IPhone 12 5G not working? Here is what to do

byFlorian published on

If you just got your iPhone 12 and noticed that 5G is not available after setting it up, there are several factors you should check to resolve what is going on. These include your wireless plan, SIM card, iOS settings, etc. Let's see what to do if your iPhone 5's 12G isn't working.

The entire iPhone 12 range supports 5G (including mmWave on all US models) and 5G is enabled by default as long as iOS 14 settings are compatible with Smart Data mode (can also be managed manually). However, if you've been set up and activated with your carrier and your iPhone 5's 12G isn't working and you think you should be, here's what to check next ...

iPhone 12 5G not working: troubleshooting

Your operator package

  • Even if you think you have an up-to-date plan that includes 5G, it's good to check what you have and confirm that it includes 5G service. For example, Verizon has a sticky situation where the new plans don't have different names or different prices, but some customers have to make a change to get 5G service.
  • Meanwhile, AT&T alerts customers that they may also need to upgrade their plans when signing into their accounts:

SIM card

  • If you bought your iPhone 12 through your carrier or with Apple with carrier activation, you shouldn't have a problem with your SIM card.
  • But especially if you bought a model without a SIM card and are using your old SIM card, you may need to get a new one or call your carrier to ask them to upgrade your existing SIM card to support 5G. .

IOS Settings

  • Apple notes in a support document that if you go to Settings> Cellular> Cellular Data Options and you don't see a screen like the image below, try turning Airplane Mode on and then turning it off. . If your iPhone 5's 12G still isn't working or isn't showing up in settings, contact your carrier.

iPhone 12 5G does not work with Dual SIM mode

  • In the same support document mentioned above, Apple shares that if you use Dual SIM mode with an iPhone 12, both lines will revert to 4G LTE.
  • One caveat is: “In China, 5G data is supported when using two active lines in Dual SIM mode on the line that uses cellular data. In China, when using dual SIM with 5G, standalone 5G is not available. "

IPhone 12 5G not working with data roaming

  • 5G is not yet available for roaming. Apple says for now, the only option to get 5G outside of your carrier's coverage is to grab a local SIM card when you travel.

Operators around the world are still working on rolling out their 5G roaming support. If you turn on data roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks when you travel. You can also get a local SIM or eSIM card and use it as a single line with 5G if needed.

Apple

5G operator coverage

  • If you've tried all of the above, double-check your carrier's 5G coverage map
  • Note that the coverage maps of major US carriers include both 4G and 5G. So you will need to pay close attention to the colored caption and zoom in as close as possible to get the most accurate image.

For more details on how to manually manage 5G on the iPhone 12, see our walkthrough:

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