Imagine this: you’re on vacation in the middle of the desert, scrolling through Instagram or watching YouTube, and then your signal drops out. No big deal if you’re just wasting some time. Gigantic If you’re running low on supplies and you’re also lost, that’s a problem. Not only can you not call for help, but you can’t see important travel information and advisories, so you completely missed the warning about the impending major heatwave. So what now?
Hopefully you never run into a similar situation, but if you do, there are quick and easy ways to improve your phone’s reception, like toggling airplane mode or resetting your network settings. Below, we’ll look at some tried-and-true approaches, as well as some more unique methods you can use to boost your phone’s peak performance.
Here’s what you need to know.
note: Although the software is relatively the same across different iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android devices may have different software versions, so certain settings and their location may vary depending on the device.
For more information, check out how to use Google Maps offline and how you might be able to fix your internet if it’s down.
To improve your cellular service, first try these steps
Your phone’s settings can help you get better cellular reception, but there are other tricks to improve your reception without touching your phone’s software.
- Move so that there are no obstructions between your phone and outdoor cell towersFor example, you can avoid metal objects or concrete walls that affect reception. Instead, go to a window or outside if possible.
- Remove the phone case. It doesn’t hurt to remove your phone’s case, especially if it’s thick, so that the phone’s antenna isn’t blocked and can receive a better signal.
- Make sure your phone is charged. Searching for and connecting to a stronger signal uses power, so if your phone’s battery is already low, you may have trouble getting good reception.
Some phone cases cause more signal interference than others.
Always start by turning airplane mode on and off
Turning your phone connection off and on again is the quickest and easiest way to fix your signal problems. When you move from one place to another, switching to airplane mode will restart the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular network modems, forcing them to find the best signal in the area.
Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the quick settings panel, then tap the Airplane mode icon. Wait for your phone to completely disconnect Wi-Fi and cellular connections. This won’t happen immediately, so wait a good 15 seconds before tapping the Airplane mode icon again.
iPhones: On iPhone, you can access Airplane Mode from Control Center, but this depends 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 turns orange when it’s on. 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 just like computers, sometimes you can fix problems like network connectivity simply by restarting.
Android: Press and hold the Power button or the Power and Volume Down buttons (depending on your Android phone) until the on-screen menu appears, then tap Restart. If your phone does not have a restart option, you can simply tap Turn off to shut down your device and then restart it using the power button.
iPhone: On iPhone X and earlier models, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and either volume button, then swipe the power slider to the right to turn the device off. Wait until it’s completely off, 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 after your phone’s screen goes black and until the Apple logo appears 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 off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo.
Left: Restarting an Android phone. Right: Turning off an iPhone.
Remove the SIM card from your phone
Another helpful troubleshooting step is to remove the SIM card (if you have one) and reinsert it while the phone is on. If the SIM card is dirty, clean it. If it has any physical defects, you may need to replace it.
You will need a SIM card tool (usually included with your phone) or a straightened paper clip or sewing needle to remove the SIM tray from your phone.
All phones: Remove the SIM card, check if it is damaged and properly seated in the SIM tray, then reinsert it into your phone.
eSIM: For phones with an eSIM – that is an embedded electronic SIM in your phone – you don’t need to remove anything. The best thing you can do is restart your phone.
Removing and reinserting the SIM card into your phone only takes a few seconds.
Check your carrier settings (and update your software)
Cellular carriers regularly send carrier settings updates to improve connectivity for calls, data, and messages on their network. While this feature is available on all iPhone models, it’s not universal on Android, so if you don’t have a supported phone, you may not find the carrier settings.
iPhone: Carrier updates should simply appear and you can update from the pop-up message that appears. To force your iPhone to check for a carrier settings update, go to Settings > Generally > Around on your phone. If an update is available, you will be prompted to install it.
Android: As mentioned, not all Android phones have carrier settings, so you will need to open the Settings app and type in “carrier settings” to find possible updates. For supported Pixels, go to Settings > Network & Internet > InternetTap the gear next to your mobile operator and then tap Versions of the network operator settings.
Left: iOS carrier settings. Right: Android carrier settings.
Reset your phone’s network settings
Sometimes a restart is all it takes to fix a pesky connection problem. One way to do this is to refresh your phone’s network settings. But be warned: resetting your network settings will also reset any saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN connections, and custom APN settings for providers that require additional setup.
Android: In the Settings app, search for “Reset” or more specifically “Reset network settings” and tap the setting. On the Pixel, the setting is called Reset Wi-Fi, mobile device and Bluetooth. After resetting your network settings, remember to reconnect your phone to your Wi-Fi network at home and work.
iPhone: Go to Settings > Transfer or reset iPhone > Reset to default > Reset network settings. On the next page, you will be warned that resetting your network settings will reset your Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings. Tap Reset network settings and your phone will restart.
Resetting your network settings should be one of the last troubleshooting steps you try.
Contact your mobile operator
Sometimes unexpected signal problems can be traced to issues with your cell phone provider. A cell tower might have gone down, or the tower’s fiber optic cable might have been severed, causing an outage.
If you’re having persistent problems connecting to a cellular or data network, or are unable to maintain a connection, it may be because your cellular provider’s network coverage doesn’t adequately cover your neighborhood.
In other cases, a new signal problem may be due to a defect in your phone or a faulty SIM card. After trying these fixes, contacting your carrier for troubleshooting is the next best step to fixing your spotty signal.
Sometimes contacting your cell phone provider is the only way to resolve signal issues.
If all else fails, try using a signal booster to improve cellular reception
If you’re still having trouble maintaining a good signal after going through all of our troubleshooting steps, including contacting your carrier to discuss your options, try a signal booster. A signal booster takes the same cellular signal your carrier uses and then amplifies it just enough to cover a room or your whole house.
The big disadvantage here is the cost. Wilson offers three different boosters for home use, which range in price from $349 for single room insurance to $999 for entire home insurance. To be clear, we have not specifically tested these models. Wilson offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty should you experience any issues with its products.
If you’re looking for iPhone-specific tips and tricks, check out our guide to hidden features in iOS 17. Android fans should stay up to date with the new features in Android 15.
