How to Disable 5GHz Wi-Fi on Your Smartphone: Instructions for Android and iOS

Modern smartphones automatically connect to the network Wi-Fi 5 GHz, if your router supports this range. However, high speeds don't always live up to expectations: walls absorb the signal, devices older than 2018 may experience lag, and some smart gadgets (such as cameras or light bulbs) only work on 2.4 GHzIn such cases, it makes sense to disable the 5 GHz band directly on the phone - this will force it to use only 2.4 GHz, which sometimes solves stability problems.

But how to do this? Android And iPhone The process varies, and not all manufacturers offer a direct option. In this article, we'll cover all the methods—from standard settings to hidden functions in the engineering menu. We'll also explain when disabling 5 GHz actually helps, and when it's best to configure your router.

If your phone doesn't see the 2.4 GHz network after disabling 5 GHz, check if it's hidden in your router settings. Some models (for example, TP-Link Archer C6 or Xiaomi AX3600) by default combine both ranges under one name (SSID). In this case, you will have to separate the networks in the router admin panel.

Why you might want to disable 5 GHz on your phone

On paper Wi-Fi 5 GHz It's faster than 2.4 GHz and less congested. However, in practice, users encounter problems:

🔹 Weak signal at a distance5 GHz waves have difficulty penetrating obstacles such as concrete walls, furniture, and household appliances. If the router is in another room, the phone may still connect to the network, but the speed will drop to 1–2 Mbps.

🔹 Incompatibility with smart devices. Many gadgets for smart home (Xiaomi Mi Home, Tuya Smart, cameras EZVIZ) work only on 2.4 GHzIf the phone is connected to 5 GHz, it will not be able to control them via the local network.

🔹 Frequent connection breaksSome budget smartphones (for example, Redmi 9A or Samsung Galaxy A10) do not switch between ranges well, which is why the Wi-Fi “blinks” when moving around the apartment.

🔹 Problems with online gamesIn games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile Even microsecond delays due to unstable 5 GHz can lead to lag. 2.4 GHz is more stable, albeit slower.

Before disabling 5 GHz on your phone, check whether a simple router reboot or channel change in its settings will help. Sometimes the problem isn't the band itself, but rather the airwaves being congested with neighboring networks.

How to Disable 5GHz on Android: The Standard Method

Most phones on Android 10 and newer allow you to manually select the Wi-Fi band. This instruction is suitable for Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and other brands with proprietary shells.

📌 Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on your network name (not the switch!).
3. Tap the ⚙️ icon (Settings) or “More”.
4. Find the item Wi-Fi range, Frequency or Band.
5. Select 2.4 GHz only or 2.4 GHz only.
6. Save your changes and reconnect.

If there's no such option, the manufacturer has hidden it. In this case, one of the alternative methods will help (see the next section).

⚠️ Attention: On some phones (eg. Google Pixel or OnePlus (On a stock Android device, the band selection option may not even be available in the hidden settings. In this case, the only option left is to configure the router.)

Make sure that the router distributes both networks (2.4 and 5 GHz)

Check if other devices (laptop, tablet) are connected to 2.4 GHz

Remember or take a photo of your current Wi-Fi settings

Reboot your router before making changes-->

Alternative methods for Android (if there is no option in the settings)

If you don't have the option to select a band in the Wi-Fi menu, try these methods:

🔧 Method 1: Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

Many phones have chips Qualcomm or Mediatek Allows you to change Wi-Fi settings through the engineering menu. To do this:

1. Open the app Telephone and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. Go to the section Wi-Fi information or Wi-Fi testing.
3. Find the item Wi-Fi frequency band and select 2.4 GHz.
4. Save the settings and restart your phone.

⚠️ AttentionIncorrect changes in the engineering menu may cause the Wi-Fi module to malfunction. If you are unsure, do not use this method.

🔧 Method 2: Wi-Fi Management Apps

There are utilities like WiFi Analyzer or Network Signal Info, which show which band the phone is connected to. However, they can't directly disable 5 GHz. However, they can help you check if your method is working:

• 📱 WiFi Analyzer — shows the channel load and the current connection range.
• 📊 Network Signal Info - displays the Wi-Fi frequency in real time.

🔧 Method 3: Setting up the router

If the phone stubbornly clings to 5 GHz, you can go the opposite way - Disable 5 GHz on the routerTo do this:

1. Log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network.
3. Disable the option 5 GHz or 802.11a/n/ac.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

What should I do if my phone can't see the 2.4 GHz network after disabling 5 GHz?

If your phone no longer sees the 2.4 GHz network, check:

1. Router settings: 2.4 GHz may be disabled or hidden (check the setting SSID Broadcast).

2. Regional restrictions: some routers (eg. ASUS RT-AX88U) block certain 2.4 GHz channels depending on the country. Try changing your region to Europe or USA.

3. Wi-Fi drivers: Older phones (pre-2017) may require a firmware update.

How to Disable 5GHz on iPhone (iOS)

On iPhone There is no direct option to disable 5GHz, but there is a workaround - forced connection to 2.4 GHz through router settings or creating a separate network.

