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Disable phone LTE for more reliable texting weak cell signal?


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Home Forums General Forums General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion Disable phone LTE for more reliable texting weak cell signal?

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #3654292
    Adrian Griffin
    BPL Member

    @desolationman

    Locale: Sacramento

    I like to send a text to tell my wife I’m ok when I reach a spot in the backcountry where there’s phone service. I’m using Verizon on an iPhone 5s. When my phone shows 1x or 3x, texts fail, even though I’m seeing 2 or 3 bars. Sometimes texts fail even when the phone shows LTE.

    This doesn’t make sense, because texts must use less bandwidth than voice. Does anyone have any workarounds? Would disabling LTE help? The phone would drop back to 2G or 3G, which might be reliable. I could also disable iMessage and turn off MMS, so the text would go as an SMS which might be more tolerant of a poor connection.

    Any ideas?

     

    #3654300
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    I have the same phone and I think turning off iMessage works

    #3654301
    Adrian Griffin
    BPL Member

    @desolationman

    Locale: Sacramento

    I’ve tried turning off iMessage. Not conclusive.

    #3654303
    M B
    BPL Member

    @livingontheroad

    I’ve been there.

    my understanding is that sometimes you’ll see weak signals but they’re not necessarily signals you can use other than for 911.

     

    years ago with an AT&t phone on top of Mount Whitney, I was trying to send a text but couldn’t even with four bars while other people were texting and talking ….

     

     

     

     

    #3654305
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    Instead of turning off iMessage, turn off both WiFi and Cellular Data and try that. Don’t turn these off by using Airplane Mode, leave that off. You can turn off MMS too, but not sure that’s necessary if you’re just sending text.

    #3654326
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I’ve had such apparently sufficient signals fail to send texts, while phone calls worked perfectly.

    #3654507
    Adrian Griffin
    BPL Member

    @desolationman

    Locale: Sacramento

    Some good tips. Thanks. I’ll try them next time I’m out in Desolation.

    #3654582
    john syrell
    BPL Member

    @rottenweiler

    Thanks!

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