[Updated] Google Pixel 'preferred network (5G, 4G)' options missing for some Verizon users after June 2023 update

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on June 21, 2023) follows:

The latest June 2023 update for Google Pixel users on Verizon, T-Mobile, and Google-Fi was reportedly delayed due to some unknown reason.

Now, the update is finally reaching these Google Pixel units. However, some Pixel owners on Verizon who received the update are reporting that the options to select preferred network type between 5G and 4G are missing.

Users say that they can’t find options to change preferred network in their phone’s settings. While the option to toggle on/off 2G is available, they can’t find options to disable or enable 5G.

Here are some reports for reference:

Same issue. Pixel 7 on Verizon. Installed June update and now don’t have option to choose network type (Source)

Can you check if you can disable and enable 5g? They took it away on the 6p6 Verizon update for me. 😭 (Source)

The problem with the missing network options only seems to affect people who have unlocked Verizon Google Pixel phones. Interestingly, this issue is not affecting users who use MVNOs that rely on Verizon’s network.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that the update has not yet been made available for Verizon-locked Pixel models. So, it’s hard to determine whether the problem is limited to unlocked devices or it is a widespread issue.

Furthermore, a Pixel user on Straight Talk reported that they still have these options even after installing the update. This suggests that it’s likely a Verizon specific issue.

As of now, there is no clear explanation why the preferred network options have disappeared for some Verizon users after the June 2023 update.

Unfortunately, neither Verizon nor Google has acknowledged the problem yet. But we hope that the option to select the preferred network type on Pixel phones will soon be back.

Also, we haven’t come across any potential workaround that might help users fix this glitch. Hence, you’ll have to wait until devs come up with a definitive fix.

That said, we will keep an eye on the latest developments and inform you as and when we come across anything noteworthy.

03:25 pm (IST): Fresh reports suggest that the preferred network option is missing even after the July 2023 update.

05:16 pm (IST): Sadly, it seems that the issue where the option to switch between preferred network (4G-5G) is missing from phone Settings is still affecting Verizon users even after the latest Android 14 update, as reported by slave1974 on Reddit.

That said, it seems that the issue is not only happening on Verizon devices, as there are also similar reports from T-Mobile and AT&T users:

Fortunately, there is still a way to change this even if the option is not present in the Settings menu. Basically, you can access a ‘hidden menu’ by dialing the code ‘*#*#4636#*#*’, there you can look for the ‘Phone Information’ option and change the ‘Preferred Network’ section. If you want to disable 5G connectivity, just change it ‘LTE Only’ or ‘LTE/WCDMA’, as suggested by Redditor coolerhead.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google section, so be sure to follow them as well.

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