How to enable LTE/4G on Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005)
Like me you have a fancy and expensive International Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 that conform specifications should be LTE/4G capable and nevertheless no LTE/4G ? It’s probably making you angry and mad, I assume you damn Sammy (again) for delivering a mobile phone that doesn’t do what it should do. Of course you have installed Android KitKat 4.4.2 but still no LTE option available via Start Screen > Apps > Settings > More Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode.
Normally in that Network Mode menu should be following options visible/available:
– LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)
– WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)
– WCDMA Only
– GSM only
At the moment the mentioned “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” option is missing you have a problem, you aren’t able to use LTE/4G. Don’t worry. there are several solutions/fixes to solve the lack of LTE/4G. Keep in mind that the solutions will only work with a rooted phone (up to you to take the risk of rooting, you will lose probably phone-guarantee because Knox counter will be tripped and security-wise there are also reservations).
The solutions (again, keep in mind my reservations about rooting your phone):
1. Change with a root explorer of your choice (e.g. Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or EF File Explorer) the value “false” in file persist.radio.lteon into “true” by way of build-in text editor of the root explorer. The file is located in root/data/property. Be sure permissions of persist.radio.lteon are set to rw, after altering the file save the file and make it read-only. Reboot your phone, now you will see and be able to pick the option “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” in Network Mode menu. Important: before altering ANY file on your phone be sure you have a copy of the original, unaltered file!!! Advantage of this solution: even after a phone reboot the option “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” will remain visible/activated.
2. When you are afraid or not tech-savvy enough to alter phone files you can download “Advanced Signal Status” on Google Play. Start the app, go into Advanced Info located on bottom of the app and subsequent choose LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) in the first sub-menu of Advanced Info. In phone Network Mode menu option “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” will still not be visible but nevertheless you will be able to use LTE/4G. Disadvantage of this solution will be that after every phone reboot you have to start “Advanced Signal Status app” and reactivate LTE/GSM/CDMA option.
Please remember that LTE/4G will only work in area’s with LTE and your phone data-plan includes the use of LTE. Good luck and have fun!
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Thanks man, the second solution worked for me 😀
I was very angry for purchasing a mobile which should support 4g but it doesn’t.
Stupid Samsung :@ I
Hi, i’m trying to follow that path but i don’t have the persist.radio.lteon.xml anywhere???
My bad, made a mistake with the file extension of “persist.radio.lteon”. Look instead for root/data/property/persist.radio.lteon (so WITHOUT .xml file extension!). FWIW have adapted my blog post accordingly.
sorry to bother you, why can’t i find any persist.radio.lteon data on the property directory. can you help me with that?
Thanks Smokey, it works just great!
Q. If I will return to official version un root the phone’ the parameter will remain “true” or will return to “false”
I haven’t tested but assume that parameter will return to false.
Edit: after updating the firmware or unrooting the phone, parameter will remain “true”.
Maybe a silly question from a noob, but I would like to know. Is this for getting “American” 4G LTE to work on a international N9005? Or, is this for getting 4G LTE to work on a N9005 in europe?
I tried both solutions none worked..I have samsung galaxy note 3 n9005 version, i rooted by device just to get 4g and have T-mobile 4g lte plan…still nothing location usa
Hey mate. N9005 user here. You mean to say that once we root the device and turn the parameter to true it will remain true after device is unrooted? I ask because i am unable to activate LTE but cannot use a rooted set due to corporate policy on my personal device as I access office emails on it.
So if I unroot device and let everything go back to normal, I will be able to continue LTE use?
Is correct, you will be able to continue LTE/4G use. Anyways, after my tests such was the case so I have to assume it will work with your phone too.
Thanks for the reply. Just one more question. When you say unroot you mean flashing firmware back to the phone? By what method are you unrooting?
You’re welcome. How-to root/unroot:
http://lionking853.blogspot.de/2014/04/how-to-root-unroot-samsung-galaxy-note_25.html?m=1
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!. It worked like magic. I mean the first solution to the no LTE problem.
God bless you.
Please any idea on how to make the last a bit longer?
thank you for solved my problem
You’re very welcome, pleased I was able to help you.
Dear lte option have appeared but its not shifting to 4G/lte
You have a LTE/4G data plan?
Yes i have also i have the 4G/lte sim and data plan.
I have to assume there’s no LTE/4G available at all in the region you are atm…
Also when ever i select lte/wcdma/gsm prl it shifts to lte/gsm on advance signal.
It doesnot remain on that option.
