For those of you having battery issues I found a way to DRAMATICALLY improve the battery life.
I tried this and I have seen a huge improvement.
First things first, go into Settings> About Phone> Battery> Battery Use> Cell Standby. Assuming your phone has been on, or off the charger for ~10 minutes, it should show Time Without Signal at around 50%.
Next thing, press HOME, and bring up the dialer. Dial *#*#4636#*#* (Do not press "Call"). After a second, it should bring up the "Testing" menu.
Go into Phone Information, press MENU, and tap "select radio band." You should experience a Force Close, don't panic, this was supposed to happen. Scrolling down shows that the preferred network type is GSM auto (prl).
What this means is that even though you are connected to a CDMA network, your phone is trying to find a GSM network, preventing the radio from sleeping, and causing excessive battery drain.
Remedy this by tapping GSM auto (prl), and changing it to CDMA auto (prl).
Now your done, your TWS should drop dramatically, and you should experience much better battery life!
Note: You need to do this every time you reboot.
I wish there was a way to make an application to toggle this thing on and off so you don't have to do it every time you reboot the phone.
Going to try this for tomorrow and see how my battery life is. Seems silly that with all the customization HTC did to the OS they missed this detail.
seems weird; has anyone confirmed if this works?
-m
Just checked mine and it was already CDMA(auto).
btw for what it's worth, my EVO has been off the charger for ~2 hours, and the cell standby details just shows "time on: 2h 19m". Mine is also defaulting to 'CDMA auto (PRL)'
Perhaps a recentl prl update fixed this?
-m
Nice find though - the battery history tab (especially the all time tab) is awesome..
For instance, I've been seeing my GPS turn on and stay on while indoors.. according to these stats, the 'movies' app is the one that was using it the most..
-m
I found mine in CDMA already too
Mine was GSM my son's was on cdma, we both did the prl updates and both of us did the sd card update as well.
I guess some phones were on cdma by default some weren't.
Maybe thats why some people are calling other crazy for the battery drain.
thanks...interesting find...mine was on gsm. everytime i reboot?! damn.
Mine was set to CDMA with Cell standby of 48%.
mines was on gsm also..but i rebooted and it stood on cdma..it didnt default back
There is an app in the market called "network" that is basically a shortcut to this menu.
diomark said:
Nice find though - the battery history tab (especially the all time tab) is awesome..
For instance, I've been seeing my GPS turn on and stay on while indoors.. according to these stats, the 'movies' app is the one that was using it the most..
-m
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could just use spare parts from the market place it shows you all of that
Mine was on GSM. I'll see if my battery life is any better tomorrow.
Mine was set to GSM. The phone came from Google I/O so maybe that was a bit different? I'm excited to see how this improves it! If it does...good find! If not...still probably a good thing to change!
Thank you so much for this, it seemed to fix my sporadic signal issue!!!!
just changed mine to CDMA thanks
spurnout said:
Mine was set to GSM. The phone came from Google I/O so maybe that was a bit different? I'm excited to see how this improves it! If it does...good find! If not...still probably a good thing to change!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was set to CDMA
Thanks for the tip...Mine was set to GSM.
Mine was already set to CDMA auto (prl). I saw another option was for CDMA only. I wonder if there would be any difference with that selected?
Related
Has anyone noticed and/or found anything else that may help this??
I have seen that you can go into the *#*#4636#*#* menu and change to "cdma only" which "seemed" to help, but in fact it did not really do much.
Also coming from the eris we had the "airplane mode trick" which did seem to help on that device.. this involved literally just putting the phone in airplane mode, plug in charger, sleep, then wake the phone back up and after checking it from time to time the time without signal was usually below 2 or 3% for me (on the eris).
The incredible is still showing poor numbers with both of those done and my g/f's eris showing 0% time without signal in the same room, while my incredible shows 30%.
Also noted, I saw somewhere around here that htc in fact admitted a problem with the radio signal and hoped to correct it with an update, so maybe we just have to live with this as it is for now.
Also on a side note, the eris and incredible are both showing the same signal strength side-by-side, which someone suggested that the problem may be that the radio is designed to go into a low power mode occasionally which could also be the culprit.
any thoughts?
Try using CDMA auto PRL
fallingd0wn said:
Try using CDMA auto PRL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what the phone was using when I received it, I suppose it looks like an update is necessary to fix this issue. Like I said, my eris never read over 5% (even in the worst signal areas I was in), ever. Definitely seems to be a real issue, and I'm sure that battery life will improve when this is fixed.
