Use 5G with your iPhone - Apple Support (IN) (2024)

iPhone 12 models or later work with the 5G mobile networks of certain network providers. Find out how to use 5G mobile service.

What you need

  • An iPhone 12 model or later

  • A network that supports 5G

  • A 5G mobile plan1

If your new iPhone comes with a physical SIM or eSIM, use that SIM. If not, use the SIM card from your previous iPhone. In some cases, you need to contact your network provider to set up the SIM card from your previous iPhone for use with a 5G network.

Understand the 5G icons in the status bar

When you’re in an area with 5G coverage for your network provider and your 5G mobile plan has been activated, you’ll see a 5G icon in the status bar of your iPhone:

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Your network provider’s 5G network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network (not available in all countries or regions).2

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Your network provider’s 5G+, 5G UW or 5G UC network is available, which can include your provider’s higher-frequency version of 5G. Your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network (not available in all countries or regions).2

Find out what to do if you can’t see a 5G icon in the status bar.

Find out about 5G options

The default settings for 5G on iPhone are optimised for battery life and data usage based on your data plan. You can customise these options for when to use 5G and how much data to use in some apps. Contact your network provider to find out if they support 5G and if you’re on a mobile plan that supports 5G.

Find these options by going to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you’re using Dual SIM, go to Settings > Mobile Data or Settings > Cellular and choose the number with options you want to change.

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Voice & Data

Choose how your iPhone uses the 5G network, which can affect battery life.

  • 5G Auto: enables Smart Data mode. When 5G speeds don’t provide a noticeably better experience, your iPhone will switch to LTE automatically, saving battery life. The 5G icon appears based on the configuration of the network provider’s network, and in rare cases, may appear even when 5G coverage is not available.

  • 5G On: always uses 5G network when it’s available. This may reduce battery life.

  • LTE: only uses LTE network, even when 5G is available.

Additional settings such as 5G Standalone and Voice Over 5G Standalone may be available in your market. For more information, contact your network provider.

Data Mode

  • Allow More Data on 5G: enables higher data-usage features for apps and system tasks. These include higher-quality FaceTime, high-definition content on Apple TV, Apple Music songs and videos, iOS updates over mobile, and automatic iCloud backups.

    • With this setting, your iPhone can use 5G instead of Wi-Fi automatically when Wi-Fi connectivity is slow or insecure on a network you visit occasionally. To turn this feature off and on for a certain network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the info button next to the Wi-Fi network and tap Use Wi-Fi for internet.

    • This setting also allows third-party apps to use more mobile data for enhanced experiences.

    • This is the default setting with some unlimited data plans, depending on your network provider.

    • This setting uses more mobile data.

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  • Standard: allows automatic updates and background tasks on mobile, and uses standard quality settings for video and FaceTime. This is generally the default mode.

  • Low Data Mode: helps reduce Wi-Fi and mobile data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks.

Data Roaming

Many network providers around the world support 5G roaming. If your network provider doesn't support 5G roaming, you can get mobile data through 4G or LTE networks or obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available.

Contact your network provider for more information.

If you can't see 5G in the status bar

  1. Contact your network provider to confirm that they support 5G and that you’re on a mobile plan that supports 5G.

  2. Make sure you’re in an area with 5G coverage. Contact your network provider if you aren’t sure.

  3. Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you see this screen, your device is 5G capable.

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  4. Turn on Airplane Mode, then turn it off.

If you still don't have 5G service, contact your network provider.

Learn more

  • If you want to use 5G with Dual SIM on iPhone 12 models, make sure you have iOS 14.5 or later.

  • You can choose to always stream the highest quality content by going to Settings > Music Audio Quality > Mobile Data Streaming and tapping High Quality. For TV, go to Settings > TV > Mobile Data or Settings > TV > Cellular and turn on Use Mobile Data if necessary. Then tap High Quality. These settings use more mobile data, and content may take longer to start playing.

  • If you turn on Low Power Mode, 5G will be disabled except in some cases, such as video streaming and large downloads on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. With iPhone 12 models, Low Power Mode disables 5G Standalone (where available).

