Help Lose network frequently.

horsecharles · Sep 24, 2016

Never mind, another disconnect.
Tomorrow I'll initiate exchange... nothing to lose w/o the old tether.

horsecharles · Sep 24, 2016

And another disconnect... icon still says 4g/lte.
To quote Bruce Willis: Yippee Kah Yeh, M. F.

KuroLionheart · Sep 24, 2016

I'm pretty convinced at this point that it's a hardware issue so I hope the exchange goes well.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 24, 2016

Well some news... after trying to break into hidden menus and settings, phone seems to hold its connection longer.

All while doing this, some menus I got into caused my radio to reset... X'd out, few seconds later it showed 4G only... odd. I have the coverage here, but my phones NEVER use 4G network unless it's a non-LTE model or when I made a call.

Also, found a hidden black/blue screen network selection menu. When I did a network search, it showed MetroPCS as well as T-Mobile? I switched between the two, both times it said 'registered on network'...

Both selections worked, both reset radio and showed 4GLTE, didn't seem like one was faster than the other, but uh, IIRC and obviously, aren't the two networks the same? I'm stumped with this one, but after tinkering with whatever i could gain access to and piss of the system, somehow kept my phone connected longer.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 24, 2016

Here:

Spec2nirvash · Sep 25, 2016

And a scan with my Nexus from same seat on my couch. Weird. Double secret network for ZMax users? I dunno. I'm not a cell network expert

ZMAX4EVER · Sep 25, 2016

Spec2nirvash said:
Well some news... after trying to break into hidden menus and settings, phone seems to hold its connection longer.

All while doing this, some menus I got into caused my radio to reset... X'd out, few seconds later it showed 4G only... odd. I have the coverage here, but my phones NEVER use 4G network unless it's a non-LTE model or when I made a call.

Also, found a hidden black/blue screen network selection menu. When I did a network search, it showed MetroPCS as well as T-Mobile? I switched between the two, both times it said 'registered on network'...

Both selections worked, both reset radio and showed 4GLTE, didn't seem like one was faster than the other, but uh, IIRC and obviously, aren't the two networks the same? I'm stumped with this one, but after tinkering with whatever i could gain access to and
piss of the system, somehow kept my phone connected longer.

Those using the MetroPCS network are supposed to get de-prioritized below those on the TMO network when in areas of congestion. So, switching to the TMO network might give you a better experience in congested areas. Good find

k28king1 · Sep 25, 2016

I have had this disconnect problem on all 3 of the Metro PCS phones I've had (Alcatel Fierce XL, HTC Desire 626s, and this ZMAX pro). It is clearly a network issue, possibly software, but definitely not hardware problem.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 25, 2016

k28king1 said:
I have had this disconnect problem on all 3 of the Metro PCS phones I've had (Alcatel Fierce XL, HTC Desire 626s, and this ZMAX pro). It is clearly a network issue, possibly software, but definitely not hardware problem.

That depends on where you be at. It's definitely not a network issue with me. My other lines (Two G Stylos and a One + X) haven't been doing this at all. Only my Zmax. I've personally had disco issues before, but it ended up being a bad SIM.

I got a good offer from T-Mobile to move to their side. Guess we'll see how that works out. They told me they can't unlock Metro's devices (Zmax) and I'm not waiting for the 3 months. I found a Lumia on sale today, so guess I'll try that. Whatever works.

ZMAX4EVER · Sep 25, 2016

Spec2nirvash said:
That depends on where you be at. It's definitely not a network issue with me. My other lines (Two G Stylos and a One + X) haven't been doing this at all. Only my Zmax. I've personally had disco issues before, but it ended up being a bad SIM.

I got a good offer from T-Mobile to move to their side. Guess we'll see how that works out. They told me they can't unlock Metro's devices (Zmax) and I'm not waiting for the 3 months. I found a Lumia on sale today, so guess I'll try that. Whatever works.

