iPhone 12 Tips: How to fix 5G not working on iPhone 12?

Posted on May 8, 2021

The iPhone 12 is a powerful device that offers a ton of impressive features like an all-new refreshed design, the Super Retina XDR display, MagSafe for a better wireless charging experience, iOS 14, and more.

Besides these exciting features, Apple has decided to future-proof all the models of its iPhone 12 Series, with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and 5G network support. The introduction of 5G connectivity across the entire lineup was one of the most impressive features of the iPhone 12 series.

How to fix 5G not working on the iPhone 12

1. Make sure that your network carrier supports 5G

First and foremost, you must make sure that your network carrier supports 5G. If you’re unable to use 5G on your iPhone 12, you must contact your network provider and verify if it supports 5G networks. Also, you must ensure that there’s 5G network coverage in your area.

2. Check your SIM

In case, you’ve purchased your iPhone 12 through your carrier or with Apple including carrier activation, you should not face any issue with your SIM card. On the other hand, if you bought a SIM-free model and are using your previous SIM, you must call your network provider and check if you can upgrade your existing SIM to support 5G. Sometimes, you may even need to replace the older SIM with a new one to access the 5G service on your iPhone 12. So, if 5G is not working on your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, or the 12 Pro variants, make sure that you’ve got the latest/upgraded SIM from your network provider.

3. Verify if 5G is enabled

In case you don’t see 5G in the status bar, it might be possible that you’ve mistakenly disabled 5G on your iPhone, and that’s why you’re unable to use 5G on your iPhone 12.

To double-check follow the steps mentioned below:

Head to Settings > Cellular
Tap Cellular Data Options
Select Voice and Data
By default, 5G Auto is selected on your iPhone 12
In case you’ve changed the settings to LTE, switch it back to 5G Auto.

4. Check your plan

Once you’re sure that your network carrier and SIM support 5G, you must check that your plan includes 5G connectivity. Sometimes, you may need a different plan to use 5G on your iPhone 12. Talking about Verizon, customers may need to change their plans to use iPhone 12 with 5G. Besides, AT&T is also informing that the customers may need to upgrade their plans.

5. Toggle Airplane Mode

There can be instances when you’ve enabled 5G connectivity, but 5G is not working on your iPhone 12/ 12 Mini or you can’t see the 5G icon in the status bar. In such cases, Apple recommends that you must turn ON and OFF Airplane mode on your iPhone.

For this, follow either of the steps mentioned below:

Head to the Control Center, tap Airplane mode. Wait for a few seconds (4-5) and tap Airplane mode again.
Head to Settings > Airplane mode. Turn the slider ON, wait for 4-5 seconds, and then turn the slider OFF.

If you were unable to see 5G options in the Cellular Data settings, now go back and check if you’re able to see 5G.

6. Using Dual SIM?

If you’re using two lines in Dual SIM mode on your iPhone 12 and you notice that 5G is not working on your device, this is because of some restrictions in the dual SIM Mode. Putting in simple words, if you’re using two SIM cards and if one of them lacks the support for 5G networks, you won’t be able to use 5G on your iPhone 12 along with the other SIM too. In such cases, both the lines will automatically switch to LTE. To escape such situations, you should either use a single 5G SIM or if you want to use dual SIMs, make sure both of them support 5G connectivity.

7. Using Low Power Mode?

If 5G is not working on your iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max, you must check if you’ve put your phone to low power battery mode. We all know that low power mode is meant to save battery on your iPhone, and as the 5G service consumes more battery, your iPhone 12 will automatically limit 5G when your phone is in the low power mode. Therefore, whenever your iPhone enters the low power mode, 5G is automatically disabled except during video streaming.

9. Check 5G Coverage Map

If you’ve tried all the steps that we’ve mentioned, and still not able to use 5G on your iPhone 12, you must double-check the 5G coverage map of your network carrier.