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How to Check Your WiFi GHz on iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Alicia6/24/2024
how to check your wifi ghz on iphone

Getting the best out of your iPhone largely depends on how strong and fast is your internet connection. Nonetheless, do you know that Wi-Fi has different radio frequencies or ‘GHz bands’? The reason for checking the Wi-Fi GHz on your iPhone is to enable you to identify any problems, avoid interference as well as ensure older devices are compatible with it and connect to the right band in order to improve performance.

This detailed article will take you through steps for how to check WiFi GHz on iPhone 11, 13, or 14 settings, router admin console, or using useful WiFi scanner apps. Furthermore, I will tell you how to understand if 2.4GHz or 5GHz works better for your needs and ways by which you can manually switch between bands when necessary.

Why You Might Need to Check Your WiFi GHz

Here are some common reasons for checking your iPhone’s WiFi GHz:

  • Compatibility with devices – Some older gadgets work only on 2.4GHz networks, while the latter helps to identify compatibility questions.
  • Network congestion - 5GHz networks have larger bandwidth but shorter range. Switching to 2.4GHz might better your performance in case your 5GHz network is congested.
  • Channel interference – interference can be caused by neighboring Wi-Fi networks. To find out where it is coming from check the ghz.
  • Maximize Speed - 5GHz networks have higher peak speeds than the ones of 2.4gHz, which means checkingghztells you how to connect for speed at the best band possible

How to Check Your WiFi GHz on iPhone

Here are some ways how to know if your WiFi is 2.4ghz iPhone.

Check WiFi Name on iPhone

Many WiFi routers broadcast separate network names (SSIDs) for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

To check the name:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone.
  2. Identify and connect to the WiFi network.
  3. The network name typically indicates if it's 2.4GHz or 5GHz (e.g. MyWifi_2.4GHz).

This is the quickest way to know how to check if WiFi is 2.4 or 5 on iPhone. However, some routers use the same SSID for both bands.

Log in to Your WiFi Router

You can log in to your WiFi router admin console to identify the exact GHz networks:

  1. Open the router admin page on your computer's browser.
  2. Log in with admin credentials.
  3. Go to Wireless or WiFi settings.
  4. Check the listed Wireless networks and their GHz bands.

Consult your router documentation for the exact steps to access the admin console.

Use Third-Party Apps

Apps like Airport Utility or WiFi Analyzer can scan and identify nearby WiFi networks with their GHz bands and channels.

To use them:

  1. Download and install the app on your iPhone.
  2. Open the app and allow location access if prompted.
  3. It will scan WiFi networks in range and display their SSIDs and GHz to check if your iPhone's connected network is 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

How to Find 2.4 GHz Network on iPhone

If you want to specifically connect to a 2.4GHz network on your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn off WiFi.
  2. Manually select and connect to the 2.4GHz SSID from the list.
  3. If you don't see it, tap the circled (i) next to networks to identify the GHz band.
  4. Make sure to connect to the correct 2.4GHz network for your router.

Alternatively, you can temporarily disable the 5GHz band on your router so only the 2.4GHz network is visible on your iPhone.

How to Know If 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi is Better for iPhone

5GHz WiFi is better in most cases for iPhone users due to higher bandwidth and reduced interference. However, 2.4GHz offers a longer range and better obstacle penetration.
Consider the following to determine the optimal GHz band:

  • Use 5GHz for online gaming, HD video streaming, and video calls to get maximum speed.
  • Use 2.4GHz if you need a longer range such as in large homes or outdoor areas. It penetrates walls and obstacles better.
  • Avoid 2.4GHz if you experience interference from neighboring routers as it has limited channel options.
  • Stay on 2.4GHz if you have older devices that don't support 5GHz.
  • Switch to 5GHz if your 2.4GHz network is congested and slow due to many connected devices.

In a word, use 5GHz for performance and 2.4GHz for coverage. Evaluate your usage, environment, and client devices to decide.

Many security cameras can connect to various WiFi bands. For instance, Reolink's battery-powered security cameras, including the Reolink Argus PT, Argus 4, and Argus 4 Pro, are compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks.

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Can You Manually Switch Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi Bands on Your iPhone?

Unfortunately, there is no native option on the iPhone to manually switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands on the same SSID. The iPhone will automatically connect to the 5GHz band if it is available, and fall back to 2.4GHz otherwise.

Some workarounds are:

  • Turn off WiFi and manually reconnect to select the desired 2.4GHz or 5GHz network.
  • Create separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands on your router. iPhone will present them as different networks.
  • Use a wireless band controller app to force your device onto a specific band if your router supports it.

FAQs

How do I know if my WiFi is 2.4 GHz on iphone?

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and check the network name. It usually indicates if it's 2.4GHz or 5GHz. Alternatively, use a WiFi analyzer app to identify the GHz band.

How do I know what GHz my Wi-Fi is on my phone?

Check your phone's WiFi settings or a WiFi analyzer app to determine the GHz band. On iPhone, the network name often identifies if it's 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

How do I connect to 2.4 GHz instead of 5GHz on iPhone?

Manually select the 2.4GHz network name from the WiFi list in Settings. Or disable 5GHz on your router so only 2.4GHz is visible to connect to.

Conclusion

Identifying the WiFi GHz of your iPhone is a crucial step that many people miss to optimize wireless performance. The band can easily be checked in Settings, Router Admin, or through WiFi apps. Think about what you do with it, where, and with what to make a choice between 2.4GHz for range or 5GHz for speed.

Though iPhones don’t by default facilitate manual band switch, there are alternatives like various SSIDs which give the user an opportunity to have some control over it. Using the information from this guide will help you understand how to fix problems with connections between devices, avoid obstacles made by third-party devices, guarantee compatibility, and settle on the best frequency for your situation.

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Editor from Reolink. Interested in new technology trends and willing to share tips about home security. Her goal is to make security cameras and smart home systems easy to understand for everyone.