5G networks promise faster data speeds, especially if they have access to mmWave antennas, but the trade-off is that they may drain your battery faster. Plus, 5G isn’t yet widespread outside major cities in the US and Europe, so you’re better off switching to a 4G (LTE) network when traveling. Here’s how to turn off 5G connectivity on your Android phone:
Quick Answer
To turn off 5G on your Android phone, Settings > Connections > Mobile networks Select Network ModeYou can choose your preferred 5G option or switch to 4G/LTE.
Main Section
First off, there are many different forks of Android, so the exact steps to disable 5G may vary depending on the make and model of your phone. Below we’ll focus on the most popular Android brands: Samsung and Google.
How to Turn Off 5G on Your Samsung Galaxy Smartphone
To turn off 5G on your Samsung phone, setting Tap connectionnext, Mobile Network.
From there, tap Network Mode Select the network you want to connect to.
Additional tips include: Energy saving In Settings, you can select the toggle to turn off 5G so it doesn’t reconnect. For other ways to save power, check out our guide to Adaptive Battery for Android.
Adam Barney / Android Authority
How to turn off 5G on your Google Pixel phone
To turn off 5G on your Pixel phone, Settings > Network, select SIM CardTap and scroll down Preferred Network TypeThen select anything other than 5G.
FAQ
Yes, you may notice your battery draining faster than usual when connected to a 5G network. The impact on battery life will be around 10% greater than with 4G, but phone and chipset manufacturers are constantly working to close the gap.
Yes, there is a relatively new technology called Voice over 5G (Vo5G), also known as Voice over New Radio (VoNR), but it’s not widely available, so in most cases 5G will be limited to data only.
To turn on 5G on your Android phone, you usually need to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks Select Network ModeThe exact process may vary depending on your phone make and model.
Nearly all flagship smartphones support 5G, as do many budget and mid-range models. Check out our guide to the best 5G smartphones.
In the US, some carriers, such as AT&T, have removed this option from devices that use their networks, and the only way around this is to contact your network provider or use a third-party hidden settings app.
