Blazing-fast 5G is the latest and greatest in mobile connectivity. But as with all new technologies, a few kinks need to be ironed out. For Samsung S21 owners struggling with spotty 5G signals, shorter battery life, or overheating issues, disabling 5G could provide some welcome relief.
In this 2500+ word guide, you’ll learn everything you need to turn off 5G on your Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra.
We’ll cover:
- What 5G is and how it compares to 4G/LTE
- The step-by-step process to switch your S21 to 4G (with images)
- Troubleshooting tips for carrier-locked models
- Understanding the pros and cons of disabling 5G
- Alternate solutions to resolve common 5G problems
- And much more
By the end, you’ll have the confidence to limit your S21 to slower and steadier 4G networks when needed…or reactivate lightning-quick 5G with a few quick taps.
Let’s get started!
What is 5G and How Does It Compare to 4G/LTE?
Before learning how to turn off 5G, it helps to understand what 5G is in the first place and why it’s not always better than 4G/LTE.
5G stands for 5th generation mobile network. As the successor to 4G, it delivers drastically faster download and upload speeds compared to previous connectivity standards.
In lab tests, peak 5G download speeds have exceeded an incredible 7Gbps. That’s 100 times faster than average 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) speeds.
But in the real world, a typical user is unlikely to experience the full potential of ultra-fast 5G. Early rollouts in the United States in 2019 only achieved speeds of around 1 Gbps.
And a 2022 OpenSignal report found average 5G download speeds of just 144.7 Mbps globally. While much faster than 4G LTE’s 50Mbps, it’s still well below 5G’s promise of 10-20 Gbps.
For many users, 4G remains perfectly adequate for common activities like web browsing, mapping, mobile gaming, and streaming music. And it drains less battery too.
So when could disabling 5G help? Here are some of the most common scenarios:
- Spotty 5G coverage leading to frequent dropped connections
- 5G signals causing rapid battery drain
- Phone overheating when attempting to connect or stay connected to 5G signals
- Wanting to conserve your limited 5G data allowance
Next, let’s walk through exactly how to limit your Samsung Galaxy S21 to 4G LTE only using the built-in network settings.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Turn Off 5G on Samsung S21
The Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup launched in early 2021 with full support for 5G networks. All S21 series models utilize the same Samsung One UI software interface too.
So these steps will work whether you own the:
- Samsung S21
- S21 Plus
- S21 Ultra
Let’s switch to 4G LTE together!
Step 1: Open Settings
Like most Android devices, your network settings are controlled through the Settings app.
You can access Settings quickly by pulling down your notification shade and tapping the gear icon.
Tip: You can also find Settings in your Samsung S21’s app drawer.
Step 2: Tap Connections
In Settings, tap Connections. This is where you can manage all connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Mobile networks.
Step 3: Select Mobile Networks
Under Connections, choose Mobile networks.
Here you can enable data roaming for travel or change network modes.
Step 4: Tap Network Mode
Tap Network mode to see a list of options.
By default, your Samsung S21 will have 5G/4G/3G selected.
This tells your device to connect to 5G networks first if available, followed by 4G LTE and 3G in areas of poor coverage.
Step 5: Choose 4G/3G/2G
To disable 5G connectivity, tap 4G/3G/2G instead.
Now your S21 will only connect to the older and slower 4G LTE, 3G and 2G networks. But at least you know you have a solid connection when seeing full signal bars.
Tip: If your region refers to 4G networks as just LTE, you may see a LTE/3G/2G option instead. This works the same to limit connections to 5G.
And that’s it! With just a few taps in your Settings app, you’ve disabled speedy yet finicky 5G mobile networks on your Samsung Galaxy S21.
When you need faster downloads while on the go, reverse the process to reactivate 5G.
Want a visual guide? Check out this handy YouTube tutorial showing the steps to turn off 5G on Galaxy devices:
{{iframe url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCY0B-6Ezxg" width="560" height="315"}}
Next, let’s cover some troubleshooting tips for S21 owners unable to locate the Network mode menu…
Can’t Find Network Mode to Turn Off 5G? Troubleshooting Tips
After following the steps above, some Samsung Galaxy S21 owners report not finding a Network mode menu under Mobile networks.
If that happens to you, there are a couple likely culprits:
Carrier-Locked Phones
Phone lock restrictions imposed by carriers like Verizon and AT&T can limit access to mobile network settings.
Their goal is upselling customers to upgrade to the latest devices and pricier plans. But the side effect is you lose control over certain connectivity options.
On locked devices, the Network mode menu is often hidden or replaced by a simple Global / LTE / CDMA automatic switching function.
With no way to disable 5G access at the system level, what alternatives exist?
Use a Third-Party 5G Disabler App
Your best bet is installing a non-Samsung app specializing in network management.
Samsung Band Selection is a popular choice recommended by Android Central, XDA Developers and Galaxy S21 owners.
Although not an official Samsung app, Band Selection works reliably to override carrier restrictions. Once installed:
- Launch Samsung Band Selection
- Tap More network settings
- Choose your active SIM card
- Set Preferred network type to LTE/3G/2G
This forces your S21 to abandon any 5G networks and stick to slower yet steady 4G LTE.
Some report having to re-run the app after rebooting to reapply settings. But overall an easy way to curb speedy 5G signals on locked S21‘s.
Switch Carriers
If using a third-party app still doesn’t provide the control you want, switching providers may be your last resort.
