Apple’s iPhone 12 is the first series by the company to feature 5G technology. Both the series switch between 5G and LTE automatically as networks are available, but if your 5G is on at all times, it will decrease your battery. So in this blog, we will walk you through how to turn on/off 5G on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.
However, 5G cellular service stretched out drastically across carriers and worked with iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and SE 3. Apple uses a “5G Auto” setting as the default that gives users a balance between network speed & battery life.
You can also change the settings manually according to your need. So, if you want to enable or disable 5g on an iPhone12 or later, keep reading.
Note: Remember that 5g performance depends on the region where you live & your carrier. In the US, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have 5g. if you want to know about Verizon 5G internet speed & plans. Tap here.
iPhone Default Settings 5g
5g is on by default with compatible iPhone series, but it won’t always be used (even if available). Apple uses Smart Data Mode that seeks to automatically strike the best balance between 5G/LTE & battery span.
However, the default settings of the iPhone for 5G are optimized for battery life and data usage based on your data plan. Though, in the inside cellular setting, you can manually select to turn on/off on iPhone to customize for speed or battery life.
How to Turn on 5g on iPhone 12
Follow the steps below to enable the 5g on your iPhone12 or 13.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Cellular/Mobile Data.
- Select Cellular Data Options/ Mobile Data Options.
- Tap on Voice & Data.
- Next, tap either 5G On or 5G Auto to turn on the 5G network.
Other than that, if you wish to turn off 5G, choose LTE/4G from other options. Moreover, if you use dual SIMs, go to settings >Cellular>Cellular Data options. Select the number you wish to enable or disable 5g for.
Note: if you didn’t encounter the 5g option, it means that your carrier or existing data plan doesn’t support it. Apple is still working on releasing 5g support in many regions.
How to Turn Off 5g on iPhone 12
You can turn off the 5G on your iPhone from settings apps. Follow the below instructions.
- Navigate to the settings app on your iPhone.
- Select Cellular and tap on Cellular data options.
- Choose Voice & Data.
- With 5g Auto as the default, you can go for 5g on to use it anytime for faster speeds.
Otherwise, you can turn off iPhone 12 5g completely; choose LTE for better battery life. Further, you can also choose Data Mode in the cellular settings & tap Allow More Data on 5G for high-quality video for streaming and things like FaceTime. And you can select low data mode for when you need to conserve.
Turn 5G On/Off: What’s this icon?
Apple has four icons in the iPhone status bar to represent what you are using (even if you turn 5g on manually or use the 5g Auto/Smart Data mode).
However, Verizon uses 5G UW to note mmWave and other high-frequency 5G connections, AT & T uses 5G+, and T-Mobile labels it 5g UC (ultra capacity). If you see the plain “5G on the top of your bar, that’s signalizing you are in the lower spectrum (greater range & coverage, slower speeds relatively).
Note: iPhone SE 3 isn’t well-matched with mmWave 5g service, just sub-6Hz. Although, iPhone 12, 13, and 14 support both mmWave & sub-6Hz.
FAQs
How to check if 5G is turned off?
When you disable your 5G, you must ensure it’s off. To check this, you have to turn off Wifi, after which you will see the LTE symbol in the status bar, verifying that the phone is on 4G speeds. If you need to turn 5g on again, just return to settings and enable the toggle. Keep in mind that restarting iPhone keeps 5g off until you turn it on manually.
Is it possible to switch iPhone 12 from 5G to 4G?
Yes, iPhone12 will easily switch between 5G and 4g LTE as needed to save battery. This default setting will turn on when you first set up your phone.
It is essential to note that depending on your location and service provider, you may not enable both 5g & 4g LTE networks.
How can I change from 5G to LTE/4G?
Your iPhone should automatically shift to another cellular signal, such as 4G or LTE, when out of range of a 5G tower. You can’t do anything in this case.
If you are having issues with your 5G connection, like it’s not installing or uploading data, you can manually switch to an alternative option. Go to settings > Mobile > Mobile Data options > Voice & Data and select your preferred connection.
Most providers no longer offer you the option to select a slower connection. These signals typically automatically back up if the 4G network fails.
How to turn on 5g on iPhone 11?
As the iPhone 11 series are restricted to 4g, the current 5g is compatible with iPhone 12 series or later. In short, you cannot use a 5g network on iPhone 11 series.
Final Words
There are various instances where it could be helpful to disable 5g speeds. For instance, 5g does use more battery than LTE or 4G. So, if you want data and don’t want to drain the battery turning 5g off will be a great option.
Remember that iPhone 12 series or later is compatible with certain carriers’ 5g cellular networks. This article will assist in turning on and off 5g on iPhone 12.
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