Why Switch Your eSIM From 5G to 4G While Traveling, and How to Do It

Short answer: switching your travel eSIM from 5G to 4G usually gives you longer battery life, wider and more stable coverage, fewer dropouts and less heat, with no noticeable speed loss for everyday use. On iPhone go to Settings → Cellular → your eSIM line → Voice & Data → choose LTE. On Android go to the eSIM line's Preferred network type and choose 4G/3G/2G.

5G sounds like the obvious choice, but when it comes to an eSIM for travel or everyday use, the picture is more complicated. In this guide we explain when and why it's worth switching your eSIM from 5G to 4G, and how to make the change on iPhone and Android.

What's the difference between 5G and 4G on an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card, but the network generation, 4G or 5G, is decided by the network, not by the type of card. In other words, an eSIM can support both 4G and 5G, depending on your phone and the plan you bought. The choice between them mainly affects speed, coverage and battery use. For the full picture, see does an eSIM support 5G?

Five reasons to give up 5G and prefer 4G

1. Your battery drains much faster

A 5G modem uses more power than a 4G modem, especially when it keeps searching for a 5G network in areas where coverage is weak or unstable. In those situations the phone "works hard" to catch a 5G signal and drains the battery noticeably faster. Switching to 4G permanently solves this almost completely.

2. 5G coverage is still patchy, especially abroad

When you buy an eSIM for a trip abroad, the local 5G network is often limited to big city centers. As soon as you leave the city, a phone that keeps reaching for 5G may lose signal or switch between networks frequently, causing dropouts and slower data in practice. 4G, on the other hand, is deployed almost everywhere and gives a much more stable experience.

3. No noticeable speed difference for everyday use

For regular browsing, WhatsApp, maps, social media and even streaming, 4G speeds are more than enough. The difference between 4G and 5G shows up mainly when transferring heavy files or under lab conditions, not in most people's everyday use.

4. Wider compatibility across eSIM providers

Many international eSIM plans, especially those made for tourists, are built on 4G networks from the start to ensure stability in every country. Setting your phone to 4G only avoids possible conflicts with local networks that don't yet fully support 5G on eSIM.

5. Less heating

Long use on 5G, especially with borderline signal, makes the phone heat up more because of the load on the cellular chip. Switching to 4G reduces this, especially during long sessions like navigation or video calls.

How to switch an eSIM from 5G to 4G, step by step

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data), and if you have several lines, choose the eSIM line.
3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
4. Tap Voice & Data.
5. Choose LTE (4G) instead of 5G Auto or 5G On.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Connections or Network & internet, then Mobile networks.
3. Choose the eSIM line.
4. Tap Preferred network type (or Network mode).
5. Choose 4G/3G/2G instead of 5G/4G/3G/2G.

Menu names vary slightly between models and manufacturers, but the general structure is similar on all modern phones.

When it's worth keeping 5G on

If you're in an area with strong, consistent 5G coverage, for example in a big city, and you genuinely need high speeds, such as uploading large files or streaming high-quality video, there's no reason to give up 5G. In those cases, check the quality of local coverage before turning it off.

Frequently asked questions

Will switching to 4G make my data slower?

For everyday use like maps, messaging, social media and regular streaming, you won't notice a difference. 5G only makes a clear difference for very large file transfers or 4K streaming in areas with strong 5G coverage.

Does switching to 4G really save battery?

Yes, especially in areas with weak or patchy 5G, where the phone constantly searches for a 5G signal. Locking it to 4G stops that search.

Can I switch back to 5G later?

Yes. Go back to the same menu and choose 5G Auto (iPhone) or 5G/4G/3G/2G (Android). The change applies immediately and doesn't affect your eSIM plan.

Does this setting affect my home SIM too?

No. The setting is per line, so changing it on the eSIM line doesn't change your home SIM's settings.

Summary

Switching your eSIM from 5G to 4G isn't a step backwards, it's a smart adjustment to reality: wider coverage, a battery that lasts longer, fewer dropouts and better compatibility with most travel eSIM plans. For most users, especially while traveling abroad, the switch noticeably improves the experience.

Planning a trip? Find your destination and pick a plan before you fly.