Before doing that though, double check the carrier’s policies by contacting customer support. Explain you want to disable 5G sometimes for better battery efficiency but can’t find the setting.
Moderately press them to remove any unnecessary phone locks limiting access to mobile network configurations.
If they refuse to budge on restrictions, don’t hesitate to switch to a flexible no-contract carrier like Mint Mobile or Google Fi if you need full control over network settings like disabling 5G.
Region Differences
On rare occasions, certain firmware versions on international or carrier-branded S21 devices omit the Network mode menu entirely from Settings > Connections > Mobile networks.
If you experience this even on unlocked phones, try the Samsung Band Selection app above.
Or search the Galaxy Store for other highly-rated 5G manager apps with the ability to force 4G/3G/2G connections.
Why Would You Want to Disable 5G on Samsung S21?
With download speeds up to 100 times faster than LTE networks in theory, why ever disable 5G?
Well in practice, volatility seems to be the price paid for those blazing fast 5G speeds today.
Let’s review a few common downsides S21 owners report when keeping 5G permanently activated:
Unstable Connection and Frequent Signal Drops
Early 5G coverage remains limited, even in large cities. Your S21 may latch onto a faint 5G signal, then quickly drop when a building or tree briefly blocks line-of-sight.
Meanwhile, sturdy 4G LTE towers provide reliable signals all around you. But your phone insists on chasing distant 5G networks.
This can lead to frequent interrupting loading pages, streaming video buffering, and dropped calls as your device hops between networks.
By disabling 5G as outlined above, you lock onto available 4G LTE or 3G for consistent connections across entire neighborhoods. No more chasing short-range 5G that comes and goes.
Rapid Battery Drain
Faster mobile technology often means greater power consumption too.
Many Samsung Galaxy S21 owners notice their battery drains significantly faster with 5G enabled in areas of spotty coverage. Yet disabling 5G provides an instant boost in battery efficiency.
Why does 5G drain battery life more quickly? A few reasons:
- The phone works harder to maintain a 5G connection, even at weak signal strength
- Antenna has to transmit signals at a higher frequency
- Faster speeds allow you to consume more data and media
Combined, these factors can leave your S21 with up to 20% less battery life per charge based on tests by Tom‘s Guide.
Until 5G tech improves, limiting phones to steadier 4G signals leads to longer battery life between charges for many users.
Overheating
Along with faster battery drain, some S21 owners notice their devices growing warm or even hot to the touch while struggling to maintain 5G signals.
Heat tends to build up quicker when transmission powers ramp up attempting to connect with distant 5G towers. The phone then has to work harder, taxing resources that lead to warmth.
While not dangerous short-term, excess heat can degrade chips and battery capacity over years according to SquareTrade.
If you want to play it safe and avoid taxing the internal components, consider disabling 5G for cooler long term operation. Of if you notice heat during peak usage, limiting mobile networks can help your S21 keep its cool.
Alternate Fixes: Reduce 5G Battery and Heat Problems
Don’t want to fully disable 5G but still need to conserve battery life or curb overheating? Consider these alternate solutions:
Limit Background 5G Data
Apps refreshing data in the background contribute to extra power drain. Stop them using speedy 5G when you’re not actively looking at them.
Under Settings > Apps, check for power-hungry or data-greedy apps. Tap each one and disable “Allow background data usage” and “Allow background activity” options.
Disable 5G Auto-Connect
Instead of forcing 4G/3G/2G mode in Network settings, try toggling 5G Auto-Connect off.
Your S21 will now stick to LTE networks until you manually initiate a 5G connection through Quick Settings (for downloading a large file for example). Otherwise, it saves power linking to readily available 4G towers.
Limit CPU Power Output
If avoiding heat is your goal above all else, capping peak CPU performance using an app like CPU Throttle could help. This disables CPU intensive background processes contributing to device temperature rise.
Wrapping Up: Take Control of 5G on Your Galaxy S21
Blazing fast 5G delivers the promise of revolutionary mobile speeds. But like any new technology, growing pains around battery drain, signal reliability and coverage availability remain today.
By learning how to disable 5G networks on your Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus or S21 Ultra, you can fallback to reliable 4G LTE when needed.
Follow the step-by-step guide outlined above to switch between 5G and 4G whenever you want fuller bars over faster speeds (or vice versa).
Own a carrier-locked S21? Third party apps like Samsung Band Selection offer similar network controls otherwise hidden by providers.
And if you don’t want to disable 5G entirely, limit background mobile data on apps, turn off Auto-Connect, or reduce CPU speeds to resolve battery drain or overheating issues instead.
Now you’ve got full control to make the most of both 4G and 5G connectivity when owning Samsung’s latest flagship phone series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I want to turn off 5G on my Samsung S21?
To conserve battery life, reduce overheating issues, avoid spotty coverage, or save high-speed data allowance.
Will turning off 5G affect my S21’s performance?
No. But you’ll experience slower network speeds in areas with poor 4G/LTE signals. Performance within apps remains unaffected.
What happens if I can’t find the Network mode menu on my S21?
Carrier-locked devices often hide the setting. Use Samsung Band Selection app instead or contact your provider to remove restrictions.
Do I need to keep checking if 5G is still disabled?
For carrier-locked phones, you may want to confirm the Samsung Band Selection app still shows a 2G/3G/4G connection in the background. It can rarely reset back to 5G automatically.
