For the past few years, we have been seeing the next-generation cellular networks begin rolling out. 5G has arrived, and all of the carriers, ranging from AT&T and T-Mobile to Verizon have been making 5G available to the masses. Some rollouts have been slower (Verizon), while others (T-Mobile) are already available to more customers.
5G is just slightly different from the likes of the 4G LTE networks that we have become accustomed to. There are three different bands in which 5G operates, all of which aim to provide faster speeds than LTE. For example, Verizon’s mmWave technology, which takes advantage of high-band network spectrums, is capable of seeing speeds up to 10Gbps. When comparing that to LTE, which maxes out around 12Mbps, it’s easy to see why 5G is receiving such a push from carriers and smartphone makers alike.
Over the past year, just about every major smartphone release has included compatibility with 5G networks, regardless of which carrier you are using. This includes the Samsung Galaxy S22, because who wouldn’t want a futuristic phone with faster-than-life network speeds?
Turn Off 5G on Galaxy S22
The problem with 5G is that it’s still in its infancy, and is not as widely available as the LTE network. If you keep the 5G antenna in your Galaxy S22 enabled, but never actually see 5G speeds, you could end up with less-than-stellar battery life.
What’s the point of leaving something turned on if you can never really make use of it? That’s the train of thought for many, as battery life is much more important than super-fast network download speeds.
Here’s how you can turn off 5G on the Samsung Galaxy S22.
- Open the Settings app on your Galaxy S22.
- Tap Connections.
- Scroll down and select Mobile Networks.
- Tap Network Mode.
- From the drop-down, tap LTE / CDMA (if Verizon).
- If on AT&T or T-Mobile, tap LTE / GSM / UMTS
- Restart your Galaxy S22.
Can’t Turn Off 5G?
Because carriers continue to reign supreme, at least in the U.S., there are some Galaxy S22 owners have found that they are unable to turn off 5G. This is extremely frustrating, especially for those who don’t have reliable 5G networks nearby. The end result means less-than-stellar battery life leaving you reaching for a charger more frequently than normal. But not all hope is lost if you need to turn off 5G on Galaxy S22.
Samsung Band Selection is a free app available in the Play Store. As the name suggests, the app allows you to manually select which bands are active on your phone. But the best part is that it will work with other Android phones and not just Samsung phones.
- Open the Samsung Band Selection app on your Galaxy S22.
- Tap the Launch Band Selection button.
- In the top left corner, tap the three vertical lines (Navigation Drawer).
- Select Band Selection in the Navigation Drawer.
- Scroll through the list and select the bands that you want to use.
- Tap the toggle next to Selection in the top right corner.
Now, you might be wondering exactly what bands you should be selecting in order to make the most out of your Galaxy S22’s LTE connection. Here’s a list of the best LTE bands for the Galaxy S22 on either AT&T or Verizon:
- AT&T
- Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 17, 29, 30, 66
- Verizon
- Bands: 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48, 66
Go through the list in the Samsung Band Selection app, select the proper LTE bands, and then restart your Galaxy S22. From there, you should no longer have to worry about your phone searching for 5G and draining precious battery life.
Pete Goesinya says
This is a joke, right? It says my phone (S22 ultra) is too new…
sue says
hi,,, thanks for help since both verizon and cellular one in selling the new 5g did not honestly (or completely) answer my re 5 g. Was sold a phone that did not offer the switch internally so now using samsung band selection app. After going through your described process and restarting phone, I seem to be back on 5 *g? Advice? That is, how can I be sure it is staying on the selected bands?
Mr me says
I dont understand which selection turns off 5g.
GSM, WCDMA, and LTE are my only options
Daniel Byrum says
Oh yes I had told my daughter who was considering purchasing a new S22 that all the bad press was probably because it is searching for 5 G towers. We live in remote areas , so two things , first no many 5 G antennas. Second is nobody talking about 5 G will naturally have less range, and be easier to be blocked because of the higher frequency!!
Bass versus treble!!! For anyone not in large cities with taller towers, 5G is not the best cell service for most folks in remote areas thanks for confirmation.
Daniel Byrum