Update your PRL version 51
CDMA phones (such as those on the Sprint or Verizon) utilize an on-device listing of cellular towers--called the Preferred Roaming List (or PRL)-- to assist your phone in connecting to the best available tower on both your home carrier or those you are able to roam on. You cellular carrier will update this listing on their servers, but your phone does not automatically get this update. In order to determine what version of the PRL your device has, open up the Device Info app (
), scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap the "More Info" button, and then look on that bottom of the next page for the current PRL number.
Different carriers have different methods to update your PRL. For example, to determine if there is an update to the PRL for Sprint, open the Phone App, swipe down from the top-left corner to bring down the Phone application dropdown menu and select "Preferences". Once the Phone Preference screen appears, scroll down to the bottom and tap "Update PRL". The phone will check to see if a new PRL is available and install the update if available.
To update your PRL on Verizon, open the phone app and dial *228 and select option 2 (thanks for the comments below for this information)
51 Comments
cool
Verizon's 1.4.5 pre plus does not show this in the menu. The only way I know of to update the PRL on Verizon is by dialing *228 and selecting that option on the call.
agreed.
+1, same for me
I do this atleast onces everyday at work.
To update the PRL on verizon you have to dial *228 and hit option 2.
Ugh, I can't click on the Update PRL since I downloaded Sconix's patch on system preferences
Very nice. I just got my Sprint Pre replaced last night. It had PRL ver. 60664 on it, did the update and now it has 60675. You would think they would send these out with the current ver. The store was holding on to the replacement for me for about 5 days, could they have had 11 updates since then...? Hope my phone does not fluctuate between roaming and full signal (constantly) at my home now.
The *228 option 2 is the only way it works on Verizon. The latest PRL right now is 52197.
I've got 52220 :-P
I just updated mine and went from 65169 to 64194 (Charlotte, NC, area). My guess is that the numbers are somewhat dependent on a geographic location. Folks in, say, California will get a different PRL than those in New York.
I have also found it useful to update several times during a long trip that crosses several state lines. That way I have the latest stuff for the area that I'm in.
Same PRL for me in Knoxville, TN.
I also just updated to 52220 in SW Ohio.
The Verizon Tech Rep clued me into this calling number.
Thanks..I will update the post with this info
Anyone knows how to do this with Bell Mobility?
It doesn't work for me
*228 on my vzw+ just hangs up on me *shrugs*
and as other mentioned i don't see this option in my preferences screen.
So does this have the potential to help with poor cell reception if I haven't ever (or at least for 6 months) updated my PRL?
Yes it does.
No it doesn't.
http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Understand_how_the_Preferred_R...
yes, what exactly will this do to improve my WebOS life?
If you want to have reliable phone calls with your webOS device, update your PRL.
ok thanks updated PRL.
Question. What's the deal/danger of of enabling data roaming? Currently mine is set to disabled.
thx
- Launch day sprint pre user
The danger will be to your cellphone bill/wallet if you enable data roaming while you're outside U.S. borders. Enabling data roaming does, however, allow you to access data while you're traveling (email, etc.) when you absolutely have to.
Sprint doesn't charge for data roaming while you're on their network.
Thanks
not sure, it could be me... But this didn't work on my Red V Pre+... No update button
That's strange, about a week ago I turned my Pre- on to see a message that the PRL was being updated. I figured it does it on its own periodically. I never told it to update, but I checked what version I have, and it is the most current. I have never updated it since I got it as a replacement for my original ~Jan 2010. Apparently they do update on their own (or at least mine does)
I've never done this before on my release-date Sprint Pre. Just did it, but it did not change the PRL # (60675 before and after). I assume that the Sprint PRL is either updated automatically, or with the latest WebOS update and hasn't changed since then, or hasn't changed at all since 6/6/09. I'm in Denver.
On occasion Sprint does push PRL updates. And yes, it has changed since 06/06/09 multiple times.
Did this a few months ago and again today. My PRL number is still 60675. Sprint Pre.
Oh CDMA, you're adorably fail.
Put your GSM phone next to some computer speakers, a guitar amp, an old landline phone, a CRT monitor when receiving a call and lets talk about what underlying communication technology is a failure. Oh wait, never mind, you wouldn't be able to hear me over all of the interference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRG1iB8NF14
Never done this either, my PRL did not change.
As others have noted, this post only applies to Sprint actually. Verizon users dial *228 from the phone and press 2 for option 2. Your webOS device will tell you your SPL is unlocked while performing the update, then it will tell you PRL updated successfully, and Programming Successful when finished.
thanks. did not no
Interesting, on my Sprint Pre it's under "Phone Services" rather than "Preferences" on the pulldown from the phone app, possibly from the preferences patch reorganizing things?
Those of you with the sconix patches for advanced configurations will find the change PRL tab under "Phone Services" instead of "Preferences".
The Update PRL box seems to be gone in 2.1.
I am guessing since its a GSM Doctor that we used? Anyone any ideas? I tried the sprint ## codes in the dialer without luck, some state incorrect MSL?
yeah im verizon no update date option for me on my PP+ so looks like need to do manual update by *228 #2
For the Sprint Pre.... I travel extensively - it is advisable to update the PRL when i arrive in a new state then update again when i return home? I do have periodic issues with navigation signals being weak...would this help?
You should only have to update your PRL right before you travel (WHILE YOU ARE IN SPRINT'S COVERAGE AREA). Sprint does on occasion push PRL updates to phones.
Updating the PRL will NOT help with weak signals, either voice or data.
http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Understand_how_the_Preferred_R...
My day 1 Sprint Pre does not have this option.
So how often is this recommended to be done? And does this improve what exactly? Call, Data or both?
It is recommended to update your PRL before going on a long distance trip at minimum so that you have no issues roaming off network (or staying on your home network). Roaming agreements change from time to time, and the PRL update reflects those changes.
As far as what it improves, not much really. It just assures that you are charged properly when roaming off network. And before anyone says that Sprint doesn't charge for roaming, well, you're right... you're right up until you cross the border to Canada or Mexico.
I could be wrong, but I believe this is just for phone reception. For data you would hit "update network settings". Also, I don't know why you wouldn't want to hit data roaming if ur on sprint. There shouldn't be a charge for it unless ur out of the country. Someone plz correct me if I'm wrong.
http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Understand_how_the_Preferred_R...
I'm north of Atlanta on Verizon. Just updated and now I've got 52220.
If you're using Sconix's System Menu patches you'll find the PRL update option under the Phone Services menu. Choose that item then scroll to the bottom of the screen. Tap on 'Update PRL' to update the list. Worked on my Sprint Pre-.
Verizon users can dial *22890 directly. No option selection required. I keep it in my contacts as "Phone Upgrade".
I have had problems with sending pictures via MMS for a while (Sprint Pre-). Resetting the PRL just fixed my problem. Thanks for the post.