Use 5G with your iPhone

iPhone 12 models or later work with the 5G mobile networks of certain service providers. Find out how to use 5G mobile service.

What you need

If your new iPhone comes with a physical SIM or eSIM, use that SIM. If not, use the SIM card from your previous iPhone. In some cases, you need to contact your service provider to set up the SIM card from your previous iPhone for use with a 5G network.

Understand the 5G icons in the status bar

When you’re in an area with 5G coverage for your service provider and your 5G mobile plan has been activated, you’ll see a 5G icon in the status bar of your iPhone:

5G: The 5G status bar icon.

Your service provider’s 5G network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network (not available in all countries or regions).2

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Your service provider’s 5G+, 5G UW or 5G UC network is available, which can include your provider’s higher-frequency version of 5G. Your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network (not available in all countries or regions).2

Find out what to do if you can’t see a 5G icon in the status bar.

Learn about 5G options

The default settings for 5G on iPhone are optimised for battery life and data usage based on your data plan. You can customise these options for when to use 5G and how much data to use in some apps. Contact your service provider to find out if they support 5G and if you’re on a mobile plan that supports 5G.

Find these options by going to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you’re using Dual SIM, go to Settings > Mobile Data or Settings > Cellular and choose the number with options you want to change.

Screenshot showing Voice & Data preferences

Voice & Data

Choose how your iPhone uses the 5G network, which can affect battery life.

  • 5G Auto: Enables Smart Data mode. When 5G speeds don’t provide a noticeably better experience, your iPhone will automatically switch to LTE, saving battery life. The 5G icon appears based on the configuration of the service provider’s network, and in rare cases, may appear even when 5G coverage is not available.

  • 5G On: Always uses 5G network when it’s available. This may reduce battery life.

  • LTE: Only uses LTE network, even when 5G is available.

Additional settings such as 5G Standalone and Voice Over 5G Standalone may be available in your market. For more information, contact your service provider.

Data Mode

  • Allow More Data on 5G: Enables higher data-usage features for apps and system tasks. These include higher-quality FaceTime, high-definition content on Apple TV, Apple Music songs and videos, iOS updates over cellular, and automatic iCloud backups.

    • With this setting, your iPhone can automatically use 5G instead of Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi connectivity is slow or insecure on a network you visit occasionally. To turn this feature off and on for a certain network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the info button next to the Wi-Fi network and tap Use Wi-Fi for Internet.

    • This setting also allows third-party apps to use more cellular data for enhanced experiences.

    • This is the default setting with some unlimited data plans, depending on your service provider.

    • This setting uses more mobile data.

Image shows Data Mode settings.

  • Standard: Allows automatic updates and background tasks on cellular, and uses standard quality settings for video and FaceTime. This is generally the default mode.

  • Low Data Mode: Helps reduce Wi-Fi and cellular-data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks.

Data Roaming

Many service providers around the world support 5G roaming. If your service provider doesn't support 5G roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks or obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available.

Contact your service provider for more information.

If you don't see 5G in the status bar

  1. Contact your service provider to confirm that they support 5G and that you’re on a mobile plan that supports 5G.

  2. Make sure that you're in an area with 5G coverage. Contact your service provider if you aren't sure.

  3. Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you see this screen, your device is 5G capable.

    Screenshot showing Mobile Data Options

  4. Turn on Aeroplane Mode, then turn it off.

If you still don't have 5G service, contact your service provider.

Learn more

  • If you want to use 5G with Dual SIM on iPhone 12 models, make sure you have iOS 14.5 or later.

  • You can choose to always stream the highest quality content by going to Settings > Music Audio Quality > Mobile Data Streaming and tapping High Quality. For TV, go to Settings > TV > Mobile Data or Settings > TV > Cellular and turn on Use Mobile Data if necessary. Then tap High Quality. These settings use more mobile data, and content may take longer to start playing.

  • If you turn on Low Power Mode, 5G will be disabled except in some cases, such as video streaming and large downloads on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. With iPhone 12 models, Low Power Mode disables 5G Standalone (where available).

1. Contact your service provider to check if you have a 5G plan. Some service providers may charge an activation fee.

2. Higher frequency 5G networks are only supported in the United States when using an iPhone purchased in the United States.

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