The need for speed is true, not only for racing cars but also for your internet connection speed. Everyone wants a faster connection to send files, stream better quality videos, surf the internet, or do anything with the internet. Since we cannot take our Wi-Fi everywhere, we depend on mobile data. If you do not have any experience with your mobile’s network, then terms like LTE and 5G can be very confusing. One wonders: what is the difference between the two, and why does my phone say LTE instead of 5g? If you are also dealing with the same problem, and are wondering how do I change my LTE to 5G? You are at the right place. We bring to you a perfect guide that will help you find out why does my phone say LTE instead of 5g and how to fix it. So, continue reading to know about why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G on iPhone and Android device.
Why Does My Phone Say LTE Instead of 5G?
5G is the future of network connectivity, all the devices are now moving over to it. So if your device is still using LTE then in this article you will learn how do I change my LTE to 5G.
What Does LTE Mean?
For most of us, our introduction to LTE was when we noticed these three letters on the top of our screen, but what does LTE mean, and is it similar to 4G? LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution. While LTE is not the same as 4G, it is still a significant improvement over 3G in terms of speed, latency, and cost efficiency. LTE is almost universally available now, even in regions where a 5G connection is not available, people still use LTE or 4G LTE.
LTE is much faster than 2G or 3G, but connection standards like 4G and 5G are a lot faster. LTE and 4G LTE offer better performance than 3G, but they only exist because it was impossible to achieve those speeds when 4G was first introduced. So if the connection standard offered better speed than 3G, it was labeled as 4G LTE.
Why am I getting LTE Instead of 5G? How to Fix it?
Smartphones are designed to get the best possible network signal. If your device is still showing LTE instead of 5G, the reason could be:
- You are in an area where 5G is not supported.
- You are far from a 5G antenna.
- There could be a problem with your device.
Your phone automatically looks for fast network connectivity. It will first look for 5G, if it is unable to find 5G, it will shift to LTE. Now that you know about why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G on iPhone, then lets see how can we fix the issue. You cannot do much about the former problems, but if there is an issue with your device, you can try the following methods:
Note: Since smartphones don’t have the same Settings options, and they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Hence, ensure the correct settings before changing any. The following methods were tried on Xiaomi Redmi 7.
Method 1: Reboot Phone
It is the most basic option to try and troubleshoot your problem. Rebooting your phone will fix the bugs and glitches that might be causing trouble shifting from LTE to 5G. To reboot your phone:
1. Long press the power button.
2. Tap on Reboot.
Method 2: Switch On and Off Flight Mode
Turning Aeroplane mode on and off is known to have solved connectivity issues. To turn Aeroplane mode on and off:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on Connection & sharing.
3. Turn on the toggle for Aeroplane mode.
4. Turn off the toggle for Aeroplane mode.
It should solve your connectivity issues and give you access to 5G. If the issue persists, try the next troubleshooting method.
Also Read: 14 Ways to Fix 4G Not Working on Android
Method 3: Reinsert SIM Card
If you are still wondering why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G on iPhone, then there may be issues with your SIM card. If your SIM card is not clean or properly positioned, chances are that you might be getting slower network connectivity. So, remove your SIM card, clean it and also clean the SIM card tray to ensure no speck of dust remains on it and re-insert it.
Method 4: Update Operating System
If your phone’s software is outdated, you might get a slower network connection. To troubleshoot this problem all you have to do is update your smartphone’s software. To update your smartphone:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on About phone.
3. Tap on System update.
4. Tap on Check for updates.
Updating your smartphone’s software will make it 5G compatible, and you will be able to use your data at a higher speed. If no updates are available, that means your device is up-to-date, and you should move on to the next troubleshooting method.
Method 5: Remove Data Limit
If you have set any data limit to control your mobile data usage, that might be interfering with your mobile data setting and not letting you use 5G. To remove data limit:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on SIM cards & mobile networks.
3. Tap on Set data plan.
4. Turn Off the toggle for Data usage.
It will turn off your data limit, and you will be able to use 5G on your phone. If it does not solve your issue, move on to the next method.
Method 6: Change SIM Card
If the above methods don’t solve the issue and you are still wondering why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G, then you can try changing your SIM card. If your SIM card does not support 5G, or it is damaged, then basic troubleshooting will not solve your problems. It would be better to contact your service provider and ask for a new SIM card.
Method 7: Change Device
If your current device is 4G compatible, it will only receive 4G connectivity. No matter what you do, you will not get 5G speed using your mobile data. Your services will be satisfactory, but to get higher speed and lower latency it would be better to shift to a device that supports 5G connectivity.
Also Read: How To Check If Your Phone Supports 4G Volte?
How Do I Change my LTE to 5G?
To get a faster internet connection, you can turn off LTE on your smartphone. If you live in an area where a 5G network connection is available, then all you have to do to change your network type is follow the steps below:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on SIM cards & mobile networks.
3. Then, tap on your number under SIM CARD SETTINGS.
4. After that, tap on the Preferred network type.
Note: The device we used had Prefer LTE, Prefer 3G, and 2G only.
5. Select your Preferred network type.
Note: If your device supports 5G, then you will get the option to change your connectivity from LTE to 5G.
Also Read: How to Connect to WiFi Network using WPS on Android
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why does my phone use LTE and not 5G?
Ans. If your device supports 5G, and you are in an area where a 5G signal is supported, and it still doesn’t show up, then check with your carrier. Most companies include 5G in their plans, but check with your service provider if they provide it in the same plan, or if you have to get a different one.
Q2. Is LTE and 5G the same?
Ans. No, 5G has lower latency than LTE. 5G is about ten times quicker than LTE, and you can browse the web, send files, and do everything faster with 5G.
Q3. How do I fix 5G not showing up?
Ans. If you cannot use 5G, then make sure that your device supports 5G. If it does, check for necessary software updates, check your preferred network type, and if none of that works try restarting your device.
Q4. Does LTE use more data than 5G?
Ans. It depends on your usage. A 5G connection is faster than LTE, so more files get downloaded, and the data consumption with 5G can come out higher than LTE.
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We hope that this guide was helpful and that you were able to find out why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G on iPhone or Android device. Let us know which method worked for you best. If you have any queries or suggestions, then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.
