5G mobile service expanded considerably throughout all carriers in 2022 and works with iPhone 12, 13, 14, and SE 3. Apple makes use of a “5G Auto” setting because the default that goals to provide customers a stability between community pace and battery life. However you can even handle the settings manually to optimize for what you want in a given second. Observe alongside for learn how to flip 5G on/off on iPhone.
For those who’re interested by what sort of 5G efficiency you’ll see along with your iPhone, that can range relying on the place you reside and your provider. Within the US, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Cellular all have 5G accessible nationwide and high speeds can attain past 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) nonetheless, that gained’t be the norm for many.
That mentioned, iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max are fairly a bit sooner for mobile speeds:
There are a number of forms of 5G. mmWave affords the quickest speeds however has a fairly restricted vary and Sub-6Ghz 5G which has a greater vary however speeds nearer to 4G LTE. And solely iPhone 12, 13, and 14 help each mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G.
For those who’re contemplating switching carriers for higher 5G protection, we’ve bought a full information:
Nevertheless, one draw back to 5G is it makes use of extra battery than LTE. Some assessments have proven iPhone lasting from 1-2.5 hours longer when sticking with 4G LTE vs 5G.
iPhone default 5G setting
5G is on by default with appropriate iPhones, however gained’t be used completely (even when accessible). It makes use of what Apple calls “Good Information mode” that tries to robotically strike the perfect stability between 5G/LTE and battery life. Apple even says it takes under consideration your knowledge plan:
The default settings for 5G on iPhone are optimized for battery life and knowledge utilization based mostly in your knowledge plan. You’ll be able to customise these choices for when to make use of 5G and the way a lot knowledge to make use of in some apps.
Nevertheless, contained in the mobile settings, you possibly can select to show 5G on/off on iPhone manually to optimize for pace or battery life.
Methods to flip 5G on/off on iPhone
- Head to the Settings app in your iPhone (5G accessible on iPhone 12, 13, and SE 3)
- Faucet Mobile
- Select Mobile Information Choices
- Faucet Voice & Information
- With 5G Auto because the default, you possibly can select 5G On to make use of it anytime it’s accessible for sooner speeds
- Alternatively, if you wish to flip 5G off fully, faucet LTE for higher battery life
It’s also possible to faucet Information Mode within the mobile settings and decide Enable Extra Information on 5G for larger high quality video for streaming and issues like FaceTime. And the alternative, Low Information Mode for whenever you need to preserve.
Right here’s how this appears to be like:

Flip 5G on/off: what’s this icon?
With the several types of 5G service (sub-6Ghz, mmWave, and so on.) Apple has 4 completely different icons within the iPhone standing bar to indicate what you’re utilizing (irrespective of for those who flip 5G on manually or use the 5G Auto/Good Information mode).
Verizon makes use of 5G UW to notice mmWave and different high-frequency 5G connections, AT&T makes use of 5G+, and T-Cellular labels it 5G UC (extremely capability). For those who see the plain “5G’ in your standing bar, that’s signaling you’re on the decrease spectrum (higher vary and protection, slower speeds comparatively).
Notice: iPhone SE 3 isn’t appropriate with mmWave 5G service, simply sub-6GHz. iPhone 12, 13, and 14 help each mmWave and sub-6GHz.

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