iPhone: get the GSM signal in numbers WITHOUT jailbreaking? Is it possible?

from your phone keyboard... star3001#12345#star

Press the home key to exit this field mode and return to the bars or do a force quit to keep the numbers... you can then tap the numbers to switch between numbers and bars.

I leave the numbers on mine all the time.

In order to force quit in iPhone firmware 2.x, you simply hold down the home button until the application closes. To force quit in 3.x, you have to press the sleep button until the power off slider appears, then let go of the sleep button and hold down the home button until the application closes. Once you force quit out of Field Test mode, you tap the signal bars and it will display the dbm numbers and vice versa.

I also leave the numbers on mine because Apple's representations of the signal strength is way off, they changed this back in the earlier version of 2.x.

Ditto and thanks for the added detail Envision.

followed directions to the letter and couldn't get numbers. any suggestions.
tim

Go to the keyboard of your Phone app. type in "star3001#12345#star". Don't do anything else. It should say Field Test Mode with the numbers in the upper left of the screen, i.e. where the bars normally are.

Finally hit send and all is well..........thanks tim

p.s. u da man paul

Ah, I forgot to add the "press the Call button" part - sorry. I'll remember that for next time. Glad you got it to work though.

Envision99 wrote:
In order to force quit in iPhone firmware 2.x, you simply hold down the home button until the application closes. To force quit in 3.x, you have to press the sleep button until the power off slider appears, then let go of the sleep button and hold down the home button until the application closes. Once you force quit out of Field Test mode, you tap the signal bars and it will display the dbm numbers and vice versa.

I also leave the numbers on mine because Apple's representations of the signal strength is way off, they changed this back in the earlier version of 2.x.

Been trying to figure out how to get the numbers to stick. I knew about the field test menu but could never get the numbers to stay and your steps are right on the money. Thanks for the tip.

Would you mind explaining how to read the numbers in the signal meter?

Hi Pam. They range from about -50 to -120.

-50 to -75... excellent signal
-75-90... good signal
-90-110... fair signal
-110 and below... hardly any signal

I usually get about 65-90 in a solid 3G area and 90-105 in my office

This is very neat. Even though I probably will not change back to the bars, do you know how to?

Press your finger just a bit below the numbers, almost on them. It's a little tricky but you can toggle back and forth between numbers and bars if desired.

Message was edited by: paulcb