How to Access the Hidden Testing Menu on Android to Inspect Cellular Radio Metrics and Force Network Bands

When experiencing poor cellular data speeds, erratic call drops, or unexpected battery drain caused by frequent network handovers between 5G, LTE, and 3G towers, the standard Android Settings interface provides minimal diagnostic information—often displaying only a basic four-bar visual signal icon. However, beneath the consumer interface lies a low-level engineering diagnostic screen built directly into the Android telephony stack: the Testing Menu (commonly known as the *#*#4636#*#* menu).

Used by carrier technicians, radio frequency engineers, and power users, this hidden menu exposes raw radio metrics—including RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), physical cell identifiers, and direct controls to lock the baseband modem to specific network protocols (such as LTE Only or NR Only). This guide details how to access and safely use this diagnostic menu.

Accessing the Testing Menu via Phone Dialer

1. Open the native Phone / Dialer app on your Android smartphone.
2. Type the following USSD code into the numeric dial pad:

   *#*#4636#*#*

3. As soon as you type the final asterisk (*), Android immediately launches the Testing menu without pressing the call button.
4. Tap Phone information (if using a dual-SIM smartphone, choose Phone 0 for SIM 1 or Phone 1 for SIM 2).

Interpreting Critical Cellular Radio Metrics

1. Raw Signal Strength (RSRP and RSRQ)

Instead of relying on ambiguous signal bars, inspect the exact decibel-milliwatt (dBm) readings:

• RSRP (Signal Power):
  • -80 dBm to -90 dBm: Excellent signal.
  • -91 dBm to -105 dBm: Good, reliable connection.
  • -106 dBm to -120 dBm: Weak signal (slow data speeds).
  • > -120 dBm: Near dead-zone boundary.
• RSRQ (Signal Quality / Interference): Values closer to -10 dB represent clean signals with low interference, while values approaching -20 dB indicate high radio frequency noise from congested towers.

2. Forcing Network Modes (e.g. LTE Only)

If your device frequently drops from a stable 4G connection down to an unusable 3G or 2G fallback in rural areas, you can lock the modem:

1. Locate the dropdown menu labeled Set Preferred Network Type.
2. Select LTE only to prevent the phone from dropping to legacy 2G/3G networks.
3. Alternatively, select NR only (on supported 5G SA networks) to lock 5G Standalone frequencies.

Testing Menu Options Overview Table