Forcing Android device between 3G and 4G modes

Overview

From time to time users may wish to conduct a survey in a specific network mode i.e. only in 3G rather than automatically switching between 3G and 4G when 4G is available. It is possible to force an Android device to operate in a specific network mode, but not from within the XenSurvey for Android app. This article explains how to do this.

Changing Network Mode

1) On the Android phone, choose the 'Settings' app.

2) Click More or More Settings... (depends on your phone and version of Android).

3) Click Mobile Networks.

4) Click Network Mode.

A dialog box similar to the one shown above will let you choose between 3G only (e.g. CDMA) or 4G/3G Automatic mode (e.g. LTE/CDMA).

5) Select the desired mode, and the setting will take immediate effect.

Shortcut in XenSurvey for Android

It is also possible to invoke the Network Mode menu from within the XenSurvey for Android (XSA) app.

1) From within XSA navigate to the app's Settings menu.

2) In the Network Mode pane, click on Change Network Mode option (see screen shot below). This will take you to the Network Mode page in the Android settings menu.

About forcing to other modes

Some users may wish to force their phones to work in very specific modes such as 1xRTT for particular applications. However XenSurvey can only operate in modes supported buy (a) the Android phone being used, and (b) the carrier chosen. At this time it is not possible on Verizon devices to choose between CDMA modes (e.g. 1xRTT versus EV-DO Rev A) using the Network Mode setting. Other network operators may allow this; for example, the Nexus 5 on Sprint offers LTE, CDMA, 1x and Global settings.

There is a special mode available on some phones referred to as Engineering Test Mode that can be accessed using a combination of alphanumeric keys. This mode may allow for additional network modes to be selected, however there is no standard approach to this. For example some manufacturers such as Samsung block access to this menu on Galaxy phone (e.g. the S3). XenSurvey cannot support access to this mode as it varies from device to device, and network to network.

The general rule is that XenSurvey will support whatever mode you can get your phone into manually, and outside of the XenSurvey for Android app.