Tracfone users several other cell phone networks, including Verizon and AT&T, and the coverage is usually pretty good in most cities and towns. However, there are plenty of places where the signal can be partially blocked, or has much further to travel. The information provided here is to help you get the most from your cell phone, so let's get started.
Cell signal is measured in dBm (Decibel milliwatts) where about -60 dBm is a very excellent signal, and -110 very poor. Ranging between -70 and -98 dBm will usually result in a very adequate signal. As we will see further on in our tips for boosting signal strength, little things like holding the phone in certain ways, can significantly affect the signal. The signal strength bars at the top of your device don't have any standardized correlation to your actual signal strength, but are a general representation.
Different phones may report a different number of signal strength bars even with a similar dBm number. So, for example, if two phones both have -93 dBm signal strength, one might show three bars and the other four. But how can you know what the actual signal strength is on your phone if you can only see the service bars,
Well fortunately there is an easy way to check, for both iPhones and Android devices. Knowing your cell signal strength is very handy for avoiding dropped calls, and checking if there are ways to improve it. Phone then press Call. The signal strength will be displayed in the top right corner.
Once you see the number, try moving around or covering your phone with your hand, you should see the signal strength change. In our testing with a Moto G4, placing a hand over the top of the phone resulted in a loss of about 5 dBm signal strength. Below is the steps for checking your signal strength on an Android, but be aware it might be slightly different for you. Start by going to settings, and then scroll to the bottom, following the steps below.
Now that you know how to check your signal strength, here are ten tips for improving it. There are a number of different ways you can improve your cell signal and some of these may help more than others, depending on your situation. Anything that can block the radio waves reaching your phone could be reducing your signal strength. Things like a thick phone case, or leaving your phone in a purse or bag, could result in a worse signal, or even no signal.
Test your phone case by checking your signal strength with it on, then off, and see if that makes a difference. Remember, closer to -60 is better, with anything between -70 to -100 still good, and beyond -110 very poor. If you notice your phone receives a lot of texts when you pull it out of your bag or purse, it could be getting blocked while in there. This may sound a little odd, but it can actually helps amplify the reception in certain cases.
If you get a poor signal, and are located in the lower levels of a building or the basement, try placing your phone in a cup to boost the reception. It might be hard to make any calls, but you will at least be able to check texts and voicemail.
This also works well for improving the sound of your phone. You can also test with other objects that can catch and funnel the waves to your phone. Cell phone manufactures put the antenna in a variety of different places, and sometimes the way you hold your phone could be reducing your signal. Check your signal strength with different ways you hold your phone and see if you might inadvertently be blocking the internal antenna.
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