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How to Turn 5G On or Off on an iPhone or Android Phone

Use Voice & Data on iPhone or mobile-network settings on Android to choose 5G or LTE. The exact Android options depend on your device and carrier.
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To switch 5G on or off, open your phone’s mobile-network settings and choose a network option that includes 5G or LTE. On iPhone, use Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Cellular Data Options (or Mobile Data Options) > Voice & Data. On Android, the path depends on the model: Pixel phones use Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, while Samsung Galaxy phones use Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network mode.

Turn 5G on or off on an iPhone

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Cellular or Mobile Data, then tap Cellular Data Options or Mobile Data Options.
  3. Tap Voice & Data.
  4. Choose 5G Auto, 5G On, or LTE, depending on how you want the phone to connect.

If you use Dual SIM, select the line you want to change before choosing its network setting. Apple’s menu names can vary by region. See Apple’s guide to using 5G with iPhone.

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What the iPhone options mean

Setting What it does Battery consideration
5G Auto Uses Smart Data mode to switch to LTE when 5G would not noticeably improve the experience. Can save battery by switching to LTE when 5G is not providing a noticeable benefit.
5G On Uses 5G whenever it is available. May reduce battery life.
LTE Uses LTE even when 5G is available. Apple does not state a comparative battery effect for this option.

Data Mode is a separate setting from Voice & Data. Low Data Mode and Allow More Data on 5G affect data use; they do not determine whether the phone is set to use LTE or 5G.

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Turn 5G on or off on an Android phone

Android menu names and available network modes differ by phone, Android version, carrier, and country. Look for a setting called Preferred network type or Network mode in the phone’s mobile-network or SIM settings. The paths below are common examples, not a universal Android menu.

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Google Pixel

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet, then SIMs.
  3. Select the relevant SIM if prompted, then tap Preferred network type.
  4. Choose 5G to allow 5G or LTE to use LTE without 5G, if those choices are offered.

Google notes that available settings depend on the phone and Android version, and network-type choices can vary by country and carrier. See Google’s Pixel mobile-network instructions.

Samsung Galaxy

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Connections, then Mobile networks.
  3. Tap Network mode.
  4. Choose a mode that includes 5G to allow 5G, or a mode without 5G, such as LTE/4G if available, to turn it off.

Samsung’s menu offers only the modes available for the phone and carrier. See Samsung India’s Galaxy 5G instructions or Samsung U.S. support’s 5G guidance.

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Other Android brands

Check Settings for Mobile network, SIMs, Network mode, or Preferred network type. Choose LTE or another offered mode that excludes 5G to disable it. If you cannot find the option, consult the device maker’s support instructions; Pixel and Samsung menu paths do not apply to every Android phone.

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If 5G does not appear or connect

A 5G setting only permits the phone to use 5G; it does not guarantee a 5G connection. The phone must support 5G, the carrier and plan must support it, the SIM must be compatible, and 5G coverage must be available where you are. Verify plan eligibility and coverage with your carrier. Samsung’s U.S. guidance also lists device support, plan, SIM compatibility, and coverage as checks: Samsung U.S. 5G support.

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  • After changing the setting: On iPhone, Apple recommends turning Airplane Mode on and then off if the phone does not connect. If 5G still does not appear, contact your carrier.
  • If the network option is missing: Android settings vary by model, software, carrier, and region. Ask the manufacturer about the device’s available modes and your carrier whether its plan or configuration limits the option. Do not rely on hidden diagnostic menus as a universal fix.
  • If the 5G icon appears but service is poor: The indicator is based on the carrier’s network configuration and, Apple notes, can rarely appear when 5G coverage is unavailable.

For Pixel-specific mobile-connection troubleshooting, see Google’s guide to fixing mobile connectivity issues.

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