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Use 5G with your iPhone

iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max work with the 5G
cellular networks of certain carriers. Learn how to use 5G cellular service.

What you need

An iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max
A carrier that supports 5G
A 5G cellular plan1

If your new iPhone comes with a SIM card, use that SIM card. If not, use the SIM card from your previous
iPhone. In some cases, you need to contact your carrier 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 carrier and your 5G cellular plan has been activated,
you'll see a 5G icon in the status bar of your iPhone:

Your carrier's 5G network is
available, and your iPhone can
connect to the Internet over
that network.2 Not available in
all areas.
Your carrierʼs higher frequency
version of 5G is available, or
your iPhone has an active
connection over that network.
Not available in all areas.
2
Your carrierʼs higher frequency
version of 5G is available,
or your iPhone has an active
connection over that network.
Not available in all areas.2

Learn what to do if you don't see a 5G icon in the status bar.

Learn about 5G options

The default settings for 5G on iPhone are optimized for battery life and data usage based on your data
plan. You can customize these options for when to use 5G and how much data to use in some apps.

Find these options by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you're using Dual SIM, go to
Settings > Cellular and choose the number whose options you want to change.
 Voice & Data
Choose how your iPhone uses the 5G network, which
can affect battery life.

5G Auto: Enables Smart Data mode. When 5G speeds

donʼt provide a noticeably better experience, your
iPhone automatically switches to LTE, saving battery
life.
5G On: Always uses 5G network when itʼs available.
This might reduce battery life.
LTE: Uses only LTE network, even when 5G is
available.

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, and iOS
updates over cellular. 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 carrier. This
setting uses more cellular data.
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 carriers around the world support 5G roaming. If your carrier 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 carrier for more information.

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

Y. Make sure that youʼre in an area with 5G coverage. Contact your carrier if you're not sure.
Z. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. If you see this screen, your device has 5G activated. If
you donʼt see this screen, contact your carrier to confirm that your plan supports 5G.
 [. Turn on Airplane Mode, then turn it off.

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

Learn more
If you want to use 5G with Dual SIM on iPhone 12 models, make sure that you have iOS 14.5 or later.
You can choose to always stream the highest quality content by going to Settings > Music > Cellular
Data and turning on High Quality Streaming and Settings > TV > Cellular and tapping High Quality.
These settings use more cellular data, and content might take longer to start playing.
If you turn on Low Power Mode, 5G is disabled except during video streaming. Low Power Mode also
disables 5G Standalone (where available).

1. Contact your carrier to check if you have a 5G plan. Some carriers might charge an activation fee.

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

Published Date: May 13, 2021

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