The new technology making waves in the telecommunications world is 5G. While 5G has been in the works for a few years, it is finally starting to roll out in earnest across the United States. By the end of the decade, 5G will be the primary form of a cellular network in the wireless market.
That being said, 5G is a big change, and not everyone will want to adopt it. 5G data can be expensive to maintain, and many people prefer to use their WiFi networks exclusively.
Luckily you aren’t forced to use cellular data, and all modern smartphones have functions that allow you to turn all data, including 5G.
Steps for Turning Off 5G on an iPhone
Turning off your data on an iPhone is an easy process.
- All you have to do is swipe up from the bottom of your screen
- Select the ‘data’ button from the menu that pops up. This button is shaped like an antenna and can be found next to the airplane mode button.
When data is turned off, you can only access the internet using a WiFi connection, so make sure your WiFi is turned off if you do this.
If you want to shut off 5G specifically,
- Go to the mobile tab in your settings app.
- Once here, select ‘Mobile Data Options,’
- Then click ‘Voice and Data.’
- From this menu, you can select 4G as your only form of cellular data, allowing you to connect to a network without ever using 5G.
Which iPhone Models Support 5G?
5G is a relatively recent innovation, meaning that not all iPhone models even have access to 5G at all. iPhone 12 models were the first to have 5G capability, and all models since then have continued the trend. The idea is that eventually, 5G will be the default, and 4G will begin to be phased out.
As of 2022, many older iPhone models still have 3G access, but most major telecommunications companies are removing their 3G infrastructure due to its obsolescence.
Currently, the new iPhone SE, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max all have 5G capability.
Steps for Turning Off 5G on an Android
Turning off 5G is a similar process on Android.
- First, go to your settings app either by swiping down on your screen and selecting it or by just clicking it on your home page.
- In the settings, the app will be a connections tab, and clicking on it will take you to a menu where
- You can select “Mobile networks.”
On this menu, you will see a list of possible types of networks that you can access. Select any option that does not include 5G, and you will no longer have to worry about your phone automatically connecting to a 5G network.
If you ever want to change your mind, all you have to do is go back to this menu and select a 5G network as an option to connect to.
Which Android Devices Support 5G?
It is harder to wrangle up all of the Android devices that support 5G compared to the Apple devices due to the sheer number of Android phones on the market. Generally, any phone from the past couple of years should be compatible with 5G, but this is not always the case.
The Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 series phones support 5G along with the Flip and Fold series.’ In addition, all Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 4 and up are 5G compatible.
When Should You Turn Off 5G on Your Phone?
5G is a new technology, and it doesn’t always work as well as we would like. Devices are not fully optimized for it yet, and it can kill a smartphone battery much faster than 4G cellular networks.
It is also considerably more expensive to purchase a new 5G smartphone along with a cellular plan that supports 5G. If you don’t need 5G internet, you can save yourself a lot of money and battery life.
Turning Off 5G Because of Bad Service
5G has not finished rolling out across the country, and the process will continue for a few years. As a result, it is not uncommon for 5G connections to be inconsistent, especially if you are traveling, as that can cause your connection to switch between available options rapidly.
Some phones, like the iPhone 13 series, have a smart data feature that only switches to 5G when you need it for the task your phone is performing. If you do not have access to a feature like this, you might be better off turning off 5G until it has become more stable in your region.
Does Turning Off 5G Save Data?
Contrary to popular belief, 5G does not use up more data than a 4G network connection. However, 5G does give you access to activities that will burn through data faster than anything you could do on 4G. For example, 4K streaming is significantly more intensive than standard definition streaming, and it will take a much bigger toll on both your battery and data usage.
If you don’t want to accidentally use 5G to ensure you are not doing anything too data-intensive, turning off 5G is a safe option.
Wrapping Up
A 5G signal is new and exciting, but that does not mean that it is the best option for everyone at this time. No matter what device you have, you can turn off the 5G features on your phone. iPhones, Androids, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, are all continuing to integrate 5G into their newer models and plans, but it is not necessary to use it.
Use Navi to stay up to date on all the latest phone and wireless market updates. Using Navi, you can get an overview of all the latest 5G phones and 5G phone plans to make the right decision for yourself. With industry tips and tricks at your disposal, Navi is a great tool for taking control of your mobile hardware and software.
5G will become more mainstream in the coming years, but for now, it is a tool to be used selectively. Keep an eye on the future of 5G and choose your future devices as appropriate.
Sources:
iPhone - Supported 5G and LTE networks | Apple
How do I manually select a network on my Samsung Galaxy device? | Samsung
