By Randy
Categorized under Blog
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Whether you’re a new Apple user or just a casual user, there’s always some application or function that can be confusing. When faced with a new problem on the iPhone, there’s a tendency to be stumped.
One of the most effective ways to solve this issue is resetting the network settings on your iPhone. Here you will have to reenter the WiFi passwords, but it’s easy. When you can’t connect to 5GHz WiFi, it’s important to first identify the cause of this problem and then use the right solution.
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Table of Contents
Can You Use Your Phone if Disconnec...
Can An iPhone Connect To 5GHz WiFi?
Can You Use Your Phone if Disconnec...
Yes, you can connect your iPhone to the 5GHz WiFi. Users have shared online that they were able to connect iPhone 5s to the 5GHz network, so if you have an iPhone 5s or newer one, you should not have issues connecting to the network.
It’s important to check if your WiFi router supports 5GHz because sometimes this can be the cause of the problem and not your phone.
When you checked everything and made sure the router supports 5GHz, then you can move on to changing some network settings on your iPhone.
What Is The Difference 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Speed
There are several key aspects that make 2.4GHz and 5GHz very different. 5GHz is known for being much faster than 2.4GHz at closer distances. 2.4GHz is slower, however, it covers longer distances.
The limited range is one of the main downsides of 5GHz. The 2.4GHz WiFi is more popular, however, the number of people using 5GHz increases every day.
So another difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz is that fewer people are choosing to use 5GHz than they are using 2.4GHz.
The 2.4GHz WiFi gives you an opportunity to gain access to the access point at more further distances. This means you are able to fill larger areas with a good uninterrupted WiFi connection, while for 5GHz you need more access points for the same coverage.
More and more devices become compatible with 5GHz WiFi channels, so soon the situation with the popularity of 5GHz will change.
For now, fewer people are using the 5GHz channels to connect, so they aren’t very crowded. It also means that users are able to use the WiFi connections with less interference which means faster connection speed.
Also, another important thing to mention is that a 2.4GHz connection can transmit through hard objects like walls, while 5GHz doesn’t penetrate objects, which influences the range of the network and makes it smaller compared to 2.4GHz.
It’s good to know that Apple has created a certain way to cover more distances with 5GHz by placing Captive Apple Portals at popular stores and coffee shops like Starbucks. This technology allows users to access free fast WiFi wherever they go.
The 5GHz technology is relatively new, as the WiFi Alliance certified 5GHz devices as “WiFi Certified” only in 2016.
In conclusion, the 5GHz is an amazing option for speed. The choice between 2.4GHz and 5GHz completely depends on your preferences and the work you do.
5GHz is less congested, providing fast speed, while 2.4GHz covers long ranges and provides good transmission through walls. The best option will be having 5GHz WiFi for those who use it for multi-purpose work.
Why Is Your 5GHz WiFi Not Showing Up On The iPhone?
IEEE 802.11 allows the iPhone to connect to the Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). There are 17 different versions of IEEE 802.11, but the most common are 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
The 802.11 a/ac work with 5GHz WiFi, meaning they are compatible with this connection.
If you have an older model of an iPhone, the chances are that your phone will automatically connect to the 2.4GHz network, but not to 5GHz. However, even older iPhones are compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
The problem with connecting to older models of iPhones, like for example, the iPhone 5s is because when this model was released the 5GHz channels were rare.
Even if both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz networks are turned on, your iPhone is going to connect to the stronger connection. If you are located close to the 5GHz network, your phone will connect to it. If your phone is not connecting to 5GHz, and you tried to even move closer to the router, there are some simple methods that will help.
You can force your iPhone to use 5GHz connections. To do so, you will have to add some changes in the settings on your wireless router.
You can also do this under the device’s settings, and advanced settings. You should set your WiFi router to use 5GHz channels only.
This works if you have access to your wireless router, however, there are no options on the iPhone to force a 5GHz connection.