On the eris, if I was using a rom that needed the "airplane mode trick" as I stated in my first post, the time without signal was usually from 40 to 50% and battery life was awful. As soon as the time without signal dropped the battery life was back to normal
You can also download a different .prl file and install it. I made an Alltel , verizon hybrid one that works great for me. Coloradoprl.com has a lot to try
Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk
I found this over at PPC Geeks, Here , and he found it over on Android Forums Here.
I saw something similar on the the Inc. Wiki page, but this is a little different and has helped me ALOT! I just thought I would share with the rest of XDA- If someone can add this to the wiki page, I don't feel as though I am qualified... THANKS!
Try this.
1. Press HOME, and bring up the dialer. Dial *#*#4636#*#* (Do not press "Call").
2. After a second, it should bring up the "Testing" menu.
3. Go into Phone Information, press MENU, and tap "select radio band." You should experience a Force Close, don't panic, this was supposed to happen.
4.Scrolling down shows that the preferred network type is GSM auto (prl).
What this means is that even though you are connected to a CDMA network, your phone is trying to find a GSM network, preventing the radio from sleeping, and causing excessive battery drain.
Remedy this by tapping GSM auto (prl), and changing it to CDMA auto (prl).
Now your done, your TWS should drop dramatically, and you should experience much better battery life!
Credit is given to DroidDave over at Android Forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is set to cdma auto already.
Mine was set to GSM, and so was my friends... I've rooted and installed other kernals on my phone, and his in completely stock. I think it's just a hit or miss as to whether your phone was sent out as CDMA or GSM preferred.
just tried this and mine was set to GSM. i tried it and i'll see how it goes.
Calibob2001 said:
Mine was set to GSM, and so was my friends... I've rooted and installed other kernals on my phone, and his in completely stock. I think it's just a hit or miss as to whether your phone was sent out as CDMA or GSM preferred.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you happen to check if your phone was set to CDMA BEFORE you chose "select radio band" and got a force close? Because I'm pretty sure no matter what it's set to, after that force close it's going to default to GSM on the selection screen. I saw this posted back when I had an Eris and it was pretty much discounted at that time
seanmcd72 said:
Did you happen to check if your phone was set to CDMA BEFORE you chose "select radio band" and got a force close? Because I'm pretty sure no matter what it's set to, after that force close it's going to default to GSM on the selection screen. I saw this posted back when I had an Eris and it was pretty much discounted at that time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be right, I definitely saw a difference in battery life after I did this, but when I log back in it says GSM again... weird... Why do some phones say CDMA and others GSM?
Calibob2001 said:
You may be right, I definitely saw a difference in battery life after I did this, but when I log back in it says GSM again... weird... Why do some phones say CDMA and others GSM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you hit the "select radio band" it's always going to default to GSM after the force close.
I have tried settings
wireless & networks
mobile network settings
network operators
Search networks & select Automatically is greyed out and doesnt work
Here is what I did to get it working
1.click phone then press *#*#4636#*#*
2.click on phone information
3.scroll down and click on wcdma preferred
4.click gsm only
5.hit back until you get out and there you go
Down side is every time you reboot you have to do all over again. If any one else knows a better way It would be greatly appreciated.
Mine stays on 3G. I tried this a few days ago using Anycut to create a shortcut to "phone info" and I had NO luck there either.
kirbo20 said:
Mine stays on 3G. I tried this a few days ago using Anycut to create a shortcut to "phone info" and I had NO luck there either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Phone is rooted so maybe thats why, or possibly you need to type in
*#*#4636#*#* a little faster I tried 1st time and no luck but on second time worked like a charm.
I wish a direct dial shortcut would work but no luck either. I did get there manually though and yes you have to dial fast. The other thing I noticed is my icon just changes to a 3g with a check mark lik ehow it does if you turn off the always on feature. I suppose I could test with a network speed app to see if it really is on edge though.
deleted
sentinel79 said:
I wish a direct dial shortcut would work but no luck either. I did get there manually though and yes you have to dial fast. The other thing I noticed is my icon just changes to a 3g with a check mark lik ehow it does if you turn off the always on feature. I suppose I could test with a network speed app to see if it really is on edge though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the E from edge and have done speed test and confirm it is on edge..some times when you change the settings to GSM ONLY..just wait until the E (edge)pops up and if that doesnt work you have to change it back to wcdma preferred and then back to GSM ONLY it will work... and no need to exit out until you get edge on...I just did it and it took a few times but it works I promise.
sfernandez said:
I get the E from edge and have done speed test and confirm it is on edge..some times when you change the settings to GSM ONLY..just wait until the E (edge)pops up and if that doesnt work you have to change it back to wcdma preferred and then back to GSM ONLY it will work... and no need to exit out until you get edge on...I just did it and it took a few times but it works I promise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay after a couple tries and testing with XtremeLabs speedtest I can now see the E and it's definitely on edge speeds. Also my unshielded subwoofer is buzzing like crazy Maybe Edge and EMI are go hand in hand
sentinel79 said:
Okay after a couple tries and testing with XtremeLabs speedtest I can now see the E and it's definitely on edge speeds. Also my unshielded subwoofer is buzzing like crazy Maybe Edge and EMI are go hand in hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO..good old technology...and glad it works 4u
Please forgive me for being a complete noob but what are the benefits of being on edge instead off 3G?
