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How to get or enable 5G with giffgaff

How to 5G on your device by ensuring your device is 5G compatible, updating settings, ensuring you're in a 5G coverage area and how to use our coverage checker.

Written by Mark

5G is being rolled out across the country and 5G towers are being installed by some wonderful folks in bright yellow vests as we speak. That means 5G is in some areas and not in others.

Getting 5G is easy, just make sure you’ve got a 5G phone and 5G coverage. Check out the latest live 5G locations on our network coverage checker.

Check my coverage

How do I enable 5G?

Most of our SIMs have 5G automatically switched on, but an older SIM might need you to manually enable 5G in your giffgaff account settings.

Note: Newer SIMs have 5G on by default and will work with 5G without any settings enabled. While older SIMs might need you to toggle the 5G setting 'ON'; if it won’t switch on. Check your SIM as it might be 5G already (prefix; 5Ggg5).

If you have a compatible 5G phone, the next step is to make sure 5G is switched on in your giffgaff account. Head over to your giffgaff dashboard or giffgaff app to enable 5G:

giffgaff app

  1. Tap 'Account' and then 'Service settings'

  2. Click '5G settings' and toggle the '5G status' on

Web

  1. Head to your dashboard and then 'Profile and settings'

  2. Scroll down to 'Call, text and data service settings' and open
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  3. Click 'Change my settings'

  4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and toggle your '5G status' on
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Note: Depending on your mobile phone, check its Settings app to toggle this on. Make sure the phone's software is up-to-date to get started on 5G.

Can I switch back to 4G from 5G?

Absolutely! If you've tried 5G but it's not for you, all you need to do is disable 5G on your phone. Then you'll use the 4G or 2G network coverage only. Please note that 2G will be getting switched off in Summer 2029, however.

If you want to disable 5G on your device, follow these steps:
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iOS

  1. Go to Settings > Mobile Service

  2. Tap Mobile Data Options

  3. Tap Voice & Data

  4. Select 4G

Android

  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet (or Connections)

  2. Tap Mobile network (or SIMs / Mobile networks)

  3. Tap Preferred network type (or Network mode)

  4. Select LTE or 4G (auto connect)

Need a hand? Our community helpers know this topic inside out - ask them on our community. They're an absolute whizz with all this stuff.

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