How to turn on 5G on Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, OnePlus and iPhone, and what to check when 5G is not showing.
Last updated: October 2026 (Android 15/16, One UI 7/8, HyperOS, ColorOS, iOS 18/26).
Quick answer: 5G uses the same APN as 4G LTE; you do not need a special 5G APN. Turn 5G on in the network mode setting (Samsung: 5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect), iPhone: 5G Auto or 5G On).
Turn on 5G on Android
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings -> Connections -> Mobile networks -> Network mode -> 5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect).
- Google Pixel: Settings -> Network & internet -> SIMs -> choose the SIM -> Preferred network type -> 5G.
- Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO: Settings -> Mobile networks -> choose the SIM -> Preferred network type -> Prefer 5G.
- Oppo / Realme / OnePlus: Settings -> Mobile network -> SIM 1 -> Preferred network type -> 2G/3G/4G/5G (Automatic), and switch on 5G if there is a separate toggle.
- Vivo / iQOO: Settings -> Mobile network -> SIM 1 -> switch on 5G (or Preferred network type -> 5G/4G/3G/2G).
Turn on 5G on iPhone 12 or later
Settings -> Mobile Service (Cellular) -> Mobile Data Options -> Voice & Data -> 5G Auto (saves battery) or 5G On (uses 5G whenever it is available).
5G not showing? Check these
- Coverage: you are inside your carrier 5G area. Outside it the phone uses 4G LTE on the same APN.
- Plan: your plan includes 5G. Some prepaid and older plans are 4G only.
- Phone: the phone supports the 5G bands your carrier uses. Imported phones may miss local 5G bands.
- SIM: very old SIM cards may not register on 5G; ask the carrier for a SIM swap.
- iPhone Low Power Mode turns 5G off for most data. Switch Low Power Mode off and look again.
- Dual SIM: many phones use 5G only on the SIM chosen for mobile data.
- Software: install the latest system update and, on iPhone, the latest carrier settings (Settings -> General -> About).
5G icon shows but data is slow or off
- Check that the right APN is selected; 5G will not connect with an MMS-only APN.
- Switch Airplane mode on and off to register on the network again.
- If the APN was changed by hand, reset it: see How to Reset APN Settings to Default.