When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

How strong is your iPhone signal? No Jailbreak required

Have you ever wondered how strong your mobile signal really is, and facepalmed at not being able to make a call even when it shows you have at least one bar? Well, theres an app for that, sort of...

Thanks to a cool tip over at Redmond Pie, iPhone users can change the signal bars to numbers that show just how strong (or weak) your iPhone signal really is.

It can be handy if you're in a so called "dead zone" where it's difficult to get any signal at all, viewing the numbers can make the difference on where you stand to make that call that needs to be done. The signal is measured in decibels, the lower the number is, the stronger the signal.

Before and after, wait what!

Jailbreaking isn't required, and the process is totally reversible, as I've discovered myself on a stock iPhone 4. We aren't sure on which particular models this tweak works, so just give it a try.

Follow the steps below:

  1. Dial *3001#12345#* on your iPhone then press Call.
  2. You’ll now enter Field Test mode. You’ll notice a signal strength indicator on the upper left hand corner of your screen. You can toggle between signal strength bars and a number by simply taping on it. At this point, press the home button to exit the app or if you would like the feature to be permanent, continue on. Don’t worry, the process is completely reversible.
  3. Hold down on the Power button until you see the ‘slide to power off’ bar.  Do not power off the device.
  4. Press down on the Home button until the app closes and you return to your home screen.

That’s it. Even when restarting the iPhone, the signal strength can be toggled between bars and numbers. The closer your number is to zero, the stronger your signal is.

To return to the default bars permanently, follow these steps:

  1. Dial *3001#12345#* on your iPhone then press Call.
  2. Press on your Home Button once.

As it turns out, the signal in my office sucks. Post your results below.

Source: Redmond Pie

Report a problem with article
Next Article

Orcs Must Die! 2 demo available on Steam

Previous Article

Google launches 3D maps on iOS ahead of Apple

Join the conversation!

Login or Sign Up to read and post a comment.

48 Comments - Add comment