How to switch from Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz on Android: all ways

Have you noticed that your smartphone on Android connects only to a slow network 2.4 GHz, although the router supports a faster range 5 GHz? This problem is familiar to many users, especially in apartment buildings, where the channel 2.4 GHz is overloaded by neighboring networks. Switching to 5 GHz can increase Internet speed by 2-3 times, reduce delays in online games and improve the stability of video calls.

In this article we will examine all possible methods forced connection to the network 5 GHz —from simple smartphone settings to changing router settings. You'll learn why Android sometimes gets stubborn and chooses 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz, how to check your device's band support, and what to do if the network you need simply doesn't appear in the list. We will also consider hidden settings for advanced users and alternative solutions for older smartphones.

Why does Android choose 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz?

Let's start with the main thing: your smartphone connects to 2.4 GHzfor a reason. There are logical reasons for this choice, and understanding them will help avoid errors when switching:

• 📶 Automatic network selection. Many routers and smartphones use technology Band Steering (band management), which itself decides which channel to connect to. Often the algorithm mistakenly considers 2.4 GHz "more stable", especially if the signal 5 GHz is weaker.
• 🔄 Same network name (SSID). If your router broadcasts both bands under same name (for example, MyWiFi), Android will see only one network and select the band automatically. Separating names (for example, MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G) solves the problem.
• 📱 Hardware limitations. Old smartphones (for example Samsung Galaxy S5 or Xiaomi Redmi 3) may not support 5 GHz at all. You can check this in the model specifications on the manufacturer's website.
• 🔧 Router settings. In the router's administrator panel, 5 GHzcan be disabled, the signal strength set to low, or compatibility mode enabled, which forces devices to 2.4 GHz.

Before trying to change the settings on your smartphone, make sure that the problem does not lie in the router. For example, if in the list of available networks you see only 2.4 GHzand 5 GHz is missing, the problem is definitely not Android.

How to check if your Android supports the 5 GHz band

Not all smartphones can work with 5 GHz. For example, budget models 2015–2017 (like Lenovo A6000 or Meizu M3 Note) often lack this function. You can check support in several ways:

Method 1: View model specifications

The most reliable method is to find the technical specifications of your device on the manufacturer’s official website or in the database data GSMArena. Look for lines like:

• 🔍 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac - supports 5 GHz (standards a, ac, ax).
• 🔍 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n - only 2.4 GHz.
• 🔍 Dual-band Wi-Fi - confirmation of support for both ranges.

Method 2: Use an application for Wi-Fi analysis

Install the utility WiFi Analyzer (or analogues: NetSpot, Fing) from Google Play. networks:

1. Open the application and wait until scanning is completed.
2. Look at the list of networks: if an inscription 5GHz or icon appears next to yours 5G the smartphone supports the range.
3. If all networks are marked as 2.4GHz —your device only works in this range.

Method 3: Checking through the engineering menu (for advanced)

On some smartphones (for example, Xiaomi, Samsung) you can go to the engineering menu and see the supported frequencies. To do this:

1. Open the application Phone and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. Go to the section Wi-Fi information (or Information about Wi-Fi).
3. Look at the line Frequency —if there are values like 5180 MHz (channels 36–165), then 5 GHz is supported.

Attention! If your smartphone does not support 5 GHz, all further instructions are useless. In this case, consider the options:

• 🔄 Update the firmware (sometimes manufacturers add support in new versions Software).
• 📶 Buy an external USB Wi-Fi adapter with support 5 GHz (suitable for some models via OTG).
• 📱 Consider changing the device if speed is critical.

Configuring a router to force the use of 5 GHz

If the smartphone supports 5 GHz, but stubbornly connects to 2.4 GHz, the problem may be in the settings router. Most modern routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) allow you to separate networks or force devices to switch to the desired band.

Step 1: Separate the SSID for 2.4 GHz and 5. GHz

The simplest solution is to give the networks different names. For example:

• 📡 MyWiFi_2G — for 2.4 GHz.
• 🚀 MyWiFi_5G — for 5 GHz.

How to do this:

1. Open the router admin panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to section Wi-Fi (or Wireless network).
3. Find settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz —they may be on separate tabs.
4. Set different names (SSID) and save the settings.

Step 2: Disabling Band Steering

Function Band Steering (or Smart Connect u ASUS) automatically switches devices between bands. Sometimes it does not work correctly:

1. In the router panel, find the section Wireless network → Settings.
2. Look for options. like Band Steering, Smart Connect or Automatic band selection.
3. Disable the function and save the changes.

Step 3: Checking the 5 GHz signal strength

If the network 5 GHz is in the list, but the signal is weak, Android can ignore it. Increase the transmission power:

1. In the router settings, find the parameter Transmit Power (or Transmission power).
2. For 5 GHz set the value High or 100%.
3. Reboot the router.

Separate the SSID for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz|Disable Band Steering|Increase the signal strength of 5 GHz|Reboot the router-->

Attention! If after the changes the network 5 GHz disappears completely, check:

• 🔌 Is the router connected to power (sometimes a physical reboot is required after changing settings).
• 📡 Is the mode turned on 802.11n only —it can limit 5 GHz.
• 🔒 Is your antivirus or firewall blocking the network?

Manually connecting to a 5 GHz network on Android

If the router is configured correctly, but Android still chooses 2.4 GHz, try connecting manually. The methods depend on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.).

Method 1: Selecting a network in the Wi-Fi settings

If the networks are separated (for example, MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G):

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Find the network with the postfix in the list 5G (or 5GHz).
3. Connect to it by entering password.
4. Click on the ⚙️ icon next to the network and turn on the option Auto-connect.

Method 2: Forget 2.4 GHz network

Android remembers networks and can automatically connect to 2.4 GHz, if the signal was stronger before. To reset priorities:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on network 2.4 GHz and select Forget (or Delete).
3. Connect to the network again 5 GHz.

Method 3: Using applications to force selection

Some utilities allow you to manually specify the range. For example, WiFi Manager or WiFi Priority:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Find your network 5 GHz in the list.
3. Set the maximum connection priority.

What to do if the 5 GHz network is not shown in the list?

If the network 5 GHz not visible, check:

1. Does your smartphone support it (see section above).

2. Is 5 GHz enabled in the router settings (sometimes it is disabled by default).

3. Is the router in mode 802.11b/g (you need to switch to 802.11a/n/ac).

4. Is the signal being blocked 5 GHz by a physical obstacle (walls, metal structures).

Advanced settings: forced range selection via ADB

If the standard methods did not help, you can try force priority for 5 GHz via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). data-i="264">force priority USB debugging.

Attention! Incorrect ADB commands may disrupt Wi-Fi operation. On Some firmware (for example, MIUI 12+) this method may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

Step 1: Preparation

• 📱 Turn on Developer mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About phone and press 7 times on Build number.
• 🔧 Return to Settings → System → For developers and turn on USB debugging.
• 💻 Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from the site Android Developers).
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to the PC via USB and confirm permission for debugging.

Step 2: Executing commands

Open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and enter:

adb shell
su
settings put global wifi_frequency_band 52

Where 52 is the priority for 5 GHz (you can also try the values 1 for 2.4 GHz or 0 for automatic selection).

After completion, restart your smartphone and check the connection.

