If you have a Samsung Galaxy S21 and use Verizon or AT&T as a carrier, you may have noticed they removed the option to disable 5G.
There are workarounds that can allow for 5G to be turned off, mainly using an app.
Can You Disable 5G on Samsung Galaxy S21?
Yes, 5G can be disabled on the Samsung Galaxy S21, including Verizon and AT&T.
Some carriers allow for the option to turn off 5G and to choose another cell phone band, while others do not.
For example, T-mobile allows users to change between bands while Verizon and AT&T do not.
The option, if available, will be in Settings–> Connections–> Mobile Networks–> Network Mode.
If your cell phone carrier has removed the 5G band changing option, it can still be changed using the official Samsung app.
The official app is called Samsung Band Selection and works very well at changing between cellphone technologies.
The main options include Automatic, GSM ALL, WCDMA ALL, LTE ALL, GSM/WCDMA, WCDMA/LTE, GSM/WCDMA/LTE, and Band selection mode.
*UPDATE: Some users have had issues with the Samsung Band Selection app. If you have issues or if it works for you, let us know in the comments below.
How To Turn Off 5G on a Samsung Galaxy S21 (Verizon and AT&T)
- Open the Google Play Store and search for Samsung Band Selection.
- Install and Open the App.
- Click Launch Band Selection.
- Choose the Network Band Wanted (Note: LTE ALL is 4G).
Can 5G Be Turned Off with Verizon or AT&T?
Yes, 5G can be turned off with the Galaxy S21 using an app called Samsung Band Selection.
The app is available from the Google Play store and is free to use.
Once installed, it has many options, including changing the cell frequency being used.
Can 5G Be Turned Off from Settings with Verizon or AT&T?
There currently is no default option in settings to turn off 5G with Verizon or AT&T.
There is, however, an app from Samsung that unlocks the option to turn off 5G and use another frequency.
Summary
If you own a Galaxy S21 or almost any Android smartphone and want to change the band, your carrier may have blocked the option.
Verizon and AT&T are known to block the 5G option, but there are likely others.
The best way to turn off 5G is to use an app called Samsung Band Selection.
The app allows for changing the band to many other cell phone technologies.
This makes it very handy for anyone wanting to turn off 5G and use other cell bands such as 4G LTE, 3G, or even 2G.
Keep in mind the cell towers in your area will have to have the technology available for a new cell band to work.
The most widely used band is currently 4G LTE which usually has good speeds.
This, of course, can vary from location to location, with some areas still widely using 3G or even 2G.
After changing the option with the app, it can be verified by looking at Settings–> Connections–> Mobile Networks, which will list the current band used.
Have you had any issues turning off 5G with the Galaxy S21? Let us know in the comments below.
I don’t see 3g listed as an option, how do you turn on 3g and 2 g?
3g is gone bro.
Now that the Samsung band selector app is dead, is there any workarounds?
It’s not dead it worked for me
For those that got the “Hidden network setting not found on device” message:
Instead of clicking on “LAUNCH BAND SELECTION”, click instead on “‘MORE NETWORK SETTINGS’
For me, since I’m dealing with Verizon, showed my provider name and underneath it said “Active / SIM”
When I clicked on the Verizon name it brought me to a page where a number of things are listed. Scroll down to “Preferred network type”. A pop-up box will give you 3 options; 5G, LTE and 3G (at least this is what I got). Then you can change from 5G. When you go back to your main screen, it should say 4G on the top instead of 5G.
Hope this helps those that thought it wasn’t working.
Does this app actually turn off the 5G radio? Or limit the phone to using the 4G band only?
It says
Hidden network setting not found on device
I’m getting the same, No one has an answer
Android 13 is not yet supported.
Thank-you so much! I was so tired of interrupted service every time my phone switched between bands (this happened multiple times every day). I was very satisficed with the 4G service on my Galaxy S5 but AT&T made me upgrade to a 5G capable phone and it was a problem since day 1