1. Contact your network provider to check if you have a 5G plan. Some network providers may charge an activation fee.

2. Higher frequency 5G networks are only supported in the United States when using an iPhone purchased in the United States.

Published Date:

Use 5G with your iPhone - Apple Support (IN) (2024)

FAQs

Should I turn on 5G on iPhone? ›

Allow More Data on 5G: Enables higher data-usage features for apps and system tasks. These include higher-quality FaceTime, high-definition content on Apple TV, Apple Music songs and videos, iOS updates over cellular, and automatic iCloud backups.

Why am I not getting 5G on my iPhone? ›

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap on "Cellular." Step 2: If you have Dual SIM capability, tap on "Cellular Plans."> Step 3: Make sure both plans use the same carrier and support 5G connectivity.

How do I activate my 5G network? ›

Steps to enable 5G on Android Phones:
  1. Go to Settings on your phone.
  2. Head to the 'Network & Internet' option. Tap on it.
  3. Now click on SIM option.
  4. Select Preferred Network type and under that, choose 5G.
  5. And that's it! 5G will be enabled on your phone.
Jan 19, 2023

Are there side effects of 5G iPhone? ›

Health effects of cell phones, cell phone towers, antennas and 5G devices. Based on the available scientific evidence, there are no health risks from exposure to the low levels of radiofrequency EMF which people are exposed to from cell phones, cell phone towers, antennas and 5G devices.

Should I keep 5G on or off? ›

It's less important which mode and more important the signal strength. If you're in an area that has weak 5G (eg indoors) but reasonable 4G, turning off 5G may extend the battery life if you primarily are inside buildings. On the other hand, the same can be said about 4G when 3G was out.

Does 5G drain the battery? ›

Yes, 5G can use more battery than 4G LTE in many scenarios. You're also not alone if you've noticed higher battery drain than usual while connected to a 5G network. Samsung, Apple, T-Mobile, and others have admitted that you should probably switch to 4G if you care about battery life.

Why does my phone say I have 5G but nothing loads? ›

What Does “5G Full Bars But No Internet” Mean? 5G full bars but no Internet indicates slow Internet provision while having a complete carrier network signal. This issue primarily prevails due to network congestion or hardware defects.

How can I boost my iPhone signal to 5G? ›

Toggle airplane mode

Airplane mode acts as a reset for cellular signal. Rather than completely powering off your iPhone, you can switch airplane mode on and off to see if signal improves. Turn airplane mode on and wait five seconds. Then, tap the airplane mode button again to reestablish that cellular connection.

How to force iPhone to use only 5G? ›

To enable 5G in Apple iPhone, you must go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Voice & Data. You can now choose between 5G On and 5G Auto. 5G Auto: Enables Smart Data mode as it uses 5G only when it is required, thus helps in saving the battery life. 5G On: Always uses a 5G network when it's available.

Why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G? ›

Software Limitations. Even if your device hardware can handle 5G, outdated software can be the ball and chain keeping you on LTE. Ensure your phone's software is up-to-date; otherwise, it might not even recognize 5G as an option.

Does airplane mode turn off 5G? ›

Airplane mode turns off all the radios in the phone: cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth. With the radios off, there is no data, of any kind, coming into or going out of the phone.

Why is my iPhone not showing 5G option? ›

If you can't see 5G in the status bar

Contact your network provider if you aren't sure. Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you see this screen, your device is 5G capable. Turn on Airplane Mode, then turn it off.

Why am I not getting 5G on my phone? ›

Make sure your phone has 5G enabled.

Some devices let you disable 5G to save battery life. On an Android phone, search for an option like Network mode or Preferred network type in the Settings app. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Voice and Data and select either 5G Auto or 5G On.

How do I activate 5G on my Verizon iPhone? ›

Check Network Settings:
  1. Ensure that 5G is enabled in your iPhone's settings.
  2. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and select 5G.
  3. Check for any carrier settings updates under Settings > General > About.

References

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