How to Remove Wi-Fi Speed ​​Limits on Your Phone: A Complete Guide (2026)

Have you noticed that your phone's Wi-Fi internet speed is significantly slower than on other devices? Or are mobile apps lagging, and videos in 4K Is your connection constantly freezing, even though your router has a great signal? The problem may lie not in poor coverage, but in artificial limitations—either from your smartphone, your router, or your ISP.

In this article we will analyze All possible reasons for Wi-Fi speed limitation on your phone — from basic settings Android And iOS to hidden router parameters and data plan limits. You'll learn how to diagnose the problem, which settings to check first, and what to do if your speed is throttled even with a perfect signal. All instructions are relevant for modern smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S23, iPhone 15, Xiaomi 13 etc.) and routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic).

Before you start adjusting settings, make sure the problem is with your phone: check the speed on other devices (laptop, tablet) using the same Wi-Fi connection. If everything is fine there, continue reading. If the speed is low everywhere, the problem is with your router or ISP (go to section on router settings).

1. Diagnostics: Why is my phone limiting Wi-Fi speed?

The first step is to determine, Who exactly is cutting the speed?: phone, router, or ISP. Here are the key signs that the problem is with your smartphone:

• 📱 On other devices (PC, TV), the speed via the same Wi-Fi is normal.
• 🔄 The speed drops only when downloading/uploading data (for example, in YouTube or when downloading files).
• 🔋 The phone's Wi-Fi settings show a standard connection 802.11n instead of 802.11ac/ax.
• 🚫 Applications (especially Netflix, TikTok) show the warning "Low connection speed".

If even one of these points matches, the problem lies in your phone settings. The most common culprits are:

1. Energy saving mode - limits background activity and Wi-Fi speed.
2. Limit background traffic (V Android or iOS).
3. Incorrect Wi-Fi standard (the phone is connected using an outdated protocol).
4. DNS issues — slow down the loading of websites and applications.

Warning: If your phone supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), but it connects like 802.11n, the problem may be in incompatibility with the router or drivers. For example, iPhone 12+ And Samsung Galaxy S21+ require a router firmware update to operate at full speed.

2. How to remove speed limits on Android

On Android Wi-Fi speed limits can be hidden in several places. Let's look at step-by-step instructions for pure Android (For example, Google Pixel) and shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS).

2.1 Disabling power saving for Wi-Fi

Many manufacturers (especially Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo) aggressively optimize energy consumption, which leads to artificial speed limitTo fix this:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Power saving mode.
2. Disable the mode or add an exception for Wi-Fi:
   • On Xiaomi: Settings → Battery → Settings → Battery optimization → Find "Wi-Fi" and select "Unlimited".
   • On Samsung: Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Background Mode → add apps that are slowing down.

Restart your phone.

2.2. Setting up the Wi-Fi standard

If the phone connects using an outdated standard (802.11n instead of ac/ax), the maximum speed will be limited 150–300 Mbps instead of the possible 1–2 Gbps. To force the modern standard:

Open Settings → Wi-Fi

Click on the name of your network → “Advanced” or “Manage network”

Look at the line "Speed" or "Standard"

If specified 802.11n - go to change settings-->

For rooted phones:
1. Install the application WiFi Analyzer or DevCheck.
2. Check the supported standards in the "Wi-Fi" section.
3. If the phone supports 802.11ac, but does not connect:
- Go to Settings → System → Developer options.
- Find the option Wi-Fi standard (or similar) and select 802.11ac.
- Reconnect to the network.

Attention! On some phones (Realme, Vivo) the option is hidden. If it's not there, update the firmware or reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth).

2.3. Disabling background traffic restrictions

Android 10+ By default, it limits background app activity, which can slow down download speeds. To remove the limitation:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → [your network] → Advanced.
2. Find the option Limit background traffic (or Intelligent Wi-Fi on Xiaomi) and turn it off.
3. For individual applications: Settings → Apps → [select an app] → Mobile data & Wi-Fi → Background data → allow.

3. How to remove Wi-Fi speed limit on iPhone

On iPhone Wi-Fi speed problems are most often related to incorrect network settings, outdated firmware or limitations iOSHere's what to check first:

3.1. Resetting network settings

The most effective way to eliminate software limitations is to reset your network settings. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks and VPNs, but will return your speed to factory defaults:

1. Open Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone.
2. Select Reset → Reset network settings.
3. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and check the speed.

Important: After resetting, your iPhone may connect to Wi-Fi at reduced speeds for the first 5-10 minutes—this is normal. Wait until it fully syncs with the router.

3.2. Disabling Low Data Mode

IN iOS 13+ there is a hidden function Low Data Mode (Low data mode), which limits download speeds. To disable it:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the "i» near your network.
3. Scroll down and turn it off Low data consumption mode.

3.3. Updating iOS and resetting DHCP

If the Wi-Fi speed is on iPhone If your connection drops after an update or freezes at 50–100 Mbps, try:

• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version (Settings → General → Software Update).
• 🔄 Reset DHCP lease:
  1. Forget the network (Settings → Wi-Fi → [network] → “Forget this network”).
  2. Turn airplane mode on/off.
  3. Reconnect to the network.
• 🔧 Disable Private Wi-Fi address (if the router does not support it): Settings → Wi-Fi → [network] → Disable "Private address".

Why might iPhone limit Wi-Fi speed to 50 Mbps?

This is related to the function Wi-Fi Assist (V Settings → Cellular), which automatically switches to mobile data when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Sometimes it triggers erratically, even when the signal is strong. Disable it if you notice sudden speed drops.

