Phones

How To Turn Off 5G

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Last updated:

October 16, 2024

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5G technology has forever changed how we use our devices in our daily lives. Major players in the wireless world, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and the rising star UScellular, continue to expand their 5G networks. Yet, 5G is not everyone’s preferred network type.

Whether it’s due to your location or the capabilities of your phone, you might find yourself in a spot where the 5G tide hasn’t reached. If 5G isn’t improving your connection, turning it off could be smart. If you’re wondering why or how, we’ll walk you through the steps to turn off 5G.

How To Turn Off 5G on an iPhone

Turning off your 5G data on an iPhone is an easy process.

Go to the mobile tab in your settings app.
Once here, select "Mobile Data Options."
Then click "Voice and Data."
From this menu, you can select 4G as your only form of cellular data, allowing you to connect to a network without ever using 5G.

Which iPhone Models Support 5G?

5G is a relatively recent innovation, meaning that not all iPhone models even have access to 5G at all. iPhone 12 models were the first to have 5G capability, and all models since then have continued the trend. The idea is that eventually, 5G will be the default, and 4G will begin to be phased out.

As of 2022, many older iPhone models still have 3G access, but most major telecommunications companies are removing their 3G infrastructure due to its obsolescence.

Currently, all iPhones between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 12, including base models, Pros, and Pro Max models, have 5G capability.

How To Turn Off 5G on an Android

Turning off 5G is a similar process on Android.

First, go to your settings app either by swiping down on your screen and selecting it or by just clicking it on your home page.
In the settings, the app will be a connections tab, and clicking on it will take you to a menu where you can select “Mobile networks.”
On this menu, you will see a list of possible types of networks that you can access. Select any option that does not include 5G.

Now you will no longer have to worry about your phone automatically connecting to a 5G network.

If you ever want to change your mind, all you have to do is go back to this menu and select a 5G network as an option to connect to.

Which Android Devices Support 5G?

It is harder to wrangle up all of the Android devices that support 5G compared to Apple devices due to the sheer number of Android phones on the market. Generally, any phone manufactured in 2019 or later should be compatible with 5G, but this is not always the case.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series phones and up support 5G along with the Flip and Fold series. In addition, all Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 4 and up are 5G compatible.

How Can You Turn Off 5G on a Samsung?

Disabling 5G on your Samsung phone is a similar process to turning off 5G on Android phones, since Samsung phones run on Android.

Typically, it’s a simple process: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > Disable 5G.

However, some carriers might have removed the “Network Mode” option from your Samsung phone, making it challenging to turn off 5G. If that’s the case, here’s a step-by-step guide for how to disable 5G on your Samsung smartphone:

Locate and tap the gear icon on your Samsung phone. This can be done directly from your home screen or by swiping down from the top of your screen to access the Quick Settings panel.

In the Settings menu, look for the “Connections” option. It’s usually near the top of the menu, represented by a Wi-Fi icon.

Within the Connections menu, find and tap on “Mobile Networks.” This option is generally positioned around the middle of the list.

Here, you’ll see your phone’s network options, including 5G, LTE, WCDMA, and GSM. If you’re a Verizon user and can’t find the option to turn off 5G, this could be due to your specific data plan. In such cases, contacting your carrier for assistance is advisable.

Now, pick any network connection that doesn’t include 5G, such as LTE/WCDMA/GSM. After selecting, you might need to restart your phone to apply the changes.

Which Samsung Models Support 5G?

The Galaxy S24 Series, the Galaxy Z Flip5, the Galaxy Z Fold5, the Galaxy S23 Series, the Galaxy Z Fold4 the Galaxy Z Flip4, and the Galaxy A Series (A54 5G, A23 5G, A14 5G) all support 5G.

In addition to these phones, Samsung also offers 5G tablets like the Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G and Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G.

When Should You Turn Off 5G on Your Phone?

While 5G brings cutting-edge speed and connectivity, there are instances where turning it off might be beneficial.

You might consider disabling 5G if you’re in an area with spotty 5G service, where your phone constantly switches between 4G and 5G networks, leading to a drain on your battery.

Turning Off 5G Because of Bad Service

5G has not finished rolling out across the country, and the process will continue for a few years. As a result, it is not uncommon for 5G connections to be inconsistent, especially if you are traveling, as that can cause your connection to switch between available options rapidly.

Some phones, like the iPhone 13 series, have a smart data feature that only switches to 5G when you need it for the task your phone is performing. If you do not have access to a feature like this, you might be better off turning off 5G until it has become more stable in your region.

Turning Off 5G To Save Battery

5G offers significantly faster speeds – but at the cost of more battery usage. This increased power demand is most noticeable in areas with spotty 5G coverage, where your phone constantly searches for a 5G signal, switching between 5G and 4G LTE.

This continuous search is what drains the battery quickly. To conserve battery, especially when you’re away from a charger for an extended period or in regions with limited 5G coverage, switching off 5G can be beneficial.

As we’ve seen, most smartphones allow you to turn off 5G through the network settings in the “Connections” or “Cellular Data Options.” Selecting “4G LTE” instead of “5G Auto” prevents the phone from using 5G, thereby saving battery life.

Does Turning Off 5G Save Data?

Contrary to popular belief, 5G does not use up more data than a 4G network connection. However, 5G does give you access to activities that will burn through data faster than anything you could do on 4G. For example, 4K streaming is significantly more intensive than standard definition streaming, and it will take a much bigger toll on both your battery and data usage.

If you don’t want to accidentally use 5G to ensure you are not doing anything too data-intensive, turning off 5G is a safe option.