# Switch Between 5G and LTE on iPhone: How It Works URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/switch-between-5g-and-lte-iphone/ App: Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322) Author: Muhammad Shahid Updated: 2026-11-04 > Control which cellular generation your iPhone uses. 5G Auto lets iOS drop to LTE when 5G would not be meaningfully faster, which saves battery. 5G On keeps 5G active whenever it is available, at a cost in battery life. LTE disables 5G altogether. - **What it does:** Control which cellular generation your iPhone uses. - **Published for:** any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular - **Type:** iOS setting Control which cellular generation your iPhone uses. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to. I build **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier**, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, [get Secret Codes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322). ## What is Switch Between 5G and LTE? 5G Auto lets iOS drop to LTE when 5G would not be meaningfully faster, which saves battery. 5G On keeps 5G active whenever it is available, at a cost in battery life. LTE disables 5G altogether. Forcing LTE is a genuinely useful troubleshooting step: early 5G coverage can be patchy and an unstable 5G cell often performs worse than a solid LTE one. ## How do I do it? - Open the Settings app. - Tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options. - Tap Voice & Data. - Choose 5G Auto, 5G On or LTE. ## Which carriers does this apply to? | Published for | any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular | | Type | iOS setting | | Good to know | 5G options appear on iPhone 12 and later with a 5G plan. Older models show LTE options only. | _Screenshot: The Secret Codes detail screen shows the steps, the carriers and an Open in Phone button._ ## Related network and signal - [Choose Your Network Manually](/blog/choose-your-network-manually-iphone/) - [Wi-Fi Calling](/blog/wi-fi-calling-iphone/) - [*#33#: Check Call Barring](/blog/check-call-barring-star-hash-33-iphone/) - [Check For A Carrier Settings Update](/blog/check-for-a-carrier-settings-update-iphone/) - [#43#: Turn Off Call Waiting](/blog/turn-off-call-waiting-hash-43-iphone/) - [Reset Network Settings](/blog/reset-network-settings-iphone/) See all [network and signal](/blog/iphone-codes/network/) or [every category of iPhone codes](/blog/iphone-codes/). ## How Secret Codes helps Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322 ## FAQ ### What is Switch Between 5G and LTE on iPhone? Control which cellular generation your iPhone uses. 5G Auto lets iOS drop to LTE when 5G would not be meaningfully faster, which saves battery. 5G On keeps 5G active whenever it is available, at a cost in battery life. LTE disables 5G altogether. ### What else should I know about Switch Between 5G and LTE? Forcing LTE is a genuinely useful troubleshooting step: early 5G coverage can be patchy and an unstable 5G cell often performs worse than a solid LTE one. ### What are the steps for Switch Between 5G and LTE? 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options. 3. Tap Voice & Data. 4. Choose 5G Auto, 5G On or LTE. ### Where do I find Switch Between 5G and LTE? In the Settings app on your iPhone. ### Is there a dial code for Switch Between 5G and LTE? No. On iPhone this is not a dial code, so you use the steps on this page instead. ### Which carriers does Switch Between 5G and LTE work on? It is published for any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular. 5G options appear on iPhone 12 and later with a 5G plan. Older models show LTE options only. ### Does Switch Between 5G and LTE work on Android phones too? These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus. ### Will Switch Between 5G and LTE work outside the US? The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region. ### What if Switch Between 5G and LTE does not work on my iPhone? Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier. ### What is related to Switch Between 5G and LTE? Choose Your Network Manually. Force your iPhone onto a specific network. ### What else is in this category? Wi-Fi Calling. Place and receive calls over Wi-Fi when signal is poor. ### Can I find Switch Between 5G and LTE in an app? Yes. Secret Codes, a free iPhone app, includes it with its steps and carrier details. ## Sources - [3GPP TS 22.030: Man-Machine Interface of the phone](https://www.3gpp.org/dynareport/22030.htm) - [Apple Support: iPhone User Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios)