Database Develop

Incredible S: Antenna in battery case

Can't remember who asked, but I got one of these for my missus (really, really nice phone BTW, thinking of getting one for myself!), and I know someone mentioned the contacts on the inside of the battery door, and mentioned it could be for NFC. Unfortunately not, it is the antenna as when you take the cover off, you lose phone signal.
Something to watch if you are thing about an aftermarket extended battery

i'm really like this phone. i'm ready for incredible S although i got iphone4 already.

I'm not sure I like the idea of in built antenna. Sounds pricey in the event of having to replace the back cover for any reason over time ...

Fantastic phone! though some one may want to check out the signal drop if you hold the phone at the bottom,, try the *#*#4636#*#* phone information then hold phone in palm around bottom does signal drop? mines never dropped a call but does drop!

hi,
i did took some pictures of the antenna of the IS, sorry for the bad quality but i only had my old touch pro camera
@Jazd71 mine does also drop -89dbm to -101dbm

Hehe ur right ... Wonder why it goes to no signal when i remove my sdcard
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

Oh, then is it possible that GPS reception be affected by the antenna on the case? I found the GPS is much unstable and inconsistent than my Hero.
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

[Q] low signal

Have any one noticied that when you hold 4n upside down signal improves?and pls if any one has antena mods let me know.I get lots of miss calls etc.

Dude that is f***ed up. Lol wtf.
There is a mod probably 60 posts back or so. Just search this thread for "mod" it'll come up. Was more of a magiver thing really using tin foil to increase the antenna size.
Sent from my HTC Incredible S

Thanks for quick reply. I too used alu mod earlier but no help.Thats whay asked.

If you get a low signal it means your antenna is a bit messed up. It's located at the back cover of your phone. You can 1) take it off and latch it back on your phone properly. 2) send it to htc and tell them your antenna's messed up or 3) smack your phone a few times ( worked for me when my signal was low ) haha
BUT! I can be wrong tho

AYKJ said:
If you get a low signal it means your antenna is a bit messed up. It's located at the back cover of your phone. You can 1) take it off and latch it back on your phone properly. 2) send it to htc and tell them your antenna's messed up or 3) smack your phone a few times ( worked for me when my signal was low ) haha
BUT! I can be wrong tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had it sent once and i bought it online so shippingcost + taxes...so thats my last resort...Alu thing worked for 2g but not for 3g sadly..Thats why im still looking for a solution..
##smack your phone a few times####well that is one option to try when im pissed abt

Is it running stock? If yes update your phone it should update the radio. If no update your radio.
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

Wi-Fi MAC Address: Unavailable

Hello,
the problem I've with this phone is that the wi-fi wont turn on, either the bluetooth.
So I tried different roms, stock 2.3.5, and then cm10.1.2 stable, and the same issue.
The last thing I tried was a simple one-click odin installation consisting in a super wipe plus the installation of a stock 2.3.5 firmware.
And here I am, facing the same problem. Actually when I go to "about phone", status, then I see:
Wi-Fi MAC Address: Unavailable
Bluetooth Address: Unavailable
At this point it seems like this is a hardware problem, and for that reason is more than welcome an oppinion in the opposite way

dionieins said:
Hello,
the problem I've with this phone is that the wi-fi wont turn on, either the bluetooth.
So I tried different roms, stock 2.3.5, and then cm10.1.2 stable, and the same issue.
The last thing I tried was a simple one-click odin installation consisting in a super wipe plus the installation of a stock 2.3.5 firmware.
And here I am, facing the same problem. Actually when I go to "about phone", status, then I see:
Wi-Fi MAC Address: Unavailable
Bluetooth Address: Unavailable
At this point it seems like this is a hardware problem, and for that reason is more than welcome an oppinion in the opposite way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: nvm just saw your other post.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Yeah... they nor bluetooth nor wi-fi can't be turned on, actually the wi-fi in menu in settings looks "bold", like you can't move the switch, you know what I mean?
what if my captivate was shipped with a generic non-original battery cover and that's the thing provoking this issue? I'm saying this because battery covers shoud have some little metallic things on the back that improves the wifi, gps and bluetooth, am I right?

dionieins said:
Yeah... they nor bluetooth nor wi-fi can't be turned on, actually the wi-fi in menu in settings looks "bold", like you can't move the switch, you know what I mean?
what if my captivate was shipped with a generic non-original battery cover and that's the thing provoking this issue? I'm saying this because battery covers shoud have some little metallic things on the back that improves the wifi, gps and bluetooth, am I right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, they should work whether you have the back on or off. I never saw that problem before you and the guy mentioned it in the 4 years I've had this phone. It's quite odd.

