Turn off 5G on iPhone and Android to save battery — carrier-specific steps

11. Turn Off 5G on iPhone and Android to Save Battery — Carrier-Specific Steps

5G networks bring faster speeds and better connectivity, but they can also drain your phone’s battery more quickly than 4G LTE or 3G networks. If you want to extend your phone’s battery life, especially when you don’t need ultra-fast data, turning off 5G is a practical step. This guide explains how to disable 5G on both iPhone and Android devices, including some carrier-specific pointers to keep in mind.

Why Turn Off 5G to Save Battery?

While 5G technology is impressive, it requires more power to maintain connections, particularly when the network signal is weak or your phone constantly switches between 4G and 5G. Turning off 5G shifts your device to more energy-efficient networks, which can significantly increase battery life during the day.

How to Turn Off 5G on iPhone

General Steps (iPhone 12 and Later)

Open Settings.
Tap Cellular or Mobile Data depending on your region.
Select Cellular Data Options (or Mobile Data Options).
Tap Voice & Data.
Choose LTE instead of 5G.
- Options may include 5G On, 5G Auto, or LTE.
- Selecting LTE disables 5G and forces the device to use 4G networks.

Carrier-Specific Notes for iPhone

Some carriers restrict certain network settings, so the options you see may vary.
If 5G Auto is enabled, the phone will switch between 4G and 5G to save battery when possible. Fully disabling 5G by selecting LTE gives the most battery savings.
Carrier updates may affect how these settings work—keeping your iOS updated ensures the latest features and options.

How to Turn Off 5G on Android Phones

General Steps (Most Recent Android Devices)

The exact menu names can vary by manufacturer and Android version, but the process is similar:

Open the Settings app.
Tap Network & Internet or Connections.
Tap Mobile Network or SIM & network (if you have dual SIMs).
Look for Preferred network type or Network mode.
Choose an option that includes LTE/4G only rather than 5G/4G/3G.

Carrier-Specific Notes for Android

Some Android devices from certain carriers may have custom network settings apps or modified menu layouts; the naming might slightly differ.
Several devices use carrier apps or settings to toggle major network features—check your carrier’s support site if you don’t see 5G options in your phone’s settings.
Carrier firmware updates can unlock or restrict 5G toggles.

Example Carrier-Specific Instructions

Carrier A (United States)

May label 5G as “5G NR.”
On iPhone: Follow the general steps above but confirm with carrier support if settings behave unexpectedly.
On Android: Carrier settings app may include a toggle for 5G; otherwise, use Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Preferred Network Type > select LTE only.

Carrier B (Europe)

This carrier uses 5G selectively in urban areas, so turning it off might noticeably increase battery life in suburban or rural zones.
On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > Choose LTE.
On Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > Select 4G/LTE only.

Carrier C (Asia-Pacific)

Carrier may restrict the ability to fully disable 5G in certain models due to network optimization policies.
If the setting is missing, turning on Airplane mode occasionally, then re-enabling cellular manually, can sometimes force the phone to reconnect on 4G only.
Always check the carrier’s FAQ or customer support for device-specific instructions.

Additional Tips to Maximize Battery Life Beyond Turning off 5G

Enable Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver Mode (Android) to reduce background activity.
Lower screen brightness and timeout settings.
Disable unused radios like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when not connected.
Ensure apps and OS are updated — sometimes system optimizations improve battery use on 5G.
Consider using Wi-Fi whenever possible as it typically uses less power than cellular data.

When Should You Keep 5G On?

If you rely heavily on fast download speeds for video streaming, gaming, or remote work, or you live in an area with reliable 5G coverage, the battery trade-off might be worth it. Newer devices and network enhancements also continue to improve 5G’s energy efficiency.

Conclusion

Turning off 5G is a straightforward and effective way to extend your phone’s battery life. Both iPhone and Android allow you to switch to 4G LTE or 3G networks, though the exact menu options might differ by device and carrier. Familiarize yourself with your carrier’s specific network settings and regularly check for updates to optimize performance and battery life.

By adjusting these settings thoughtfully, you can balance connectivity and battery longevity to suit your daily needs without unnecessary hype or confusion.