Did Verizon force Google to remove option to switch between 5G & 4G LTE from Pixel phones? Here's what to know (workaround inside)

Despite the leap to 5G, most smartphones are still reliant on 4G LTE. This is partly because of the poor network coverage in some areas coupled with the higher battery consumption compared to LTE. Even people with 5G devices tend to prefer the older, more reliable 4G LTE. While your phone should automatically switch to 4G network when in an area with poor 5G signal, in doesn’t always happen. This explains why smartphones have the option to manually pick preferred network type, be it 5G or 4G LTE.

But what if your smartphone suddenly loses the option to switch between 5G and 4G LTE and instead is stuck on 5G, even when in an area with poor 5G coverage? Is it possible to fix this problem? Well, this is the predicament some Google Pixel owners on Verizon are dealing with.

But before we get into how to manually switch from 5G to 4G LTE on your Google Pixel phone on Verizon, let’s first take a step back in time.

Back in June, reports emerged from some Google Pixel owners on Verizon Wireless about missing “Preferred network type” option in SIM settings. The issue popped up after the June 2023 update. And going by the most recent developments, it persists after the update to Android 14.

What seemed like a minor software glitch has turned into a serious concern for Google Pixel owners on Verizon. Verizon has definitely made significant leaps with 5G network coverage. But some people still prefer using 4G for network stability, reliability and better battery life. This explains the outrage on Reddit. Affected Pixel owners are increasingly accusing Google of conspiring with Verizon to remove the “Preferred network type” option.

There’s no doubt Verizon is the biggest carrier in the U.S. But this doesn’t translate to having the widest 5G coverage. T-Mobile leads the way ahead of AT&T with Verizon in third. Granted, Big Red has no place forcing Google Pixel owners to use 5G. Instead, they can easily take advantage of the carrier’s 4G LTE network, which is the widest in the country.

Neither Verizon nor Google has come out with an official statement regarding the issue with the missing “Preferred network type” option on Pixel phones. This only leaves room for educated guesses, and I got one up my sleeve.

For the uninitiated, Verizon was the first telco to carry Google Pixel phones in the U.S. The exclusivity started all the way with the first Pixel phone and lasted until the Pixel 3A and Pixel 4 in 2019. The fact the nation’s biggest network provider had agreed to carry a little-known Pixel phone should have meant something to both Google and Verizon. Did Verizon sneak a clause to force Google to remove or limit certain Pixel features at software level if they wished to? It could be a possible hypothesis.

To add more weight to this argument, switching to a T-Mobile SIM, for instance, restores the setting to select preferred network type. It means this is a Verizon and not a Google Pixel thing. But whatever deal Verizon struck with Google to remove this option remains unknown. However, it’s clearly a software thing since other carriers are not affected.

Luckily, those affected have a potential way out. A solution has been shared by u/ClappedOutLlama on Reddit, allowing Google Pixel owners on Verizon to manually switch between 5G and 4G LTE. Below are the steps to follow:

• Open Phone dialer
• Dial *#*#4636#*#* and select “Phone information”
• Under “Set Preferred Network Type”, you should see “NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA”
• From the drop down menu, select “GSM/WCDMA/LTE(PRL)”
• You’ve disabled 5G and enabled 4G LTE on your Verizon Pixel phone.

To re-enable 5G, follow the same steps and replace “GSM/WCDMA/LTE(PRL)” with the previous “NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA” option in the drop-down menu. It’s also worth noting that this solution isn’t limited to Verizon and Google Pixel phones. It should also work on other Android smartphones on other carriers as well.

Google Pixel devices with 5G network have had some persistent battery life issues over time. And people haven’t been shy to voice their concerns. The option to switch between 4G LTE and 5G came in handy for them. Verizon removing it is absurd, and it’s a shame Google let them do it.

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