T-Mobile Nexus 6 only gets LTE when forced to LTE only - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey everyone,
I'm bashing my head over this since I just dropped $700 on a phone that won't do what my old Note 3 would do so easily. I'm on T-Mobile and in the SAME location as my old Note 3, my Nexus 6 refuses to get LTE unless I force it to LTE only. Issue there is that I then don't get phone calls. When I force LTE on it will get about 3-4 bars of LTE and speed test at 25+mbps. If I leave it default, I've never seen it go on LTE but one time. It constantly switches between HSPAP and 3G... it never stops this...
See attachments for screenshots. All images were taken with the device in the same physical location. I have LTE service here. My old Note 3 had LTE no issues.
Android 5.0.1 stock. Phone is 1 day old...

well, your hspa and 3G must be a much better signal, as thats why it would choose H/3G over lte. lte/gsm would be what you need to use to get lte and phone calls.

simms22 said:
well, your hspa and 3G must be a much better signal, as thats why it would choose H/3G over lte. lte/gsm would be what you need to use to get lte and phone calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my Note 3 had about the same signal strength and it ALWAYS choose LTE over HSPA / 3G.
Also after reboot it grabs LTE. Once I get a call, it drops to HSPAP and 3G. Refuses to go back to LTE.

TopHATTwaffle said:
But my Note 3 had about the same signal strength and it ALWAYS choose LTE over HSPA / 3G.
Also after reboot it grabs LTE. Once I get a call, it drops to HSPAP and 3G. Refuses to go back to LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's normal behavior, to switch from lte to h or 3g, when you get a call. then it should switch back. unless you have data moving in/out, then it should wait until no data is moving, then go back to lte. do you have data moving in or out at that point? mine usually takes seconds to switch back, unless im using data.

New sim card. Fixed it up.
EDIT: Nope...

It could have also been tower issues. I was out Tuesday and for about half my trip route phone will not go into LTE unless forced.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

So apparently it'll boot to LTE and hold it fine. Once a call comes in, and it drops LTE for the voice call it won't hop back onto LTE.

Don't be fooled by TW signal reporting. Samsung phones will display 4g LTE even if they're on hspa or hspa +. It drops to 4g only when the signal switches to GPRS or Edge

laureanop said:
Don't be fooled by TW signal reporting. Samsung phones will display 4g LTE even if they're on hspa or hspa +. It drops to 4g only when the signal switches to GPRS or Edge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my speed test from 25mbps on LTE and 6mbps on HSPA+ is a missive speed difference. The indicator is correct when it says 3g / H

I'm not having the issues you are. I'm on a play store version but on Tmobile. I'd try clearing the cache if you haven't yet. Something is definitely wrong, either tower or the phone.

donatom3 said:
I'm not having the issues you are. I'm on a play store version but on Tmobile. I'd try clearing the cache if you haven't yet. Something is definitely wrong, either tower or the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clear cache on.... what?

TopHATTwaffle said:
Clear cache on.... what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-17590
That page describes how to do it.

donatom3 said:
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-17590
That page describes how to do it.
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Click to collapse
Thanks man, I appreciate it. Turns out some other people have having the same issues I am. Beginning to believe it's a Nexus 6 issue. There is Nexus 5 in my house with the SAME issue. Perhaps a lollipop issue?

Did your Note 3 have VoLTE enabled??

laureanop said:
Did your Note 3 have VoLTE enabled??
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Click to collapse
I don't recall. It was a SM-N900V (Verizon Note 3) that I was using on T-Mobile since I switched carriers.

If your note 3 had volte enabled then you phone was using LTE for phone calls. My best guess is that you're in a spotty H area and that's why you're seeing that on both the 6 and the 5. Check with somebody with a newer Samsung phone if calls are being routed through LTE

laureanop said:
If your note 3 had volte enabled then you phone was using LTE for phone calls. My best guess is that you're in a spotty H area and that's why you're seeing that on both the 6 and the 5. Check with somebody with a newer Samsung phone if calls are being routed through LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do understand that. My main question / concern is why won't it hop BACK onto LTE after it drops it from getting a call. It will hold LTE, and speed test 25mbps through it. Yet once I make a call and it drops to HSPA+ it won't go back onto LTE. Just sits there doing: H->3G->H->3G->H->3G->H->3G->......

I see. So you have to force LTE back on. It seems that lollipop/nexus or what have you are not handling the signal dynamics correctly.
---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 PM ----------
Now if you go out of that area, does the behavior continue?
---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
Oh I forgot . My point before is that maybe the Samsung never dropped to H cause it didn't have to . I'm basically trying to figure out if it's a tower/signal issue or a phone/software issue.

tmobile doesnt have volte, yet. so it eirher dropped to H/3G or had a 2nd radio.

simms22 said:
tmobile doesnt have volte, yet. so it eirher dropped to H/3G or had a 2nd radio.
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Click to collapse
It does at least on the S5 and Note 4 cause I used it on both in the LA area
---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------
On a side note I had to switch back to regular network for calls cause there was quite a bit of static on LTE

Related

Will nexus 6 support data while on a call?

