When 5G is working the way it should, it feels like our biggest wish for super-fast internet has come true! With 5G, you can download really clear videos, upload big files, and play online games that need a lot of internet power, all really, really fast!
But sometimes, 5G doesn’t work like we hope. It might not be as fast as we expect, or sometimes, it might not work at all, even when we think we’ve done everything right. But don’t worry! We have gathered 20 super helpful tips to make sure 5G works great on iPhones that are using iOS 16 or newer.
Super Tips to Help 5G Work Better on iPhone in iOS 16
Before we jump into the tips, let’s try to understand what might be stopping 5G from working its magic on the iPhone. Also, it might be a good idea to make sure the 5G settings on the iPhone are set up just right!
What Stops 5G from Being Awesome on iPhone?
So, we know that 5G can be really fast and help us do lots of cool internet stuff, but sometimes things get in the way and it doesn’t work properly. We are going to figure out what these things are and learn how to fix them so that we can enjoy really fast internet all the time!
- Device compatibility
- Availability
- Lack of carrier support
- A technical issue related to the carrier
- Wrong configuration
- Occasional glitch
- Outdated carrier setting
- Software bug
Having taken all these usual suspects into account, we have discussed solutions to resolve the 5G issue on iPhone.
Step 1: Check if Your iPhone is 5G Ready!
Let’s start! First, you need to make sure your iPhone can use 5G. Here’s a list of iPhones that are ready for 5G:
- iPhone 12 (and the mini, Pro, Pro Max versions)
- iPhone SE 2 (2020) and SE 3 (2022)
- iPhone 13 (and the mini, Pro, Pro Max versions)
- iPhone 14 (and the Plus, Pro, Pro Max versions)
Step 2: Is 5G in Your City?
Next up! You have to check if 5G is available where you live. It might take some time for the companies that give us cell service to bring 5G to all cities.
Step 3: Does Your Carrier Support 5G?
This is important too! Make sure the company you get your cell service from supports 5G. Since 5G is pretty new, not all companies offer it just yet.
Step 4: Turn ON Your 5G!
Guess what? Your iPhone has a special switch that lets you turn 5G on or off! So, you have to make sure 5G is turned on.
Here’s how:
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap on Cellular, then Cellular Data Options.
- Tap on Voice & Data, then choose either 5G On or 5G Auto.
If you’re wondering, picking “5G On” lets your iPhone use 5G whenever it’s available. Choosing “5G Auto” lets your iPhone decide whether to use 5G or not, depending on how it affects battery life. And if you see “LTE” there, that’s just another way to say 4G, and it means you are not using 5G.
Step 5: Learn the 5G Icons!
Guess what? When your iPhone is using 5G, you will see a special 5G icon at the top! There are three different icons you might see:
- 5G+: This one means your iPhone is connected to AT&T’s 5G, either high-band or mid-band.
- 5G UW: “UW” stands for Ultra Wideband. This is what Verizon calls their super-fast 5G.
- 5G UC: This is T-Mobile’s 5G. They call it “Ultra Capacity.”
Step 6: In China, 5G Standalone is the Default!
If you are in mainland China, your iPhone will use only 5G by default. You can change this in the Settings app -> Cellular -> Cellular Data Options -> Voice and Data.
Step 7: Enable Data Roaming When You Travel!
When you are in a different country, you have to turn on something called data roaming to use 5G.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options.
- Turn on the switch for Data Roaming.
Step 8: Using 2 SIM cards and want 5G? Update Your iPhone!
If you have two SIM cards in your iPhone 12 and want to use 5G, you have to make sure your iPhone is using iOS 14.5 or a newer version.
To update your iPhone:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap General, then Software Update.
- Follow the instructions to update your software.
Step 9: Turn Off Low Power Mode!
Did you know, when Low Power Mode is on, your iPhone tries to save battery and it might turn off 5G sometimes? So, let’s make sure it’s turned off.
Here’s how:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap on Battery.
- Make sure Low Power Mode is turned off.
Step 10: Do You Have a 5G Plan?
This might sound simple, but make sure you actually have a 5G plan with your carrier! Give them a call to check and be prepared, there might be an activation fee.
Step 11: Higher Frequency 5G – Only in the U.S.
Here’s something not many people know: the really high-frequency 5G networks are only available in the United States for iPhones bought there. So, if you’re in a different country and can’t access it, now you know why!
Step 12: Turn Off Low Data Mode!
Low Data Mode helps save your cellular data but it can slow things down. So, let’s turn it off too!
Here’s what you do:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options -> Data Mode.
- Pick Allow More Data on 5G for the best 5G experience, or Standard if you want to save some data.
Step 13: Try Turning Airplane Mode On and Off!
Sometimes, if the network is acting weird, turning Airplane mode on and then off can fix it.
Here’s a quick way to do it:
- For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- For iPhones with Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- Tap the Airplane mode icon to turn it on. Wait a bit, then tap it again to turn it off.
Step 14: Try a Hard Reset!
If your iPhone is still not catching 5G, doing a hard reset might help. It’s kind of like turning your brain off and on again when you’re feeling overwhelmed!
Here’s how:
- Quickly press and release the volume up button.
- Do the same with the volume down button.
- Then, hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Step 15: Take Out Your SIM Card and Put It Back!
Sometimes, the problem might be with the SIM card. So, use a SIM ejector tool, take the SIM card out, clean it gently and put it back in. It’s like giving your SIM card a little break!
Step 16: Time to Call Your Carrier Provider!
If 5G is still not working, it might be good to call your carrier provider and let them know what’s going on. They can check things from their end and might have a solution for you.
Step 17: Update Your Carrier Settings!
Sometimes, carriers release updates to fix issues or improve performance. So, make sure your carrier settings are up to date!
Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to General > About.
- If there’s an update available, you’ll see a popup. Just hit “Update” in the popup to update your carrier settings.
Step 18: Reset Network Settings!
Sometimes, resetting network settings can solve a lot of network-related issues.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
Step 19: Reset All Settings!
If resetting network settings didn’t work, you might need to reset all settings. It’s like giving your iPhone a fresh start!
To do this:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Choose Reset All Settings.
Step 20: Update Your iPhone Software!
Keeping your iPhone updated is always a good idea as updates often fix bugs and improve performance.
Here’s how you can update:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- If there’s an update available, download and install it.
All Set!
So, we’ve gone through quite a list of things to try if 5G isn’t working on your iPhone! By now, you should hopefully have resolved any issues. Which one of these steps worked for you? Let us know in the comments! And if you find another trick that works, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with the rest of us!
Remember, enjoying super-fast 5G on your iPhone might need a bit of tweaking and adjusting, but it’s all worth it for that speedy internet connection! Keep exploring and learning!
