To turn off 5G on most Android phones, open the mobile-network settings for your active SIM and change the Preferred network type or Network mode from a 5G option to LTE/4G.
The exact path varies by manufacturer and carrier. On a Google Pixel, the usual path is Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > your carrier > Preferred network type > LTE. On Samsung Galaxy phones, look under Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network mode and select an option that does not include 5G.
Changing this setting does not turn off mobile data. It simply prevents the phone from choosing 5G as its cellular network.
Quick Paths for Popular Android Phones
| Phone | Typical path | Select |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > carrier > Preferred network type | LTE |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network mode | LTE/4G option |
| Motorola | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs/Mobile network > Preferred network type | LTE/4G |
| OnePlus | Settings > Mobile network > SIM > Preferred network type | 4G/LTE |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco | Settings > Mobile networks > SIM > Preferred network type | Prefer LTE/4G |
| Oppo, Realme | Settings > Mobile network > SIM > Preferred network type | 4G/LTE |
| Tecno, Infinix, itel | Settings > SIM & network/Mobile network > SIM > Preferred network type | 4G/LTE |
Menu names can change with Android versions, carrier software, and manufacturer interfaces. If you use two SIMs, make sure you change the network setting for the SIM that uses mobile data.
Turn Off 5G on Google Pixel
Google’s current Pixel documentation lists Preferred network type as the setting used to choose between available networks such as 5G and LTE.
Try:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap SIMs.
- Select your carrier or active SIM.
- Tap Preferred network type.
- Select LTE.
The phone should reconnect to LTE within a few seconds.
Preferred Network Type Is Missing on Pixel
The available choices depend partly on your carrier and country. Google specifically notes that preferred-network options can vary.
When the LTE selector is missing, first install pending Android and carrier updates, restart the phone, and check the SIM settings again.
If it is still absent, contact your carrier and ask whether manual LTE selection is supported for your device and plan.
I would not recommend changing modem modes through hidden Android testing menus simply to disable 5G. Those controls expose combinations that are less clear than the normal network selector and can interfere with calls or mobile data when the wrong mode is chosen.
Turn Off 5G on Samsung Galaxy
On Galaxy phones that expose manual network selection:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections.
- Tap Mobile networks.
- Select Network mode.
- Choose the highest available option that does not contain 5G.
Depending on the Galaxy model, region, and carrier, this may be labelled LTE/3G/2G (auto connect), 4G/3G/2G, or similarly.
Do not select a 2G- or 3G-only mode just to avoid 5G. Older cellular networks have been retired in many places, and LTE is normally the appropriate fallback.
Network Mode Is Missing on Samsung
Some carrier configurations do not expose manual network-mode selection.
Check for system and carrier updates and restart the phone. On a dual-SIM Galaxy, also check Settings > Connections > SIM manager to confirm which SIM handles mobile data.
If Network mode remains unavailable, the carrier may be controlling the network selection.
A factory reset is not justified merely to make this menu appear.
Turn Off 5G on Other Android Phones
The wording changes, but the principle is the same: open the active SIM’s mobile-network settings and choose a network preference whose highest generation is LTE or 4G.
Motorola
Look under:
Settings > Network & internet > SIMs or Mobile network > Preferred network type
Choose LTE, 4G, or the equivalent option without 5G.
OnePlus
Try:
Settings > Mobile network > SIM > Preferred network type
Choose a 4G/LTE option.
Some OnePlus phones also have Smart 5G. Smart 5G can reduce unnecessary 5G use, but it does not guarantee that the phone will stay off 5G. Select LTE/4G when you specifically want to disable it.
Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco
Look under:
Settings > Mobile networks > SIM > Preferred network type
Choose Prefer LTE or Prefer 4G.
Some versions of MIUI or HyperOS provide a separate Use 5G switch. Turning that off is sufficient when available.
Oppo and Realme
Open the active SIM under Mobile network and look for Preferred network type or an Enable 5G switch.
Choose 4G/LTE or turn Enable 5G off.
Tecno, Infinix and itel
HiOS and XOS vary considerably by model. Search Settings for Preferred network type, Network mode, 5G, or LTE.
Select 4G/LTE for the active data SIM.
Avoid installing an app that claims it can force LTE when your carrier has removed the normal network selector. Such apps often only expose hidden Android controls and cannot override every carrier restriction.
How to Confirm 5G Is Off
Turn Wi-Fi off temporarily and look at the cellular indicator in the status bar.
After choosing LTE/4G, you would normally see:
- LTE
- LTE+
- 4G
- 4G+
Open a webpage to make sure mobile data still works, then turn Wi-Fi back on.
Do not use speed alone to decide whether the phone is on 4G or 5G. A strong LTE connection can sometimes outperform congested or weak 5G.
Should You Turn Off 5G?
There is no need to disable 5G just because the phone supports it.
Switching to LTE is worth testing when the phone repeatedly jumps between weak 5G and 4G, mobile data becomes unstable during those transitions, or battery use increases in an area with poor 5G coverage.
A weak cellular signal of any generation can increase power use, so LTE will not automatically solve every battery problem. For persistent drain, see why an Android battery drains fast.
Similarly, if LTE is selected but mobile data remains unreliable, the underlying problem may be the SIM, APN, carrier, signal, or Android network configuration rather than 5G. In that case, use the broader mobile data not working on Android troubleshooting steps.
What Changes When You Disable 5G?
Your phone uses LTE/4G as its highest permitted cellular network.
Mobile data remains enabled, and calls and texts should continue normally when your phone and carrier support the required LTE services. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are unaffected.
Your hotspot also continues using the phone’s cellular connection, although its maximum internet speed may be lower.
Also, 5G cellular is not the same thing as 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Changing the preferred cellular network to LTE does not disable your phone’s ability to connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network.
If the normal LTE/4G option is available, that is the setting to use. When it is missing, treat that as a carrier or device-configuration limitation rather than forcing a hidden radio mode that could create a larger connectivity problem.
