Macworld (2019-06)

50 MACWORLD JUNE 2019

iOSCENTRAL

S

ometimes you have two bars but
can’t load any webpages.
Sometimes you have four bars,
but your friend with a different
phone on the same network has only two.
We’ve become reliant on signal bars to tell
us how strong our cellular connection is,
but in truth, the bars are bullshit.

Those signal bars are almost

completely arbitrary. Yes, more bars should

mean a stronger signal, but there is no

standard scale. Every phone manufacturer

How to see your true cellular signal

strength with the Field Test app

Signal bars don’t tell you as much as you think. If you really want to know the

strength of your cell signal, use this hidden app.

BY JASON CROSS

IMAGE: DOMINIK TOMASZEWSKI

VIDEO: HOW TO SEE TRUE

SIGNAL STRENGTH

Watch now at go.macworld.com/sig