Apparently the droid turbo can't, which is amazing as far as I'm concerned, and unfortunately a deal breaker for me.
Someone please tell me this phone won't have the same problem?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
On what carrier?
G3
Verizon
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
This will be fixed soon on all the new Verizon phones. Same with the Sony Z3v.
It depends on the network. ATT can data and call.
Verizon phones can. I have a note 4 and can make calls while browsing the web
---------- Post added at 01:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------
I'm not sure about all Verizon phones I guess. I just mean it's possible on their network right now
At first most likely not. Droid life did a video making a call while on Verizon and it dropped data as soon as it started calling and came back once finished.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Wow hopefully that is fixed with the upcoming update being pushed before release.
boynamedstacy said:
Wow hopefully that is fixed with the upcoming update being pushed before release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not something that is broke ....the oem are making these phones with only one path from modem .... either data or phone can use but not both. ..it's been that way since g2 on sprint ...you can use wifi and phone though
You can when vzw goes VoLTE since it will be using the same network type. This uses same antenna as I phone and other moto devices that do not support simultaneous voice and data
Does Sprint's Spark network support it?
I think Verizon has given the date for the update as mid December. At least for the Turbo, that's the case. Still somewhat mystifying why you would release three major "flagship" phones— Sony zv3, Droid Turbo and the Nexus 6— before your ducks are in a row with simultaneous calls and data.
Cheater912 said:
Does Sprint's Spark network support it?
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Click to collapse
No sprint spark phone can do it .... g2 g3 note 4 s5 none of them
VoLTE
I'm confused. I thought the fact that voice was over CDMA is the reason why we can have simultaneous data and voice. Back before Verizon got LTE there was no simultaneous voice and data. Then once LTE came along, suddenly simultaneous voice and data worked (and has worked for me since). The way this was explained to me was that voice uses CMDA and data uses LTE (which is GSM) so they can coexist.
So I guess I'm confused about two things...
1.) Since simultaneous voice and data has been working for years now, what makes these new phones (Turbo & Nexus 6, specifically) any different. Why is this suddenly a concern again? It feels like 2012 all over again.
2.) Whatever the reason is that it supposedly does not work, why will VoLTE fix things? It seems to me that once we have VoLTE we'd have voice and data both trying to use the same pipe and have issues again, just like before LTE existed and we had only CMDA.
Perhaps someone can explain
demarcmj said:
I'm confused. I thought the fact that voice was over CDMA is the reason why we can have simultaneous data and voice. Back before Verizon got LTE there was no simultaneous voice and data. Then once LTE came along, suddenly simultaneous voice and data worked (and has worked for me since). The way this was explained to me was that voice uses CMDA and data uses LTE (which is GSM) so they can coexist.
So I guess I'm confused about two things...
1.) Since simultaneous voice and data has been working for years now, what makes these new phones (Turbo & Nexus 6, specifically) any different. Why is this suddenly a concern again? It feels like 2012 all over again.
2.) Whatever the reason is that it supposedly does not work, why will VoLTE fix things? It seems to me that once we have VoLTE we'd have voice and data both trying to use the same pipe and have issues again, just like before LTE existed and we had only CMDA.
Perhaps someone can explain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. some newer VZW phones dont have two radios (ie, one for CDMA voice and the other for CDMA or LTE data).
2. VoLTE with one radio has enough bandwith to simultaneously handle both voice and data. However, VoLTE has a much, much bigger problem as I see it:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/advanced-calling-faqs/
Will my call be handed off automatically when I move from the 3G network to the 4G LTE network and vice versa with Advanced Calling 1.0?
No, calls won t switch between 3G and 4G LTE networks. If your call starts on the 3G network and you move to a 4G LTE coverage area, your call will continue as a 3G/CDMA call. However, if your call starts on the 4G LTE network and you move to a non-4G coverage area, your call will drop.
I live in Houston....presumably a place with lots of LTE coverage. In reality, I am constantly switching between LTE and 3G. with VoLTE, I'll be dropping calls like crazy.
roadratx said:
1. some newer VZW phones dont have two radios (ie, one for CDMA voice and the other for CDMA or LTE data).
2. VoLTE with one radio has enough bandwith to simultaneously handle both voice and data. However, VoLTE has a much, much bigger problem as I see it:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/advanced-calling-faqs/
Will my call be handed off automatically when I move from the 3G network to the 4G LTE network and vice versa with Advanced Calling 1.0?
No, calls won t switch between 3G and 4G LTE networks. If your call starts on the 3G network and you move to a 4G LTE coverage area, your call will continue as a 3G/CDMA call. However, if your call starts on the 4G LTE network and you move to a non-4G coverage area, your call will drop.
I live in Houston....presumably a place with lots of LTE coverage. In reality, I am constantly switching between LTE and 3G. with VoLTE, I'll be dropping calls like crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in Katy, travel all over Houston working. While T-Mobile has a very large LTE area down here, I do see the signals changing very often depending on part of town I'm in
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Nexus 6 4G Issues