Joesalad21 said:
Please forgive me for being a complete noob but what are the benefits of being on edge instead off 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will help with battery life. 3G drains battery pretty fast, also depending on where you live and signal strengths,your signal can go back and forth from 3g to edge and draining your battery even faster. So if you leave on Edge will help out battery.
Also you can always add a widget to turn off your mobile data when connected to wifi.
Click on Menu -> Add + -> widget -> Settings -> from the list choose mobile data. You can now turn on or off your mobile data when not needed.
Thanks
There's a widget by curvefish.com on the Market that switches between edge and 3g. Haven't tried or tested. Android noob and a little worried to.
How's the battery life difference? I know on the HTC Tilt 2 there was a 4 - 6hr difference.
I think it is the way the SIM card is provisioned. I wasn't able to go to 2G only on my Backflip either even though some could.
asiancuta said:
There's a widget by curvefish.com on the Market that switches between edge and 3g. Haven't tried or tested. Android noob and a little worried to.
How's the battery life difference? I know on the HTC Tilt 2 there was a 4 - 6hr difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried this widget. It didn't work it just takes you to the settings page.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
hunkyn said:
Also you can always add a widget to turn off your mobile data when connected to wifi.
Click on Menu -> Add + -> widget -> Settings -> from the list choose mobile data. You can now turn on or off your mobile data when not needed.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a better widget that cuts off data but still allows you to send and recieve SMS and MMS
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-camurphy-toggledata-jCE.aspx
asiancuta said:
There's a widget by curvefish.com on the Market that switches between edge and 3g. Haven't tried or tested. Android noob and a little worried to.
How's the battery life difference? I know on the HTC Tilt 2 there was a 4 - 6hr difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery life is allot better when I have used the widget above and using edge.... I'm still figuring out how much but so far is greatly improved
I have a widget called Extended Controls which looks identical to "power controls" and it has an APN switch.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
sentinel79 said:
I have a widget called Extended Controls which looks identical to "power controls" and it has an APN switch.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like that extended controls..THANK YOU , but the TOGGLE DATA WIDGET that i was talking about will still let you send and receive SMS ans MMS..the original one cuts off the APN completely and no SMS or MMS. Thats the only reason i use it. While we on the subject of widgets..check out Audio Manager Pro.
I think I found a way to sustain battery life as much as my old WM phone. A combination of this Edge techniques and setting autokill up and ignore lists ... and removing polling apps (but everyone knows this) ... so the result is today I went into Edge mode with 9% battery left and 3 hours later it was still 9%. Seems really promising. Tonight I'll go to sleep and let you know how much it dropped while at rest (with APN on).
I also tested the Extended Controls APN button with respects to Edge and I was able to recieve SMS and MMS (but the picture portion of the MMS would not download until I activated the APN button). But I suspect leaving the APN on will not hurt your battery life as I had mine on and battery was rock solid (at least with Edge).
To save additional battery, I ditched Advanced Task Killer and went with "Task Manager" which also has a convenient kill widget. I also dumped the aiSystemWidget (WHICH I LOVE BY THE WAY) as it was constantly polling information and instead installed an app called "Android System Info" which is just as effective at displaying information about my system. Anyone else have an app like this that is light on memory (sorry for the hijack).
Sorry to ramble
I get about a loss of 1% per hour now with sync and apn on.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
sentinel79 said:
I think I found a way to sustain battery life as much as my old WM phone. A combination of this Edge techniques and setting autokill up and ignore lists ... and removing polling apps (but everyone knows this) ... so the result is today I went into Edge mode with 9% battery left and 3 hours later it was still 9%. Seems really promising. Tonight I'll go to sleep and let you know how much it dropped while at rest (with APN on).
I also tested the Extended Controls APN button with respects to Edge and I was able to recieve SMS and MMS (but the picture portion of the MMS would not download until I activated the APN button). But I suspect leaving the APN on will not hurt your battery life as I had mine on and battery was rock solid (at least with Edge).