4. Router settings that limit the speed on the phone

If the speed is normal on other devices, but not on your phone, the problem may be in individual router restrictions for your device. Check these settings:

4.1. QoS (Quality of Service)

QoS Distributes traffic priority between devices. If your phone is blacklisted or has a low priority, your speed will be artificially limited. To fix this:

1. Go to your router's control panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section QoS (or Traffic priority, Bandwidth Control).
3. Make sure your phone is not on the restricted devices list. If there is an option MAC address priority, add the phone's MAC to the high priority group.

4.2. MAC Address Speed ​​Limiting

Some routers (eg. TP-Link or ASUS) allow you to limit the speed for specific devices. Check:

1. Go to Advanced Settings → Bandwidth Management (or Bandwidth Control).
2. Review the list of rules. If your phone's MAC address is listed, delete the rule or increase the limit.

⚠️ Attention! If it is enabled in the router Parental Control (Parental Controls), your phone may be on the restricted devices list without your knowledge. Check the section Security → Parental Controls and remove all rules for your MAC address.

5. ISP restrictions: how to check and bypass them

Sometimes it's not the phone or the router that limits Wi-Fi speed, but providerThis could be:

• 📉 Tariff limit (for example, after 100 GB the speed drops to 10 Mbps).
• 🔒 DPI filtering (the provider blocks torrents or streaming).
• 📡 Problems on the line (the cable is damaged, the station is overloaded).

To diagnose the problem:

1. Connect your phone to the router via a cable (via a USB-ETH adapter) or check the speed on a PC. If the issue persists, the ISP is to blame.
2. Call support and ask:
   • Are there any speed limits for your plan?
   • Is the "Turbo button" or "Night mode" function enabled (some providers reduce speed at night).

Check your speed using a VPN (for example, ProtonVPN or Warp). If it's faster with a VPN, your ISP is blocking your traffic.

⚠️ Attention! If the provider artificially limits the speed for certain services (for example, YouTube or Telegram), the only way to get around this is to use VPN with obfuscation support (For example, Outline or Shadowsocks). Regular VPNs (like NordVPN) may not help.

6. Advanced Methods: If Nothing Works

If the standard methods don't work, try these radical measures (for advanced users only!):

6.1. Changing the Wi-Fi region (for a router)

Some routers limit signal strength and speed depending on the region. For example, in Europe maximum power 100 mW, and in USA — 1 WTo remove the restriction:

1. Go to your router settings.
2. Find the section Wireless → Country/Region.
3. Select United States (if your router supports this region).
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Warning: Changing your region may violate local radio frequency laws. Use this method at your own risk!

6.2. Router firmware for DD-WRT/OpenWRT

If your router supports custom firmware (DD-WRT, OpenWRT), you can have complete control over all Wi-Fi settings, including speed limits. Instructions:

1. Check your router's support on the website. DD-WRT.
2. Download the firmware and flash the router (instructions are on the website).
3. In the new firmware, disable all restrictions in sections QoS, Bandwidth Limiter And Firewall.

6.3 Using an alternative DNS

Sometimes slow Wi-Fi is caused by long response from the provider's DNS serversTry changing the DNS on your phone:

• 🌍 Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1
• 🌍 Google: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4
• 🌍 AdGuard: 94.140.14.14 And 94.140.15.15 (blocks ads)

How to change DNS on Android:

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → [your network] → Change network → Advanced → IP settings.
2. Select Static and enter new DNS.

On iPhone:

1. Settings → Wi-Fi → [network] → Configure DNS → Manual.
2. Add new DNS servers.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Why is my iPhone's Wi-Fi speed limited to 50-100 Mbps, even though my router is capable of 300+?

This is a typical problem. iPhone with routers that have it enabled 802.11r (Fast Transition). Disable this option in the router settings (section Wireless Network → Roaming Assistant or 802.11r). Also check if it is turned on Low data consumption mode in the Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone.

❓ How do I know what Wi-Fi standard my phone uses?

On Android: install the application WiFi Analyzer or DevCheck — in the “Wi-Fi” section the current standard will be indicated (802.11ac, 802.11n etc.).

On iPhone: Press and hold the Wi-Fi icon in the control panel - if it is displayed Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5, then it is used 802.11ax or 802.11ac respectively.

❓ My provider says I have a 100 Mbps plan, but my phone speed is only 20 Mbps. What should I do?

First, check the speed on your PC or laptop via cable. If it's also 20 Mbps, the problem is with your provider (damaged cable, overloaded network). If the speed is normal on your PC but not on your phone, follow these steps:

1. Reset network settings on your phone.
2. Checking QoS settings on the router.
3. Changing DNS on the phone (for example, to 1.1.1.1).

If all else fails, try connecting your phone to a different Wi-Fi network (for example, at a cafe). If the speed is fine there, the problem is with your router or its settings.

❓ Can an antivirus or VPN limit Wi-Fi speed?

Yes! Many antiviruses (Kaspersky, Avast) scan traffic in real time, which slows down the connection. VPNs can also reduce speed due to encryption. To check:

1. Disable your antivirus for 5 minutes and check your speed.
2. Connect to a VPN and compare the speed with a disabled VPN.

If the speed has increased, add an exception for Wi-Fi in the antivirus settings or change the VPN to a faster one (for example, WireGuard instead of OpenVPN).

❓ Why does Wi-Fi speed drop only in some apps (YouTube, Telegram)?

This is a sign selective traffic restriction from the provider or router. Possible reasons:

• Your ISP is blocking streaming services (try a VPN).
• It's turned on in the router QoS with priority for other devices.
• The application itself limits the speed (for example, YouTube (if the signal is poor, it reduces the video quality).

Solution: Disable QoS on your router, try a different DNS (e.g. 9.9.9.9), or use a VPN.