I am having issues with the 4G on my Nexus 6.
I live in the UK and I am about 150 Yards from my nearest Tower. I am well within a 4G coverage area but I get no 4G connection.
I am using the Carrier Giffgaff a subsection on the O2 network.
I have a 4G sim with a 4G package so I know I should be recieving 4G. I am waiting for my carrier to get back to me on my issues.
I was just wondering if anyone could suggest anything that may help.
I have rebooted my phone multiple times.
I have cycled Data on / off multiple times
I have cycled through Airplane mode.
I've switched the network to 3G only and back again.
In phone dialer do this: *#*#4636#*#*
Then choose what you want to connect with.
what is 4G? what kind of signal are you talking about? both hspa+ and lte are considered "4G". 4G is just a term that data providers use, its not a real signal.
simms22 said:
what is 4G? what kind of signal are you talking about? both hspa+ and lte are considered "4G". 4G is just a term that data providers use, its not a real signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the UK 4G is considered LTE but I am recieving neither HSPA+ or LTE
ColdEmbrace said:
In the UK 4G is considered LTE but I am recieving neither HSPA+ or LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you dial *#*#4636#*#*, then press phone info, you can set your radio as lte only. after setting lte only(you wont get phone calls on lte only btw. it needs to be set to lte/gsm or lte/cdma/gsm to get calls as well). if you get no signal on lte only, then you either dont have lte in your area, or you need to talk to your provider.
simms22 said:
if you dial *#*#4636#*#*, then press phone info, you can set your radio as lte only. after setting lte only(you wont get phone calls on lte only btw. it needs to be set to lte/gsm or lte/cdma/gsm to get calls as well). if you get no signal on lte only, then you either dont have lte in your area, or you need to talk to your provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help, no such luck LTE only gives me no service at all. I'm definitely in a 4G area. Will have to wait for my providers response.
ColdEmbrace said:
Thanks for the help, no such luck LTE only gives me no service at all. I'm definitely in a 4G area. Will have to wait for my providers response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have another device, with the same provider, and with lte, thats getting lte in your area?
simms22 said:
do you have another device, with the same provider, and with lte, thats getting lte in your area?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such luck im afraid. But according to my provider pages there's a small percentage of customers 1 in 1000 with the inability to connect to 4g even when fully set up and standing directly next to the mast. Seems to be an ongoing issue for the last month. Maybe I fall in that category just need to wait till they respond.
ColdEmbrace said:
No such luck im afraid. But according to my provider pages there's a small percentage of customers 1 in 1000 with the inability to connect to 4g even when fully set up and standing directly next to the mast. Seems to be an ongoing issue for the last month. Maybe I fall in that category just need to wait till they respond.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you with o2 by any chance? I'm having the exact same problem. I'm in the UK as well and haven't been able to get LTE/4G at all since I put the sim in my Nexus 6. Could get LTE almost everywhere with my Note 4.
Ask your provider to give you a replacement sim or at least go and try one in a store that is in a 4G area. This will if nothing else rule that out.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

