5G is the new technology for wireless internet telecommunication via the cellular network. While it’s a marketing ploy for many brands, it’s not yet the ultimate weapon to have on your smartphone. Here’s a guide to enabling 5G on your Android smartphone, whatever the make or model. Please note, however, that if you’re on Free, you’ll need to have a 5G-enabled plan in place, and you’ll need to have activated this feature. Before you get started, there are a few things you’ll need to check. Smartphone manufacturers are putting quite a lot of emphasis on 5G now, but some entry-level devices aren’t yet equipped, so you won’t be able to take advantage of this connection with them. Here’s a checklist of things to check before you get started:
- Have a 5G-compatible smartphone
- Have a 5G package
- Have a 5G-compatible SIM card
Some SIM cards are not compatible. It’s not very common, but if your card is more than two or three years old, we’d advise you to have it replaced by your operator.
How do I activate 5G on an Android smartphone?
If your smartphone ticks all the boxes, then you can activate 5G on your device. Here’s how to do it, brand by brand.
How to activate 5G on a Samsung smartphone
Just follow these quick and easy steps if you have a 5G-enabled Samsung smartphone, follow this step:
- Open the Settings application on your Samsung smartphone.
- In Settings, tap on Connections > Mobile Networks.
- Then, on Mobile Networks > Network Mode.
- Select 5G/LTE/3G/2G (automatic connection) in Network mode.
That’s it, you’ve done the necessary, now you can search for available networks and select the 5G network provided by your SIM card if this doesn’t happen automatically.
How to activate 5G on a Google Pixel
If you have a 5G-enabled Google Pixel smartphone, here’s the process you need to follow, which is relatively quick and easy.
- First, open the Settings application on your Pixel device.
- In Settings, select Network and Internet > SIM.
- Now select your SIM > Preferred network type.
- On Preferred Network Type, select 5G.
That’s all there is to it! It’s very easy to activate 5G on a Google Pixel smartphone, as Google tries to make its smartphones as intuitive as possible.
How to activate 5G on an Oppo smartphone
Oppo smartphone users also need to configure their phone to connect to the 5G network if they have a 5G-ready SIM card. This is particularly the case on a Reno 8 Pro or a Find X5 Lite. Here’s what they need to do.
- Open the Smartphone Settings application.
- In Settings, select Connection and sharing.
- Next, press SIM 1 or SIM 2 (as appropriate).
- Then select Preferred network type > 2G/3G/4G/5G (automatic).
That’s it! From now on, your Oppo smartphone will connect to the 5G network as soon as it becomes available.
How to activate 5G on a OnePlus smartphone
OnePlus also has some 5G-enabled smartphones, so here’s how to activate this feature on the brand’s smartphones, again, it’s not very complicated.
- First of all, open the Settings app on your OnePlus smartphone.
- Then select WiFi and networks > SIM and network.
- Select Preferred Network Type and set it to 2G/3G/4G/5G (automatic).
That’s all there is to it! Once you’ve saved these changes, your OnePlus smartphone will be able to connect to the 5G network.
How to activate 5G on a Realme smartphone
If you have a 5G-capable Realme smartphone, such as a Realme 9i 5G, or one of the brand’s many other smartphones, here’s how to activate 5G on your Realme smartphone.
- First, open the Settings application on your Realme smartphone.
- When the Settings app opens, tap on Connection and Sharing.
- In Connection and Sharing, choose your SIM card.
- Next, tap on Preferred network type > 2G/3G/4G/5G (automatic).
This will activate the 5G network type on your Realme smartphone.
How to activate 5G on a Xiaomi / Poco smartphone
Some devices from Xiaomi and Poco also support 5G services, and some at a very low price, as in the case of the Poco M4 5G. Here’s how to activate the 5G network on these smartphones.
- First, open the Settings application on your smartphone.
- When the Settings app opens, tap on SIM card and mobile networks.
- Next, tap Preferred network type > Prefer 5G.
After making the changes, restart your Xiaomi or Poco smartphone.
How to activate 5G on a Vivo / iQoo smartphone
Like all other major smartphone brands, some Vivo/iQoo smartphones also support the 5G network. Here’s how to activate 5G on Vivo or iQoo smartphones.
- First, open the Settings application on your smartphone.
- When the Settings app opens, press SIM 1 or SIM 2.
- Then select Mobile Network > Network Mode.
- In Network Mode, select 5G Mode.
That’s all there is to it! That’s how you can activate the 5G network on Vivo and iQoo smartphones.
Which 5G smartphone should I buy?
If you’re looking for a 5G smartphone to buy, here are some selections of models that might suit you, in ascending order of price and obviously, ascending ranges too.
