How to speed up slow internet on your phone? – 11 fixed methods.
Nothing ruins your day like a slow internet connection, especially if you don’t have Wi-Fi access. Web pages will load endlessly, there will be frequent pauses while streaming music, and it will be almost impossible to watch videos on the Internet without buffering. Many internet applications may not function correctly as well.
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How to speed up slow internet on your phone?
Several factors can affect mobile data speed, and they differ depending on the characteristics of your phone, operating system, location, nature of your mobile data plan, etc. In this guide, we will cover all the possible causes of low mobile data speeds and how to get faster Internet quickly.
1. Several Apps Are Using Mobile Data Simultaneously
Running too many applications and activities that consume data can reduce your network bandwidth and slow down your connection speed. So, if you’re streaming Netflix, downloading multiple files, and updating apps at the same time, pause some of these activities and start them one at a time.
2. Poor Connection Strength In Your Location
Mobile data speed is highly dependent on the quality of your mobile operator’s network and the coverage in your area. A good way to determine the quality of your network is to check the signal strength in the status bar of your phone. The more bars there are, the faster the connection speed.
You should also check with others using the same network in your area. If they are having similar connectivity issues, contact your network operator to inform them of the slow data rate.
If the problem persists, you may need to switch to another provider with the better network coverage. Be sure to do your research before jumping into the switch; ask people about their experience and confirm the availability and speed of the network in your area.
3. You’re Using an Old SIM Card
This is another reason for low cellular data rates on mobile devices. The new SIM cards support the next generation of cellular technologies, providing faster Internet connections than older SIM cards. 5G is the latest in cellular technology, but 4G LTE also provides ultra-fast network connectivity.
Using old and outdated will limit your connection speed, even if you have a high-performance device. You probably have a 3G SIM if it is around 8-10 years old; switch to a 4G SIM card to enjoy high-speed internet.
Contact your service provider or visit your nearest store to check the network capabilities of your SIM card. You may need to provide your SIM serial number, so make sure you have a SIM kit handy.
4. You Aren’t Using the Best Network Type
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Obviously, 5G is better than 4G, and 4G also has faster speeds than 3G. Although smartphones use the best connection by default, they are still backward compatible with older types of networks. This means that your device will switch to a 4G connection if 5G is temporarily unavailable, or to 3G if it loses its 4G connection.
You may experience slow internet speed if the best network type is not selected in your device settings. Or if your device cannot automatically switch back to the best network type after a connection failure.
On your Android smartphone, go to Network & Internet> Mobile Network> Preferred Network Type and make sure Recommended is selected.
On iOS (iPhone or iPad), go to Settings> Mobile Data (or Cellular)> Mobile Data Settings (or Cellular Data Settings)> Voice & Data and choose the type of network that works best for you.
5. Using a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is great for bypassing geographic restrictions, protecting your online privacy, and keeping your internet safe. However, the biggest disadvantage of using VPNs is that they often slow down your connection speed. Disconnect the VPN connection and check if this increases your mobile data transfer speed.
6. Too Many Apps Running in the Background
As mentioned earlier, your phone’s connection speed can drop dramatically if an app uses mobile data excessively in the background. Examine data usage and look for background apps that consume mobile data unnecessarily. For Android users, go to Settings> Network & Internet> Mobile Network> App Data Usage and examine the data usage by all the apps on the page.
If an app that you hardly use consumes an unreasonable amount of mobile data, select an app and disable both background data and unlimited data usage.
You can also check the app’s mobile data usage on iPhone and iPad, but there is no way to restrict background data usage. Only iOS allows you to disable the app’s access to your mobile data. Go to Settings> Mobile Data (or Cellular) and disable all data collection apps that do not require an Internet connection.
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7. Network Congestion
Cellular speeds (and Wi-Fi too) are usually faster during free hours – for example, at midnight when people are asleep. When too many people use the Internet at the same time, it can overload your carrier’s cell tower and reduce the bandwidth available to users on the network. This is especially common during business hours and during times of tension, such as holidays.
In this case, there is almost nothing you can do other than inform your network provider about the slow connection speed.
8. Network Deprioritization
Several network providers offer standard and premium mobile data packages. If you are subscribed to a standard or basic data plan, your mobile operator may lower your internet speed in order to favor premium customers. This is called data de-prioritization (or network de-prioritization), a common practice for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
Large and highly professional cellular operators do not lose the priority of their network, but you cannot be completely sure about this. Review the terms and conditions of your mobile data plan on the carrier’s website to see if there is any mention of “network priority lowering†or “data limitingâ€. You can also contact customer service or send them an email request for confirmation.
It should be noted that data de-prioritization is temporary; the connection speed will return to normal (for all users) when the network congestion disappears.
9. You’ve Hit Your Data Usage Limit
Your ISP can slow down your internet speed when you reach a certain threshold for using your monthly data plan. This is known as data throttling. Check your plan’s usage policy and make sure you have not exceeded the usage threshold, after which your connection speed begins to slow down.
Note that data deprioritization and data throttling are two very different terms. These are both speed reduction techniques, but they happen for different reasons. Data throttling occurs when you reach the limit of your internet plan, while priority reduction occurs mainly during times of severe network congestion.
10. Network Configuration Issues
You may not be able to access high-speed Internet access if your phone’s network settings are not configured correctly. Or perhaps some applications have violated your network configuration.
Resetting all network settings to factory defaults may fix this problem. Launch the Android Settings app and select System> Advanced> Reset Settings> Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile, and Bluetooth Settings> Reset Settings.
To reset network settings on iOS devices, go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset Network Settings.
11. Your Phone Isn’t Up-to-date
Devices with legacy operating systems may lack the software compatibility required for a high-speed cellular (or Wi-Fi) connection. If your mobile data rate remains slow after trying all possible solutions, check if your device has the latest software. On Android, go to Settings> System> Advanced> System Update.
If you have an iPhone, go to Settings> General> Software Updates and download all the updates available on the page.
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Connecting your internet to another device can also slow down your mobile data transfer. If your mobile hotspot is active, turn it off and check if this increases your connection speed. Removing and reinstalling the SIM is another tried and tested solution that is worth trying.
It should be noted that a faulty cell phone antenna can also cause connection problems. So, if the problem persists after following all the recommendations in this article, visit an authorized service center to check your phone for possible hardware damage.
Be sure to recommend your friends to read this article the next time you hear them ask, “Why is my mobile data transferring so slowly?”
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How to speed up slow internet on your phone? – 11 fixed methods
How to speed up slow internet on your phone? – 11 fixed methods.