How to Turn Off 5G on Your Samsung Phone

Understanding 5G on Samsung Phones

5G is the fifth generation of wireless network technology. It offers faster data speeds and lower latency (delay) compared to 4G LTE networks. Samsung phones released since 2019 include 5G capability, though not all models support it equally. The Galaxy S20 series was among the first Samsung phones with 5G, and subsequent models like the S21, S22, S23, and S24 series all feature 5G connectivity.

When your phone connects to a 5G network, it can download files faster and stream video with less buffering. However, 5G networks are not universally available. Coverage depends on your location and wireless carrier. According to the FCC, 5G coverage reached approximately 90% of Americans by 2023, though speeds and reliability vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Your Samsung phone automatically switches between 5G, 4G LTE, and 3G networks based on signal strength and availability. When 5G is available, your phone displays a "5G" or "5G+" indicator on the status bar at the top of the screen. The "5G+" designation indicates ultra-wideband (mmWave) 5G, which offers the highest speeds but has shorter range than standard 5G.

Many users want to disable 5G for various reasons. Some report that 5G consumes battery faster than 4G LTE. Others may want to disable it in areas with poor 5G coverage, where constant switching between networks can drain the battery. Some users also prefer 4G LTE for stability in certain locations or situations.

Practical Takeaway: Before disabling 5G, check whether 5G coverage is available in your area by visiting your carrier's coverage map. You can find these on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other carriers' websites. This helps you understand whether 5G is actually affecting your battery or performance.

Turning Off 5G Through Network Settings

The most common way to disable 5G on a Samsung phone is through the network settings menu. This method works on most Samsung Galaxy models running Android 10 and later. The process involves navigating to your phone's settings and adjusting your preferred network type. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone
• Scroll down and tap "Connections"
• Tap "Mobile networks"
• Tap "Network mode" or "Preferred network type"
• Select "LTE/3G/2G" or "4G/3G/2G" (depending on your phone's options)
• This disables 5G while keeping 4G LTE and other networks available

The exact menu names vary slightly depending on your Samsung model and Android version. On some newer models, the option may be labeled "5G/LTE/3G/2G" at the top of the list, with "LTE/3G/2G" as a selection below it. If you don't see these exact labels, look for terms like "Network type," "Preferred network," or "Mobile network settings."

After selecting a non-5G network mode, your phone will no longer connect to 5G networks. The 5G indicator will disappear from your status bar. Your phone will use 4G LTE when available, which should still provide adequate speeds for most tasks like browsing, email, and video streaming at standard quality.

If you want to re-enable 5G later, follow the same steps and select a network mode that includes 5G, such as "5G/LTE/3G/2G" or "Auto." The 5G indicator will return to your status bar once you're in an area with 5G coverage.

Practical Takeaway: Write down the exact menu path for your specific Samsung model before making changes. This makes it easier to re-enable 5G if you decide to do so. You can also take a screenshot of each step for reference.

Disabling 5G Using Quick Settings

Samsung phones offer a quicker method to disable 5G without navigating through multiple menu screens. This method uses the Quick Settings panel, which you can access by swiping down from the top of your screen twice (or once on some models). The Quick Settings panel displays toggles for commonly used features like WiFi, Bluetooth, and airplane mode.

On many Samsung Galaxy phones, a 5G toggle appears directly in the Quick Settings panel. To disable 5G this way, swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the full Quick Settings menu. Look for a tile labeled "5G" and tap it to turn it off. The tile will appear grayed out or indicate that 5G is disabled. This method disables 5G immediately without affecting other network functions.

The Quick Settings method is faster than navigating through the Settings app, especially if you want to toggle 5G on and off frequently. Some users disable 5G during certain times—for example, when they notice rapid battery drain—and re-enable it when they need faster speeds. This approach allows you to manage 5G usage based on your immediate needs without committing to a permanent change.

However, not all Samsung models display a 5G toggle in Quick Settings by default. On these phones, you may need to customize your Quick Settings panel to add the 5G toggle. To do this, open the Quick Settings panel and look for an edit button (usually three dots or a pencil icon). Tap it, then search for and tap the 5G option to add it to your Quick Settings panel. After this customization, the 5G toggle will appear whenever you open Quick Settings.

Practical Takeaway: Add the 5G toggle to your Quick Settings panel for quick access. This lets you monitor whether 5G is on or off throughout the day and make adjustments when needed for battery management.

Battery Impact and Performance Considerations

Battery consumption is the most common reason users disable 5G. Research from various tech sources shows that 5G networks can increase battery drain compared to 4G LTE, particularly when the signal is weak. When your phone has a poor 5G signal, it works harder to maintain the connection, using more power. In areas with strong 5G coverage, the battery impact may be minimal because the phone doesn't need to work as hard.

In testing conducted by carriers and tech reviewers, phones using 5G consumed 20-30% more battery than the same phones using 4G LTE in comparable conditions. However, this varies based on several factors: signal strength, network congestion, the types of apps you're using, and how far you are from the 5G tower. Areas with excellent 5G coverage show less battery drain than areas with weak or inconsistent 5G signals.

If you're experiencing rapid battery drain, you can test whether 5G is the cause by disabling it for a day and noting your battery usage patterns. Open Settings, then Battery or Device Care, and check the battery usage breakdown. This shows which apps and features are consuming the most power. If disabling 5G noticeably improves your battery life, you may want to keep 5G turned off in areas where you don't need the additional speed.

4G LTE still provides sufficient speeds for most daily tasks. Standard video streaming on Netflix, YouTube, and similar services works at 1080p resolution on 4G LTE without significant buffering. Web browsing, email, social media, and most apps function smoothly on 4G. The main advantage of 5G appears in specific scenarios: downloading large files, video conferencing with high quality, online gaming, and streaming 4K video. If these activities are not regular parts of your phone use, disabling 5G may have minimal impact on your experience while extending battery life.

Practical Takeaway: Monitor your battery usage for three to five days with 5G enabled, then for three to five days with 5G disabled. Compare the battery drain rates to determine whether 5G significantly affects your specific phone's battery life in your location.

Carrier-Specific Considerations

Different wireless carriers implement 5G networks differently, which affects how disabling 5G works on your phone