Android smartphones may be displaying stronger mobile signal readings than actual network strength due to a hidden feature, a practice reportedly enabled by Google at the request of wireless carriers. This finding suggests a potentially widespread deception regarding network performance for millions of users.
The revelation comes from technology blog Nick vs Networking, which identified a specific flag within the Android Carrier Configuration Manager’s source code. This flag, labeled KEY_INFLATE_SIGNAL_STRENGTH_BOOL, is described as having the capability to show a higher signal bar than the actual signal intensity.
Evidence gathered by Nick vs Networking implicates two major U.S. wireless carriers in actively utilizing this signal inflation feature. Devices operating on these networks would consequently display inaccurate signal strength indicators.
The feature appears in the Android Git repository. It is disabled by default but can be activated by carriers through an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
This manipulation would not be confined to carrier-locked devices. The settings for this feature could also be loaded from the SIM card, affecting unlocked Android phones or those not directly linked to specific carriers.
The identity of the specific carrier that initially requested this functionality from Google remains undisclosed. However, the presence of the flag in Android’s core code suggests Google acceded to such a request.
This practice adds to ongoing concerns about how carriers market their services. Such marketing often includes claims of superior coverage, faster 5G speeds, and wider network availability, which independent research frequently contradicts.
While the exact reasoning behind Google’s decision to include this flag is unclear, it may be intended to mitigate consumer frustration. A device might otherwise show a weaker signal in areas previously believed to have adequate coverage.