You cannot enable 5G on an iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 does not have a 5G modem, and no software update, setting, or carrier change can add 5G support to this model, Apple’s own technical specifications list only 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for the iPhone 11.
Why the iPhone 11 does not support 5G
Apple introduced 5G capability starting with the iPhone 12 lineup. Every iPhone model released before that, including the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, was built with 4G LTE hardware only. The physical modem inside the iPhone 11 simply cannot communicate with 5G networks, which is why you will never see a “5G On” or “5G Auto” option in its settings.
If you want a phone that supports 5G, you need one of these models: iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, or the iPhone SE (3rd generation). These are the only iPhones with the necessary 5G hardware.
What you need for 5G connectivity
Even if you upgrade to a 5G-capable iPhone, having the right hardware is only one of three requirements. To actually use 5G, you need all of the following:
- A 5G-capable iPhone (iPhone 12 model or later, or the iPhone SE 3rd generation).
- A carrier that supports 5G and a cellular plan that includes 5G access.
- 5G coverage in your current area, check your carrier’s coverage map to confirm.
If any of these three is missing, your iPhone will fall back to 4G LTE automatically, even on a 5G-capable device.
How to get the best connection on your iPhone 11
Since 5G is not possible on the iPhone 11, the practical goal is to get the fastest and most reliable 4G LTE connection your device can deliver. The iPhone 11 supports advanced LTE technologies, so with the right setup, it can still handle streaming, video calls, and downloads well.
Follow these steps to maximize your iPhone 11’s LTE performance:
- Update to the latest iOS version: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Apple regularly improves network performance and fixes connectivity bugs through iOS updates.
- Check your cellular data settings: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. Make sure “Voice & Data” is set to LTE, not 3G or 2G.
- Update carrier settings: Go to Settings > General > About. If a carrier settings update is available, a prompt will appear, tap “Update” to install it. This ensures your iPhone 11 uses the latest network configurations from your carrier.
- Reset network settings if you experience slow speeds: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so only do this if you’re having persistent connection issues.
How to change from 5G to 4G on newer iPhones
If you already own a 5G-capable iPhone (iPhone 12 or later), you might want to manage your network mode, for example, to save battery life or reduce data usage. To do this, you can change from 5G to 4G by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data, where you’ll find options like “5G Auto,” “5G On,” and “LTE.” Choosing “LTE” forces your phone to stay on 4G, while “5G Auto” lets the iPhone use 5G only when it provides a noticeable benefit and switches to LTE to preserve battery life.
If you’re unsure whether your current phone is connecting to a 5G or 4G network, you can check if your phone is on 4G or 5G by checking the status bar at the top of the screen, it will display “5G” when connected to a 5G network, or “LTE” (or just “4G”) when on 4G. If you see 4G in an area you expect 5G, here’s why my phone say 4g instead of 5g. You can also check the same Voice & Data settings menu to see which network mode is currently selected.
