iphone 12 cellular data way slower than home with same cel ISP

I get my home internet and mobile service via the same 5G cellular ISP and the same tower, so why is my home network speed 50Mbps but my phone only about 4Mbps? i've only got 1 out of 3 bars on my modem, and 3 out of 4 on my phone, so my phone should be getting at least the same speed i would expect. i'm no where near my data cap on either. it's completely up to date, i've restarted it. is there something else i should or could be doing?


iPhone 6s, iOS 15

Posted on Mar 31, 2025 10:10 AM

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Mar 31, 2025 11:50 PM in response to wildernessbob

On an iPhone there is no way to regulate internet speed with over cellular or over ISP. 


However, there are a few indirect ways to influence internet speed on an iPhone:

  1. Low Data Mode – This setting (found in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Low Data Mode or Wi-Fi settings) reduces background activity and can limit bandwidth usage, indirectly affecting speed.
  2. VPN or Proxy Use – A VPN can sometimes slow down or stabilize speeds depending on server congestion and routing.
  3. Network Selection – Manually choosing a different network (e.g., switching between 5G, LTE, or 3G under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data) can impact speeds.
  4. Carrier Restrictions – Some carriers may throttle speeds based on data usage, but this is not a setting controlled by the iPhone itself.
  5. Router and ISP Settings – If connected to Wi-Fi, QoS (Quality of Service) settings on the router can regulate speeds for different devices, but this must be adjusted on the router, not the iPhone.


So while iOS itself does not provide a direct way to regulate internet speed, external factors and settings can influence it.

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iphone 12 cellular data way slower than home with same cel ISP

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