Manual switching between LTE and 4G

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Level 1

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Manual switching between LTE and 4G

Hi everyone, There are times where the cellular signal on my iPhone 11 shows only 1 or 2 bars with LTE showing, but data won't work. I can't open a website, use iMessage, or use applications like ESPN or Reddit. Normally happens when I am in the back of department store, visiting a small town, or up in the mountains. However, I found that if I manually switch Cellular Data options from LTE to 4G, suddenly data works. Signal may still show 2 bars or it may jump up to 3 or 4, but data flows regardless.

The option to switch is nice, but having to do it manually and then later switch it back is annoying. Many users probably don't even know they can do it.

It seems to automatically use a lesser service if that is all that is available, but if there is even a hint of LTE signal it focuses on that. Does anyone know a solution to make it automatically switch to the best functioning service, not just try to force the fastest available service even when its unusable.

iPhone 11, iOS 14

Posted on Feb 3, 2021 7:02 AM

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Answer 1

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KiltedTim

Level 10

203,242 points

Feb 3, 2021 7:14 AM in response to Timn76

Um... LTE is 4G.

What are you talking about?

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Answer 2

Timn76 Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 4, 2021 6:47 AM in response to KiltedTim

Regardless, if LTE & 4G are technically the same or they are different, the issue remains that usability of data services on my iPhone stops functioning when the signal shows LTE and 1 or 2 bars of signal strength and the Cellular Data setting in the iPhone has a checkmark next to LTE (yes I have AT&T).

At that point, I can manually select 4G for Cellular Data and data services/usability of the iPhone begin working again. I am not really concerned if that 4G selection is falsely representing 3G or 3.5G behind the scenes. What I am concerned with is that my iMessages comes through and my browser loads versus the phone pretending like there is no functioning service available.

I get that overall the carrier LTE signal is the issue. However, the carrier signals vary by location and the phone has the capability to use other signals. If I can manually switch it, it should be able to automatically switch it.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

203,242 points

Feb 3, 2021 10:19 AM in response to Timn76

No, there isn't. Unless of course, you have a carrier like AT&T who labels their HSPA+ network as "4G", which it actually isn't. It is 3G, or rather, 3.5G.

If that's the case, you can manually disable LTE in Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>Voice & Data.

Note that in some markets, the word Mobile is used instead of Cellular.

Note also that the availability of this option is dependent on your carrier allowing you to change it. Some do not allow you to change that.

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Answer 4

Timn76 Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 3, 2021 10:06 AM in response to KiltedTim

There is a difference between standard 4G and 4G LTE. I am not going to pretend to know the technical details, but there are plenty of websites that explain it if you are interested. For the purpose of my original post/question. There is an option in the iPhone user settings of Cellular Data Option that allows users to manually select (force) 4G or LTE. If it was simply the same, they wouldn't have an option to choose between them.

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Manual switching between LTE and 4G

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