Find Your Nearest Cell Tower Quickly and Painlessly
How to Find Cell Towers Near Me?
Cell towers are the backbone of cellular connectivity, supporting everything from phone calls to Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks and mobile internet. Poor reception is often the result of cell tower distance. Simply identifying where your signal is coming from can help you implement ways to improve your connection. In this article, we’ll go over different cell tower location tools, including one of our own making, to help you find your closest 5G/4G cell towers.
Best Ways to Find Cell Towers in Your Area
1. Try Our Cell Tower Finder Map
Cell tower maps visually show the location of cell towers in a specified area. The most simple and easy-to-use cell tower map available is our Cell Tower Finder. Simply enter your address or click the “Find my Location” button and select your carrier (or all three). The map will provide instant results, displaying all cell towers near you in the form of blue, magenta, or red dots. Click on the dots to view how far the tower is from you. The results tab will break down distance, network (4G LTE or 5G NR), and supported frequency band information per tower. Try it out here:
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Another great website is CellMapper. It provides comprehensive 5G and 4G cell tower information, such as location, broadcasting pattern, supported frequencies, signal strength, and more. Though, it can be a bit difficult to navigate.
2. Cell Tower Finder Apps
There is an app for everything, including ones that use your location to help you locate nearby cell towers, which is extremely convenient. Popular ones include:
OpenSignal: Available on iPhone and Android
OpenSignal makes finding cell towers easy on Android devices. It features a cell tower compass widget that points in the direction of the cell tower you’re connected to. Tapping the “Cell Towers” button below the arrow will open a map displaying your carrier’s nearby cell towers. While the cell tower finder functionality is available on iPhones, it unfortunately does not work.
Network Cell Info Lite: Available on Android
Network Cell Info Lite is feature-packed and is a great cell tower locator tool. In the maps tab, you can easily see the location of your closest cell tower. Taping on the tower will reveal its coordinates.
weBoost App: Available on iPhone and Android
The weBoost App is made by Wilson Connectivity (previously known as Wilson Electronics), a leading manufacturer of cellular signal boosters. Like the OpenSignal app, it has an arrow widget feature that points in the direction of the tower you're connected to. However, it does not provide a cell tower map.
Cell Antennas: Available on iPhone Only
The Cell Antennas app isn't the most well-known nor has the best rating, but it's a decent app for iPhone users. It'll display cell tower location information for all carriers in your desired area. Data is sourced from the FCC.
3. Measure Signal Strength to Find Cell Towers
While measuring your signal strength won't show you where your cell tower is located, it can help you find its general direction.
The bars on your phone are subject and don’t accurately represent signal strength. Cellular signal is best measured in dBm (decibel-milliwatts), which typically ranges from -50 dBm to -120 dBm. The closer you are to -50 dBm the stronger your signal. Past -110 dBm, cellular service becomes spotty, making it difficult to maintain a stable connection.
You can easily measure your signal strength with an app or via field test mode. To learn how, visit:
You'll want to measure your signal throughout the perimeter of your home and take note of the areas with the strongest dBm. This will indicate where your signal is coming from and where you’re likely to find the best reception.
4. Use a Signal Meter or Signal Scanner
Signal meters or signal scanners are handheld devices that scan available 4G and 5G signals to provide cell tower locations and signal strength data. They are by far the best and most accurate way to find nearby cell towers. However, because of their cost, they are mainly used by installers.
How Do Cell Towers Work?
A cell phone tower (aka cell site or base station) is a structure equipped with multiple antennas that transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. Cellular devices within the tower’s coverage area are able to make calls, send texts, and access mobile data.
The range of a cell tower depends on its type, power, size, location, frequency bands it uses, and various other factors. Thus, coverage can span anywhere from 30 feet to 25 miles. The closer you are to the signal source, the stronger and faster your connection, and vice versa. Knowing the location of your closest cell tower is essential for those looking to install a cell phone signal booster or even a CPE antenna for FWA.
Don’t Cellular Providers Offer Cell Tower Maps?
Most cellular providers only offer coverage maps. The only exception is US Cellular.
Coverage maps illustrate estimated 4G and 5G coverage across the United States. By inputting your address and zip code, these maps inform whether carriers offer 4G or 5G services in your specific area. While this information is helpful, it doesn’t actually display the location of your nearest cell tower.
Whether looking for AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon towers near you, we recommend using our Cell Tower Finder tool.
How to Find 5G Towers Near Me?
Most of our tips offer light 5G cell tower location data. The 5G network is still being built out, and antennas are available in more places than just cell towers. Examples include utility poles, top of buildings, and trees. Cell tower locating apps and sites have not caught up to reflect all 5G tower locations.
As 5G becomes available to more people and places, it will become easier to track where the towers are.
The most reliable tools for locating 5G towers are the Cell Tower Locator and CellMapper. If they do not display a 5G tower nearby, you’ll know you’re close to one if you’re receiving a 5G signal. Field test mode or a signal strength test app can help you find the general direction of your closest 5G cell tower.
To simply see where 5G is available, Ooklas 5G map is a great resource.
How to Get a Stronger Signal from Nearest Cell Tower?
To improve your cellular connection, you can try moving closer to your cell tower. This may entail stepping outside or sitting by an open window that faces your tower. For a more convenient solution, consider a cell phone signal booster.
Cell phone signal boosters are powerful devices that capture cell signals from your nearest cell tower and rebroadcast them even stronger throughout your home or office. They can even be used to enhance connectivity on the go. You’ll be able to maintain a call, send a text, and browse the web without any issues. Check out our blog on how cell signal boosters work for more information.