To save additional battery, I ditched Advanced Task Killer and went with "Task Manager" which also has a convenient kill widget. I also dumped the aiSystemWidget (WHICH I LOVE BY THE WAY) as it was constantly polling information and instead installed an app called "Android System Info" which is just as effective at displaying information about my system. Anyone else have an app like this that is light on memory (sorry for the hijack).
Sorry to ramble
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO..no you weren't rambling at all you were explaining.
I agree with you 100% on the combination of this Edge techniques and setting autokill up and ignore lists ... and removing polling apps...I also have start up startup cleaner 2..and that does help out with boot up speed.
How is "Task Manager" different from Advanced Task Killer? I have the Pro version and love it....and I'm digging that Android System Info.
Plus I found this widget last night called Quick Boot, It will let you reboot, recovery mode of fast boot with 1 click ... Im lazy like that.
sentinel79 said:
I get about a loss of 1% per hour now with sync and apn on.
Thats on Edge? how often so you have everything syncing up? Either way thats great battery life
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an issue that a lot of Hero users had. I was fortunate enough to not experience it with the Hero, but my current time without signal is 52% on my Epic. If I remember correctly, it was a PRL problem, but it might also be the radio. It would be the cause of serious battery issues. I've attempted updating my profile and PRL to no avail. Is anyone else having time without signal issues?
To check, go to settings -> about phone -> battery use -> cell standby.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I thought it was just a reporting issue
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
No. I remember what it was now. It was that the Hero wasn't set to use CDMA towers and was searching for GSM towers for some reason. Something to do with the fact that the Hero was originally a GSM phone, which would make sense here. Someone in the thread that was created just a bit ago suggested it had something to do with the PRL update, which is possible, because I did it and that's when I started getting bad battery life and a high percentage of time without signal.
I've been having a hell of a time with my data connection today, which would explain my poor battery.
I've got a very high time w/out signal as well... I'm surprised this hasnt gotten more attention. Its a huge battery drain.
...
I've got 50% time without signal on mine. It seems likely that the searching for GSM towers could be happening on this phone as well because of all the material that crossed over from the international versions. Is there a way to check and/or fix this problem and get the phone to only search for the CDMA towers?
Thanks,
-Rob
I've been trying to set the network mode to cdma auto using the network app i downloaded from the market. I dont think its fixing the issue though...
Strangely enough this is a similar issue I have seen with the Samsung Intercept. Especially having a hard time with keeping the data connection...
-CC
clockcycle said:
Strangely enough this is a similar issue I have seen with the Samsung Intercept. Especially having a hard time with keeping the data connection...
-CC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't have this issue and I live in Puerto Rico. We have 5 carriers on this tiny island and Sprint is the only one with CDMA.
I think I figured it out. I set my network to cdma auto and my time without signal dropped to 3%. Battery drain seems improved in the short term...
Did you set yours up to WCDMA only? If I went WCDMA Preferred, I can see it was trying and failing to connect to GSM.
HeroHTC said:
Did you set yours up to WCDMA only? If I went WCDMA Preferred, I can see it was trying and failing to connect to GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I set it to CDMA auto
I dont think WCDMA is available in the US.
...
Can you please elaborate a bit on how to change network preferences?
Thanks,
-Rob
TheRob44 said:
Can you please elaborate a bit on how to change network preferences?
Thanks,
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the android market and search for an app called "Network"
Open up the app, you should see WCDMA Preferred in a drop down box near the bottom of the screen. Select that and change it to CDMA auto.
Exit the app.
Your Time without service should drop really low (mine went to 3%)
I've had the app behave strangely and revert my settings. I'm paranoid so i've been checking it pretty often. I'm not sure if there is a way to make this change permanent. I dont know if it reverts when the phone is rebooted.
The way that the problem was solved on the Hero was by accessing a system menu through a ##CODE## code and telling it to prefer CDMA towers. It was defaulted, for some, to GSM. Because I never had this issue, I don't know a whole lot about it. I know that ##CODE## codes are not available on this phone, though, so we might be out of luck until we can get into some kind of dev menu, I think. The app fix mentioned above sounds janky as hell to me, though, so I'll avoid it for now.
My phone has a hell of a time holding on to a data connection right now, but Juice Defender is really helping that not absolutely kill my battery. Aside from this one concern, my battery is actually lasting a surprisingly long time. I was expecting it to die nearly twice as fast as my Hero, but it is definitely giving it a run for its money. I'm very pleased with the Epic
...
I followed your directions. Got into Network, changed the dropdown box to CDMA Auto (PRL) and then hit the home button. Nothing changed, so I went back into the app to check if it stuck and it was back at WCDMA Preferred. Am I missing a step to make the change stick or something?