No data or voice, shows ! in icon

This last week at work I started noticing that my data and voice would drop off and I would get the icon showing half signal but would have an ! In the icon. When I look at the Sim status it shows I'm connected but I'm not. After rebooting the phone I will have 4G service for about 20 minutes then it drops off again.
I have Tmo and contacted support and they told me to reset the APN but that didn't help.
The only thing that looks new on my phone is a recent app called Google Connectivity Service.
Other people at work on Tmo are not experiencing this issue but they are on Kit Kat still. I don't have this issue at home, I get full LTE there.
EDIT:
This is still broken as of 05/20/2015 -- Possible workarounds can be found here (thanks TaintedByte).
I have this same issue but it's only at home. I think it's just due to poor service when I'm in my house or I have to many towers to connect to..... It switches from no data to E,3g,H,H+ constantly while I'm just sitting on the couch. But I also get ! Frequently
I would think it was poor reception but this a recent thing for me. Before this week I haven't had this issue and others in my office have full 4G signals.
OMG. I have the EXACT same problem. I just switched to TMobile and got the nexus 6 on the 13th. Everything was "fine" at my work. I'd be stuck on 3G most of the time, but it never failed me. Then starting this week, it's been dropping signal like crazy, getting the !. It's defintely due to a weak signal, but I don't know why it was fine for 3 weeks, and then all of a sudden started having problems.
+1 - on Spring Rom
EDIT - Went back to a backup of Bliss, problem has not appeared.
I was trying to fix it by forcing it to 3G, but my phone likes to try to switch to HSPA when I set it to 3G and that one is pretty weak too. If there was a way to force it to 3g without hspa, I think i'd be fine. I just tried forcing it to 2G and I get a pretty strong EDGE signal. It'll be slow as balls, but I'll see if that fixes it. Unfortunately the area I live in isn't going to get band 12 for quite a while, if ever. It's one of those major cities that have an exception on it for a TV station that still exists.
rbox said:
I was trying to fix it by forcing it to 3G, but my phone likes to try to switch to HSPA when I set it to 3G and that one is pretty weak too. If there was a way to force it to 3g without hspa, I think i'd be fine. I just tried forcing it to 2G and I get a pretty strong EDGE signal. It'll be slow as balls, but I'll see if that fixes it. Unfortunately the area I live in isn't going to get band 12 for quite a while, if ever. It's one of those major cities that have an exception on it for a TV station that still exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G is HSPA/+. On Tmo anyway. When in 3G mode it will display 3G (also known as UMTS) when data is idle and will display HSPA or HSPA+ when data is active.
jbdan said:
3G is HSPA/+. On Tmo anyway. When in 3G mode it will display 3G (also known as UMTS) when data is idle and will display HSPA or HSPA+ when data is active.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's weird, because sometimes I'll see 3G shown while data is active and I see differnet levels for 3G vs H on the icon. But it looks like I have a pretty strong H right now. Maybe I'll have good luck this afternoon.
---------- Post added at 01:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------
I take it back. Sometimes the icon will get "stuck" and show a great signal but no connection.
Have you guys tried turning off enhanced LTE in carrier settings?
Evolution_Freak said:
Have you guys tried turning off enhanced LTE in carrier settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did. And eventually it died. It seems like if I leave it on the preference of LTE, then I get the exclamation point. If I force it to be 3g only, then I get the situation where the icon claims it's 3G, and the signal looks good, but I have no service.
midwestkel said:
This last week at work I started noticing that my data and voice would drop off and I would get the icon showing half signal but would have an ! In the icon. When I look at the Sim status it shows I'm connected but I'm not. After rebooting the phone I will have 4G service for about 20 minutes then it drops off again.
I have Tmo and contacted support and they told me to reset the APN but that didn't help.
The only thing that looks new on my phone is a recent app called Google Connectivity Service.
Other people at work on Tmo are not experiencing this issue but they are on Kit Kat still. I don't have this issue at home, I get full LTE there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem with sprint, they couldn't give me a solution either...
mnsportsguy1978 said:
I have the same problem with sprint, they couldn't give me a solution either...
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Click to collapse
Did it just start, or have you been having it for a while? Has anyone tried using the radio image from 5.0?
