Get better phone reception wherever you are
This may sound familiar: you need to make an urgent call, but your mobile phone signal is weak. It can come as a shock if your phone can’t perform the basic task of making calls. But if that happens, there are some easy ways to improve your signal on an iPhone or Android phone: It could come down to something as simple as switching Airplane Mode.
To go from dropped calls to full blocks, here’s what you need to know.
Read more: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 13: What Apple has changed in three years
Remark: Although the software is relatively the same on different iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android phones may have different software versions, so certain settings and where they are located may differ depending on the device.
To learn more, check out how to use Google Maps when you’re offline and how to fix your internet when it’s down.
Try these steps first to improve your cell phone service
The settings on your phone can help you get better cell service, but there are other tricks to improve your reception without even touching your phone’s software.
- Position yourself so that there are no obstacles between your phone and any cell towers outside. This may mean moving away from metal objects or concrete walls, both of which hinder reception. Instead, go to a window or go outside if possible.
- Remove your phone case. It doesn’t hurt to remove the case you have on your phone, especially if it’s thick, so that the phone’s antenna isn’t blocked by anything and can get a better signal.
- Make sure your phone is charged. Searching for and connecting to a stronger signal takes energy, so if your phone’s battery is already low, it can be difficult to get good service.
Some phone cases cause more signal disruption than others.
Always start by turning airplane mode on and off
Disabling and re-enabling your phone’s connection is the quickest and easiest way to resolve your signal problems. As you move from one location to another, the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile network modems will restart when you enable Airplane mode, forcing them to find the best signal in the area.
Android: Swipe down from the top of your screen (to open the Quick Settings panel), then tap the Airplane mode icon. Wait until your phone completely disconnects from Wi-Fi and cellular connections. It doesn’t happen immediately, so wait a good 15 seconds before tapping the Airplane Mode icon again.
iPhone: On iPhone, you can access Airplane Mode from Control Center, but that varies depending on which iPhone model you have. On iPhone X and later, swipe down from the top right corner to access Control Center. On older iPhone models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Then tap the Airplane Mode icon, which will turn orange when enabled. Again, wait up to 15 seconds before turning it off.
Left: Airplane mode on your iPhone. Right: Airplane mode on an Android.
If airplane mode doesn’t work, restart your phone
Our phones are miniature computers and like computers, you can sometimes solve problems like network connectivity by simply restarting them.
Android: Press and hold the Power button or the Power button and the Volume Down key (depending on your Android phone) until the on-screen menu appears, then tap Restart. If your phone doesn’t offer a restart option, you can simply tap Disable to turn off your device and then turn it back on using the power button.
iPhone: On iPhone Wait until the device is completely turned off and then press the sleep/wake button to turn it back on.
Alternatively, you can perform a force reset on your iPhone: press the Volume Up button, followed by the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button. Continue holding it down after your phone’s screen goes black and until you see the Apple logo appear again.
If your iPhone has a Home button, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the power slider appears, then drag the slider to the right. Once the device is turned off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo.
Links: How to restart an Android phone. Right: Turn off an iPhone.
Remove your SIM card from your phone
Another troubleshooting step that may help is to remove your SIM card (if your phone has one) and then put it back in while the phone is on. If the SIM card is dirty, clean it. If there are any physical defects, you may need to replace them.
You will need a SIM card tool (usually included in the box of your phone) or an unfolded paper clip or sewing needle to remove the SIM card tray from your phone.
All telephones: Remove the SIM card, check if it is damaged and properly inserted into the SIM card holder, then reinsert it into your phone.
eSIM: for phones with an eSIM, i.e.: a built-in electronic SIM card in your phone: you don’t need to delete anything. The best thing you can do is restart your phone.
Removing and replacing your SIM card in your phone only takes a few seconds.
Check your carrier settings (and update your software)
Mobile carriers regularly send carrier settings updates to improve connectivity for calls, data, and messaging on their network. While this feature is available on all iPhone models, it is not universal on Android, so you may not find carrier settings if you don’t have a supported phone.
iPhone: Carrier updates should just appear and you can update via the pop-up message that appears. To force your iPhone to check for network settings updates, go to Institutions > General > About on your phone. If an update is available, you will be prompted to install it.
Android: As mentioned earlier, not all Android phones have carrier settings, so you’ll need to open the Settings app and type “carrier settings” to find possible updates. On supported Pixels, go to Institutions > Network & internet > Internettap the cog next to your carrier’s name, then tap Carrier settings versions.
Left: iOS provider settings. Right: Android provider settings.
Reset your phone’s network settings
Sometimes all you need is a clean slate to solve an annoying connection problem. Refreshing your phone’s network settings is one way to do that. But be warned: resetting your network settings will also reset all saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN connections, and custom APN settings for those on carriers that require additional settings.
Android: In the Settings app, search for “reset” or more specifically “reset network settings” and tap the setting. The setting is called up on the Pixel Reset Wi-Fi, Cellular and Bluetooth. After you reset your network settings, don’t forget to reconnect your phone to your home and work Wi-Fi networks.
iPhone: Go to Institutions > Transfer or reset iPhone > Reset > Reset network settings. On the next page you will be warned that resetting your network settings will also reset your Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings. Crane Reset network settings and your phone will restart.
Resetting network settings should be one of the last troubleshooting steps you try.
Contact your telephone company
Sometimes unexpected signal problems can be traced back to issues with your wireless carrier. A transmission tower may be defective, or the tower’s fiber optic cable may have been cut, causing an outage.
If you continue to have trouble connecting or staying connected to a mobile or data network, your carrier’s coverage may not extend to your area.
Other times, a newly found signal problem could be due to a malfunction with your phone or a SIM card that has gone bad. Contacting your carrier to begin troubleshooting after trying these solutions is the next best step to solving your spotty signal.
Sometimes, contacting your carrier is the only way to resolve signal issues.
If all else fails, try a signal booster to improve cell reception
If after going through all our troubleshooting steps, including talking to your carrier to discuss your options, you’re still having trouble maintaining a good signal, try a booster. A signal booster takes the same cellular signal that your carrier uses and then boosts it just enough to provide coverage in a room or your entire home.
The big disadvantage here is the cost. Wilson has designed three different boosters for home use, ranging in price from $349 for coverage for a single room to $999 for coverage of your entire home. To be clear, we have not specifically tested these models. Wilson offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty if you have any problems with its products.
I took over 600 photos with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
View all photos
If you’re looking for iPhone-specific tips and tricks, check out our guide to hidden features in iOS 17. For Android fans, stay tuned for the new features coming to Android 15.