A lumia ??? :/

Maybe it's the SIM in your ZMAX PRO. Straight forward question to you; why do you think that you're having disconnects when others (such as myself) haven't had a single disconnect? Any ideas? Any answers at all?

I know 4 other people personally who own the ZMAX. No disconnects. I must know about 15 people personally who use MetroPCS. They love it. What do you think happened in your particular case?

You don't want to pay a couple dollars on eBay for an unlock code?

yknujssab · Sep 26, 2016

ZMAX4EVER said:
Maybe it's the SIM in your ZMAX PRO.

I wonder if there is a way to test the SIM card? That is a pretty good assumption. They gave me a new one when I bought the phone. My original ZMAX connection was great, so I know my area is good. I'll have to research the SIM thing. Another thought is the actual hardware, maybe. My original ZMAX would get about 100 Mbps from a certain area in town. With my ZMAX Pro I get about 30 Mbps.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 26, 2016

ZMAX4EVER said:
A lumia ??? :/

Maybe it's the SIM in your ZMAX PRO. Straight forward question to you; why do you think that you're having disconnects when others (such as myself) haven't had a single disconnect? Any ideas? Any answers at all?

I know 4 other people personally who own the ZMAX. No disconnects. I must know about 15 people personally who use MetroPCS. They love it. What do you think happened in your particular case?

You don't want to pay a couple dollars on eBay for an unlock code?

I've been looking for any answer. Also trying to hack as deep into the phone as I can without root access. Between operating systems, files/folders are usually rearranged, but still located where you can't get to without root.

The goal is to get into the service menus; you can usually do this through hidden menus, but I can't even find those. Marshmallow is new to me. There is a possibility of a dialer code, ZTE in particular (*983* suffix) that may get to it, but the ones I've found are for older models. Some work, most do not, especially the ones listed that would work on JB or KK to gain access to Service menus.

This, again, could be a bad SIM or a simple build.prop XML edit. No root, no edit. I've bought enough SIM cards from MetroPCS. They don't warranty them or refund your money. They won't budge on SIM cards, and they don't have any way to test except for buying a new one.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 26, 2016

And Lumia? Yeah. $30 new. Figured I'd try it out. It's ugly, but the UI is not too bad, good specs. I don't really like where Android is going, so I'm open to alternatives. I just want something that rings when someone need to get through to me (I have children)

k28king1 · Sep 26, 2016

Spec2nirvash said:
That depends on where you be at. It's definitely not a network issue with me. My other lines (Two G Stylos and a One + X) haven't been doing this at all. Only my Zmax. I've personally had disco issues before, but it ended up being a bad SIM.

I got a good offer from T-Mobile to move to their side. Guess we'll see how that works out. They told me they can't unlock Metro's devices (Zmax) and I'm not waiting for the 3 months. I found a Lumia on sale today, so guess I'll try that. Whatever works.

That's weird about unlocking. Like you said it must be where your located. Metro PCS is owned by T-mobile. The corporate T-mobile store on my block here in NYC unlocks Metro Phones free. And there is no limit to the amount of time that you have to have Metros service. They are two peas of the same pod.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 26, 2016

k28king1 said:
That's weird about unlocking. Like you said it must be where your located. Metro PCS is owned by T-mobile. The corporate T-mobile store on my block here in NYC unlocks Metro Phones free. And there is no limit to the amount of time that you have to have Metros service. They are two peas of the same pod.

Yup. I know it's horse shit, I could easily unlock it for a few bucks, maybe fix my disco problem with a new SIM card, or pay shipping to send it back to Korea and fix it. I'm not spending another dime on the phone, I'm just leaving it behind when I sign over to TMO.

If a factory software update comes along and fixes the problem, I'll use it. Otherwise it joins the 40+ phones in the 'mass grave' I have in my desk

5318008 · Sep 26, 2016

I believe officially Metro makes you wait three months before allowing the phone to be carrier unlocked, but like someone else mentioned, I bought an unlock from ebay for around five bucks and switched over to my TMobile SIM after just a few weeks.

ben7337 · Sep 27, 2016

Was that an unlock code or an unlock through the metropcs unlock app? It seems the price for the codes now are $15-$30 instead of the cheaper prices they were before.