BWolf56 said:
Actually, they should work whether you have the back on or off. I never saw that problem before you and the guy mentioned it in the 4 years I've had this phone. It's quite odd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also I found this:
near to the screw that is close to the sd card slot, there should be a copper pin coming out from a tiny hole. Every Captivate has that tiny pin of copper, that should match with a white spot in the back of the battery cover.
Mine doesn't have that tiny pin; there is nothing but a tiny hole in that spot.
So this is what happen when youg get a refurbished Captivate on eBay these days...

dionieins said:
Also I found this:
near to the screw that is close to the sd card slot, there should be a copper pin coming out from a tiny hole. Every Captivate has that tiny pin of copper, that should match with a white spot in the back of the battery cover.
Mine doesn't have that tiny pin; there is nothing but a tiny hole in that spot.
So this is what happen when youg get a refurbished Captivate on eBay these days...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps that's your problem. There might be a way to replace it.
You can try contacting Josh @ mobiletechvideos.com on that if you can't find the necessary info.

BWolf56 said:
Perhaps that's your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this pin is the problem. Unable to turn on <something> usually means the system did not recognize the module during boot process. As it was mentioned already, Wifi/Blutooth on Captivate works fine with back door removed. Missing part indicates the phone was disassembled and someone attempted to repair something.

Val D. said:
I don't think this pin is the problem. Unable to turn on usually means the system did not recognize the module during boot process. As it was mentioned already, Wifi/Blutooth on Captivate works fine with back door removed. Missing part indicates the phone was disassembled and someone attempted to repair something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember reading a thread a year or so ago about a guy who replaced that pin after having problem with his cappy. He had done it by himself though.
I might be wrong but what you suggest would come from the modem and/or kernel which seems to work fine on every other phone that runs CM.
It's a shot in the dark but it's what we got for now if you check what the other guy has tried so far (in the other thread with the same problem). Could be a good idea to ask that other guy if his phone still has the metal golden pin.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

BWolf56 said:
I might be wrong but what you suggest would come from the modem and/or kernel which seems to work fine on every other phone that runs CM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure either, not very familiar with phone software specifics. I'm a computer guy and in computers missing software controls means device not initialized. Kernel/modem software is fine, but there is something wrong with the hardware. I personally don't believe restoring the pin will fix the issue. On a good Captivate, even with this connection open (back cover removed), wifi/bluetooth works fine. A good repair guy have to take a look here and check all currents/voltages from SoC through amplifiers to antenna. Shooting in the dark is asking for more trouble. On the other hand there is no point to pay for shipping/repairs on a $90 device.

Val D. said:
I'm not sure either, not very familiar with phone software specifics. I'm a computer guy and in computers missing software controls means device not initialized. Kernel/modem software is fine, but there is something wrong with the hardware. I personally don't believe restoring the pin will fix the issue. On a good Captivate, even with this connection open (back cover removed), wifi/bluetooth works fine. A good repair guy have to take a look here and check all currents/voltages from SoC through amplifiers to antenna. Shooting in the dark is asking for more trouble. On the other hand there is no point to pay for shipping/repairs on a $90 device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call.
OP, I believe your best chance is to try with mobiletechvideos or a electronic shop in your area.
If you ever find the problem/solution, please let us know so we can help others.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Yes, I will! actually this thread had pointed out some interest, I'm saying this due to the over 200 visits it had in just a few days lol
Back to the topic, this phone definitely was disassembled because it was a refurbished unit bought from a big store on eBay.
This piece of.. hardware, cost me $89 by the way, and the only solution I got from the seller -as I'm overseas now and I can't ship it back without expending lots of money- was to get a refund for the half of the price...
So basically I got this $45 Captivate that only works for:
calls, sms, music, storage & camera
Still, I don't think that $45 is a good price of this piece of... hardware.
And yeah, now I'm convinced that the missing pin of copper it's not related to the wi-fi issue, actually that pins only exist to improve call reception as I was told by the seller.
Therefore, and after flashing many stock and non-stock roms through Odin & cwm respectively, I must conclude that this is a hardware issue.
So I'd like to know if any of you guys would drop me a link of a DIY for disassembling and replacing wi-fi hardware on a captivate, because I've another Captivate with a different issue: usb port broken, so I can take the good parts of both and create a fully working Captivate
let me know
peace
BWolf56 said:
Good call.
OP, I believe your best chance is to try with mobiletechvideos or a electronic shop in your area.
If you ever find the problem/solution, please let us know so we can help others.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