Also, if you’ve bought or are buying the new iPhone 12, you will have an option of enabling the WiFi hotspots over 5GHz. With this feature, the users will be able to use their laptops or iPads to WiFi and take advantage of the fast speed of 5GHz bands.
The hotspots are not meant for powering the whole house, but they are usually used for connection sharing with other devices.
Users should also note that when using 5GHz, it will be enabled by default when you turn on the hotspot feature. you will also be able to turn it back to the 2.4GHz. Then you will need to add changes in the network settings.
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How Do You Enable 5GHz WiFi On iPhone?
You for sure can take advantage of using 5GHz WiFi channels on the newer models of iPhones, but if you have older models like iPhone 5, it is still possible.
There are low chances that you own an older iPhone than iPhone 5. If you want to use 5GHz WiFi, you need to upgrade to a newer phone model.
If you have a new model of the iPhone, but still faced this issue, you should add some changes in the settings.
It’s recommended to go to Settings on the phone. Then choose Wireless Networks and go to your wireless network to DTIMModifying the DTIM period: one can use a default DTIM period of 1 for compatibility.
But many devices, as well as iOS and Android phones, will show better performance and battery life if this period is set to 3. That’s why you need to change the DTIM period from 1 to 3 to connect to 5GHz.
The issue may also appear when the WiFi router is set up, and then instead of detecting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bandwidth signals, it only sees the 2.4GHz bandwidth signal.
You need to make sure there are different names for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, as then you will be sure that your device chooses the right network.
Here is what else you can do to connect your iPhone to a 5GHz network:
● Restart your phone and try to connect again
● Tap on the network name and then click on forget it
● Reset the network settings
● Restore the iOS through iTunes on your computer (before doing that, make sure you made a backup).
At first, Apple has only built support for 802.11n WiFi on the 5GHz band into their computers. But now the iPhones also have this support.
To set up the network, you need to go to settings and try resetting network settings. Here you will definitely need to reenter the WiFi password, so make sure you have it somewhere close.
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FAQs
Why won t my iPhone connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi? ›
A force restart usually solved the issue and it was able to connect to my 5Ghz network after the restart instantly. I also have a CarPlay device in my car which only runs on 5Ghz. So every time I had to force restart the iphone to make it work.
How do I force my iPhone to use 5GHz Wi-Fi? ›If you want the phone to switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, you will have to manually do this by temporarily turning on Airplane Mode on the phone when it is back in the house and then turning off AirPlane Mode. Then.....the iPhone will usually.....but not always..... connect at 5 GHz.
How do I connect to 2.4 GHz instead of 5GHz on iPhone? ›- Open the Settings app for your iOS device.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Wi-Fi switch to the on position. Note: Wi-Fi is enabled when the Wi-Fi button is green.
- Select a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. ...
- If prompted, enter the password for the network.
It could be because your router or Android devices aren't compatible with the 5GHz wireless network. That is why you must verify your router's settings and the devices to ensure they are connected to a 5GHz wireless network. All the latest Android devices support 5GHz.
Why am I having trouble connecting to 5GHz Wi-Fi? ›- Modem-Router doesn't support 5Ghz.
- Connected devices don't support 5Ghz.
- Too far from your WiFi router.
- Not connected to the correct SSID.
- Restart.
- Update WiFi driver automatically.
Wi-Fi specifications for iPhone models
802.11 compatibility and frequency band: 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11a, 802.11b/g and 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
The iPhone 5's support of 5GHz Wi-Fi means clean spectrum, more channels, but shorter range. The iPhone 5 is Apple's first to support Wi-Fi connections on the 5GHz band. Here's what it means for you.
How do I change my WIFI channel from 2.4 Ghz to 5GHz? ›- Open a Web browser (Chrome, Firefox or Safari)
- Type your router's IP address in to the browser's address bar.
- Enter the router's username.
- Open Wireless Settings.
- Click Channels.
