bars on your phone. One or two bars in a crowded area with LTE showing usually means that the network is too busy. Have you ever tried to make a phone call at one minute past twelve on New Year's Eve and not been able to get through? That’s a great example of network and tower congestion. To get around this you can disable LTE on your phone and go with plain 4G, which may be less congested.
4. Keep your battery fully charged
This is a bit of surprise, but it's true, especially with today's smartphone. It's not just a phone, but an internet device, music player, calendar, book reader, game player, etc. With so many resources and just a limited battery, your cell phone needs to use more battery to not only make a call but also find a signal.
So it's best to keep your phone fully charged and at least above 10%. After that, your phone may go into conservation mode and affect its performance.
5. Use WiFi Calling
While apps like Skype and WhatsApp have been doing internet calling for some time, the major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) are embracing WiFi calling. iPhone and Android owners can go to settings, type “WiFi calling” and the option will show up right away.
Instead of using your cellular signal, when connected to Wi-fi, your smartphone will use it instead to make and receive calls.
6. Get A New Phone or Hotspot
Keeping up with the newest technology allows you to make the most of cell networks. If your phone is outdated, then it's likely that you will have bad signal
Other Ways To Boost Your Cell Signal
1. Get a Cellular Signal Booster
Cell phone signal boosters (also known as repeaters and extenders) are powerful devices that take an incoming weak signal, amplify it, and then rebroadcast the boosted signal to an area in need inside the house.
Booster options vary from cheap one-room repeaters to multi-story building coverage, although the most popular is a whole house booster like the weBoost Home MultiRoom. Most of them work on all phones and all carriers, although some are carrier specific. Cell amplifiers have gained in popularity the past few years as people without broadband internet depend on just their cell signal as their only means toconnect to the internet.
Best Home Signal Booster Kits
Bolton Victory Yagi/Panel Cellular Signal Booster
Buy It Now: $499.99
Overview of the Bolton Victory Yagi/Panel:
- For Small to Medium Size Homes and Offices
- Covers Up to 4,000 Sq Ft
- Up to +72 dB Gain
- Up to 26 dBm Uplink Power
- Supports All Carriers Simultaneously
The Bolton Victory Yagi/Panel cellular booster is our top pick for rural areas. Under optimal conditions, it can blanket up to 4,000 sq ft with stronger cell reception, which is more than enough for most people. Featuring up to 26 dBm uplink and up to 72 dB gain, it has incredible reach and can significantly amplify your existing weak cellular signal.
Strategically paired with the Bolton Quicksilver Outdoor Yagi Antenna, it works wonders in remote locations. This antenna is designed to draw in signals from cell towers up to 5 miles away. Distance from the signal source will no longer be a problem.
While capable of boosting multiple carriers at the same time, you may only receive improved cell reception from one or two carriers. This is because the antenna is directional and needs to point at the closest cell tower that’s powered by your preferred carrier. If boosting multiple carriers is more important than coverage area, consider the Bolton Velocity Omni/Panel Cellular Signal Booster.
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Cel-Fi by Nextivity GO X Cell Signal Booster
Buy It Now: Starting at $1,099.99
Overview of the Cel-Fi GO X:
- For Large Homes and Offices
- Covers Up to 15,000 Sq Ft
- Up to +100 dB Gain
- Amplifies One Carrier at a Time
The GO X by Nextivity is the most powerful cell phone signal booster for remote areas available. It’s designed with up to 100 dB gain, the highest on the market. This unit can seriously make all your signal woes disappear. The caveat is that it can only boost one carrier at a time. Though, through the Cel-Fi WAVE app, you’re able to switch between carriers as you need.
Super customizable, you have multiple outdoor antenna options to really maximize the amplifier's reach to your closest cell tower. You can reach cell towers located up to 5 miles away with the Quicksilver Yagi, up to 10 miles away with the Bolton Arrow LPDA, or up to 20 miles away with the Bolton Long Ranger. No matter how weak your cellular reception is, any of these configurations will keep you connected, that is unless you’re in a total dead zone.
Rated to cover up to 15,000 sq ft, it's best for large homes and small businesses. Indoor coverage will vary based on the strength of your outside signal.
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SureCall Flare 3.0 Cell Signal Booster
Buy It Now: $299.99
Overview of SureCall Flare 3.0:
- For Small Homes or Spot Coverage
- Covers Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Up to +72 dB Gain
- Up to 26 dBm Uplink
- Supports All Carriers Simultaneously
- 2-in-1 Amplifier/Indoor Antenna Combo for Ease of Installation
The SureCall Flare 3.0 cellular booster packs a signal punch for the price. It includes a Yagi antenna, which is ideal for rural areas, and a sleek amplifier. The indoor antenna is built into the amplifier, making the Flare 3.0 one of the easiest units to install yourself.