BT/WIFI main logic in inside SoC, can't replace it. There are few external components you may check, but you need oscilloscope, good voltmeter, some special tools and advanced electronics repair knowledge. DIY repair in home conditions is not possible. I can send you the repair manual, if you want. One thing you can do is to repair the USB port on the other Captivate. It is doable, but you still need some equipment like vacuum pump, precise soldering gun, solder wick, good flux, etc.

install this app (Blade Wifi Fix)

Verizon LG G2 GPS Fix Solution

I had a problem with my LG G2 Verizon Smartphone. The GPS wouldn't lock on and didn't know which direction I would even be going ( I searched I couldn't find a solution.). I ran into this app and it works, Assisted GPS Injector. It's available in the market and it worked immediately and took care of all the issues I was having. I'm sorry if this has been posted here before, but I just wanted to make sure everybody knew becaue I tried many things to get the gps to work right and none of them worked until I used this app..

topurdue said:
I had a problem with my LG G2 Verizon Smartphone. The GPS wouldn't lock on and didn't know which direction I would even be going ( I searched I couldn't find a solution.). I ran into this app and it works, Assisted GPS Injector. It's available in the market and it worked immediately and took care of all the issues I was having. I'm sorry if this has been posted here before, but I just wanted to make sure everybody knew becaue I tried many things to get the gps to work right and none of them worked until I used this app..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried a bunch of attempts at getting my GPS to fix (different roms, editing gps.conf, using various gps apps, etc), but after replacing it 3 times with VZW I got it. Some of the HW is known to crap out for GPS so if you have warranty with VZW, don't hestitate to call and swap devices.

I'll try this tommorow, been having problems with my GPS as well, it'll lock but it will be sort of erratic/not accurate and lose signal. I'm on my third replacement device so I really don't wanna have to do all that again..
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Didn't do anything for me
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Dri94 said:
Didn't do anything for me
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea if there's a difference other than ads on the pro or free. I paid the .99 for the app. It worked for me instantly. Clicked on the app then on the gps icon and away I went and it found my exact location immediately and kept locked on the entire trip. I only tried it because I read in the reviews somebody had similar issues with their lg g2 and it worked for them. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I had downloaded A-GPS Xtra and reset all my previous gps data first. Although that didn't help my situation by itself it could of possibly helped.

On my first G2, the GPS wasn't great no matter what ROM I used, it didn't even work right out of the box. The replacement I got has been working on literally every every ROM I used. The original didn't work on any firmware release either. I tried many different apps and config files. The one I'm on now is perfect. I guess it's just bad luck sometimes I guess if still stock one can always go to Verizon about it
Sent from my LG-G2 using Tapatalk

I didn't have a choice about taking it back to Verizon. I bought it off of CL and it was probably one the original owner had replaced. So, returning it isn't an option for everybody. I tried many things that didn't work also, but this app did and it's why I shared.

I've had a similar issue on my sprint version. Doesn't make it unusable but sometimes I will magically be driving on the wrong side of the interstate or of the road backwards. I just hope that it's just a software bug
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

I bought my Verizon g2 on swappa so I am in the same boat. I don't know what this magic app does but works for me. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Help
incubus2 said:
I bought my Verizon g2 on swappa so I am in the same boat. I don't know what this magic app does but works for me. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates how to fix this?

I have been going back and forth with Verizon and the GPS on my G2. I actually have my third replacement phone waiting for me when I get home. The last rep I spoke with said that it is a known issue that is to be fixed with an upcoming update. I would assume that update to be 4.4.2 but I haven't heard whether or not the GPS is any better in the leaked OTA. He did tell me that they have received the update from LG but it was currently being tested.

The GPS issue is actually a hardware issue. There is a springy connector on the phone that tries to keep a steady connection to the anttenae strip on the battery cover. It is on the side opposite of the SIM card.
Here is a picture from another XDA thread by JTNiggle that shows the insides of the VZW LG G2.
First picture shows the battery cover and you can see the small square copper connector for the GPS antennae on the right hand side. Second picture shows on the right side of the phone above the battery the little springy copper connector for the GPS sensor on the phone. These are the two areas I used very tiny pieces of electrical tape on to make a solid connection. This has 100% resolved my issue with GPS signals and I have been sporting this change for over a week now. I get a signal lock between 3-7 seconds depending on where I am at (inside or outside) and the days weather. I have done this on a total of 4 phones now and all four phones no longer have GPS signal lock issue. Just make sure you use a non metal tool to pop the battery cover off so it doesn't scratch up the shiny silver bezel strip.
---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------
cckeeler said:
I have been going back and forth with Verizon and the GPS on my G2. I actually have my third replacement phone waiting for me when I get home. The last rep I spoke with said that it is a known issue that is to be fixed with an upcoming update. I would assume that update to be 4.4.2 but I haven't heard whether or not the GPS is any better in the leaked OTA. He did tell me that they have received the update from LG but it was currently being tested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly don't think all the software updates in the world would fix this problem. It is a physical hardware issue that is causing the problem.

