T-Mobile offers several networks, like the EDGE network, that have significantly impacted GSM advancement since its debut in the market. Other networks that T-Mobile offers include the 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks. Generally, the EDGE network is slower than modern networks like 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks.
Are you a T-Mobile service user, and have you been coming across the EDGE network at some point? Because of high latency, the Edge network gives customers a bad experience when accessing phone services. This article will dig deep into the way to get rid of T-Mobile edge, among other related ideas.
Way To Get Rid of T-Mobile Edge
One of the worst experiences on T-Mobile services is your phone being stuck on the Edge network connection. As a result, the phone fails to reconnect to a strong network signal even when the area has good coverage. Fortunately, several ways can help you get rid from this Edge problem and start experiencing strong T-Mobile network connections. These include;
1. Restarting your phone
Restarting your phone is one method that can effectively rid your phone if stuck on the T-Mobile Edge network. When the phone has such behaviors, there is a high chance of bugs preventing it from reconnecting to the original network. To restart your phone, you only need to long press the power button. Two options will appear, switch off or restart, choose one option, and initiate.
Once the phone restarts, you can try searching the T-Mobile network signal afresh and check if it will connect to the strong network signal. In most cases, your phone should connect to 4G LTE or 5G if available after restarting. This will be demonstrated by the 4G or 5G icon appearing on the network signal bar shown on your phone. Congratulations, your phone has a strong network signal; now enjoy T-Mobile phone services.
2. Turn the Airplane mode on and off
Anytime you experience internet connection issues, the problem can be the network towers of your phone. This might result in your phone shifting to the T-Mobile Edge network, which, as you saw above, gives you a slow browsing experience. One effective method to get rid from T-Mobile Edge problem and experience excellent connections is by switching the Airplane mode on and off.
Do you know how to turn Airplane mode on and off? If no, drag down the notification bar on top of your phone and locate the Airplane mode icon. It has a symbol of an airplane hence the name Airplane Mode. Double tap to turn it on and off. Remember to give it like two minutes after you tap to turn it on, after which tap to turn it off.
In case you do not find the airplane mode through the notification bar, here is a simple process to locate it;
- Go to your home screen and locate the “Settings” icon.
- Scroll down and locate the option “Wireless & Networks.”
- You will find the Airplane mode option under “Wireless & Networks.” Tap the toggle button alongside the Airplane Mode option to turn it on and off.
After turning it on and off, the network should refresh and reconnect to the original signal. Depending on your area coverage, you will get a 4G or 5G icon on the network signal bar of your phone.
3. Modify battery-saver settings
You may be experiencing a T-Mobile Edge connection even when in a strong 5G coverage area because of your battery settings. Most phones in the market have power management features like battery saver. This feature shuts down some processes in your phone to ensure more power conservation, including the network mode.
If you activate the battery save feature, your phone might not connect to T-Mobile 4G LTE or 5G network. However, it will connect to the EDGE network, which has low power consumption compared to other networks. This battery management feature is both on Android and iPhone. So, if you switched it on, kindly switch it off and observe your phone connecting to the original 4G or 5G networks. Here is how you can switch it off on your Android phone;
- Open the “Settings” app on your phone found on the home screen.
- Locate the “Battery” or “Device Care” option depending on your model, and tap on it.
- Look for the “Battery Optimization” or “Battery saver” option on the new screen.
- If it is switched on, switch it off and observe your phone reconnect to T-Mobile’s original network.
Alternatively, you can pull down the notification bar and locate the battery-saver icon and switch it off if it is on. If the phone’s network signal does not change, you can restart it and see if it will reconnect to the original T-Mobile network.
If you are using the iOS model, you need to locate the “Low Power Mode” feature and ensure you disable it. These are the steps you follow to disable it;
- Go to your iPhone home screen and locate the “settings” icon.
- Tap and navigate to the “Battery” option.
- Locate the “Low Power Mode” and tap the toggle button to switch it off.
I hope you get rid from T-Mobile edge problem and your phone is now connect to the T-Mobile original network after switching the Low Power Mode off. If that does not happen, kindly restart your iPhone and start enjoying the strong network connection.
4. Locate and move to a nearby signal tower
You are experiencing an T-Mobile Edge network on your phone because you lost connection to a faster network. As said earlier, your locality might be experiencing weak 4G and 5G signals, causing your phone to switch to an EDGE network connection automatically. If this is the case, you can locate a T-Mobile network signal tower and move close to see if you get good connections.
Fortunately, T-Mobile is known to have good network coverage across the United States, necessitated by the broad coverage of network towers. Probably, you will not cover a long distance before locating a network tower. You can use some available tools like Cellmapper.net to find nearby towers. Note that Cellmapper.net is compatible with only Windows 10 mobile and Android models.
5. Choose network mode rightly.
Most mobile phones give options on the network mode categorized as 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and recently 5G has been included in recent models. If, for instance, you had set a 2G network as your preferred, you will get stuck to the T-Mobile Edge. To experience good network speeds, you must select the right network mode on your phone.
As mentioned, most phones have 3 to 4 main network types. The strengths of these networks vary from region to region, so the best option is to select the auto-set mode. This will enable your phone to auto-switch when the network signal switches in a particular area.