It working now thankx
Can my device update automatically after boot or modified
Sorry I don’t know what you mean, can you rephrase your question?
Is there anyother solution for unrooted mobiles? I am using solid explorer and while clicking the root directory it gives me a warning “no root access available”. Any idea?
My N9005 is rooted and did solution #2. Still not getting LTE/4G. My data plan has LTE/4G. Any suggestion, please?
Please try solution #1. Don’t forget to make a backup of the file(s) that will be modified by you.
I live in Huntington WV 25701 Cabell County I have never got 4g. Then I look at the covalent map and there r only small ares in Huntington to get 4g which I haven’t found yet. Whats up first I payed lots of money for my Sprint galaxy note 3. Please fixs
I understand your annoyance but it’s not only Sprint with limited 4g coverage, all other 4g internet providers have similar issues: black 4g spots and/or not providing the promised 4g speed. Fwiw I don’t think that Sprint will care about the 4g problems of their customers, to them it’s an unimportant issue.
Hi, followed instructions and that made LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) visible in the Network mode settings … however still not connecting at 4G. Tested same SIM in the same location on an S3 and 4G works every time
Rooted N9005 and tried solutions 1 and 2 and combinations of both … no joy
Any further advice would be awesome … pulling my hair out here
Cheers
I have both solutions tested on my international Note 3 N9005 and with both I’m able to connect with 4G so I can’t tell you why you aren’t.
i did every thing as mentioned in first step.but there is no lte option in network mode.so ??
Both options worked well with me. Thanks mate 🙂
it doesnt work on my fone maybe its not original…
Thanks a lot .. the first solution worked for me
I have samsung note 3 neo SM-N7507, I tried 1 and got the LTE option, thanks. I have 4G LTE data plan, but I can’t connect to 4G, only H+. Please help.
Are you sure that the area you are is LTE covered?
Yes I am sure. 4G LTE connection symbol is visible in my friends’ phones.
And your cell phone carrier offers there LTE?
Yes they offer LTE.
To be honest atm I don’t know why you don’t get LTE, my fix works normally very well.
It’s a Chinese Huawei network, I could not get the frequencies, but it’s 4G LTE.
work for me the 1st option…..excellent job thanks!!!!
Smokey
Thnku
As u said
1.first i make my phone rooted
2.then i find presit.radio.lte
3.i make false value to true and save it
4.option is visible
5.lte start working on sm9005 not 3
Now i have a question
1.if i factory reset my phone by setting then i make this process again or its saved fully now?even after factry reset
2.if i make my phone fectry reset to wipe all my data to make my phone fast.will there is problm on rooted phone means to stop working?
I have samsung note 3 n900p sprint usa.
It is cdma 4g. I want use 4g in gsm . Plz tell me any solution. Am wait you reply.
hello,
i have a question, is unrooting the device after enabling the LTE will rstore the persist.radio.lteon value to false ?
Thanks
Thank you so much blogger,
2nd option worked on my Samsung Note 3
i have smasung note3 4g CDMA usa sprint unlock. but i want use 4g use in gsm sim . plz tell me any solution ..
How can we change file to read only?
Thanks. It works.
congrats …
NO such file persist.radio.lteon in mentioned folder any help
I am using n900k korean edition rooted and custom rom installed
any help ???
Hi, I have one SM-N9005, I recived the update to lollipop 5.0… I made the update… my note 3 are showing the option “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)”, I think don’t need root my phone and do this change… BUT if I put a 4G chip on my note 3, It’s never work, only get 3G speed… I use the same chip in other phone and the 4G works fine…
Somebody have the same problema?… have the option “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” but your phone never works with 4G?
even after downloading the advanced signal status… when i open additional info bottom my phone tells me that DEVICE LOCKED..then what can i do??
I’ve upgraded my note 3 from 4.4.4 kitkat to 5.0 lollipop. Will the method 1 work for me?
Only if your phone is rooted.
Hey Please i have the same probleme. can you tell me how to root first my device before following your steps?
Hi rooted my phone when i m trying access root/data/property persist.radio.lteoe is not showing in the list.
I m using soli explorer app for this. Plz suggest.
Hey thanks dear.. 2 option really worked for me…
Hi,
Tried second option. Says that the phone seems to be locked down by SELinux policy . Please help as the phone has an option of LTE with Android 5.0 but SIM does not work.
Their is no such file(persist.radio.lteon) in the directory. i m using samsung note 3 sm n900.it having exyonos processor. could you help to enable lte. Thanks