Ainvar said:
The GPS issue is actually a hardware issue. There is a springy connector on the phone that tries to keep a steady connection to the anttenae strip on the battery cover. It is on the side opposite of the SIM card.
First picture shows the battery cover and you can see the small square copper connector for the GPS antennae on the right hand side. Second picture shows on the right side of the phone above the battery the little springy copper connector for the GPS sensor on the phone. These are the two areas I used very tiny pieces of electrical tape on to make a solid connection. This has 100% resolved my issue with GPS signals and I have been sporting this change for over a week now. I get a signal lock between 3-7 seconds depending on where I am at (inside or outside) and the days weather. I have done this on a total of 4 phones now and all four phones no longer have GPS signal lock issue. Just make sure you use a non metal tool to pop the battery cover off so it doesn't scratch up the shiny silver bezel strip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great info! Could you clarify just a little what exactly you did with the electrical tape? Like put a tiny piece "under" the flex connector? I haven't actually taken mine apart yet so maybe this would be clearer then... Also is there a chance this would help my compass? I can't seem to get it calibrated and working.

forgiven90 said:
This is great info! Could you clarify just a little what exactly you did with the electrical tape? Like put a tiny piece "under" the flex connector? I haven't actually taken mine apart yet so maybe this would be clearer then... Also is there a chance this would help my compass? I can't seem to get it calibrated and working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the phone itself there is a small copy flex like connector. If you look on the link that shows the two images for the inside of the phone and the inside of the battery cover, you will see on the phone the tiny little flex connector I am speaking about. With gentle tender care slide some electrical tape (fold it together sticky sides in) underneath the flex connector. This will help it keep a solid connection to the antennae plate on the battery cover. I have done this on 4 phones total one of them mine. All four VZW LG G2 phones had the same issue. Depending on exactly where you were at you would get a weak lock/signal when needing to use GPS on the phone. After this was done the signal is nice and strong and locks within 3-7 seconds for me (yes I have timed it). This is both indoors and outdoors. The G2 is able to lock onto GPS just like any of my other phones in the past and also the MotoX.
I haven't had to modify the GPS.conf from stock (this never worked for me anyways as it wasn't able to acquire a signal 99% of the time). GPS just now works.

Will this also fix the issue of showing that I am like 3-4 houses away, while when I was on JB it showed me I was next door(or at least in between next door and my actual location).

Ainvar said:
On the phone itself there is a small copy flex like connector. If you look on the link that shows the two images for the inside of the phone and the inside of the battery cover, you will see on the phone the tiny little flex connector I am speaking about. With gentle tender care slide some electrical tape (fold it together sticky sides in) underneath the flex connector. This will help it keep a solid connection to the antennae plate on the battery cover. I have done this on 4 phones total one of them mine. All four VZW LG G2 phones had the same issue. Depending on exactly where you were at you would get a weak lock/signal when needing to use GPS on the phone. After this was done the signal is nice and strong and locks within 3-7 seconds for me (yes I have timed it). This is both indoors and outdoors. The G2 is able to lock onto GPS just like any of my other phones in the past and also the MotoX.
I haven't had to modify the GPS.conf from stock (this never worked for me anyways as it wasn't able to acquire a signal 99% of the time). GPS just now works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:

It must be batches, my GPS is about flawless.

forgiven90 said:
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep was easy, I got this idea of course from seeing that image I linked in my previous post and I saw the inside of the phone.

