5G is available on iPhone 12 and later models, but there are cases where switching to LTE makes more sense. In areas with weak 5G coverage, the connection can be unstable and battery usage can increase. This article explains how to turn off 5G on your iPhone, what each network setting does, and when switching to LTE is the right choice.

How to Turn Off 5G on iPhone?

Turning off 5G on your iPhone is simple. Here are the steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data, depending on your region).

3. Tap Cellular Data Options (or Mobile Data Options).

4. Tap Voice & Data.

5. Select LTE to turn off 5G completely.

Once you select LTE, your iPhone will stop using 5G and connect to 4G/LTE only. [1]

Check If Your iPhone Supports 5G

Not all iPhones support 5G. Apple introduced 5G support starting with the iPhone 12 lineup. [2] If you do not see the Voice & Data option with 5G in your settings, your iPhone most likely does not support 5G.

Note: To check which model you have, go to Settings > General > About and look at the Model Name.

What Do the 5G Settings Mean?

When you go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data, you will see three options. Each one controls how your iPhone connects to mobile networks.

• 5G On: Your iPhone uses 5G whenever it is available, regardless of battery usage or network conditions.

• 5G Auto: Your iPhone switches between 5G and LTE automatically. When 5G does not provide a noticeably better experience, your iPhone switches to LTE to save battery life. This is the default setting on most iPhones.

• LTE: Disables 5G completely. Your iPhone uses LTE only, regardless of whether 5G is available in your area.

If you want to turn off 5G, selecting LTE is the option you are looking for.

What Happens When You Turn Off 5G on iPhone?

When you turn off 5G and switch to LTE on your iPhone, a few things change.

• Battery life: 5G uses more power than LTE, especially in areas where 5G coverage is weak or inconsistent. When your iPhone cannot find a stable 5G signal, it keeps searching for one, which increases battery consumption. Switching to LTE stops this process. According to Apple, the 5G Auto setting exists specifically to address this by switching to LTE when 5G does not provide a noticeably better experience.

• Network speed: LTE is slower than 5G in areas with strong 5G coverage. If you turn off 5G, your download and upload speeds will be lower than what 5G can offer. For everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, and social media, the difference is not significant. For large file downloads or video streaming, 5G is faster.

• Signal stability: In areas where 5G coverage is limited, LTE can provide a more stable connection. Your iPhone will not switch back and forth between 5G and LTE, which can cause brief interruptions.

Should You Turn Off 5G on iPhone?

Turning off 5G and switching to LTE makes sense in the following situations:

• You are in an area with weak or no 5G coverage. In this case, your iPhone uses more battery searching for a 5G signal without getting any speed benefit.

• You want to extend battery life during a long day without access to a charger.

• You are traveling internationally and want to avoid network switching issues or unexpected data usage.

• You mainly use your iPhone for calls, messages, and light browsing, which do not require 5G speeds.

Keeping 5G on makes sense in the following situations:

• You are in an area with strong and consistent 5G coverage.

• You frequently download large files, stream high-quality video, or use data-heavy applications.

• You use the 5G Auto setting, which already manages the switch between 5G and LTE automatically.

If you are unsure, the 5G Auto setting is a practical middle ground. It keeps 5G available when it is useful and switches to LTE when it is not.

Does Turning Off 5G on iPhone Affect eSIM?

Turning off 5G on your iPhone does not affect your eSIM. The network setting applies to the active data line on your iPhone and works the same way whether you are using a physical SIM or an eSIM.

• Works the Same as Physical SIM: The Voice & Data setting behaves the same on eSIM as it does on a physical SIM. Switching to LTE applies to whichever line is active for mobile data.

• Applies to the Active Data Line: The setting controls how your iPhone connects to mobile networks on the line that is currently selected for cellular data. It does not deactivate your eSIM or affect other lines on your device.

• Does Not Affect Your eSIM Plan: Switching from 5G to LTE does not change your eSIM plan, data allowance, or carrier settings. Your eSIM remains active and continues to work on LTE.

One thing to keep in mind is that 5G availability on an eSIM also depends on your carrier and data plan. If your eSIM plan does not include 5G, the Voice & Data setting will not show 5G options for that line.

For more information, you can read our post on eSIM 5G Compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Turning Off 5G Save Battery?

Yes. 5G uses more power than LTE, particularly in areas where 5G coverage is weak or inconsistent. When your iPhone struggles to maintain a 5G connection, battery consumption increases. Switching to LTE reduces this. If you want a middle ground, the 5G Auto setting switches to LTE automatically when 5G does not provide a noticeably better experience.

Will My Internet Speed Be Slower If I Turn Off 5G?

Yes. LTE is slower than 5G in areas with strong 5G coverage. For everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, and social media, the difference is not significant. For large file downloads or high-quality video streaming, 5G will be faster where coverage is available.

Does Turning Off 5G Affect Phone Calls?

No. Phone calls on iPhone use VoLTE, which runs over LTE. Turning off 5G and switching to LTE does not affect your ability to make or receive calls.

Do I Need to Turn Off 5G Every Time I Restart My iPhone?

No. The Voice & Data setting you choose is saved on your iPhone and remains in place after a restart. You only need to change it once.

How to Turn Off 5G on iPhone 11?

iPhone 11 does not support 5G. Apple introduced 5G support starting with the iPhone 12 lineup in 2020. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max use LTE as their fastest network option. There is no 5G setting on these models because the hardware does not include a 5G modem.

If you want to check which network your iPhone 11 is using, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data. You will see LTE, 3G, and 2G options, but no 5G option.

How to Turn Off 5G on iPhone 12?

The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone to support 5G. The steps to turn off 5G on iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max are the same. Open Settings, tap Cellular, then tap Cellular Data Options. From there, tap Voice & Data and select LTE. Once you select LTE, your iPhone 12 will no longer connect to 5G networks. If you want to switch back to 5G at any time, follow the same steps and select 5G Auto or 5G On.

How to Turn Off 5G on iPhone 16?

The steps to turn off 5G on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are the same as all other 5G-capable iPhones. Open Settings, tap Cellular, then tap Cellular Data Options. From there, tap Voice & Data and select LTE. Once you select LTE, your iPhone 16 will stop using 5G and connect to LTE only. The setting is saved automatically and will remain in place after you restart your phone.

Sources:

[1] Apple Inc. (n.d.). View or change cellular data settings on iPhone. Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/view-or-change-cellular-data-settings-iph3dd5f213/ios

[2] Apple Inc. (n.d.). Use 5G with your iPhone. Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108383