[GUIDE]What to do after 4G speeds are capped

[sammyz]

Well as most of you know, after 500MBs being used on a 4G $40/m plan, you are capped to "3G" speeds

Only problem is that when I did a speed test of that speed, it is around 100kb/s
That's 2G (1x) speeds

So we all know that the 4G is throttled heavily when you reach your cap. But did anyone know that if you are able to access the MetroPCS hidden menu, you can change to connect to the old CDMA EvDo 3G??

I get 500kb/s with that on my Motion with only 1 bar. Running PRL 2032 at the moment as well.

To access the hidden menu on the Motion:

1. Dial ##626*
2. Enter SPC code (go to http://whiterabbit.org/android and enter your IMEI number. The MSL # is the SPC code)
3. Scroll down
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Feel free to post how to do this on other phones please I will add it to OP

 

[funkyman]

Can you keep it there even after your data resets or will it revert back on its own? is it even a good idea to keep it like that after you get your usual 4g speeds?

 

[sammyz]

Can you keep it there even after your data resets or will it revert back on its own? is it even a good idea to keep it like that after you get your usual 4g speeds?

Change it back when your bill cycle resets

 

[Gman9831]

Is it even a good idea to keep it like that after you get your usual 4g speeds?

It just forces 3G it doesn't harm your phone or anything i still force 3G for better battery life even though I have fully unlimited $55 plan

 

[sammyz]

It just forces 3G it doesn't harm your phone or anything i still force 3G for better battery life

+1^
3G speeds> 4G capped speeds

 

[stuntiNIN0]

+1^
3G speeds> 4G capped speeds

yup more consistent definitely, have found this to be true after my GS3 broke and ive been having to use my spare LG optimus, might be a bit slower, but sure is more consistant, that is for my area at least, i know some people here getting 9MBPS+ speeds, this is not the case for them, good for them lol

 

[SouthFLpix]

Is there any way to access this hidden menu on the S3? I am hitting my cap and getting throttled every month.

 

[sammyz]

Is there any way to access this hidden menu on the S3? I am hitting my cap and getting throttled every month.

There should be, but i don't know.

 

[Gman9831]

To get S3 hidden menu:
If not on stock dial *#*#4636#*#
If stock download http://db.tt/pyANhGrd
Then hit Device information for (1x-CDMA only)(3G-CDMA auto)(4G-LTE/CDMA/EVDO) 3G is EvDO

 

[SouthFLpix]

To get S3 hidden menu:
If not on stock dial *#*#4636#*#
If stock download http://db.tt/pyANhGrd
Then hit Device information for (1x-CDMA only)(3G-CDMA auto)(4G-LTE/CDMA/EVDO)

That worked great. The only thing is that I didn't see a CDMA/EVDO option, so I had to go with CDMA only. It bumped my speeds up to about 600kbps from 100kbps, which is a great improvement.

 

[Gman9831]

That worked great. The only thing is that I didn't see a CDMA/EVDO option, so I had to go with CDMA only. It bumped my speeds up to about 600kbps from 100kbps, which is a great improvement.

CDMA Only is 1x only so I don't see how your getting over 144kbps, to get 3G its the CDMA auto option

 

[Spec2nirvash]

Tried this method on my Connect, gives me an Android.process.acore error when MSL is entered correctly. Says wrong code otherwise LOL

 

[sammyz]

Tried this method on my Connect, gives me an Android.process.acore error when MSL is entered correctly. Says wrong code otherwise LOL

Are you on stock?

 

[Spec2nirvash]

Are you on stock?

I thought about that afterwards, LOL... I'm running BOC ROM. Would I have to be on stock ZV* in order for the hidden menu to work?

 

[Gman9831]

I thought about that afterwards, LOL... I'm running BOC ROM. Would I have to be on stock ZV* in order for the hidden menu to work?

Have you tried both ##626* & *#*#4636#*#* {?}

 

[sammyz]

I thought about that afterwards, LOL... I'm running BOC ROM. Would I have to be on stock ZV* in order for the hidden menu to work?

Try what he said:

Have you tried both ##626* & *#*#4636#*#* {?}

If that doesn't work, go back to stock.

 

[Spec2nirvash]

Try what he said: If that doesn't work, go back to stock.

The other 4636 thingy did nothing. I tried going back to stock but all ZVA backup images I can find are MD5 errors or dead links, and my personal backup images are MIA. I'm not using the LGUT and re-rooting again, that's a pain. Unless, there is some hefty advantage to having access to hidden menu? I dunno, sammy, is there an easier way to restore my phone without all of the MD5 errors?

 

[sammyz]

The other 4636 thingy did nothing. I tried going back to stock but all ZVA backup images I can find are MD5 errors or dead links, and my personal backup images are MIA. I'm not using the LGUT and re-rooting again, that's a pain. Unless, there is some hefty advantage to having access to hidden menu? I dunno, sammy, is there an easier way to restore my phone without all of the MD5 errors?

LGUT?

 

[Spec2nirvash]

LGUT?

LG Updater Tool. The only way to restore because backup images on my phone never work

 

[sammyz]

LG Updater Tool. The only way to restore because backup images on my phone never work

That doesn't work when you're up to date does it?

 

[Spec2nirvash]

That doesn't work when you're up to date does it?

Not a single backup image I either downloaded or created using CWM has worked. I get either an MD5 checksum error or I soft brick my phone using my backups, whether I wipe all, or dalvik alone.

It's weird, should I use a different CWM? I never had any problem restoring my Optimus backup images. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

[danny8360]

Is 4 toggle just as good as this?

 

[sammyz]

Is 4 toggle just as good as this?

If it automatically connects to 3G, then yes.

Not a single backup image I either downloaded or created using CWM has worked. I get either an MD5 checksum error or I soft brick my phone using my backups, whether I wipe all, or dalvik alone.

It's weird, should I use a different CWM? I never had any problem restoring my Optimus backup images. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

...I should just make an unbrick guide for you

 

[Spec2nirvash]

Hahaha..... Maybe a handbook for CWM

Anyway, I restored my phone to stock ZVA again, this time I used ChiWen's exploit and gots me CWM Touch. The only pain this time was waiting an hour for the software to download! Now I'm going to make another backup image!

 

[Spec2nirvash]

@sammyz

Method works for a Connect exactly as posted for the Motion! Only works with stock ROM though