5318008 · Sep 28, 2016

I paid five bucks to an unlock place and sent them my phone info, and then a few hours later I was able to use the Metro unlock app successfully

Spec2nirvash · Sep 28, 2016

Update-

So, yesterday afternoon I switched my service over to the Lumia I bought. I used a BYO SIM I bought not long ago, which never gave me any problems. So far, I've had to toggle airplane mode twice, due to same problem I was having with my ZMax.

I'm very hesitant to blame the phones now. I'm gonna switch to my Nexus today and see if the problem persists. It has to be the MetroPCS end of my service... three phones in a row doing the same thing on my line, yet my other three lines have no disconnect issues at all.

My ZMax may not be the problem at all, I'll report back later.

~spec

k28king1 · Sep 28, 2016

Spec2nirvash said:
Update-

So, yesterday afternoon I switched my service over to the Lumia I bought. I used a BYO SIM I bought not long ago, which never gave me any problems. So far, I've had to toggle airplane mode twice, due to same problem I was having with my ZMax.

I'm very hesitant to blame the phones now. I'm gonna switch to my Nexus today and see if the problem persists. It has to be the MetroPCS end of my service... three phones in a row doing the same thing on my line, yet my other three lines have no disconnect issues at all.

My ZMax may not be the problem at all, I'll report back later.

~spec

Don't mean to gloat, but I told ya so. It's definitely a network issue. Honestly I believe it's probably their version of "network prioritization". A very bad implementation of it.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 28, 2016

I said 'may' be. Not sure yet, we'll see how Nexus does. But, I may soon be humbled, and I accept it either way. I apologize for being a jerk to everyone.

Believe me, I don't want to trash the phone, I really do like it. My cross hairs are aimed at Metro now, last call I made earlier to switch yet another phone over wasn't pleasant.

With that I'm holding off shipping my ZMax out. If Metro would support instant SIM swap, I'd be able to use my wife's SIM to check the ZMax. Hate having to call them every time to swap. Plus, if I let my wife test for a day, I know I wouldn't get it back.

~spec

5318008 · Sep 28, 2016

Hmm. You know what, you may be onto something with the prioritization thing. I've been on TMobile's $30 ("WalMart") plan for years now, and with my last phone I'd get that sometimes, where I had signal but no data was going through and I'd have to wait a while or toggle stuff a few times to get data back. If they were prioritizing me (because I'm on the cheap plan) then everything would make a lot more sense. That was my ATT Note 2 that I unlocked for other GSM networks, I replaced it with the ZMP, and I haven't had it happen often with this phone w/ my old TMobile SIM but I've definitely had it happen a few times. Maybe TMobile prioritizes against cheaper plans whether you're on Metro or TMobile. It would really help explain the issue.

yknujssab · Sep 28, 2016

The only thing about the prioritization is that I never had that issue the the original Zmax. But I was on custom roms since day one. Maybe apn tweaking? I haven't tried yet, or know if I can even change anything without root.

Spec2nirvash · Sep 28, 2016

yknujssab said:
The only thing about the prioritization is that I never had that issue the the original Zmax. But I was on custom roms since day one. Maybe apn tweaking? I haven't tried yet, or know if I can even change anything without root.

I was losing voice, messaging and data. Now if I lost just data and MMS, but voice and SMS remain, that's definitely APN issue.

Greatly depends on phone whether APN settings will stick or not. I found a way to access APN settings that may be changed. But I didn't attempt anything, didn't think those were the issue

yknujssab · Sep 28, 2016

Is this where you found the setting? I have tried that already and it won't save any new apns. It won't let you delete anything either.

Help Lose network frequently.

Android Expert

Android Expert

Newbie

Attachments

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads