Troubleshooting iPhone XR 4G/LTE Connectivity: A Comprehensive Guide

If your iPhone XR only shows LTE and not 4G, you might be wondering how to activate 4G functionality. This guide will take you through a series of steps to ensure your device is properly connected to a 4G network. Understanding the difference between LTE and 4G and the supported devices can also help clarify whether your phone can access 4G/LTE.

Understanding 4G and LTE on iPhone XR

LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a standard for wireless broadband communication over mobile phone networks. In many regions, especially the US, the term 4G LTE is often used interchangeably to describe connections that are faster than 3G but may not reach the full 4G speed. The distinction can sometimes be confusing, but in practical terms, you have 4G already if your device is showing LTE on a 4G network.

Steps to Activate 4G on iPhone XR

1. Check Carrier Settings

Ensure your carrier supports 4G/LTE. You can check with your telecom provider for any service issues.

2. Enable Cellular Data

Turn on cellular data to establish a connection with your network provider:

Go to Settings

Select Cellular

Make sure Cellular Data is turned on.

3. Select LTE (or 4G)

Select the appropriate network type:

Go to Settings

Select Cellular

Select Cellular Data Options

Ensure that LTE is selected. If options like 5G are available, you can still see LTE if you are in an area without 5G coverage.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

1. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can help reconnect to the network:

Steps:

Press and hold the power button until the slide to power off option appears.

Slide to power off.

After the screen turns off, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to turn it back on.

2. Update Carrier Settings

Connect to Wi-Fi and check for updates:

Connect to Wi-Fi.

Go to Settings > General > About.

If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt to update your settings.

3. Reset Network Settings

If the above steps do not resolve the issue:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Tap Reset.

Tap Reset Network Settings.

Note that this action will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords.

Compatible Devices for 4G/LTE

Most modern devices support LTE, including many recent flagships and some older models:

iPhone: iPhone 6s/SE 1 onwards

Tablets: iPad Pro

Smartphones:

Blackberry Priv and Passport

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

HTC One M9, A9, and 10

Moto Z and X Style

LG G3 onwards

Huawei Honor 6, Mate 8, and P9 onwards

OnePlus 2 onwards

Samsung Galaxy S5 onwards (Note S4 onwards and A-series)

Sony Xperia X, XZ, and Z3 onwards

By taking these steps and understanding the compatibility of your device with LTE, you should be able to better troubleshoot and activate 4G/LTE on your iPhone XR.