no 5G on iphone 13

[613angelo]

Hello,

I have been on public mobile for almost one year now and can’t help but notice that although my iphone 13 running esim is rated for 5G, i do not have the option to use 5G in the cellular settings (only LTE and 3g). Anyone know what’s wrong?

Im on an Iphone 13 running IOS 16.3.1, with the 34 dollar 50gb package. Ideally, i’d like to be able to use what i’m paying for. 

Thank you

[Phil_Adelphus]

@LitlLdy   I'm on 17.5.1 so up to date.  It used to be that you could only customize the greeting with carriers that support visual voicemail, which was not PM.  I haven't actually tried, TBH, and did not realize that has changed.

[LitlLdy]

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@Phil_Adelphus wrote:

@613angelo  My iPhone 13 gets 5G no problem, and in the settings it shows the options 5G Auto and 5G on.  It was getting 5G while still on ios 16 so should be working for you.  I would submit a ticket with customer service at the chat icon bottom right of this page and if that doesn't work send a private message to support using this pre-addressed link

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

BTW if you do update to ios 17, which is what I have now, be aware the Live Voicemail is enabled by default.  I really like it, it saves me having to log in to PM voicemail when someone leaves a message, plus I can choose to answer the call while the caller is leaving a message, but not everyone likes it (possibly because the Apple generic voicemail message can't be customized).  It can easily be toggled off if not wanted.

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@Phil_Adelphus , I use live voicemail on my iPhone & I customized my greeting on it. I have been using it for a while that way. Maybe your iOS needs update. 🙂

[Joe_G]

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@will13am wrote:

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Google voice does not need a SIM to work, just mobile data or WiFi. 

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I think  you're missing the point of having the TextNow SIM. Google Voice does require a SIM with active service if you are away from Wi-Fi.

With a TextNow SIM you get free service away from Wi-Fi. And TextNow has recently added Free Essential Data. The details are here: https://help.textnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/23196761774871-What-s-included-with-Free-Essential-Dataht... 

[DennyCrane]

I've never understood why people let their OS become months and years out of date. You miss out on new functionality (like 5G), and your phone becomes a bigger and bigger security risk to your personal information.

[will13am]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@will13am 

I agree but you need wifi for the app to work.

The TextNow SIM works on the T-Mobile network without connecting to any wifi. The SIM only cost me $0.99 but now it is $4.99.

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Google voice does not need a SIM to work, just mobile data or WiFi.  You get to keep the same number forever with minimum required activity.  I have had mine for more than 10 years.  At one point, it was integrated into my Canadian number so that I can do US calling as if it is a local call.  Back in the day, calls across the street could be classified as long distance.  

[BKNS27]

@will13am 

I agree but you need wifi for the app to work.

The TextNow SIM works on the T-Mobile network without connecting to any wifi or data. The SIM only cost me $0.99 but now it is $4.99.

[will13am]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@will13am 

I use the iPhone 8 with the TextNow SIM so I can communicate with my other half while I am in the USA for free calling and texting without the need to connect to wifi.

Just don’t want to lose my iPhone 14 Pro Max or purchasing US Roaming Add-on while in the USA.

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You want free talk and text in the US and Canada, get a google voice number.  I think it is better solution than any app.  Talkatone is a distant second to google voice.  

[BKNS27]

@will13am 

I use the iPhone 8 with the TextNow SIM so I can communicate with my other half while I am in the USA for free calling and texting without the need to connect to wifi.

Just don’t want to lose my iPhone 14 Pro Max or purchasing US Roaming Add-on while in the USA.

[BKNS27]

@Phil_Adelphus 

Yes I am aware that the iPhone 8 is not 5G compatible. I was pointing out that the OP’s iOS is older than my old iPhone 8.

It is time to update!

[will13am]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@will13am 

My iPhone 8 that stopped getting updates for over a year and is on iOS 16.7.8. 

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iPhone 8 was the first hardware that was VoLTE capable.  If you are running the latest available iOS 16.x, you should have VoLTE and Public Mobile does list the phone as compatible.  If you are not getting updates anymore, not much you can do apart from doing a hardware upgrade.  Personally, a phone that old would have wound up in the shoe box long ago.  

[golfball]

It seems to be carrier settings related, if you are running a version of iOS that is from before PM supported 5G then the option to enable it does not appear.

Edit: Adjusted post as I confused 5G with VoLTE. I'm not sure where the cutoff is but an update should fix the issue.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@BKNS27  My iPhone 8 that stopped getting updates for over a year and is on iOS 16.7.8

The iPhone 8 doesn't get 5G regardless of ios, only iPhone 12 and newer can get 5G.

[BKNS27]

@will13am 

My iPhone 8 that stopped getting updates for over a year and is on iOS 16.7.8. 

[Phil_Adelphus · Accepted solution]

@613angelo  My iPhone 13 gets 5G no problem, and in the settings it shows the options 5G Auto and 5G on.  It was getting 5G while still on ios 16 so should be working for you.  I would submit a ticket with customer service at the chat icon bottom right of this page and if that doesn't work send a private message to support using this pre-addressed link

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

BTW if you do update to ios 17, which is what I have now, be aware the Live Voicemail is enabled by default.  I really like it, it saves me having to log in to PM voicemail when someone leaves a message, plus I can choose to answer the call while the caller is leaving a message, but not everyone likes it (possibly because the Apple generic voicemail message can't be customized).  It can easily be toggled off if not wanted.

[will13am]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@613angelo 

You will need to update to iOS 17.5.1. The iOS 16.3.1 is about a year old.

Once update you will have the option for 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G On or 5G Auto.

Set it to 5G auto so it will switch to the strongest signal frequencies.

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It could be carrier related.  iOS 16.3.1 should have 5G support already.  Of course it does not hurt to update the OS and run on the latest version.  

[BKNS27]

@613angelo 

You will need to update to iOS 17.5.1. The iOS 16.3.1 is about a year old.

Once update you will have the option for 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G On or 5G Auto.

Set it to 5G auto so it will switch to the strongest signal frequencies.

[613angelo]

Id like to add that i am constantly in 5G coverage, as my girlfriend who is on Telus constantly has 5G