rbox said:
Did it just start, or have you been having it for a while? Has anyone tried using the radio image from 5.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just since 5.1 I believe, at least didn't notice it before...
Been having signal issues as well lately (T-Mobile) and now that I think of it it's very closely timed to when that Google Connectivity app showed up! Just disabled it to see if I notice a difference
YankInDaSouth said:
Been having signal issues as well lately (T-Mobile) and now that I think of it it's very closely timed to when that Google Connectivity app showed up! Just disabled it to see if I notice a difference
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've disable mine and so far so good... but who knows. What version do you have? I see I have A.1.0.1, but on the play store I see an update for B.1.3.3. It doens't show up in my list of apps to update, but if I do a direct search, it shows up as an update.
---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------
Of course I had to just go and jinx it. It just got the problem again. But I did also reenable the app for a short while before disabling it again. Maybe it's related...
rbox said:
I've disable mine and so far so good... but who knows. What version do you have? I see I have A.1.0.1, but on the play store I see an update for B.1.3.3. It doens't show up in my list of apps to update, but if I do a direct search, it shows up as an update.
---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------
Of course I had to just go and jinx it. It just got the problem again. But I did also reenable the app for a short while before disabling it again. Maybe it's related...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if the version I was running assume that it was the latest, but it uninstalls updates before disabling ...
Seems like the affected users are on T-Mo. Have you gents considered tower maintenance/upgrades?
I'm on T-Mo as well. I've had a few similar instances over the last few months, but the problem resolves in the areas it's happened, and now the reception is better.
TheAmazingDave said:
Seems like the affected users are on T-Mo. Have you gents considered tower maintenance/upgrades?
I'm on T-Mo as well. I've had a few similar instances over the last few months, but the problem resolves in the areas it's happened, and now the reception is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a whole week? It's defintely a signal strength issue, I just can't figure out why. The way the building I work in is laid out, there is a hallway along the edge, and I get great LTE there. then I walk into the room a few feet away from the window, and it's fine. Then I go behind my cube wall, and it starts to get weaker. Than as I move a few feet away from the wall, it drops to 3G.
Also, it looks like disabling Google Connectivity Services didn't do it for me. I had rebooted with it disabled and evenutally it still died.
rbox said:
Well that's weird, because sometimes I'll see 3G shown while data is active and I see differnet levels for 3G vs H on the icon. But it looks like I have a pretty strong H right now. Maybe I'll have good luck this afternoon.
---------- Post added at 01:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------
I take it back. Sometimes the icon will get "stuck" and show a great signal but no connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very odd. I've been having some weak LTE signal issues at home, but only at home. Wife's S6 stays connected to LTE -110dbm here while my N6 hunts and switches back and forth between 3G and LTE. Started happening about 2-3 weeks ago. I've been hoping it's T-Mobile, not my phone
rbox said:
I take it back. Sometimes the icon will get "stuck" and show a great signal but no connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had that happen as well.
Evolution_Freak said:
Have you guys tried turning off enhanced LTE in carrier settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that and it didn't do anything for me.
rbox said:
Did it just start, or have you been having it for a while? Has anyone tried using the radio image from 5.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just started this week for me. I've had 5.1 for over a month and haven't had this issue before Monday.
I've tried disabling the Google Connectivity Services (v B.1.3.3) app and that did nothing for me as well. I also switch my APN to IPv4/IPv6, it was on IPv6 only but it didn't make a difference. I also did a test by taking the phone to a location that I know has strong LTE while it have the ! icon and it would not reconnect to any network. I tried toggling airplane mode but it didn't refresh the cell/data radio either. After rebooting I had full LTE service.
I talked to Tmo reps and they didn't see any maintenance on the towers in my area but they opened a ticket for me.
It seems like something is bugging out while it jumps between LTE/4G/3G and then the radio crashes. At home it's solid LTE and I don't have any issues.

