Get Better Reception on Your iPhone or Android, No Matter Where You Go

It's the worst moment of any trip: that specific brand of travel panic that sets in when your phone's signal bars suddenly vanish. One moment you're confidently following the GPS to your destination, the next your map is frozen, your music cuts out, and you're stuck in a connectivity dead zone. This isn't just frustrating; during a holiday trip, it can quickly become a safety concern. But hold off on cursing your cell carrier for a moment. You should know that the network often isn't the primary issue-it's your phone being needlessly stubborn. Your device is likely still clinging for dear life to a weak, distant tower instead of proactively locating a stronger one nearby. The good news? The solution is almost always a ridiculously simple trick that takes about five seconds to perform. Stop accepting poor reception as an unavoidable fact of life. Whether you carry an iPhone or an Android, here are the quick and easy ways to force your phone to search for and connect to a stronger, more reliable signal. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome. Note : Although software across different iPhone models is relatively the same, Samsung Galaxy , Google Pixel and other Android phones may have different software versions, so certain settings and where they are located might differ depending on device. For more, check out how you can use Google Maps when you're offline and how you can maybe fix your internet when it's down . To improve your cellphone service, try these steps first The settings on your phone can help you get better cell service but there are other tricks for improving your reception without even touching your phone's software. Move yourself so that there are no obstructions between your phone and any cell towers outside . That might involve stepping away from metal objects or concrete walls, which both kill reception. Instead, get to a window or go outside if possible. Remove your phone case . It doesn't hurt to remove whatever case you have on your phone, especially if it's thick, so that the phone's antenna isn't blocked by anything and can get a better signal. Make sure your phone is charged . Searching for and connecting to a stronger signal drains power, so if your phone battery is already low on charge, you may have a difficult time getting good service. Some phone cases cause more signal disruption than others. Always start by turning Airplane mode on and off Turning your phone's connection off and then back on is the quickest and easiest way to try and fix your signal woes. If you're moving around from one location to another, toggling Airplane mode restarts the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular network modems, which forces them to find the best signal in the area. Android : Swipe down from the top of your screen -- to access the Quick Settings panel -- and then tap...

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