Get neighboring cell in Android returns null

Question

I'm trying to get the neighbouring cell info in Android but the function getNeighboringCellInfo() always return null.

I used the following code :

protected void getCellInfo() {
    TelephonyManager telephonyManager = (TelephonyManager) context.getSystemService(Context.TELEPHONY_SERVICE);

    List<NeighboringCellInfo> neighborCells = telephonyManager.getNeighboringCellInfo();
    if (neighborCells == null) {
        OutUtils.debug("no neighbor cells");
    } else {
        ...
    }
}

The context variable is from a Service class.

My AndroidManifest.xml permission

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SEND_SMS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

I tried with and without enabling the "Use 2G networks" option in Android.

Any idea ? Thanks

There is (or at least was) an issue with that function on Samsung devices. What are you testing on? — brianestey, Feb 01 '12 at 13:51
I use a [GeeksPhone Zero](http://www.geeksphone.com/en/moviles/zero/especificaciones.php) with CM7.1 — Martin Trigaux, Feb 01 '12 at 14:14

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 30 '13 at 14:32

4

If you can run logcat, try running logcat -b radio. If you are lucky, the RIL code will be spitting out debug messages, showing the actual request to the modem for the neighboring cell info. It could well be that the modem is just returning an empty list. If this is the case, it has nothing to do with permissions, and there is not much you can to fix it.

answered Jan 30 '13 at 14:32

Cesar Maiorino

563
5
16

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I confirm. On a Samsung Galaxy S, the radio returns: REQUEST_GET_NEIGHBORING_CELL_IDS error: com.android.internal.telephony.CommandException: REQUEST_NOT_SUPPORTED. – monxalo May 16 '13 at 16:01

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 07 '14 at 12:37

The cellid implementation varies from mobile device to mobile device since these features are considered to be optional. for example:

Samsung (all devices): getNeigbouringCells () is not supported at all and always returns an empty list.

according to this: http://wiki.opencellid.org/wiki/Android_library

and this: https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?can=2&start=0&num=100&q=&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars&groupby=&sort=&id=24306

score 0 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:33

0

I think, maybe you haven't set all necessary permissions in Manifest. look here Null Issue with NeighboringCellInfo, CID and LAC

If you think you have them, put the manifest in the question, too, please.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:33

Community

1
1

answered Feb 01 '12 at 13:47

Gangnus

24,044
16
90
149

Get neighboring cell in Android returns null

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