- Change your wifi channel to 1, 6, or 11. These are usually the least crowded channels.
- Click Save or Apply.
- Restart the router.
- Ensure that Your router Firmware is updated.
- Change the Wi-Fi mode.
- Reset the Connections.
- Change the Channel once.
- Go to Customer Service.
Dual band routers can broadcast on both bands- 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz, you just need to use a different user name and password for 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. If you're not sure whether your router is dual band, you can look up its model number on the manufacturer's website.
How do I select Wi-Fi band on iPhone? ›
Look near the bottom of the window for the Wireless Options button, then click on it. Choose the channel you want your devices to connect to. A dialog box will appear displaying the wireless configuration options. Look for a dropdown Channel menu and select the band you prefer to connect to (either 2.4GHz or 5GHz).
How do I change the bandwidth on my iPhone? ›- Step 1 of 6. Touch Settings. ...
- Step 2 of 6. Touch Cellular.
- Step 3 of 6. Touch Cellular Data Options.
- Step 4 of 6. Touch Enable 4G to use the 4G network.
- Step 5 of 6. Touch the desired option (e.g., Voice & Data).
- Step 6 of 6. The network mode has been changed.
Why does my Android™ device automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band. Most Android™ devices prefer range over speed. If the Wi-Fi Name is the same on your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band network, by default, your Android device will automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band.
How do I know if my phone can connect to 5GHz WIFI? ›Select the network properties (tap the gear icon or menu icon). Depending on the Android version check: Read the “Frequency” setting – shows as 2.4 or 5GHz. Read the “Network speed” setting – if speed is over 400 Mbps then you are using 5GHz network.
Why is my 5G not working iPhone 14? ›Make Sure Your iPhone is Running Supported OS. Bear in mind that if you want to use 5G with Dual SIM, be sure your iPhone is running iOS 14.5 or later. If your device is not updated, navigate to the Settings app -> General -> Software Update and then update the software.
Why am I only getting LTE and not 5G? ›Your iPhone most likely says LTE instead of 5G because you are in an area where there is no 5G network available. Apple has a list of 5G compatible iPhone models and the countries where 5G networks are available.
Why can I only connect to 2.4 GHz but not 5GHz? ›2.4 GHz signals have more range and penetration than 5 GHz signals. It is common to get only 2.4 WiFi from a wireless home wireless router in some rooms due to distance and/or obstructions.
What iPhones support 5ghz? ›- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
- iPhone S E.
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini.
- iPhone 12.
20 MHz for the 2.4 GHz band helps to avoid performance and reliability issues, especially near other Wi-Fi networks and 2.4 GHz devices, including Bluetooth devices. Auto or all channel widths for 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands ensures the best performance and compatibility with all devices.
Is 5G better than LTE? ›One of the most significant advantages of 5G over LTE is that it offers much lower latency and faster download speeds. 5G networks can achieve these speeds because they operate at higher frequency bands than LTE networks. The higher the frequency waves, the more data can be transmitted in a given amount of time.
How do you reset network settings on iPhone? ›
Reset your network settings
If you're using iOS or iPadOS 15 or later, tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings. If you're using iOS or iPadOS 14 or earlier, tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
There is no native feature to check your iPhone's WiFi GHz (2.4GHz or 5GHz). Instead, you can check the network name, use WiFi analyzer apps, or use your Mac or Windows PC.
Is my iPhone 5G ready? ›iPhone 12 models or later work with the 5G mobile networks of certain network providers.
Is the iPhone 13 5GHz? ›If a 5G network is available in the area, each of the four iPhone 13 versions supports it. However, you'll need to change a few iPhone settings to use the 5G network on your iPhone 13.
Should 2.4 and 5GHz be on same channel? ›The idea is to spread out your devices over the two bands so that there's less competition for the same channels. Separating your personal and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can also help your WiFi security. By splitting your devices between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, you can maximize your network's performance.