Force phone to stay on lte without losing calls and text?

Is there a way to make my phone ALWAYS connect to lte whenever there is ANY signal for it without losing calling and text? I know that if you go into *#*#4636#*#* you can force the phone to stay lte, but if I do that I loose calling and texting capabilities.
My problem is my building has lte signal thought, but my phone thinks 3g is better in the first floor so it connects to it... Forcing it to lte with *#*#4636#*#* works for data, but calls and text don't go through at all.
Sprint n6 stock 5.1 rooted unlocked w/twrp recovery
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
reinaldistic said:
Is there a way to make my phone ALWAYS connect to lte whenever there is ANY signal for it without losing calling and text? I know that if you go into *#*#4636#*#* you can force the phone to stay lte, but if I do that I loose calling and texting capabilities.
My problem is my building has lte signal thought, but my phone thinks 3g is better in the first floor so it connects to it... Forcing it to lte with *#*#4636#*#* works for data, but calls and text don't go through at all.
Sprint n6 stock 5.1 rooted unlocked w/twrp recovery
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if sprint doesnt have volte, then you can not. im using tmobile, which is using volte, so i enable lte only, and get calls and texts. if no volte, then you wont get calls or texts via lte.
simms22 said:
if sprint doesnt have volte, then you can not. im using tmobile, which is using volte, so i enable lte only, and get calls and texts. if no volte, then you wont get calls or texts via lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking more along the lines of telling the phone 3g data doesn't exist or is always worse, so if it sees lte it should grab it but at the same time staying connected to cdma so phone calls work
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
reinaldistic said:
I was thinking more along the lines of telling the phone 3g data doesn't exist or is always worse, so if it sees lte it should grab it but at the same time staying connected to cdma so phone calls work
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
itll always choose the best signal thats available to it. if it happens to be 3G, then thats what itll be. so no volte on sprint yet?
simms22 said:
itll always choose the best signal thats available to it. if it happens to be 3G, then thats what itll be. so no volte on sprint yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No volte.
Right the problem is my phone isn't choosing the truly BEST signal. 3g in my first floor gets 0.2-0.6 Mbps whereas my LTE there is 0.5- 1.3 Mbps yet my phone connects to 3g...
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
reinaldistic said:
No volte.
Right the problem is my phone isn't choosing the truly BEST signal. 3g in my first floor gets 0.2-0.6 Mbps whereas my LTE there is 0.5- 1.3 Mbps yet my phone connects to 3g...
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sucks
Same problem here. LTE is 5mb/s and 3G is 200kb/s and my phone wants to switch to 3G constantly
Make sure it isn't set to global. Will handoff even more.
I have Samsung Note 4 N910C Android 5.1.1. I went to service menu by dialing *#2263# and I set it LTE only and my signals are lost. Now can anyone help me. How can I set it to Automatic again.
Zulaid khan said:
I have Samsung Note 4 N910C Android 5.1.1. I went to service menu by dialing *#2263# and I set it LTE only and my signals are lost. Now can anyone help me. How can I set it to Automatic again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dial *#*#4636#*#*, select phone info, scroll down and srlwct lte/gsm/cdma.. but anyways, this is a nexus 6 forums, not a samsung note forums.
reinaldistic said:
Right the problem is my phone isn't choosing the truly BEST signal. 3g in my first floor gets 0.2-0.6 Mbps whereas my LTE there is 0.5- 1.3 Mbps yet my phone connects to 3g...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that a quicker speed does not mean a better signal reception, right?
PaisanNYC said:
You do realize that a quicker speed does not mean a better signal reception, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right, that's also what the phone thinks, I want the speed not the reception. why would I want reception? I don't do phone calls like a caveman
I do realize the LTE fringes on -120dbm, but the few seconds it loses lte isn't enough to affect browsing, yet my phone thinks it's signal doomsday and switches to 3g