With up to 72 dB gain and 26 dBm uplink, it offers good amplification and reach to distant cell towers for a booster of its kind. While power is similar to that of the Bolton Victory, the Flare 3.0 offers less coverage and a less powerful Yagi antenna. It’s rated to cover 3,000 sq ft, but will likely only provide multi-room to spot coverage.
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Best Vehicle Cell Signal Booster Kits
Bolton Velocity Vehicle Cell Signal Booster Kit
Buy It Now: $399.99
Overview of the Velocity Vehicle:
- For Cars, Trucks, and RVs
- Up to 50 dB Gain
- Support Multiple Carriers Simultaneously
- Easy Install
The Velocity Vehicle is carefully crafted to keep drivers and passengers connected in the most difficult environments. It’s built with the highest gain and uplink. No matter where you drive, as long as there is a sliver of cellular signal, the Velocity Vehicle will keep all devices connected.
This particular model comes with a magnet mount antenna, making it ideal for your everyday cars, SUVs, and trucks. Installation is a breeze. For semis and heavier-duty trucks, consider the Velocity Trucker. It includes a tough OTR outside antenna featuring great reach, heavy-duty construction, and whistle-free wrap.
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weBoost Drive Reach Cell Signal Booster Kit
Buy It Now: $499.99
Overview of the weBoost Drive Reach:
- For RVs, Cars, Trucks, and Boats
- Up to 50 dB Gain
- Support Multiple Carriers Simultaneously
- Easy Install
The weBoost Drive Reach is weBoost’s most powerful in-vehicle cell signal booster for cars, SUVs, trucks, and minivans. Features increased uplink than previous generations, users can get signal that is 2x farther from towers for twice the signal strength. Dropping calls and losing navigation connection will all be a thing of the past while driving on remote roads or highways.
Cellular antennas will vary depending on the Drive Reach configuration that best meets your needs.
We wouldn't recommend anything weaker than the Drive Reach for rural areas.
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2. Get a Femtocell & Microcell
A femtocell (also known as microcell) is like a mini cell tower in your home. They work by using your broadband landline internet and converting it into cell signals. While powerful and convenient, there are some drawbacks.
First, it's only carrier-specific, meaning an AT&T Femtocell will only work with AT&T phones and service. AT&T refers to theirs as Cell Booster and Verizon calls theirs Network Extender. So in order to make your investment worth it, try not to switch carriers. Femtocells can cost between $200 to $700 and need a monthly subscription fee on top of your internet and phone bill. You’ll also need an internet speed of at least 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload for it to work properly.
3. Change Carriers
After you've done everything you could, it just may be time to switch carriers. With today's easily transferable phone numbers and competition paying for you to switch carriers, it just may be the right time to make the jump and possibly get a new phone in the process.
Does The *3370# Secret Code Boost Cell Phone Reception?
You may have seen a Tik Tok or heard rumors about a secret Android code that will boost signal. But does it?
We all love a good mystery. And so, when the “secret” code *3370# burst onto social media, people were understandably intrigued. The claims were that the code could access a secret battery reserve and boost cell signal. Now firstly, those two things are not the same. Sure, a fuller battery is better for cell signal than an empty one, but it won't improve it. Secondly, there is no such thing as a “secret battery reserve”. If there was don't you think phone companies would want us to know about it?
The truth is that many years ago certain old Nokia phones had the ability to switch to a different mode after the user punched in a “secret code”. The first mode sacrificed battery life for better voice quality, and the second sacrificed voice quality for more battery. The keys *3370# turned on the Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR) mode which gave you a battery boost. No modern phones have the ability to do that.
Let Us Help You Get Better Signal
Signal Boosters is a leading provider of cell phone signal boosters for homes, vehicles, and commercial buildings. We specialize in consumer-friendly kits as well as customized RF systems for cellular, public safety two-way radio, DAS, and WiFi.
We’re here to help with any issues you might be experiencing with poor cell service. Contact us today, or call us at 1-800-470-6777.
Interested in Learning More? Check Out Our Cellular Info Hub / WiFi Info Hub
FAQs
How to Boost Cell Phone Signal at Home For Free? ›
Hidden Battery Power / Boost Signal Strength
By pressing *3370# or #3370#, you'll activate your phone's “reserve battery power”. Battery life will increase by 50%. The reserve will automatically charge up the next time you change your device. Other claims state dialing the same sequence will boost cellular reception.
- Go Outside. ...