forgiven90 said:
Well that was an easy mod! I cut a strip of black elec tape about 3/32" x 3/8" and doubled the end to make approx 3/32" of the end doubled. this left a short tab that I could use to manipulate the doubled part under the flex connector and then stick in place to secure it there (or remove later if desired). My GPS and compass are both very responsive and accurate now. I'm also using GPS Status and I've used an app called GPS Injector that I believe help but not as much as this mod. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind posting some pictures of how/where you applied the tape? Thanks!
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

fsiddique said:
Do you mind posting some pictures of how/where you applied the tape? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would if I could, but I have plastic/vinyl tape on the back of my phone that in not ready to remove yet
Member Ainver posted a link with pix just a few posts up.
I think when you get the back off the phone it will make more sense what has been posted here also.
Good luck
Sent from Mexico with my Cloudyflex'd VS980 4G

[FIX] Samsung Galaxy Captivate Wi-Fi Low Signal

Hello, this is the first time i write in the page and actually i just started reading it a few days ago, i want to thank all the developers and community that help new people like me in all they can, so i wanted to share my experience and i hope i can help someone too. I live in Mexico, and since i have some free time this month and i've never have an smartphone, i decided to buy a Ebay faulty one (i can't really afford a new one here, they're twice the price than USA). I have some hardware knowlege but all the android software is new for me. I bought 3 phones i found at a very low price and started to read about all the android world. 2 of the phones were this wonderful phone, the Captivate and the thrid one was the Motorola Atrix 4g.
I decided to start with the captivates, but after a few days i manage to root, unlock and update one of those to kitkat. The other was a 2.2 froyo and i worked on it 2 days more until reach the same of the other. I found that this captivate has the wifi low signal problem and an intermittent cell signal. I finally fixed both problems and here is how i did it, i hope it can help somene:
Cellphone Signal
I think this phone was used with an external antenna, because using the "needle method" on the plug, the signal was working again. I decided to make a more solid solution by soldering a very thin wire between the side terminals of the plug (left with the right). That makes the function of the needle inside the antenna plug but more trustful.
Wi-Fi Low Signal
The first captivate works great without any fixes, but the second i bought can't stay more than 5 meters away frome router or it loss all signal.
When i fixed the antenna i notice all the copper contacts on the circuit board that touch small pieces of aluminium on the inner side of the case. The aluminium has some corrotion (i bought the phone as "water damaged"). I cleaned all the contacts and the aluminium on the case but there's a contact at the left side of the camera that hardly touches the aluminium, so i used the foil paper method of other devices to improve signal on that specific point and worked great, now i can go freely in all the house with 2 to 3 bars of wifi.
I haven't test gps since i dont know how my service provider company uses it, but if anyone can and want to tell me, i would be so grateful.

Torram89 said:
Hello, this is the first time i write in the page and actually i just started reading it a few days ago, i want to thank all the developers and community that help new people like me in all they can, so i wanted to share my experience and i hope i can help someone too. I live in Mexico, and since i have some free time this month and i've never have an smartphone, i decided to buy a Ebay faulty one (i can't really afford a new one here, they're twice the price than USA). I have some hardware knowlege but all the android software is new for me. I bought 3 phones i found at a very low price and started to read about all the android world. 2 of the phones were this wonderful phone, the Captivate and the thrid one was the Motorola Atrix 4g.
I decided to start with the captivates, but after a few days i manage to root, unlock and update one of those to kitkat. The other was a 2.2 froyo and i worked on it 2 days more until reach the same of the other. I found that this captivate has the wifi low signal problem and an intermittent cell signal. I finally fixed both problems and here is how i did it, i hope it can help somene:
Cellphone Signal
I think this phone was used with an external antenna, because using the "needle method" on the plug, the signal was working again. I decided to make a more solid solution by soldering a very thin wire between the side terminals of the plug (left with the right). That makes the function of the needle inside the antenna plug but more trustful.
Wi-Fi Low Signal
The first captivate works great without any fixes, but the second i bought can't stay more than 5 meters away frome router or it loss all signal.
When i fixed the antenna i notice all the copper contacts on the circuit board that touch small pieces of aluminium on the inner side of the case. The aluminium has some corrotion (i bought the phone as "water damaged"). I cleaned all the contacts and the aluminium on the case but there's a contact at the left side of the camera that hardly touches the aluminium, so i used the foil paper method of other devices to improve signal on that specific point and worked great, now i can go freely in all the house with 2 to 3 bars of wifi.
I haven't test gps since i dont know how my service provider company uses it, but if anyone can and want to tell me, i would be so grateful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Que tal Amigo!
just want to say thanks for for the tips just goes to show how big this great Community has grown and how all the levels of intelect expand the globe to make android OS the number one. ill be trying the WIFI signal and im getting one bar at a 8 meter distance from the modem. and whne i run the hotspot of my phone i have to put it basicaly on top of my Lap for it to get a signal.