Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are the first iPhones to be released with 5G connectivity, and there are several new settings related to 5G that you should be aware of.

iphone12pro5g 1
By default, when you set up a new ‌iPhone‌ 12 or 12 Pro, it activates an Auto 5G mode that only turns on 5G data when it won't significantly reduce battery life. You can turn this off so that your ‌iPhone‌ uses 5G all the time, and there are also data modes to choose from. This how to shows you where the new settings are and explains what they mean.

Turn on 5G All the Time or Activate 4G

Getting to your specific cellular settings might look a bit different depending on your carrier, but these general steps should work for accessing your Voice and Data settings.

  1. Open up Settings.
  2. Tap on "Cellular." iphone12cellularsettings
  3. Tap on your cellular plan or Cellular Data Options.
  4. Tap on Voice & Data. data5gsettingsiphone12

From the Voice & Data menu, you'll see three options: 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE. 5G Auto, the default setting, uses 5G only when 5G won't significantly reduce battery life.

This appears to be Apple's Data Saver Mode that's meant to swap the ‌iPhone‌'s connection to LTE when 5G speeds aren't necessary. For example, when the ‌iPhone‌ is updating in the background, it uses LTE because super fast speeds aren't necessary, but in instances where speed does matter, such as downloading a show, the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models will swap over to 5G.

5G On ensures that 5G is activated all the time when a 5G network is available, and LTE disables 5G all together and lets you use an LTE connection instead of a 5G connection.

Data Mode

There are several data modes that you can adjust. By default, ‌iPhone‌ 12 models are set on "Allow More Data on 5G," which offers up higher-quality video and FaceTime when connected to 5G cellular networks.

Most people with unlimited data will want to leave this enabled, but if you're aiming to preserve data, you can change the settings to "Standard," which allows automatic updates and background tasks on cellular but limits video and ‌FaceTime‌ quality.

There's also a Low Data Mode that helps reduce cellular data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks when connected to a cellular network. Here's how to get to your data settings:

  1. Open up Settings.
  2. Tap on "Cellular." iphone12cellularsettings
  3. Tap on your cellular plan or Cellular Data Options.
  4. Tap on Data Mode. allowmoredataiphone125g

5G is still a new technology that carriers in the United States and other countries are rolling out, so many people may not have 5G connections available to them. Most U.S. carriers have widespread Sub-6GHz 5G networks that should give 5G connectivity that's a bit faster than LTE in most areas, but the fastest mmWave 5G is extremely limited. Make sure to check out our mmWave vs. Sub-6GHz guide for more info.

5G Connectivity Symbols

When you're connected to a 5G network, you'll see a few different symbols, all of which confirm that you're on a 5G network. 5G+ is AT&T's symbol when connected to a faster mmWave 5G network, and the 5G UW symbol shows up when you have a higher-speed mmWave connection on a Verizon device.

apple5gsymbols

Feedback

Have 5G questions or know of something we left out in this how to? Send us an email here.

Top Rated Comments

Mlrollin91 Avatar
57 months ago
I really wish AT&T would dump this 5Ge status bar icon. Now it's just confusing.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MaxxTraxx Avatar
57 months ago
I currently have AT&T, and only have the options for LTE and 4G. Any ideas why it won’t show 5G?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tzm41 Avatar
57 months ago
Why do they feel the need to name mmWave 5G differently? Can’t they just call it the same 5G Ultra Wideband?

Hate all those AT&T gimmicky names, calling HSPA+ as 4G and better LTE as 5GE, and now mmWave is 5G+. Just call it what it is.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
57 months ago

I currently have AT&T, and only have the options for LTE and 4G. Any ideas why it won’t show 5G?
Mine is not showing 5G either it only
shows 4G and LTE.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
57 months ago
Thanks for the article, Juli. This will come in handy when I get my new mini in 3 weeks. :D

But the way, Darth Vader should have more clarity in the background. :P He needs to be shown off.


I currently have AT&T, and only have the options for LTE and 4G. Any ideas why it won’t show 5G?
Are you on a 5G plan with AT&T?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xpxp2002 Avatar
57 months ago
For those on AT&T who aren't seeing 5G options appear, there is likely one of three reasons for that:

* Your plan does not "support" or allow for 5G access. The only consumer plans that include 5G network access are:

* The highest end unlimited prepaid (I believe it is the "Unlimited Plus" plan)
* On postpaid

* Unlimited Starter
* Unlimited Extra
* Unlimited Elite

* If you are on one of these plans and still not able to choose 5G Auto or 5G On, you may need to contact AT&T to have the correct account codes reprovisioned to your account for 5G

* You need a new SIM

* Older SIMs may not support 5G NR. The iPhone 12 SKUs that include carrier activation (the $30 discounted models for iPhone 12 non-Pro) include a SIM in the box that will support 5G. If you bought the SIM-free model, you may need to contact AT&T to have a replacement SIM sent to you or pick up a replacement at an AT&T store

* You are using dual-SIM mode with an eSIM

* iPhone 12 (all models) do not currently support 5G when dual-SIM is active, except in China where you can install two physical SIMs into the device
* eSIM alone should still support 5G, as long as a physical SIM is not also in use. However, some people are finding that they have had to contact AT&T to have the correct account codes for 5G reprovisioned onto their account before the 5G options would appear

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...
macbook air blue

Gurman: M4 MacBook Air Models to Launch by March 'At the Latest'

Monday February 17, 2025 2:30 am PST by
Apple will begin selling new MacBook Air models featuring its latest M4 chip by March "at the latest," mirroring the time frame of the M3 MacBook Air launch last year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple last updated the MacBook Air line in March 2024. Gurman's comments appeared in his latest Power On newsletter, suggesting the reporter is no further forward on learning the exact...
iPhone 17 Air Front Page Tech 2

'iPhone 17 Air' With Ultra-Thin Design Allegedly Revealed in New Video

Monday February 17, 2025 6:53 pm PST by
YouTube channel Front Page Tech today revealed the alleged design of Apple's widely-rumored "iPhone 17 Air" model, set to launch later this year. "iPhone 17 Air" render created by @zellzoi for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech shared renders depicting what it believes is likely the final design of the "iPhone 17 Air." The device is expected to feature an ultra-thin...