LTE Settings: Boost Your Phone’s Speed and Coverage

Most of us just tap the LTE icon and hope it works. The truth is, a few setting tweaks can make your connection feel a lot smoother. Below you’ll find the easiest changes you can make right from your phone, no rooting or special apps needed.

Quick LTE Tweaks for Android and iOS

1. Turn off carrier aggregation if it’s causing drops. On Android, go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Advanced > Enable carrier aggregation and switch it off. On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Enable LTE > Voice & Data, then select “LTE” instead of “5G Auto”. This stops the phone from juggling multiple bands that sometimes clash.

2. Force LTE mode. Android users can dial *#*#4636#*#* (or *#*#*#*#* on some devices) to open the testing menu, tap “Phone information”, and set “Preferred network type” to “LTE only”. iPhone users can’t use a code, but setting the carrier option to “LTE” in the same menu as above does the trick.

3. Disable Wi‑Fi Assist or Smart Network Switch. These features jump to Wi‑Fi when they think LTE is weak, but they can actually cause lag. Android: Settings > Network & internet > Wi‑Fi > Advanced > Switch to mobile data automatically – turn it off. iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Wi‑Fi Assist – toggle off.

4. Reduce background data. Open Settings > Apps & notifications, pick the apps that hog data, and restrict background usage. This frees up bandwidth for the apps you’re actually using.

5. Update carrier settings. Both Android and iPhone show a prompt when a carrier update is available. Accept it – it often contains tweaks for LTE bands that improve stability.

Advanced Tips to Keep Your LTE Running Smoothly

Once the basics are in place, you can dig a bit deeper.

Use hidden USSD codes to check signal strength. Dial *3001#12345#* on iPhone for a hidden field test that shows exact dBm values. Android users can try *#*#4636#*#* and look at the “Signal strength” meter. If the reading is below -95 dBm, you’re in a weak spot and might need a signal booster.

Set your preferred LTE band manually. Some phones let you lock to a specific band (B1, B3, B7, etc.). In the same testing menu, find “Band selection” and pick the band with the strongest signal in your area. This is handy if you live near a tower that broadcasts a particular band.

Turn off LTE‑Advanced features when traveling abroad. Roaming can trigger unnecessary handovers that drain battery. Switch to “3G” or “2G” for the duration of the trip, then go back to LTE when you’re home.

Use a high‑quality LTE antenna or case. Metal cases can block signals. If you notice frequent drops, try a thin, non‑metallic case or attach a small external antenna sticker near the top edge of the phone.

These tweaks are quick, safe, and reversible. If anything feels off, just revert the setting or restart your phone. With the right LTE settings, you’ll notice faster downloads, fewer call drops, and better battery life – all without paying for a new device.