What is the best channel for 5GHz WiFi? ›On the 5 GHz band, set the channel width to 40 MHz and see if that improves reliability. Keep in mind that 80 MHz and 160 MHz channel widths may carry the promise of extra speed, but will also interfere with, and receive interference from, many more sources than 40 MHz.
Can 2.4GHz devices connect to 5GHz? ›Smart devices are set to work on the 2.4 GHz frequency and will not connect and work on 5GHz. Even though 2.4 GHz carries less information, it has better range than the 5 GHz frequency band.
Why is my WiFi stuck at 2.4 GHz? ›If it shows 2.4 GHz as the Band, then it likely means that the driver isn't automatically band-steering to 5 GHz. To fix this issue, go to Device Manager on your laptop and locate your WiFi device under Network Devices. In the Advanced tab, set Preferred Band to 5 Band.
How do I force a device to connect to 2.4 GHz? ›A simpler method is to move far enough away from your router (make sure to unplug the nearest mesh node); this might force your phone to connect to the 2.4-GHz band. Since this band has a better range, your smartphone will eventually switch from 5 GHz with enough distance.
Why wont my Iphone connect to 2.4 GHz WiFi? ›Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before." As previously mentioned, you do have the option of connecting with Apple Support for assistance at Get Support.
How do I separate 2.4 and 5GHz spectrum? ›
- Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. Enter http://www.speedefywifi.com or 192.168.3.1.
- Choose WiFi Settings > WiFi Name & Password.
- Disable Unify 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz.
- Customize the WiFi Name and WiFi Password of each WiFi network.
- Click Save.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on WiFi.
- Tap on the gear icon next to the WiFi network you want to change.
- Tap on Frequency Band.
- Select the 5GHz option.
*3001#12345#*
into the area you normally use to input a phone number and press call. You will enter Field Test mode. You should see the Freq Band Indicator or EARFCN or UARFCN number. The Freq Band Indicator is easy!
There's no way to lift an internet bandwidth limit. Not even a VPN can help. The only way around the limit is upgrading to a higher internet plan or switching providers.
How do I fix my phone bandwidth? ›- Clear up your device. Remove any unnecessary files and clear your caches. ...
- Reduce the number of devices connected to your network. They'll all be competing for bandwidth;
- Use an ethernet cable. ...
- Check your router. ...
- Update your drivers on your connected devices.
- Use an Ethernet Connection. TIP #1: Use an Ethernet Connection. ...
- Disable Automatic Backups. TIP #2: Disable Automatic Backups. ...
- Reduce WiFi-Connected Devices. TIP #3: Reduce WiFi-Connected Devices. ...
- Change the WiFi Band. TIP #4: Change the WiFi Band. ...
- Turn Down The Quality. ...
- Reset Your Router. ...
- Try a New Router.
Does iPhone 11 support 5G? Unfortunately, the iPhone 11 line-ups are not 5G compatible just like all previous iPhone models. If you are looking for a 5G phone, read our article where we have listed the best 5G compatible phones to look out for.
How do I know if my router is 2.4 or 5? ›- From Notification Panel press and hold the WiFi icon until you enter WiFi settings screen.
- Select the network properties (tap the gear icon or menu icon).
- Depending on the Android version check: Read the “Frequency” setting – shows as 2.4 or 5GHz.
A 2.4 GHz connection travels farther at lower speeds, while 5 GHz frequencies provide faster speeds at shorter range. Your choice of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz will depend on where and how you use your WiFi connection most.
How do I know if my phone is connected to 5GHz? ›- Connect to the network.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > WiFi > Select the network properties (tap the gear icon or menu icon). ...
- Read the frequency setting.
Can 2.4 GHz devices connect to 5GHz? ›
Smart devices are set to work on the 2.4 GHz frequency and will not connect and work on 5GHz. Even though 2.4 GHz carries less information, it has better range than the 5 GHz frequency band.