3 Ways To Boost Your Cell Phone Signal at Home

If you’re over the age of 30 or so, you might remember the “before times” of cell phone coverage, when you might have to leave your house or drive to a higher elevation to pick up a signal from the nearest tower. The frustration of dropped calls and that dreaded “no service” icon on your early Razr or Nokia — if only we’d had cell phone signal boosters back then!

Luckily, cell towers now dot the landscape, bringing cell service to the majority of the U.S. But depending on where you live or your provider, you may find yourself in need of a boost. We talked to two telecommunications experts to help you improve your home’s cell phone reception.

Why Am I Getting Poor Cell Phone Reception at My House?

Poor cell phone reception can’t be pinned on one single thing. “Poor home cell phone reception is often a result of several interconnected factors,” says Mick Chambers, vice president of product development for Kinetic by Windstream broadband service provider. “Distance from towers, especially in rural areas, is a primary culprit.” If you live out in the country, you’re probably well aware of this common problem.

But what if you live in a city or suburb, or you can see a tower right out your window? It’s probably not proximity. “Building materials, tree cover, and even weather can also interfere with signal strength,” Chambers adds. “Additionally, outdated technology and interference from other electronic devices can contribute to poor reception.”

The expert says it’s important to look at the problem holistically to take steps to improve your connectivity.

How To Boost Your Cell Signal at Home

Anyone can boost a cell phone signal. There are several ways to do it, and no, you don’t have to change providers.

Signal booster

Cell phone signal boosters can significantly enhance a lousy cell phone signal, Chambers says. “These devices amplify the existing cell signal in your home or car, leading to improved call quality and faster data speeds.” Cell phone signal boosters, which may also be called signal repeaters or amplifiers, have three main parts:

1. An exterior antenna to capture a weak signal from a cell tower;
2. An amplifier, aka “booster,” to increase the strength of the weak signal;
3. An interior antenna is used to rebroadcast the enhanced cell signal where you need it, such as inside your home.

Because boosters use old-school antennas that literally grab a signal out of the air, you do need a signal somewhere nearby. They don’t work in areas of absolutely zero cell coverage. Quality cell phone signal boosters aren’t cheap, often costing hundreds of dollars (or more). But, if you’ve ever found yourself holding your phone above your head, desperately wandering around searching for a signal, you might find the cost well worth it.

Wi-Fi calling

This one isn’t technically a cell phone signal booster, but it’s an easy way to bypass spotty cell coverage. Most smartphones allow you to make and receive calls using a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cellular network. “This can be particularly useful in areas with weak cell signals but strong Wi-Fi coverage,” Chambers says. “Enabling this feature [on your phone] can vastly improve your call quality and reliability.”

Seth Geftic, a security expert and vice president of product marketing at Huntress, a cybersecurity company, agrees: “While Wi-Fi extenders won’t directly improve your cell signal, they can enhance your home Wi-Fi network, making Wi-Fi calling more reliable.” If your home network could use a boost, get an extender. These handy devices plug into a wall outlet and are fairly affordable, costing about $30 – $100.

Now’s a good time if you haven’t reviewed your network security settings in a while. “It’s important to secure your Wi-Fi network with strong passwords and encryption to prevent unauthorized access,” Geftic says.

Adjust phone settings

Finally, Chambers says simple adjustments to your phone’s settings can sometimes improve service. “For instance, turning on airplane mode for a few seconds and then turning it off can help reconnect your phone to the nearest cell tower.” And, when your phone asks to install a new version, say yes.

“Keeping your phone’s software up to date ensures you benefit from the latest connectivity improvements and bug fixes,” says Chambers.

Are Cell Phone Boosters Security Risks?

They can be. “Unsecured devices can become entry points for cyberattacks, putting your personal data at risk,” Geftic says. “These risks vary from signal interception, unauthorized access, interference with network security, firmware vulnerabilities and potential data leaks.”

Geftic says that to mitigate these risks, it is essential to properly secure the booster. Here’s how:

• Purchase from reputable brands only, and regularly update the firmware.
• Change default settings immediately, and use strong, unique passwords.
• Place the booster in a secure location and enable WPA3 encryption in the configuration menu.
• Secure your home network with WPA3 encryption (this is a setting on your router).
• Disable unnecessary remote management features and regularly monitor connected devices.

FAQ

Do cell signal boosters actually work?

Yes, cell signal boosters do actually work. Just remember that they are not magic: You must have signal for the booster to boost.

Will a Wi-Fi extender help my cell signal?

No, a Wi-Fi extender won’t help boost your cell signal, but they will boost your Wi-Fi calling capability and reliability, helping you “get around” a bad cell signal.

Is there an app that helps boost cell phone signal?

No, there are no apps that help boost cell phone signal. “Be cautious of apps or codes that claim to boost cell signals, as they can sometimes be scams or malware,” Geftic says. “Stick to solutions provided by your carrier or trusted technology providers to avoid compromising your device’s security.”

What’s the code to help boost my cell phone signal?

There isn’t any code to boost cell phone signal. Geftic says claims about cell phone signal-boosting codes are often scams.

About the Experts

• Mick Chambers is the vice president of product development for Kinetic by Windstream, a provider of high-speed broadband internet, wireless and home phone service and digital television to residential homes, businesses and government agencies. Chambers has more than 20 years of product management experience in the telecommunications industry, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and Over-The-Top (OTT) — aka streaming — content.
• Seth Geftic is the vice president of product marketing at Huntress, a cybersecurity solutions company that protects small and medium-sized businesses through endpoint detection and response, Microsoft 365 identity protection and science-based security awareness training. Geftic has nearly 20 years experience in the security and identity protection industry.

Sources

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): FCC National Broadband Map