Showing "3G" instead of "H" in status bar, but still HSPA speeds

For a while now (I'm not sure exactly when it started, maybe a week ago or so) my Nexus 6 has only been showing me "3G" in the status bar. It used to show "H" most of the time.
Didn't think much about it at first, but now I was wondering because I had a Moto X (2014) before and that phone *always* showed H and practically never 3G.
So I opened the *#*#4636#*#* menu and checked under Phone Information, there it says "UMTS" under "Network type". I think it used to be "HSPA" under that item if I was connected via HSPA.
At first I thought maybe my carrier had some kind of network problem, so I did a speed test for the heck of it. The weird thing is, I'm getting speeds of 7 Mbit/s down and 1 Mbit/s up. These are HSPA speeds. So I must be connected via HSPA after all?!
It's not a problem per se since I get the speeds I want, but I'm still a little anxious something might be wrong with my Nexus 6.
Anyone know if they changed the behavior of the indicator in the status bar or something? Or is this related to some setting that I'm not aware of?
A friend of mine with a Nexus 5 on the same carrier as me is still getting the "H" in the status bar (albeit living a few hundred km away).
Nexus 6, completely stock and unrooted.
I have LTE deactivated by the way, because even though we do get LTE coverage here, my plan doesn't cover LTE speeds. If I activate LTE, the phone changes to the LTE network. 2G (EDGE) is also working and displayed correctly.
Are you on Lollipop or Marshmallow? Quick story: I only get HSPA at school and it used to say H/H+ when I was on Lollipop. After updating to 6.0 it says 3G now. If you're on Marshmallow I think it's 100% normal and nothing to worry about.
Face_Plant said:
Are you on Lollipop or Marshmallow? Quick story: I only get HSPA at school and it used to say H/H+ when I was on Lollipop. After updating to 6.0 it says 3G now. If you're on Marshmallow I think it's 100% normal and nothing to worry about.
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Click to collapse
I am on Marshmallow actually. Weird thing, though, is that my friend with his Nexus 5 on Marshmallow still sees H. Maybe they changed something just on the Nexus 6, but why would they? Plus on another forum someone said they still see "H" on their Nexus 6. I don't see it at all anymore.
Pyrazol said:
I am on Marshmallow actually. Weird thing, though, is that my friend with his Nexus 5 on Marshmallow still sees H. Maybe they changed something just on the Nexus 6, but why would they? Plus on another forum someone said they still see "H" on their Nexus 6. I don't see it at all anymore.
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Click to collapse
I still see H, but very rarely. Maybe 3G is the new H+? So it goes E, H, 3G, then LTE now instead of E, H, H+, LTE like it used to?
When it says H in the status bar, it will say HSPA in settings > about phone.
When it says 3G in status bar, it will say UMTS.
3G will download up to 7.2 Mbps.
HSPA+ will do 21 Mbps
DC-HSPA will do 42 (21 on each channel) though I don't think we support this..
---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------
Face_Plant said:
I still see H, but very rarely. Maybe 3G is the new H+? So it goes E, H, 3G, then LTE now instead of E, H, H+, LTE like it used to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
goes: GPRS, E (edge), 3G (UMTS), H (HSPA), H+ (HSPA+), LTE / 4G
danarama said:
When it says H in the status bar, it will say HSPA in settings > about phone.
When it says 3G in status bar, it will say UMTS.
3G will download up to 7.2 Mbps.
HSPA+ will do 21 Mbps
DC-HSPA will do 42 (21 on each channel) though I don't think we support this..
---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------
goes: GPRS, E (edge), 3G (UMTS), H (HSPA), H+ (HSPA+), LTE / 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. I thought they were just using a new symbol for HSPA/HSPA+ in Marshmallow. I never saw 3G in my status bar on Lollipop. It was always H/H+/LTE.
just read the title to your thread.. just so that you know, H, or hspa, is 3G.
and speeds of 7mb /1mb are very slow hspa speeds, but normal 3G speeds. on H, and on tmo, i can see speeds up to 21mbps. and on H+, i can see speeds up to about 42mbps.
I've noticed something similar. Almost like the signal bar and type is sticking. Putting it into airplane mode often switches it back to how it used to be.
I also find the signal bars seem to be sticking too. Where I normally get full signal it sometimes shows lower (and at multiple locations).
No idea why, only since marshmallow.
Face_Plant said:
I see. I thought they were just using a new symbol for HSPA/HSPA+ in Marshmallow. I never saw 3G in my status bar on Lollipop. It was always H/H+/LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sew 3G occasionally. It's rare because usually where there is 3G, there is HSPA.
simms22 said:
just read the title to your thread.. just so that you know, H, or hspa, is 3G.
and speeds of 7mb /1mb are very slow hspa speeds, but normal 3G speeds. on H, and on tmo, i can see speeds up to 21mbps. and on H+, i can see speeds up to about 42mbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, HSPA is 3.5 G.. It's an evolution of 3G, but as per my previous post, they are indicated differently both in the status bar and about phone.
OP is not seeing HSPA of it shows UMTS in about phone.
danarama said:
When it says H in the status bar, it will say HSPA in settings > about phone.
When it says 3G in status bar, it will say UMTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, thanks, that's what I thought it was.
simms22 said:
just read the title to your thread.. just so that you know, H, or hspa, is 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do know that. I'm aware of all the intricacies of these more or less arbitrary names. Though I thought non-HSPA 3G wouldn't give you more than 384 kbit/s down, while HSDPA (no +) would give you up to 7 Mbit/s. That's what wikipedia and quite a few other sources say anyway. But what Google or whatever manufacturer shows you as "3G" and "H" and "H+" could be something different entirely, so...
The question is more or less, what does stock Android mean when it says "3G" and "H" in the status bar. It used to and still seems to be 3G == UMTS and H == HSPA. So in essence, I'm wondering why my Nexus 6 is never showing me any HSPA anywhere anymore. Is it a software issue (i.e. Android not showing the correct value, or Android not making the hardware connect to HSPA), a hardware issue (broken Nexus 6) or a carrier issue. The latter seems unlikely, at least in a general sense, since my friend on the same carrier still sees "H" in the status bar.
This isn't about how fast the network is or should be, but rather just if I'm looking at a hardware fault that I should be concerned about, since it just changed all of a sudden.
Amos91 said:
I've noticed something similar. Almost like the signal bar and type is sticking. Putting it into airplane mode often switches it back to how it used to be.
I also find the signal bars seem to be sticking too. Where I normally get full signal it sometimes shows lower (and at multiple locations).
