Android (rooted): LTE is pretty handy when you’re browsing the web or downloading files, but when you aren’t actively using your phone, it draws a lot of battery without being useful. Smart Network switches your phone to 2G when your screen is off to save battery while keeping you connected.
You’ll need the Xposed framework installed for this to work, but it’s totally worth it. Install it, head to the Download section, and search for Smart Network to install the tweak. You’ll have to reboot your phone, but you can then access it from the app drawer to adjust its settings.
Smart Network gives you the option to set your default network mode when the screen is on and off, which may require a bit of research to see what your phone supports. You can also set it to disconnect or turn off Wi-Fi when your screen is off if you so desire. You can even whitelist certain apps, so your network won’t switch to 2G if a certain app is doing something important (like streaming music).
I was hesitant to try this out, assuming that switching between 2G and LTE would take too long for it to be practical — but it’s actually quite seamless. When I unlock my phone, it takes only a second or two to switch to LTE — fast enough that I don’t even notice it, and battery life has been stellar so far. And, considering I only need basic connectivity when my screen is off, it doesn’t feel like I’ve made any sacrifice — all my emails and notifications still come in beautifully.
Popular battery-saving app JuiceDefender has had this feature for a while, but only in the $4.99 Ultimate version. JuiceDefender contains a bunch of other features as well, but if all you want is this one tweak, Smart Network is great free alternative, especially if you’re already using Xposed.
Read more about the app below, or download the Xposed framework now to try it out.
Smart Network [Xposed Module Repository via WonderHowTo]
Comments
3 responses to “Smart Network Saves Battery By Switching To 2G When Your Screen Is Off”
does anyone know if there are there a lot of areas with 3g and 4g coverage that is no longer covered by 2G?
This actually seems kind of redundant. LTE is by design actually meant to be MORE efficient when in an idle state by using longpolling techniques which essentially leaves the radio constantly idle unless it’s actually doing something – unlike 2G which is constantly polling the network… This is both a design of the protocol, and the processors involved.
Would be good to see some actual stats around this in a controlled environment (aka, one where this app was the ONLY difference in two side by side devices.
That was my thought, and also the higher speed of the network allows the phone to activate it’s radio for a much shorter amount of time to do the same job.
If your notifications are having to come in over edge/wap then you are going to use a SHITLOAD more power for the same thing. The only advantage would be if the LTE chip in your phone is not well designed and uses a lot of unnecessary power on standby