- Move to a Different Location in Your House. ...
- Check Your Phone's Performance. ...
- Remove or Replace Your Phone Case. ...
- Try WiFi Calling. ...
- Switch to a 3G Network. ...
- Try a Microcell or Femtocell. ...
- Switch Carriers.
Hidden Battery Power / Boost Signal Strength
By pressing *3370# or #3370#, you'll activate your phone's “reserve battery power”. Battery life will increase by 50%. The reserve will automatically charge up the next time you change your device. Other claims state dialing the same sequence will boost cellular reception.
As long as you have a sliver of 5G, 4G, or LTE signals, FCC-approved signal boosters, like those from weBoost and WilsonPro, really do work as claimed. They'll improve your signal strength for reliable calls and faster data.
What is the code to boost cell signal? ›Android code: *#*#7262626#*#*
Knowing this is helpful in deciding whether or not to install a signal boosting system.
It might be because your house is too far from a cell tower; there are tall trees, hills, or high structures surrounding your home; your house is built with heavy materials; or there could be an interference caused by electronics, weather, or something metal in your home.
Why do I have bad cell phone reception in my house? ›The cause of your bad cell signal is far more likely to be due to the construction materials used in your home or office, or destructive interference from the buildings around you. Cellular signals have a hard time passing through metal and concrete within the walls of your home.
What is *# 9900? ›*#9900# Opens up system dump mode.
What does * 78 do on your phone? ›Activates the Do Not Disturb feature. When active, the user's phone does not ring and all calls go directly to a "busy treatment" such as Voice Messaging. Lift the telephone handset, press the speaker button, or the headset button. Dial the code *78, then #.
What does *# 30 do to your phone? ›Code: *#30#
If the recipient of your calls isn't able to view your mobile number, there might be a problem with your number's Calling Line Presentation. In that case, you can use this code to check if Call Line Presentation is enabled or disabled.
How can I boost my cell signal in rural areas? ›
- Outdoor antenna communicates with distant cell towers and fine-tunes received 5G, 4G, and LTE cell signals.
- Coax cables help bypass troublesome building materials.
- Amplifier significantly boosts the signal.
- Indoor antenna(s) broadcast the boosted signal wherever you need it.
Why is the Certification Process Needed for Signal Boosters? Cell phone signal boosters are illegal in certain countries because boosters with too much power have the potential to disrupt the cellular network.
Do cell phone boosters work through walls? ›Unfortunately, they lose a lot of power when having to travel through walls, so it is common for cell phone signals to be weaker indoors or in areas where there are a lot of tall buildings. Cell phone boosters work by using a donor antenna on the outside of a building, in an area with better reception.
How can I improve my LTE signal? ›In 4G LTE and 5G networks, signal quality is measured as SINR. Increasing your SINR can have a dramatic impact on your connection speeds. The best way to improve SINR is to use a directional outdoor antenna, either connected to a signal booster or directly to an LTE or 5G hotspot.
How do I find the strongest signal in my house? ›Stand outside your home and run four signal strength and/or speed tests, one on each side of the house. The side with the best results is likely to be facing the direction of the strongest tower. Once you've purchased a cell signal booster, you can start your eight-point test by pointing your antenna in that direction.
What kills phone signal? ›Metal is the #1 cellular blocking material across all buildings in America. Aluminum, aluminum foil, lead, brass, copper, steel, iron, etc., can absorb and reflect cellular frequency waves. Average signal loss ranges from -32 dB to -50 dB, enough to make your building a dead zone.
Why do I only have one bar on my phone in my house? ›Usually, one bar of service on your phone means you're receiving poor signal because you're too far from the nearest cell tower or something is blocking the signal from getting to your device.
What happens if you dial *# 31? ›*31# (Disable Caller ID)
If you want to keep your privacy and prevent others from knowing when you call them, you can disable caller ID by using this code.
##002# - If your voice call or data call, or SMS call has been forwarded, dialling this USSD code will erase them. *#21# - By dialling this USSD code, you would get to know if your calls have been diverted somewhere else or not.
What does *# 06 do? ›For a Google Pixel, dial *#06# on your phone's keyboard to get the IMEI number. For phones with a removable battery, some IMEI numbers are listed on a sticker under the battery on the back of the phone.
What is * 82 on your phone? ›
This Vertical Service Code, *82, enables calling line identification regardless of subscriber preference, dialed to unblock withheld numbers (private callers) in the U.S. on a per-call basis.
What does * 57 do on your phone? ›Here's how to activate Call Trace: Hang up the phone after receiving a harassing call. Pick up the phone and press *57 (touch tone) or 1157 (rotary). You'll hear a confirmation tone and message will be heard If the trace is successful.