No idea why, only since marshmallow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had that too. My signal indicator stuck at 0 bars indefinitely. Anywhere I moved it kept showing 0 bars, even at places that always have good reception. But I could still make calls and use data just fine. Airplane mode fixed that for me as well when I had it.
I've been through several reboots and Airplane mode switches so far though and HSPA (or rather the "H" in the status bar) isn't coming back for me.
Check your mobile data settings to make sure you're not limiting anything and check your apn too.. It's unlikely hardware.
Speed is useful. Your speeds are much too low to be HSPA so it's indicative that you really are connecting as 3G only.
Out of curiosity, for those that are seeing 3G appear at the top, you guys on T-Mobile? I started noticing this too as of yesterday. I work in a large commercial building where I can't get LTE yet (until at least T-Mobile flips the B12 switch) and typically I get HSPA(+). I thought it was coincidence that I started seeing 3G as of yesterday as there is some tower maintenance going on (at least that's what a T-Mobile RF engineer told me)
My phone is currently on 6.0 build MRA58K.
On a side note, has anybody else noticed their signal being worse since the 6.0 OTA? I'm getting at least -10dBm worse now vs my Nexus 7 LTE (running 5.1)
Mitalis said:
Out of curiosity, for those that are seeing 3G appear at the top, you guys on T-Mobile?
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Click to collapse
I'm actually on AT&T.
Mitalis said:
On a side note, has anybody else noticed their signal being worse since the 6.0 OTA?
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Click to collapse
I have also noticed a weaker signal and more time without signal (went from 0-2% on Lollipop to 9%+ according to the battery stats). I flashed the factory image (too impatient for OTA's). I haven't tried any of the older radios yet.
danarama said:
Check your mobile data settings to make sure you're not limiting anything and check your apn too.. It's unlikely hardware.
Speed is useful. Your speeds are much too low to be HSPA so it's indicative that you really are connecting as 3G only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did already check mobile data settings and switched everything around in there, but no change. APN settings too. I haven't changed anything in either of those places anyway so an issue with them seems unlikely to me.
In my case, speeds aren't really useful, because my carrier limits them softwarewise to the speeds I have (7 Mbit/s). So even if I turn on LTE (have it switched off normally) I only get 7 Mbit/s - but still the LTE signal indicator.
I doubt it's a carrier issue since my friend still sees the H, you doubt it's a phone issue, so that just leaves us with a software issue
Mitalis said:
I work in a large commercial building where I can't get LTE yet (until at least T-Mobile flips the B12 switch) and typically I get HSPA(+).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to check with T-Mobile about band12 support for the Nexus6 on Marshmallow with the stock radio. There have been reports that T-Mobile had band12 support disabled on the Nexus6 unified Marshmallow build.
Maybe they already flipped the B12 switch, and that has left you with just 3g ?
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
trent999 said:
You might want to check with T-Mobile about band12 support for the Nexus6 on Marshmallow with the stock radio. There have been reports that T-Mobile had band12 support disabled on the Nexus6 unified Marshmallow build.
Maybe they already flipped the B12 switch, and that has left you with just 3g ?
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Band 12 works on Marshmallow, I noticed it the other day when I was downtown in an area that had coverage, I'm just waiting on them to flip the switch in my area.
Mitalis said:
Band 12 works on Marshmallow, I noticed it the other day when I was downtown in an area that had coverage, I'm just waiting on them to flip the switch in my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of SIM do you have band12 working on Marshmallow?
Band12 even just for data is for sure disabled under Marshmallow with a Project Fi SIM. Didn't use to be.
If band12 and T-Mobile VoLTE work with Marshmallow using a T-Mobile SIM, that is great news and I hope they will be able to get the 6p and 5x also to work on band12, and soon.
Project Fi, at least, is in a bit of a pickle over this issue, since they do not and will not use T-Mobile's proprietary VoLTE while on band12, and T-Mobile is refusing access to band12 without that certification.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
trent999 said:
What kind of SIM do you have band12 working on Marshmallow?
Band12 even just for data is for sure disabled under Marshmallow with a Project Fi SIM. Didn't use to be.
If band12 and T-Mobile VoLTE work with Marshmallow using a T-Mobile SIM, that is great news and I hope they will be able to get the 6p and 5x also to work on band12, and soon.
Project Fi, at least, is in a bit of a pickle over this issue, since they do not and will not use T-Mobile's proprietary VoLTE while on band12, and T-Mobile is refusing access to band12 without that certification.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I'm using a T-Mobile sim. The Nexus 6 hardware was certified to work through T-Mobile, which I'm guessing why B12, VoLTE, & WiFi calling work on this phone.
I don't know what the case is with the Nexus 5x or 6p, as those are being sold through Google only, where as you could purchase the Nexus 6 through T-Mobile.
trent999 said:
Project Fi, at least, is in a bit of a pickle over this issue, since they do not and will not use T-Mobile's proprietary VoLTE while on band12, and T-Mobile is refusing access to band12 without that certification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you know that? Are you privy to the MVNO agreement between T-Mobile and Project Fi? That is not the same thing as TMO's certification requirement for devices using a T-Mobile SIM.
All we know with any certainty is that Band 12 data connections used to work for Project Fi users under 5.1.1, but do not work for those running Marshmallow today. We don't know why. It could be that "T-Mobile is refusing access" contractually, as you claim. Or it could be a technical issue that broke something in the new radio.
We do know that T-Mobile is refusing access to band12 data unless the device also using T-Mobile VoLTE, because that has been said both by T-Mobile and acknowledged on the Project Fi support boards.
You are technically correct though that we do not know for sure if that is why Project Fi users no longer get band12 data access with Marshmallow.
We also don't know it that is why neither the N5x nor the 6p get band12, even with a T-Mobile SIM in, yet. That might be some certification issue, despite press reports about T-Mobile requiring it's removal.
I am glad it is working on your N6 with your T-Mobile SIM in place. I hope it will work on mine with my T-Mobile prepaid SIM, too.
Some Project Fi users are claiming that as of Marshmallow, Fi should no longer claim that Fi users have the exact same coverage on the T-Mobile network as T-Mobile customers, since they don't any longer.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

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