If you’re ready to improve your cellular reception at home, take our quiz to find the best cell phone signal booster for your needs.
FAQs
What Happened to the 3G Network?
All US carriers have sun-setted their 3G networks. The towers used for broadcasting it are being re-farmed for the 5G network nationwide. What this means for finding your nearest cell tower is that nothing will change. The existing infrastructure will have to be updated to reflect 5G on apps and websites, but your phone will still receive signal from them.
What do 5G Cell Towers Look Like?
5G cell towers come in various shapes and sizes, depending on their location and supported bands. Some, especially those in less populated areas, look like traditional towers – antennas mounted on a tall structure.
In urban areas, 5G infrastructure consists of small cells. They are small antennas placed on streetlights, utility poles, or building walls to provide localized coverage. They are meant to blend into their surroundings, making them a bit harder to spot.
Why Is Finding Cell Towers So Hard?
Cellular providers are not obligated to disclose the location of their cell towers. Most information available through cell tower finder apps and sites is usually crowdsourced or obtained from the FCC. Because neither of these are 100% accurate, finding your nearest cell tower can be challenging.
How Far Does a Cell Tower Reach?
This depends on the tower's transmission power, the kind of signal they are broadcasting, and what sorts of obstructions are in the way. High-frequency signals like 5G and some 4G don't travel as far as lower 4G frequencies. On average a 4G cell tower's range is about 10 miles. However, trees, buildings, and even mountains will decrease the range.
| 5G Frequency Band | Located | Broadcasting Range |
| 5G Low-Band 600 MHz-1 GHz | Nationwide | About 10 miles but faster speeds than 4G. |
| 5G Mid-Band (Includes C-Band) 1-6 GHz | Urban and Suburban Cities | 5 - 6 miles |
| 5G High-Band Millimeter-Wave 24-47 GHz | Dense urban metro | Up to 1,500 square feet |
How Can I Reset Cell Tower Connection on My Phone?
Phones are programmed to automatically connect to the nearest cell tower. However, sometimes they get confused and try to hold on to a signal that is less than ideal. By updating your connection, your phone can connect to the best tower for improved service.
AT&T Tower Update
Resetting your AT&T network is easy.
Options for iPhone:
1. Turn the Network Off and Back On (fastest & easiest)
Toggle the "Airplane" icon off and back on to reconnect to the network. Easy!
2. Download iPhone Carrier Update
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network (or the AT&T network), then swipe up on the screen to show the iPhone Control Center. Tap the “Wi-Fi” icon to turn it on.
- Tap the “Settings” icon on your home screen, then select the “General” option
- Tap “About” and then “Install” to install a carrier update (if an AT&T carrier update is available)
3. Restart iPhone
When all else fails: Turn it off. Turn it back on. Voila!
Options for Android:
1. Turn the Network Off and Back On (fastest & easiest)
Swipe down from the top of the screen to the Quick Settings menu. Tap “Airplane” to turn it on. Wait 10 seconds, then tap “Airplane” again to turn it off.
2. Update Android Device
You can update your carrier settings by updating to the newest version of the Android OS available for your device.
- Tap the “Settings” icon, then select “About device”.
- Select “Software Update”, then wait for your phone to search for an update.
- Tap “Install Now” to install the update on your Android device. Once the update has been downloaded and installed, your Android will be using the newest carrier settings and the newest AT&T towers.
3. Restart Android Device
For this and all electronic devices: Turn it off. Turn it back on. *Chef's kiss*
Verizon Tower Update
Updating to the latest Verizon cell towers is a snap and can be done in several ways.
Restarting your device usually causes the location memory of your phone to reset, causing it to reach out to the nearest towers. If there’s a tower that’s popped up recently, your phone will find it.
Alternatively, you can simply dial “*288” and select “2” when prompted. This will cause your phone to update to local Verizon towers, which can take up to two minutes.
A final method is to dial “*22899” and press “Send.” A musical ringtone will play, and a recorded voice will instruct you to hold while your phone is being programmed. A few seconds later, you should hear a few beeps, and “Programming Successful” will appear on your display. Your Verizon cell towers are now updated.
T-Mobile Tower Update
To update your T-Mobile towers, you can try the AT&T method above, or this alternative restart method:
- Power off your device
- Remove the SIM card
- Wait a minute
- Re-insert the SIM card and power your phone back on
- Your phone should automatically perform a T-Mobile tower update
US Cellular Tower Update
The good old-fashioned restart method (above) is best for US Cellular customers looking to update their cell tower. Either go into Airplane mode on your phone (described above), or power off, remove your SIM card, wait a minute, replace it, and power the device back on.
Why Is Finding Cell Towers So Hard?
Cell carriers don't have to publicize where their cell towers are. Most info on apps and websites comes from crowdsourcing or the FCC. Because neither of these is 100% reliable, finding your nearest cell tower can be challenging.
Often cell towers aren't the 200-foot monsters that you're used to. In the case of 5G cell sites, they can also be small boxes that blend into the environment.
Now You’re Ready to Find Your Cell Tower!
With these tools at your fingertips, you’re well-equipped to find cell towers near you and improve your connection. Don’t forget to try our user-friendly Cell Tower Finder tool—the easiest way to pinpoint towers in your area.
Have questions or need additional assistance? Contact us today at 1-800-470-6777. We’re here to help!
