5G+ for AT&T never works

I have the same issue. Every time it switches to 5G+ it’s like I have no service. I’m on the iPhone 16 Pro Max with AT&T now but had the same issue with the 14 Pro Max on AT&T. I live downtown Chicago, so would assume I should have great service. On my walk to work every morning, I pretty much have it memorized at this point what areas it’s going to switch to 5G+ and drop service.

Thanks, but already on 5G Auto. Been dealing with this issue for 2+ years at this point. I went down a rabbit hole trying to fix this issue a year or so back and gave up after trying a bunch of fixes I found online with no luck. Just got the new iPhone a week ago and still seeing the same issue. Curious if people with androids on AT&T are having the same problem then I can narrow it down specifically to AT&T. I ran into the issue today when I really needed signal and decided to look to see if there was a solution and came across this thread. I’ll do some digging and see if there’s a new solution.

That’s a question only AT&T can answer.

That is an AT&T problem. Go to settings/Cellular/Cellular Data Options and choose 5G Auto. That will switch as needed to the best available signal.

Is your location showing 5G+ on their coverage map. It is only the dark blue sections and even at that if you can get a stronger connection on 5G, then that is what it will connect too. In most cases cellular providers tend to overstate their coverage maps, but it may help.

https://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html

You will find that faster bandwidths have shorter distance and cannot penetrate obstructions. That is just science. The same is true for WiFi connections that operate on a faster bandwidth. The higher the frequency the less distance, but more data throughput. That's the trade off. For comparison you would need to find a person with an Android phone that is operating in the exact same location as you are.