Thanks,
-Rob
TheRob44 said:
I followed your directions. Got into Network, changed the dropdown box to CDMA Auto (PRL) and then hit the home button. Nothing changed, so I went back into the app to check if it stuck and it was back at WCDMA Preferred. Am I missing a step to make the change stick or something?
Thanks,
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did it multiple times. =)
Mine is not sticking either...ah well..
Hero used to be
#*#*4636*#*#
I'm going to try the suggested fixes but we need a permanent solution. This drain is horrible, check out my battery usage from today in this pic. I really like this phone but I'm going to have to return it if this keeps up.
richse said:
I'm going to try the suggested fixes but we need a permanent solution. This drain is horrible, check out my battery usage from today in this pic. I really like this phone but I'm going to have to return it if this keeps up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, Thats what mine looked like until I fixed it with the Network app.
Yes, I have been playing lots of games/angry birds
I have been trying to use the Network app that people are suggesting but I am getting some weird issues. When I open the Network app it says I am on "WCDMA preferred" but then if I just let it sit for about 15-30 seconds it changes to "Unknown" without my pressing anything. I tried setting it to "CDMA only" and to "WCDMA only" but it doesn't save either setting. If I exit and reopen the program it goes back to "WCDMA preferred" and then changes itself to "Unknown" after a short duration. Anyone else have a problem like this? Any ideas?
Well here's the thing. Around my house, my provider has excellent 3G coverage, but inside my house its not so good. I get full 5 bars of "H" at about 200 meters from my house but only 2-3 when inside my house. Its OK by me. The thing is that when i come home from outside the data coverage is H with 2-3 bars. If I am at home and turn off/on the 3G option on my phone it just goes to GPRS with full 5 bars signal and never on 3G/H. I would prefer the H than the GPRS. Is there any way to have it lock into H and not on GPRS? Maybe a registry tweak?
Thanks in advance.
I have had this issue for a while, and I still don't have any way to force it, but if you find a way I'd be interested.
The only trick I found is not to turn off the 3g but to hit "tap to select" on the Network Selection option, and then selecting my provider again.
In the states AT&T has two selections AT&T and AT&T DR. Not sure what DR stands for but usually toggling between the two will get by back to H. That or sometimes just powering off the device.
Kr3i0s said:
Hey guys found the solution to lock the wp7 to 3G/HSPA only network.
1. Press ##3282# and it will open the field test screen.
2. Select settings at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select 3G Network only option.
The phone will be locked to 3G networks only even if the signal is very low.
Tested on HTC 7 Pro. Working like a charm.
Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked for me. Select the HSDPA module at the bottom, press the 3 dots, settings, 3g only. Many thanks to Kr3i0s
tsabasid said:
Worked for me. Select the HSDPA module at the bottom, press the 3 dots, settings, 3g only. Many thanks to Kr3i0s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the head's up, so far so good.
Eυχαριστούμε! Τhanks!
So.... Two minor issues with the work around.
Went to my friends house, an area I know I always have a bad connection. There was no 3g signal so it basically was stuck on no signal the whole day.
Also, went into battery save mode which auto-disables 3g, and it do go to 2g connection. When charging the battery back up it was still on 2g, had to toggle the cellular connection again to find 3g, but seems to be staying at 3g for now.
I'm having issues too
I'm also having issues in Italy, with Vodafone operator. I've posted a video to youtube that shows very well my problem. Please watch it and tell me if you have the same issue (endless switching between 3G and H having very unstable data communications). I'm thinkinh about returning back to repair for the second time...
While I can't read much of what you wrote, I can tell you for a fact that Battery Saver mode does that to my phone. ...
The fix posted above works, until battery saver kicks in, then all is lost.
Aside from that, I just know I'm in a bad area sometimes so it will switch, but for the most part I only have that issue when I turn on battery saver.
Etaduck said:
Also, went into battery save mode which auto-disables 3g, and it do go to 2g connection. When charging the battery back up it was still on 2g, had to toggle the cellular connection again to find 3g, but seems to be staying at 3g for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that actually supposed to happen? I haven't read anywhere that battery saver turns 3G off. That's not my case, at least.
In the video I had battery saver on, it's true. But the same happens normally even when battery saver is off.
aptcore said:
Is that actually supposed to happen? I haven't read anywhere that battery saver turns 3G off. That's not my case, at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, that was an option pre-mango in the battery saver menu.... I guess I haven't checked it in a while. That or I'm just losing my mind, which is entirly possible.
That said, I have found my setting that the earlier post randomly turns to "2g only" usually after battery saver is turned on, but it seems to be triggered at random. Not sure if there is a regedit that I can do to stop that, but for now I just go into the menu and change it.