What does * 93 do? ›*93 to stop taking messages when you don't answer. *69 to dial the last caller. *89 to cancel a Call Return request.
What does * 66 do on a cell phone? ›*66: Busy Call Return
The Busy Call Return service allows you to call a busy line over and over automatically for 30 minutes. When the line becomes free, your phone will notify you with a distinctive ring.
To program your Speed Calling 8 list, dial *74. Listen for the dialtone, then dial the one-digit number (2 through 9) you would like to use to dial a frequently called number.
What does * 64 do on a cell phone? ›Screen incoming calls and only accept calls from certain numbers. Other callers will hear a message that you are not accepting calls at this time. To activate, dial *64.
How do I get my phone signal in a dead zone? ›One of the most reliable ways to ensure you get a cell signal in a low signal area is with a dead zone cell phone signal booster. Cell phone boosters can help improve cell signal, allowing users to get the strong signal they need in places where it wouldn't otherwise be available.
How can I boost my cell phone signal with an antenna? ›Building Antennas and Cellular Repeater Systems
A great to improve cell phone reception for multiple cell phones in small or larger areas, is to install a building cellular repeater system. A basic system is one antenna on the outside, one antenna on the inside, both connected to an amplifier inside.
The most notable disadvantage of a cell phone signal booster compared to a femtocell or microcell is that signal boosters do not create a signal. Since these boosters can only amplify an existing signal, they won't work in areas or regions that don't have a signal to latch onto.
Do you have to pay monthly for a signal booster? ›No. There is no fee to register or use a signal Booster.
Can a cell booster make signal worse? ›
Sometimes, when you broadcast a boosted signal from interior antennas, it reaches the exterior antenna. The result is a feedback loop, which can cause your signal strength to get worse or drop out entirely.
What is the difference between cell phone extender and booster? ›As mentioned above, the terms booster, repeater, and extender all refer to the same thing. These interchangeable terms refer to a system that takes existing signals, amplifies them, and reemits them. Depending on the context, these terms can also refer to the actual amplifier in the three-part system and the antennas.
Where is the best place to put a cell phone booster? ›For either tower antenna type, the preferred location is the roof of the building. Mounting the antenna on the roof minimizes obstacles between your location and the tower. That's important because anything between you and the cell tower can block the signal and hinder your cell reception.
What is the difference between a wifi extender and a cell phone booster? ›Network extenders, sometimes called microcells or femtocells, are different than signal boosters, in that they create their own cell signal in your home and then route all of your cellular calls and data over your high speed internet, not the cell network.
How can I improve my weak phone signal? ›- #1: Remove the objects that interfere with the cellular reception. ...
- #2: Avoid cell phone battery status from reaching critically low. ...
- #3: Identify the closest cell tower from wherever you are located. ...
- #4: Take advantage of the Wi-Fi Network. ...
- #5: Femtocells.
You can boost your Wi-Fi signal by restarting the router and testing your internet speed. Upgrading your router and adding extenders or an antenna can also make your Wi-Fi signal stronger. Common Wi-Fi problems include the ISP, settings, router, and signal blockers.
Where should I place my cell phone antenna booster? ›It's recommended to place the antenna on or near the edge of the roof. If you're using a directional antenna, such as a yagi antenna, make sure to point it away from your roof and in the direction of the nearest cell tower provided by your carrier. There is no need to aim an omnidirectional antenna.
Do phone antenna boosters work? ›They simply enhance and rebroadcast existing cell signals. And they don't enhance the general wifi in your home that's coming from your router. They only improve the internet speed on your phone by way of boosting your cell signal.
How can I improve my signal strength fast? ›- Restart your phone. ...
- Turn off Airplane mode and on again. ...
- Update the system. ...
- Open the windows. ...
- Use your phone in another place. ...
- Remove case or cover. ...
- Switch between 3G/4G. ...
- Check whether the battery is low.
What is wi-fi calling. Wi-fi calling routes your calls and text messages over the internet rather than the traditional mobile network, so you can stay connected even when you don't have a mobile signal.
Why is my Verizon signal so weak in my house? ›
This could be because you are too high, too low, too far or even too close to the tower. Antennas are positioned to provide coverage to the largest population possible and may not be aimed in you direction. Current wireless technologies have varying broadcast ranges which determine how far the signal can reach.
Can you be too close to a cell tower to get service? ›Cell phones work based on signals from towers. Your signal will be stronger and less distorted the closer you are to the tower, which means the connection you get for voice and data will be better. But you don't have to live right next to a cell phone tower to get good signal.