One of the major selling points with Apple’s new iPhone 12 series is the addition of 5G. However, not everyone is going to want to use 5G, or all of the time. For those who would prefer to turn the feature off, the process is fairly simple and can quickly be done through the Settings app on any iPhone 12 series smartphone.
5G has proven to be a controversial topic of late, although that hasn’t stopped it from becoming more commonplace in the United States and elsewhere. While support for the next-generation network continues to roll out in more locations, there are still plenty of places in the U.S. where 5G support is not available. In fact, 5G connectivity is also greatly dependent on the carrier, so while someone might live in an area where 5G is available via T-Mobile, they might also live in an area where it's unavailable through Verizon.
Whatever the reason, if an iPhone 12 user wants to turn 5G off, this can be done in a matter of seconds. Simply open the Settings app on the iPhone, navigate to Cellular and then to Cellular Data Options. Then, under the Voice & Data section select the “LTE” option from the list. Once selected, this will ensure the iPhone 12 only uses a 4G LTE network, even if 5G is available. For those using two SIM numbers on the same iPhone, they will need to first select the number they want to change after entering the Cellular section of the settings. Likewise, they will also need to repeat the process if they want 5G to be disabled on both SIMs.
Why & When You Might want to Disable 5G
Along with the “LTE” option, Apple also provides iPhone 12 users with a choice of selecting either “5G On” or “5G Auto.” The first is pretty straightforward as it will simply connect to a 5G network whenever one is available. However, the 5G Auto option is a little more complicated and is automatically enabled by default. Essentially, Apple added this mode as a way to provide iPhone 12 users with a smarter 5G experience. When 5G Auto is enabled, the iPhone 12 will make the decision on whether to connect to a 5G network. For example, if the phone determines that there is no real benefit to connecting to 5G over LTE, then it won’t. The idea here is to ensure the phone makes the best of what connection is available at the time while balancing other aspects, such as battery life.
Overall, the iPhone 12’s approach offers the opportunity to enjoy the best connected experience possible. Leaving the 5G Auto feature enabled and letting the iPhone decide is designed to make sure there is no additional drain on the battery. However, for those more concerned about maximizing battery life as much as possible, those living in an area where 5G remains unavailable through the carrier in use, or simply, those that don’t particularly feel the need to connect to 5G, then it makes sense to disable it altogether on an iPhone 12.
Source: Apple