AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence.

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Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476

The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through prioritized data access, offering improved speeds and lower latency for activities like gaming and video streaming. Previously, customers had limited ways to confirm the service was enabled beyond checking technical network settings. With the new label, Turbo subscribers can easily verify when the $7 monthly add-on is active on their line.

Some users have said they aren't too happy about the longer carrier text in their iPhone's status bar, but others don't mind it since it gives them a clear visual indicator of their premium network status. AT&T says that the icon can appear sometimes when Turbo is inactive, such as when connected to Wi-Fi or when a customer's hotspot allotment is exceeded.

Tag: AT&T

Top Rated Comments

F23 Avatar
16 weeks ago
That’s a wild Reddit widget to have on your lock screen
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdavid_rp Avatar
16 weeks ago
Wow, I’m lucky that in EU internet companies can’t sell services like this prioritising and deprioritising people data…
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
16 weeks ago
Reminds me of when PCs had a Turbo button.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
16 weeks ago

US really is a joke ngl.
You're not wrong.

AT&T has always been a bit of a joke with their network naming on phones; 5G+, 5Ge (actually LTE) , 4G (HSPA+ instead of LTE)... on and on.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DEMinSoCAL Avatar
16 weeks ago
Just saw the AT&T site for "Turbo" -- Smoother Gameplay, Improved video calls and enhanced wireless connection. Seems like something they should be providing ALL their customers, not just those who want to pay them EXTRA for it! Not to mention, they just RAISED their prices and now I need to spend an extra $7 on top of the price hike to not get shi**y service? I'm not liking this...
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
System603 Avatar
16 weeks ago
So let me get this straight. The company charges customers for services that it itself considers to be of insufficient quality, so it offers a paid upgrade to bypass its own shortcomings. Brilliant.

I think I'll rather wait few months for Apple Intelligence and avoid dealing with these kinds of business practices in Europe. SMH

Just to be clear, this isn't a cheap jab at US citizens, but rather a critique of the shameful business practices of certain corporations. I very naively hope that such practices either wouldn't pass at all or would at least be prevented by regulatory changes in the EU if some company tried this. It's not like we have it all sunshine and roses here either, however, consumer protection is one area where, as one of the few things, we tend to do ever so slightly better overall. Stay strong, my friends across the pond.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)