USSD Code

Ussd Code For Signal Strength

Understanding the USSD Code for Signal Strength in South Africa

Checking mobile signal strength is essential if you’re troubleshooting call quality, data speeds, or network availability. While many smartphone users rely on the signal bars icon, there are also hidden diagnostic methods. One of the most common questions is whether there is a USSD code for signal strength that works across South African networks.

This guide explains what USSD is, how signal strength is actually measured, what you can and cannot do with USSD, and the practical ways to check your mobile signal on different devices.

What Is a USSD Code?

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a real-time messaging protocol used by mobile networks. It allows users to access network services using short codes, usually starting with * and ending with #.

Typical examples include:

  • Balance checks
  • Airtime and data purchases
  • Please Call Me services
  • Menu-based account management

USSD sessions are usually interactive, do not require mobile data, and work on basic feature phones as well as smartphones.

Is There a Universal USSD Code for Signal Strength?

There is no standard, universal USSD code used by South African networks specifically to display live signal strength in dBm (decibel-milliwatts).

Key points:

  • Mobile operators generally do not provide a USSD-based network quality or signal strength readout.
  • USSD is designed for service menus (balances, bundles, activations), not for detailed technical diagnostics.
  • Signal strength is usually accessed via operating system test menus (Android / iOS) rather than USSD.

Some networks or device-specific service menus may exist for field testing, but these are not commonly documented as public USSD services and may vary by device or firmware.

How Signal Strength Is Normally Measured

Mobile signal strength is typically measured in dBm. On most phones, this is shown as a negative number, for example:

  • Around −50 dBm to −70 dBm – very strong signal
  • Around −70 dBm to −90 dBm – fair/usable signal
  • Around −90 dBm to −110 dBm – weak signal, possible call drops or slow data

These values are more precise than the simple 1–4/5 “bars” icon and are accessed via device field test modes, not USSD.

How to Check Signal Strength on Android (Without USSD)

Exact paths may vary by manufacturer and Android version, but most Android phones provide a way to see signal information.

Using Android Settings

On many Android devices:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to About phone (or About device)
  3. Tap Status or SIM status
  4. Look for Signal strength

You will often see values like -85 dBm along with ASU (Arbitrary Strength Unit).

Using Phone Info Codes (Not USSD Services)

Some Android devices support internal “testing” menus accessed via dialing codes that look similar to USSD but are actually local device commands, for example:

  • *#*#4636#*#* – opens a “Testing” menu on many stock Android devices
    • This can show Phone information, network type, and detailed signal strength.

These are not network USSD codes; they do not communicate with the operator’s USSD server but instead trigger hidden Android menus.

Support for these codes depends on device brand, Android build, and carrier customisation.

How to Check Signal Strength on iPhone (Field Test Mode)

iOS provides a Field Test Mode for technical network information. On some iPhone models and iOS versions, it can display detailed signal metrics.

A commonly used approach (behaviour can change with iOS updates) is to:

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Dial: *3001#12345#*
  3. Tap Call
  4. The phone will enter Field Test Mode

Depending on your iOS version, you may see:

  • LTE / 5G serving cell details
  • Signal metrics in dBm
  • Other radio parameters

Again, this is not a USSD signal strength service from the network, but an internal diagnostic mode built into iOS.

For general information on iOS and field test capabilities, Apple’s mobile network settings overview is available at:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415

Why Networks Don’t Commonly Offer a USSD Code for Signal Strength

There are several likely reasons why a public USSD code for signal strength is not standard:

  1. Diagnostic nature
    Signal strength in dBm is a technical metric mainly used by engineers, installers, and advanced users.

  2. Device dependency
    Signal quality depends on the handset, antenna design, software, and environment. Networks can monitor performance from their side, but precise on-device measurements are usually collected by the operating system.

  3. Support complexity
    If networks provided signal numbers via USSD, it could create customer support expectations around interpreting technical values, which most general users do not require.

  4. Existing on-device tools
    Android and iOS already expose signal diagnostics, making duplicate USSD services less necessary.

Practical Ways to Assess Signal Quality (Without a USSD Code)

Even without a network-provided USSD code, you can still evaluate your signal strength accurately:

1. Use Built-in OS Diagnostics

  • Android: Settings → About phone → SIM status → Signal strength
  • iOS: Field Test Mode via *3001#12345#* (where supported)

These methods display dBm readings, which you can compare across different locations.

2. Compare Indoor and Outdoor Signal

Signal often drops indoors:

  • Check signal at a window, balcony, or outside the building.
  • If outdoor signal is significantly better, building materials may be causing attenuation.

3. Monitor Performance, Not Just Bars

Look at:

  • Call stability (drops, quality issues)
  • Mobile data speed
  • Latency for apps and web pages

These real-world performance indicators are often more meaningful than a raw signal number.

4. Use Network Coverage Maps

Most South African operators publish coverage maps on their official websites, showing expected service levels (2G/3G/4G/5G) by area. These maps complement on-device measurements by indicating expected signal availability.

For reference, Apple’s guidance on selecting a mobile network and checking compatibility is at:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204039

When a More Advanced Signal Check Is Needed

If you are:

  • Installing a cellular router or fixed-LTE CPE
  • Selecting a position for a signal booster (repeater)
  • Troubleshooting chronic network issues at a business site

Then:

  • Use the router’s web interface or app to view RSRP/RSRQ/SINR or similar metrics.
  • Test multiple locations (different rooms, higher floors, near windows).
  • If necessary, consult with a professional installer who can measure signal using specialist equipment.

These methods are far more accurate than any consumer-facing USSD could provide.

Key Takeaways

  • There is no widely available, standard USSD code from South African mobile networks that directly shows live signal strength in dBm.
  • What many people think of as a “USSD code for signal strength” is usually an internal device test code (Android testing menu or iOS Field Test Mode), not a network service.
  • To check signal strength:
    • Use Android’s About phone → SIM status
    • Use iPhone’s Field Test Mode (where supported)
  • For most users, monitoring how well calls and data work, combined with coverage maps and basic device diagnostics, is sufficient to understand and improve signal quality.

For more information on USSD-based services across South African networks, you can explore:

USSD Code

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