S23 Ultra - Turn Off 5G

[Jwaters1537]

How do you turn off 5G on the S23 Ultra? It does not give me the option in the mobile network settings. 

[anthonyzylstra]

Verizon has taken over your phone more than ever.  I just got off of the phone with tech support as my transition to the new phone was not clean or efficient and asked them directly.  They stated, "Verizon does not allow 5G to be disabled on their network."  

Funny though because on my wife's new iPhone 14 it can be disabled, so this is them clearly using a loophole in the Samsung product line because on other networks (sans Att) you can disable 5G.

After over 20 years with Verizon, we will be canceling them for a more open network.

My NEW s23 Ultra, has less battery life than my note9 I traded from...all because it is constantly searching for networks.  I am now tethered to a charger since it arrived last week Wednesday. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey, Jwaters1537. Thanks for reaching out about your 5G service. You should be able to go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network mode. Then choose LTE/3G/2G from the list. This would disable your 5G Network connectivity on the device. I hope this helps!

*Haley

[anthonyzylstra]

Hi Haley,

Thank you for the reply.  However, it appears on this new phone, Verizon has turned off that function.  Please let me know if there is another setting that i can find to turn this ability back on.  

See screenshots below of what I actually have access to.

[vzw_customer_support]

Do you know if you're on a regular 5G plan with us? We can also bring this into private and look at your account if need be. Just let me know.*Justin

[GeeTeeAych]

Obviously this VZW account either is brand new  and is just reading a script. Verizon has not allowed Samsung phones to turn off 5G since the S21 series. They do allow iPhones to switch it off. 

There was a third party app that could turn off 5G on Samsungs but Samsung & Verizon "fixed" the security hole in UI 5.1 that he used to make his app work. The only way to make the app work is to downgrade to older firmware, which is inadvisable for many reasons.

So, there is no way to actually disable 5G on any current Samsung S23, S23 Plus, or S23 Ultra.

[Bavgee]

That's terrible! I just switched from the mobile and I will switch back bc of this. Wish I knew before!

[Soybomb]

Does the S24u have the same restricted access to 4g?

[SynthpopAddict]

It's not "restricted access to 4G" as far as I know, it's simply that all Samsung phones now automatically select the band and whatever it thinks is working best is what you get.

[VonTorrGSD]

My new S23+ doesn't have a "Network Mode" option. So now how do I turn off 5G???

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello! We would be more than happy to assist. Are you able to click on more settings option? 

*Leyla

[Cindy62707]

Network mode does not show under Mobile Networks on the S23.  How do we get it to show up?

[Cindy62707]

Network Mode does not show under Mobile Networks.  How do I get it to show up?

[Soybomb]

• I have same problem as op.  There is no option to select 4g.

[vzw_customer_support]

We are here to help with your device. To better assist, I'll be sending a Private Message, please reply to it, so we can get started.

~Maria

[rasputin5000]

You have to use the Samsung Band Selection app, then press "more network settings" in it

[chopper923]

That no longer works either. Why are they forcing 5G on everyone? I am in a remote location without any 5G, so now my phone rarely has any  Internet.

[Cindy62707]

that app no longer works on S23, just tried it

[vzw_customer_support]

Good Morning Cindy62707. Thank you for sharing your experience with conversations on your cell phones. Our phones will connect and switch to the available network in your area without modifying network settings. Let's look at all the services to determine the best path for consistent voice, text, and data connections. Where are you located? We will look at coverage and alerts for you. 

-Deb

[Cindy62707]

I was told by tech support to shut off the 5G on the phones and go to 4G. I’m out in the country in Illinois. I can do it on my iPhone but can’t find where to go on my husband’s S23 to do it. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Thanks for getting back to us Cindy62707. There is not a way to change the Setting on the S23. You can see here how to adjust: https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-304013/

-Joe