Step 3: Reset settings (if something went wrong)

If Wi-Fi stops working, return the default settings:

adb shell
su
settings delete global wifi_frequency_band

Common problems and their solutions

When switching to 5 GHz users encounter typical difficulties. Let's look at the most common ones:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Network 5 GHz not displayed	The router does not broadcast 5 GHz or the smartphone does not support the band	Check the router settings and phone specifications
Android connects to 2.4 GHzdespite separate SSIDs	Enabled Band Steering or old network settings are saved	Disable Band Steering and “forget” network 2.4 GHz
The speed is 5 GHz lower than 2.4 GHz	Weak signal, interference from other networks or wrong channel	Change the channel 5 GHz in the router settings (select 36–48 or 149–165)
After switching to 5 GHz the Internet disappeared	Incorrect IP or DNS settings	Reboot the router and smartphone, reset the network settings
ADB commands do not work	None root-access or firmware restrictions	Try alternative methods or flash custom software

Attention! If after all the manipulations the network 5 GHz is unstable (breaks, low speed), check:

• 📡 Channel 5 GHz: in apartment buildings, channels 36–48 are often overloaded. Try 149–165 (if supported by the router).
• 🔄 The width of the channel: in the router settings, set 40 MHz instead of 80 MHz —this will increase stability.
• 📶 Distance to router: 5 GHz passes through walls worse. If the signal is weak, use repeater or Mesh system.

Alternative solutions for older smartphones

If your Android does not support 5 GHz, but you need fast Wi-Fi, consider these options:

• 🔌 USB Wi-Fi adapter: some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy s DeX) support connecting external adapters via OTG. Buy models with chipsets Realtek RTL8188 or Ralink RT5370 —they are better compatible with Android.
• 📶 5 GHz access point: create a separate network 5 GHz on another device (for example, on a second router or smartphone) and connect to it.
• 🔄 Firmware update: sometimes manufacturers add support 5 GHz in new software versions. Check for updates in Settings → System → Software update.
• 📱 Replacing a Wi-Fi module: on some models (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4) you can replace the module Wi-Fi to a newer one. This is risky and requires soldering skills.

Attention! Before purchasing USB Wi-Fi adapter make sure that your smartphone supports OTG and is compatible with the selected model. Some adapters require rootaccess or a custom kernel.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

My smartphone does not see the 5 GHz network, although the router broadcasts it. What's the matter?

There are several reasons:

1. Your smartphone does not support 5 GHz (check the model specifications).
2. Disabled in the router 5 GHz or an incompatible mode is set (for example, only 802.11ac, and your phone works with 802.11n).
3. Network 5 GHz hidden (enable the display of hidden networks in the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone).

Solution: check your router settings and phone compatibility.

How can I find out what band my Android is connected to right now?

There are several ways:

1. Install application WiFi Analyzer —it will show the current range next to the network name.
2. In the engineering menu (##4636##) go to Wi-Fi information and look at the line Frequency:
• 24xx MHz —range 2.4 GHz.
• 5xxx MHz —band 5 GHz.

After switching to 5 GHz, the speed did not increase. Why?

Possible reasons:

• 📡 The channel is congested: in apartment buildings, channels 36–48 are often busy. Try 149–165.
• 🔧 Non-optimal router settings: the channel width 80 MHz may cause interference. Install 40 MHz.
• 📶 Weak signal: 5 GHz It passes through walls worse. Move closer to the router.
• 🔄 Tariff restrictions: Your ISP may be limiting the speed regardless of the band.

Solution: test the speed on different channels and check the router settings.

Is it possible to forcefully disable 2.4 GHz on the router so that Android connects only to 5 GHz?

Yes, but this is a radical solution. In the router settings:

1. Disable network broadcast 2.4 GHz (leaving only 5 GHz).
2. Accordingly, all devices, not supporting 5 GHz (for example, old laptops or smart light bulbs) will lose connection.

Alternative: leave both bands, but set different names and manually connect to 5 GHz.

Do I need to update the router firmware to work with 5 GHz?

Updating the router firmware is recommended, if:

• Your router model is old (released before 2018).
• The current firmware has bugs with 5 GHz (check the reviews on the forums).
• You want to use modern standards (Wi-Fi 6, 160 MHz).

How to update:

1. Download the latest firmware from the manufacturer's website.
2. Go to the router admin panel and find the section Software update.
3. Download the file and wait for the process to complete (don't turn off the power!).