iPhone 5G not working? 6 things to check

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

When the status bar shows LTE or 4G where you expect 5G, the phone is usually doing what it should. 5G is only shown where your network offers it, where your plan allows it and when the iPhone decides it is worth the battery.

Step by step

1. Check the model

   5G works on iPhone 12 models and later. An iPhone 11, an older SE or anything before that cannot use 5G.

   Done

2. Check your plan and network

   Your network must offer 5G and your plan must include it. Older and cheaper plans are often limited to 4G. The network's app or hotline can tell you.

   Done

3. Check the coverage

   5G is not available everywhere, and indoors it is often weaker than outdoors. Look at the coverage map of your network for your address.

   Done

4. Check the Voice & Data setting

   Open Settings, Mobile Service (Cellular in some regions), Mobile Data Options, Voice & Data. If you do not see any 5G options here, the iPhone or the SIM is not set up for 5G. Otherwise choose 5G Auto or 5G On. With LTE selected, the iPhone never uses 5G.

   Done

5. Understand 5G Auto

   5G Auto is the default. The iPhone switches to LTE whenever 5G would not make things noticeably faster, to save battery. So LTE in the status bar does not mean 5G is broken. 5G On uses 5G whenever it is available and costs more battery.

   Done

6. Switch aeroplane mode on and off

   Open Control Centre, tap the aeroplane, wait a few seconds and tap it again. The iPhone searches for the network afresh.

   Done

Good to know

Low Power Mode switches 5G off, except for video streaming and large downloads. Turn Low Power Mode off if you want 5G all the time.

The icons 5G+, 5G UW, 5G UC and 5GA stand for the faster, higher-frequency kind of 5G. According to Apple, that kind is only available on iPhones bought in the United States, and only there.

If you have no data connection at all, not even LTE: iPhone mobile data not working: 8 fixes to try.

If the steps do not help, the network has to check the SIM and the plan. Contact them.

In short: iPhone 12 or later, 5G plan, coverage, Voice & Data on 5G Auto or 5G On, aeroplane mode off and on, Low Power Mode off.