Get Faster Speeds: How to Turn On 5G on iPhone 12, 13, and 14

How to Turn On 5G on iPhone 5G, the fastest-generation mobile network available, was first launched in the United States in April 2019. When paired with a compatible device, it can deliver lightning-fast internet speeds. However, some people may find it challenging to connect to the 5G network despite having a powerful device and 5G service.

One reason for this is that 5G can drain your phone’s battery faster than 4G, and your phone is designed to find the fastest available network, which may cause it to switch between 4G and 5G frequently. To conserve battery life, you can turn off 5G in your phone’s settings and activate it only when you need it.

If you’re unsure how to turn on 5G on your iPhone, this article is for you. It’s important to note that 5G is available on iPhone models from the iPhone 12 series onwards, with both mmWave and sub-6GHz support. However, the iPhone S.E. 3 is not compatible with mmWave 5G. By following the steps provided in this article, you can activate 5G on your device and take advantage of its improved network capabilities when you need it.

How to turn on 5G on iPhone 12, 13 & 14

Follow the steps to turn on or off 5G if you have iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 series.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Cellular.’

Step 2: Turn on ‘Cellular Data’ and choose ‘Cellular Data Options.’

Step 3: Tap on Voice & Data. Tap on ‘5G Auto.’ Keep the Data Mode option as ‘Standard.’

What do different 5G icons mean?

In the United States, there are several different types of 5G services available, including Low Band 5G, Mid Band 5G, mmWave High Band 5G, and sub-6Ghz 5G. To help avoid confusion, Apple has created four icons in the iPhone status bar to indicate which type of 5G service you’re currently using.

For example, Verizon uses “5G U.W.” to indicate mmWave and other high-frequency 5G connections, while T-Mobile refers to it as “5G Ultra Capacity,” and AT&T uses “5G+.”

If you see the plain “5G” icon in your status bar, that means you’re on the lower spectrum of the 5G service, which provides excellent coverage and range, but it may not deliver the fastest speeds available.

What is the default 5G setting in iPhones?

When you first unbox a new iPhone, 5G is enabled by default. However, the system doesn’t always use 5G even if it’s available, because Apple has implemented a “Smart Data mode” feature that automatically balances the use of 5G and LTE based on your data plan and the need to conserve battery life.

By default, the iPhone’s 5G settings are optimized for data usage and battery life based on your data plan. However, you can customize these settings to choose when to use 5G and how much data to allocate to specific apps.

If you want to conserve battery life or enjoy faster internet speeds, you can manually turn 5G on or off in the cellular settings on your iPhone. This gives you more control over how you use 5G and how much data you want to consume.

Why should you turn off 5G?

5G is a new cellular technology that offers faster internet speeds on smartphones. However, since it’s still relatively new in the U.S., you need to be mindful of how you use it to optimize your data plan and iPhone’s battery life.

If you’re going to be out all day and don’t need super-fast internet speeds, use the 5G Auto setting. This feature uses 5G when it’s needed and conserves battery life when it’s not.

However, if you’re concerned about your iPhone’s battery life in the long term, you can turn off 5G. The “5G On” setting uses 5G whenever it’s available, regardless of battery life, while “5G Auto” uses the network only when it won’t impact battery life.

Apple’s default settings are efficient for most people, but you can customize your data mode to “Allow More Data on 5G” instead of the standard option. This lets your iPhone use 5G for everything possible, including video calls and maximizing streaming video quality.

To ensure the best combination of internet speed and battery usage, check with your carrier to make sure your plan supports 5G and whether you need to adjust it or replace your SIM card to use the new technology.

Availability of 5G in the U.S. :

Following are the carriers that provide 5G in the U.S.

• AT&T: Mobile 5G in thousands of cities.
• T-Mobile/Sprint: Available in thousands of locations.
• Verizon: Fixed and mobile 5G all over the U.S.
• U.S. Cellular: Works in parts of California, Iowa, Maine, and other states.
• Google Fi & Simple Mobile: Nationwide coverage powered by T-Mobile.
• U.S. Mobile: 5G works with all of their plans.
• C Spire: Fixed and mobile 5G in Mississippi.
• Charter’s Spectrum Mobile: Launched in 2020.
• Comcast/Xfinity: Rolled out nationwide in 2020.
• Starry: Fixed 5G in Boston, Denver, LA, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
• Mint Mobile: Available in thousands of U.S. cities since mid-2020.
• Cellcom: Available in parts of Wisconsin.
• Visible: Works through Verizon’s network.
• Cricket Wireless: Launched in late 2020.
• Dish: Launched in May 2022.
• Nex-Tech Wireless: Launched in 2021.

Conclusion

Suppose you’ve opted for the “Allow More Data on 5G” option; in that case, you can expect your FaceTime calls and streaming videos to display in high quality, and you can even download future iOS updates over a 5G connection. If you’re preparing to upgrade to an iPhone 13, make sure to prepare your current device to ensure a seamless transfer process. Once you have your new phone, read our guide covering four methods to set it up and dive into these settings.

Alkesh Purohit

I love Apple Products so i am sharing my review on it

See author's posts