iOS · iPhone & iPad

How To Fix 5G Network Not Working on iPhone

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Answer

Start by ensuring your iPhone is capable of supporting 5G. Models from iPhone 12 and onwards are designed with 5G compatibility, with the notable exception of the iPhone SE 2 (2020). If you're using any of these models, you're good to go. Once you've established that your iPhone supports 5G, the next step is to activate it. Here's how: Go to your iOS settings; Select "Mobile Data"; Tap on your primary SIM card; Finally, tap on "Voice & Data" to enable 5G on your device

Verifying iPhone 5G Support

Start by ensuring your iPhone is capable of supporting 5G. Models from iPhone 12 and onwards are designed with 5G compatibility, with the notable exception of the iPhone SE 2 (2020). If you're using any of these models, you're good to go.

check iphone version
check iphone version

Activating 5G on your iPhone

Once you've established that your iPhone supports 5G, the next step is to activate it. Here's how: Go to your iOS settings; Select "Mobile Data"; Tap on your primary SIM card; Finally, tap on "Voice & Data" to enable 5G on your device

iphone 5g settings in mobile data options
iphone 5g settings in mobile data options

Assessing 5G Coverage in Your Area

While your iPhone may be 5G-ready, your location may not be. 5G availability varies globally, and not all regions have coverage yet. To check the 5G rollout status in your city, use the Ookla 5G Map, an interactive tool tracking 5G deployment worldwide. A link to this tool can be found in the description below.

Ookla 5G Map
Ookla 5G Map

Updating Your iPhone Software

Having 5G enabled and available in your region is just the first step. It's essential to keep your device's software up-to-date to ensure optimal functionality. If you're not running the latest iOS update, it could be the reason your 5G is not working. Go to your iPhone settings; Navigate to the 'General' section; Select 'Software Update'; If there's an update available, download and install it; Finally, restart your device to complete the process

software update
software update

Switching Airplane Mode

If the 5G connectivity issue persists even after the software update, try toggling Airplane Mode ON and OFF. This simple trick often helps resolve network problems by forcing your device to reconnect.

Disabling Low Data Mode

Low Data Mode might be another culprit. When enabled, it could prevent your device from accessing the 5G network. Here's how to disable Low Data Mode: Go to your mobile data settings; Select your SIM card; Tap on 'Data Mode'; Set this option to 'Standard' or 'Allow More Data on 5G'

disable low data mode
disable low data mode

Resetting Network Settings

If none of the above solutions work, it might be time to reset your network settings. This action will erase all your current network settings and restore them to their default state. Here's how to do it: Navigate back to your main settings; Go to the 'General' section; Scroll down and select 'Transfer or Reset iPhone'; Tap on 'Reset' and then 'Reset Network Settings' After performing this reset, you'll need to reconnect your device to your Wi-Fi network. This should resolve any 5G connectivity issues you've been experiencing.

reset network settings iphone
reset network settings iphone

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • How can I check if my iPhone model supports 5G?. iPhone models from the iPhone 12 onwards, except for iPhone SE 2 (2020), are 5G compatible. Check the specifications of your device model to ensure it supports 5G.
  • How do I enable 5G on my iPhone?. You can enable 5G by going to iOS settings > Mobile Data > selecting your SIM card > tapping on "Voice & Data”
  • How can I tell if 5G is available in my region?. Check the availability of 5G in your area using the interactive Ookla 5G Map, which tracks 5G rollouts globally.
  • What should I do if my iPhone still doesn't connect to 5G after updating the software?. If you've updated your software and 5G is still not working, try toggling airplane mode ON and OFF, disabling Low Data Mode, or resetting your network settings.
  • How do I reset my iPhone's network settings?. To reset network settings, go to your main settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You'll need to reconnect your device to your Wi-Fi network after this reset.