🍎 Method 1: Separating networks on a router

If your router combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one name (SSID), separate them:

1. Go to your router's control panel.
2. Find the section Wi-Fi → Wireless network settings.
3. Disable the option Combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (may be called Smart Connect or Band Steering).
4. Give the 2.4 GHz network a unique name, such as MyWiFi_24.
5. Connect iPhone to the new network.

🍎 Method 2: Disabling 5 GHz on your router

If you can't separate the networks, completely disable 5 GHz in your router settings:

• 🔌 In the section Wi-Fi find the switch for the range 5 GHz and deactivate it.
• 🔄 Save the settings and reboot the router.
• 📱 After that iPhone will automatically connect to 2.4 GHz.

⚠️ Attention: On some router models (for example, Keenetic or ZyxelDisabling 5 GHz may disrupt mesh networks. Check your device's documentation before making any changes.

Wi-Fi Band Comparison: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz

To understand whether it's worth disabling 5 GHz, let's compare the key characteristics of the bands:

If your phone supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), disabling 5 GHz is not advisable—the new standard combines the benefits of both bands (speed and range) using OFDMA technology.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When disabling 5 GHz, users often encounter common problems. Here's how to prevent them:

❌ Error 1: The phone does not see the 2.4 GHz network after disabling 5 GHz.

🔹 Cause: The router hides SSID for 2.4 GHz or uses an incompatible channel (such as 12–14, which are banned in some countries).

🔹 Solution: In the router settings, check:

• 📡 Is network visibility enabled? (Enable SSID Broadcast).
• 🌍 Is the region selected correctly (for example, Russia or Europe).
• 📶 2.4 GHz channel should be from 1 to 11 (for USA/Europe).

❌ Error 2: After the changes, the Internet disappeared on all devices.

🔹 CauseDisabling 5 GHz on your router could mess up your settings. DHCP or IPv6.

🔹 Solution: Reboot your router and check that:

• 🔧 Enabled DHCP server.
• 🌐 Correctly indicated DNS (can be used 8.8.8.8 from Google).

❌ Error 3: Smart devices stopped connecting

🔹 Cause: Some gadgets (eg. Roborock or Yeelight) are tied to the network's MAC address. After changing the range, they will no longer recognize the router.

🔹 Solution: Reconnect the devices again through their app.

When you shouldn't turn off 5 GHz

In some cases, the problem lies not with the band, but with other settings. Before disabling 5 GHz, check:

🔍 Weak signal over long distances

If your phone is far from the router, instead of disabling 5 GHz, try:

• 📶 Install repeater (signal repeater).
• 🔄 Switch the router to mode Mesh (if supported).
• 📡 Replace the antennas on the router with more powerful ones (for example, 5 dBi).

🔍 Frequent connection breaks

The reason may be:

• 🔋 The router's power supply is faulty (try a different adapter).
• 📵 Interference from other devices (microwave, wireless headphones).
• 🔄 Outdated router firmware (update it through the admin panel).

🔍 Slow internet on 5 GHz

If the 5GHz speed is slower than expected, check:

• 📊 Channel load (use WiFi Analyzer to search for a free channel).
• 🔧 Settings Qos on the router (traffic may be limited for some devices).
• 📱 Restrictions on the phone itself (in Settings → Mobile network a limit may be included).

If none of the above helps, only then should you experiment with disabling 5 GHz.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to disable 5GHz for just one device without affecting others?

No, the Wi-Fi band setting applies to all devices on the network. If you only want to restrict one phone, use:

• 🔒 Parental control on the router (MAC address restriction).
• 📡 Guest network only on 2.4 GHz.

Why did my internet speed become slower after disabling 5 GHz?

The 2.4 GHz band is physically slower than 5 GHz due to its smaller channel capacity. It's also more susceptible to interference from neighboring networks. To improve speed:

• 📶 Select the least loaded channel (1, 6 or 11).
• 🔄 Switch your router to standard 802.11n (if it's worth it) 802.11g).
• 📵 Turn off nearby 2.4 GHz devices (Bluetooth speakers, wireless mice).

Will my phone automatically connect to 5GHz if I turn it back on?

Yes, as long as your router settings don't prohibit switching between bands. To avoid this:

• 🔧 Disable the function on your router Band Steering or Smart Connect.
• 📱 Manually connect to the 2.4 GHz network and check the "Connect automatically" box.

Is it possible to disable 5 GHz on a phone without access to the router?

On the majority Android-phones - yes (via Wi-Fi settings or engineering menu). iPhone — No, you will have to configure the router or use a separate 2.4 GHz network.

Is it harmful to use only 2.4 GHz all the time?

No, but there are some nuances:

• ⚠️ On congested channels, speed can drop to 10–20 Mbps.
• 📵 The delay is increasing (ping), which is critical for online games.
• 🔋 Some phones drain their battery faster when operating on 2.4 GHz due to more active scanning of the airwaves.

The best option is to use both ranges, setting the router to automatically select the best one.