No 2G option on Nexus 5 - only 3G and 4G?

101_north

Hi folks,

Just stuck my giff gaff sim in a Nexus 5 and noticed that I'm only getting the option for 3G or 4G. My old EE sim in the same phone gives me the options for 2G, 3G or 4G.

In my S3 both sim cards give me the option for GSM/WCDMA (auto), GSM only or wcdma only.

Anyone know why the Giff Card doesn't offer 2G in the Nexus?

Thanks very much

101

artturnip

I can't find it either...

101_north

In fact my GiffGaff number isn't showing in my settings either?

101

mythero

use the dialler to try *#*#4636#*#*

phone information> scroll down to set preferred network type

i think 2G is "GSM only"

101_north

Phone is set to GSM auto (PRL) but there's about a dozen options.

I just want it to be on 2g with the option to swith to 3g - signal in house isn't great.

As I mentioned my EE sim gives the options I'd expect so could it be the GiffGaff sim?

Thanks folks

101

mythero

hmm dunno. Didn't think it was sim related but more a phone OS thing.

Mine has always been set to WCDMA Preferred

mythero

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=688492

"
Had to hear it from the horses mouth, I called up HTC's tech support. I asked what was the difference between WCDMA preferred and GSM AUTO PRL. The gentleman I spoke to told me that they both have lots in common and that the only difference is that WCDMA preferred will favor 3G and GSM AUTO PRL will favor EDGE.

He continued to tell me that WCDMA preferred needs to reach a low threshold to go straight into 3g from edge. GSM AUTO PRL has a higher threshold, or higher standard has to be met (db of 3g signal) before it will go into 3G.

He mentioned that gsm auto prl will save the user a bit more power because it wont force the phone to continuasly hunt for a stronger signal. Typically this option gives our n1's a weaker signal and slower data speed. But he said it depends on our network in our city.

I also verified this information with t-mobiles tech support. They were a bit vague though. But they did mention that WCDA preferred will prefer 3g and that gsm auto prl is its complete opposite and will only prefer 3g if the signal is strong enough.

What do you guys think? Does this make sense?!?"

mythero

u can also access the setting via

settings>wireless and networks>mobile networks>GSM/UMTS network preselection

or get an app that does it with two or three presses

eg
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mangelow.network&hl=en

if none of that works then I guess its a Kitkat thing

101_north

Thanks. The last link you gave only allows me to switch 3g and 4g. Not sure it's a kitkat thinkg though as my EE sim still gives the 2 g option here. Thanks again

alextomkins

Same problem here. Would like to stick with 2G at home, but the option just isn't available:

http://imgur.com/a/fogr3

101_north

I'm maybe being a bit simple here but....if an EE sim card gives the option for 2g/3g/4g and a GiffGaff sim doesn't then that points to the GiffGaff sim on that device rather than the Nexus itself or KitKat.

Is there anyway to get a definitive answer?

Thanks folks

bevron

I'm also seeing this issue. Had to limit the phone to 2g make it usable. Hopefully this can be addressed soon.

mythero

bevron, i presume you have a bad or non-existant 3g signal?

is the phone "usable" on 3G in better signal areas?

mythero

out of interest, does the sim have 3gg or 4gg in the number?

101_north

My sim has 4Ggg4 printed on it if that helps?

I've also noticed that the phone isn't recognizing my phone number from the sim card either - just says 'unknown'. Again I've tried an EE sim and the phone has no trouble picking up the number.

I hope this is an issue that can be addressed?

101

bevron

Hi, yeah it's because the 3G is poor where I live and also where I work so it's constantly moving between zero and 2 bars. With it limited i get full signal at home.

tweenies2011

Check this out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mangelow.network&hl=en

richarddavidson

@101_north wrote:
My sim has 4Ggg4 printed on it if that helps?

I've also noticed that the phone isn't recognizing my phone number from the sim card either - just says 'unknown'. Again I've tried an EE sim and the phone has no trouble picking up the number.

I hope this is an issue that can be addressed?

101

This isn't an issue. Giffgaff SIM cards don't have a phone number on them. You are given a phone number on activation. Having no number on the SIM doesn't affect the performance of your phone.

mythero

@101_north wrote:
My sim has 4Ggg4 printed on it if that helps?
....
101

not sure if it helps. GG bosses were saying you need a new sim when 4G is rolled out. About this time the new sims started saying 4Ggg on them, but my argument was that the sim shouldn't affect the radio, only some details that allow the phone to log onto the system using that radio.

However, I was reading today that SIMs contain some kind of authorisation encryption stuff, so maybe that needs updating for the O2 4G.

Three SIMs don't need updating though.

Anyway, I think my point is maybe these 4Ggg SIMs only allow a switch between 4G and 3G, but the 3Ggg SIMs allow 3G to 2G.

Just a thought, no evidence at all but keep it in mind.

jpcjpc

There are no. 4g Giffgaff Sims. The code is probably just a coincidence.

mythero

Just to let you all know, I was asked to write a Top Tip on the workaround which can be found here:

http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/giffgaff-Top-Tips/Enabling-missing-2G-ONLY-mode-on-Android/m-p/10871397#U10871397