10 Budget Friendly Tips for How to Boost Your Cell Phone Signal
75% of cell phone users experience dropped calls occasionally or sometimes more frequently.
And as over 50% of Americans no longer have landline phones, a decent signal on your only mode of communication is vital.
Read on to learn how to boost your cell phone signal with these budget-friendly top 10 tips.
1. Keep Your Phone Charged
When your phone has a critically low battery (such as when the battery icon is red), it is difficult for your phone to make and maintain a signal.
If you plan to go out, charge your phone. Make it a habit to keep your phone’s battery topped up.
You can also buy a portable battery charger for around $20. These little mini chargers will give your phone a needed charge when you aren’t near an outlet or didn’t bring your charger.
Also, avoid draining your battery faster than necessary. That means keep your screen set to as dim as you can comfortably can.
Whenever you don’t need Bluetooth, disable it on your phone. Close apps you aren’t using. Not only do they slow your phone down, but they also drain your battery by working in the background when they are open.
Another thing that eats your battery is push notifications. While you might need to keep this turned on for your work emails, you can probably turn them off for plants vs zombies.
2. Use Wi-Fi Calling
Most cell phone providers across North America offer wi-fi calling.
You can use your internet connection at home, work or other wi-fi spots around town to make phone calls.
Research how to make a wi-fi call on the specific make and model of your cell phone.
Chances are you are in a spot that has a good wi-fi signal.
3. Remove Interference
If you are wondering how to boost cell phone signal for free, there are ways. For one thing, you can remove any interferences.
There’s not much you can do about weather, buildings, and hills in the way between you and the nearest cell phone tower.
But you can reduce internal clutter that sends electronic or magnetic signals. If you have an important call to make, talk from the top floor, preferably near a window.
4. Talk Hands-Free
It’s been years since you could see the mobile phone antenna in your device. The flip phones with an extendable antenna are things of the past.
But that doesn’t mean that your phone doesn’t have an antenna. These days they are as discreet as possible.
But your hands and face could be blocking the antenna and affecting your cell phone signal.
Sometimes how to get better reception is as simple as placing your phone down on a table and talking on speaker.
5. Remove Your Phone From the Case
A simple and free cell phone booster is simply to take your phone out of the case.
Some cases can weaken your cell phone’s signal. try popping your phone out of the case if you are suffering from a weak signal.
Or if you’re wondering how to get better service permanently, you can buy phone cases that boost cell signal.
6. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off
Sometimes, you may have no signal or get a “no service” message on your cell phone.
In these situations, you can switch on Airplane Mode for a few seconds. After 5 seconds, switch Airplane Mode back off.
This little signal refresh trick forces your phone to reconnect to the nearest cell phone tower. By doing so, you can get a stronger signal.
7. Use a Signal Booster
A sure way that you can get better reception on your cell phone is by using a signal booster. Signal boosters, sometimes called femtocells, are small base stations.
They strengthen the radio waves passing from your cell phone and the transmitter.
These devices range in price depending on the brand and the device’s features. If you do decide to buy a signal booster, try to find one used.
Buying used is a smart way to save money.
8. Use a Signal Finding App
Another way to get better reception is to use one of the many available apps designed to find signals in the area. One of these apps is called Open Signal.
The apps work by gathering information from public data and mobile phone companies. The app will tell you where to go to find the best signal near you.
You won’t have to walk aimlessly with your phone held up over your head. Plus, these apps will let you know where to find the nearest wi-fi hotspot. This is great for when you are visiting somewhere new.
9. Disable 3G
This tip may sound counterintuitive, but turning off 3G on your device can help you get better service.
That’s because there are more 2G signals out there, and they can be stronger than the 3G ones.
Sure, you can’t use 2G to watch Netflix or send an email. But it’s fine to make a call or send a couple of SMS messages.
You can disable 3G by going to your settings menu. Under General, find mobile data and turn off “mobile data” and “enable 3G.”
10. Move Away From the Crowds
When you are in a big crowd in a small area, the nearest tower might not be able to give you a decent signal.
If you’re at a concert, sports game, festival or so on, chances are that many people around you are taking pictures, sending messages and posting on social media.
Try to walk away from the crowds to get a better signal. Head up to higher ground if you can.
Final Thoughts on How to Boost Your Cell Phone Signal
There you have it. 10 tips on how to boost your cell phone signal without breaking the bank.
If you’ve tried all these tips and are still having trouble, maybe it’s time for a new cell phone.
Check out these new smartphones with budget prices.