How to switch 3G, 4G and 5G networks on iPhone

Properly configuring the mobile data network on the iPhone is a fundamental point in order to get the best possible user experience when using this device. That is why in this post we want to tell you everything you need to know about it, as well as the different ways of configuration available on your mobile data network. In this guide, we’ll help you switch from 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks on iPhones to surf the Internet at the best speed on available networks.

Networks that an iPhone can access

One of the technologies that are changing over the years is the network that different iPhones can access, so not all have access to the same types of mobile data networks. Below you can depend on the model of iPhone you have, see what types of mobile data networks you can access.

2G networks

• All iPhones.

3G networks

• iPhone 3G and later.

4G networks

• iPhone 5 and later.

5G networks

• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max

What does data roaming mean?

Data roaming or also known by the famous name “roaming” is the way devices connect to the internet via mobile data when you are out of range of your contracted network. This is especially important when traveling abroad as this is the way you will be able to connect to the internet via mobile data. In addition, depending on where you travel, this connection may involve a significant cost, so we recommend that you check with your operator about the roaming or data roaming conditions you have with your current tariff before you travel abroad.

Normally, if your destination is within the European Union, you should not have any problems with connection or extra costs in your data tariff since the operators have reached an agreement not to charge their customers these extra costs for using the mobile data network abroad. However, this is not the case if you are traveling outside the European Union, so we would like to emphasize once again that you should contact your operator to find out what options you have for accessing the Internet via mobile data when traveling outside your country.

Obviously, data roaming on your iPhone is a parameter that you can enable and disable whenever you want. Here are the steps you need to take to be able to adjust this setting as you see fit.

1. Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
2. Click on Mobile Data and then Options.
3. Activate or deactivate Data Roaming according to your preferences.
4. Choose the data mode that best suits your needs.

In addition to being able to configure the data roaming and the mobile data network to which you can connect, which we will discuss in more detail later, you can also choose the data mode that best suits your needs and above all, the use you make of the device.

Specifically, you have three different options or data modes. First, you have “Allow more data on 5G”, a mode that will provide you with higher quality video and FaceTime when the device is connected to 5G mobile data networks. The “Standard” mode will allow you to perform automatic updates and background tasks with mobile data, but limits video and FaceTime quality.

Finally, the “Reduced Data Mode” option reduces mobile data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks. To access these settings just follow the steps below.

1. Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
2. Click on Mobile Data.
3. Click on Options.
4. Go to Data Mode
5. Choose the data mode you prefer.

Our recommendation is that if you are a user who doesn’t really make video calls with your iPhone, let alone use mobile data to do so, you should go to Standard data mode. In addition, if you have a reduced data rate, our recommendation is that you should consider whether you can benefit from using the reduced data mode, since you will extend the life of the mobile data you have to connect to the Internet while enjoying a good speed.

How to surf faster on the iPhone

As we said, a correct mobile data configuration is vital for the iPhone to provide a great user experience and that is large because of the browsing speed. There are many users who always want to enjoy the highest possible speed, however, that sometimes can cause excessive battery consumption and of course also of the mobile data rate.

Here we are going to tell you which are the steps you have to take to make your iPhone surfing as fast as possible. First of all, you will have to choose the fastest network available on your iPhone, to do this, follow these steps.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Mobile Data.
3. Click on Options and then on Voice and data.
4. Activate the option that gives you the fastest connection speed.

Similarly, it is also very important to choose the Data Mode that gives you the best speed in all possible situations. To do this, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
2. Click on Mobile Data.
3. Click on Options.
4. Go to Data Mode.
5. Choose the data mode that gives you the best speed in all circumstances.

Is there a difference between 4G and 5G?

Surely at this point, many users are wondering if the difference between 4G and 5G is really substantial enough to significantly improve the user experience and the answer will depend on the type of 5G network in each area, but the reality is that there is a very big difference in terms of the experience that a user can have using one type of network or another.

To start talking about the differences between 4G and 5G networks, we must start with the speed, since 5G networks multiply by ten times the speeds of both downloading and uploading content, this translated into real-life means that downloading a high-definition movie with a 4G network would take three minutes, while with a 5G network you only have to invest four seconds.

Latency is another important point in this comparison, i.e. the time it takes for the network to send a command to a device and for it to send a response back to the sender. This is one of the great advantages of 5G as it is a basic point in many of the actions that are carried out every day. In this aspect, 4G today achieves latencies of 100 milliseconds, while 5G does it in 1 millisecond.

These are the two main points in terms of the difference that a user can have when using one network or another. However, there are many other aspects to take into account that highlight the importance that the 5G network will have for society in the coming years.