6. Reset your current phone’s network settings
If you have tried all the above methods, and none seems to work, you can choose to reset the T-Mobile network settings. Kindly follow the following steps to guide you in the resetting process.
- Go to the “Settings” app on your phone, both for Android and iPhone users.
- Scroll until you locate the “Reset” button and tap on it.
- A new screen will open, choose the “Backup & Reset” button and tap on it.
- Once it opens, locate and tap on the “Network” option, then tap on “Reset Settings.”
This process will reset settings, like Bluetooth-paired connections and Wi-Fi network passwords. Kindly remember that you will have to provide your PIN to authenticate the process. Once you successfully reset, you can switch on your device and search for the T-Mobile network. Kindly ensure you choose the most suitable network mode to enjoy the best services, preferably auto-set.
Change From EDGE to LTE On My T-Mobile Phone
As previously seen, the EDGE network has lower internet speeds than the LTE network. If your phone has an EDGE network connection, the solution is only to change to LTE. Android and iPhone have different ways to change from EDGE to LTE networks. Below is a breakdown of how you can change for both phones.
Android Phone
- Open your Android phone and select the “Settings” app.
- Depending on the model you are using, locate “Mobile networks” and tap on it.
- Scroll down until you locate the “Preferred Network type” option. Other phone models have the option called “Preferred network mode.” In modern phones, you find 3 or 4 network modes, namely 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G.
- Select the 4G LTE mode option. The network will refresh, and you will see the “4G” icon appearing on the network status bar, which means you have successfully changed to LTE.
iPhone
- Open your iPhone and move to locate the Settings app on the home screen.
- Tap the icon and navigate to the “Cellular” option; other models might have it as a “Mobile data” option.
- A new screen will open after tapping on the “Cellular” option. Tap on the “Cellular Data” option.
- A screen will open with three list items which are 2G (Edge), 3G, and 4G (LTE).
- Tap on the LTE option to change from Edge to LTE.
Difference Between LTE and EDGE
EDGE means Enhanced Data for Global revolution, a technique that transmits data in GSM networks. EDGE is typically an enhanced 2G network denoted by “E” on the network status bar. You usually experience data speeds up to 135 kbps which can be increased up to 220 kbps. It has faster internet speeds compared to ordinary 2G coverage.
On the other hand, LTE means “Long Term Evolution,” a fourth-generation wireless standard with faster data rates than 3G and 2G data modes. It is referred to as 4G, which guarantees you download speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Generally, LTE has better internet speed compared to Edge network.
FAQ
What Actually T-Mobile Edge Is
EDGE is an acronym for Enhanced Data for Global Evolution. Does it sound flamboyant? Yes, it does. However, it does not necessarily depict what it is or does. T-Mobile EDGE network technology allows you to transfer data faster on GSM technology compared to the first GSM generation. Actually, you can term it a quicker version of GSM technology that connects to your phone in case you get out of 4G LTE or 5G coverage.
T-Mobile Edge network technology is slower than 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, with download speeds of 135 kbps. However, it was the best network technology when it launched in 2003. Edge network is not common in many parts of the country. So, should you not see it on your T-Mobile phone, do not get worried because it is only on rare occasions when your network signal goes down to 2G.
Why Does My T-Mobile Phone Say EDGE Instead Of 5G?
Are you in an area with T-Mobile 5G network coverage and experiencing an EDGE connection on your phone? Do not panic. If you notice the T-Mobile Edge network connection on your phone, you are connected to a 2G, not a 5G network. This may indicate that your area has a weak 5G network signal, which is not common nowadays.
Edge network is a second generation of GSM network technology faster than the traditional GSM network. So, you will likely experience faster speeds than the first generation but slower than 5G or 4G LTE.
Why Is My Phone Service on T-Mobile Edge?
Have you switched on your phone, and what you are seeing is the EDGE icon on the network signal bar? Sometimes, your phone will show you an Edge icon, yet you are on a 4G LTE or 5G network subscription. Preferably, you should see 4G or 5G if you are on a 5G network subscription and not an “E” symbol. However, if you see the Edge connection, it is expected, as you have previously seen.
In most cases, your phone network connection will turn to an Edge connection if you are in areas with a weak T-Mobile 5G signal. This is common with T-Mobile and other GSM carriers in case the network signal fluctuates to a weaker signal. You will realize that some service providers do emphasize being connected than having faster internet services. Consequently, you find yourself experiencing an EDGE network from time to time other than a 5G connection.
If you are a T-Mobile user, you may experience the “E” connection from time to time in areas with weak or no 5G network signals. Fortunately, you might not encounter this for long. If you move to an area with a stronger signal, your phone automatically shifts to the strong signal. Notice you may experience difficulties in case you want to do some activities online if you are on an Edge network connection.
Finally, if your phone service is on T-Mobile Edge mode, it should not stick there if you move to an area with a strong 5G network signal. As said, it should automatically connect to the 5G connection. However, if you experience prolonged Edge network connection, your phone or T-Mobile network may have issues. However, do not be bothered much because we will show you how you can get rid of T-Mobile Edge in this article.