How to Activate 5G on Jio, Airtel & Vi

Upgrading to 5G in India is easy if your phone, SIM, and area support it—and you know the right settings to change.

In this 2026 Cash Stark guide, you’ll learn how to activate 5G on Jio, Airtel, Vi, the latest BSNL 5G launch updates, supported phones, speed comparisons, pricing, and fixes for common issues.

1. What Is 5G and Why Should You Activate It?

5G is the latest generation of mobile network technology, designed to offer significantly higher data speeds, lower latency, and more stable connections than 4G. In India, telecom operators are rapidly expanding 5G coverage across major cities and towns.

Key benefits of activating 5G on your number:

Much faster downloads and uploads (up to several times faster than 4G in many areas)
Smoother video streaming in 4K, less buffering, and better video calls
Lower latency for online gaming, trading apps, and real-time tools
Better performance in crowded places like stadiums, malls, and events

If your phone supports 5G and your operator has 5G in your city, you’re leaving a lot of speed on the table by staying on 4G.

2. Step‑by‑Step: How to Activate 5G on Jio

Jio has rolled out 5G in hundreds of cities across India and allows most users to access 5G on existing 4G SIM cards, provided their plan is eligible.

Step 1: Check 5G Coverage in Your Area

Open the MyJio app and look for Jio 5G coverage information, banners, or eligibility notifications.
Alternatively, visit Jio’s official website and check their 5G coverage map or city list.

If your city is not yet on the 5G list, you won’t see 5G even if your phone supports it.

Step 2: Ensure Your SIM and Plan Support 5G

Most Jio 4G SIMs are 5G‑ready; you usually don’t need a new SIM.
Make sure you have an active Jio data plan; Jio offers 5G on eligible plans as per current offers.

If you’re unsure, open MyJio → View Plan and check if 5G access or “Welcome Offer”/5G mention is visible.

Step 3: Turn On 5G in Your Phone Settings

Android (generic steps, wording may vary):

Open Settings.
Tap Network & Internet (or “Connections”, “Mobile Network”).
Select SIM card & mobile network (choose your Jio SIM).
Tap Preferred network type.
Select 5G (preferred) or 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto).

iPhone (iOS 16+ on supported models):

Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options.
Tap Voice & Data.
Choose 5G On or 5G Auto.

Within a few seconds to a couple of minutes, you should see the 5G or 5G+ icon near your signal bars, if coverage is available.

Step 4: Restart if 5G Doesn’t Appear

If 5G still doesn’t show:

Turn Airplane mode on and off.
Restart your phone once after changing network type.
Make sure mobile data is enabled and you’re outdoors or near a window for better signal.

3. Step‑by‑Step: How to Activate 5G on Airtel

Airtel markets its 5G service as “Airtel 5G Plus” and allows most existing 4G SIMs to connect to 5G where available.

Step 1: Check Airtel 5G Plus Availability

Install and open the Airtel Thanks app.
Go to the 5G Plus section to see if your city and PIN code have 5G coverage.
You can also check the 5G coverage map on Airtel’s official website.

Step 2: Confirm SIM and Plan Eligibility

Airtel’s 4G SIM cards generally support 5G; a SIM change is rarely needed.
Many existing prepaid/postpaid plans get free 5G access, but some users may need to upgrade to 5G‑ready plans.

Open Airtel Thanks → “My Plan” to see if 5G access is mentioned, or contact customer support within the app.

Step 3: Enable 5G in Phone Settings

Android:

Go to Settings.
Tap Mobile Network / Connections.
Select your Airtel SIM.
Tap Preferred network type.
Choose 5G or 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto).

iPhone:

Open Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options.
Tap Voice & Data.
Select 5G Auto (recommended) or 5G On.

Once enabled and if you are in a 5G coverage zone, your phone will switch from 4G/LTE to 5G Plus.

4. Step‑by‑Step: How to Activate 5G on Vi (Vodafone Idea)

Vi is rolling out 5G gradually and offers coverage in selected cities; most existing SIMs are 5G‑ready.

Step 1: Check If Vi 5G Is in Your City

Open the Vi app and look for the 5G section or coverage checker.
Visit myvi.in and check Vi’s 5G availability map or list of supported cities.

If your city is not listed, you will stay on 4G even if your phone supports 5G.

Step 2: Update Network Settings to 5G

Android:

Open Settings.
Go to Mobile Network or Connections.
Select your Vi SIM.
Tap Preferred network type.
Select 5G or 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto).

iPhone: same steps as Jio/Airtel (Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → Voice & Data → 5G Auto/On).

Step 3: Verify SIM and Plan

Most Vi SIMs are 5G‑compatible, but if you face issues, visit a Vi store and ask for a SIM upgrade.
Ensure your plan includes data and that you have sufficient balance or an active pack.

5. Which Phones Support 5G in India? (2026 Overview)

In 2026, almost all mid‑range and flagship smartphones from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme, OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo, iQOO, Apple, and Google come with 5G support in India.

Instead of a static “full list” that quickly becomes outdated, here’s how to quickly check 5G support:

Look for “5G” in your phone’s name (e.g., “Redmi Note 13 5G”, “Galaxy A35 5G”).
On Android, go to Settings → Mobile Network → Preferred network type and see if 5G is listed as an option.
On iPhone, models from iPhone 12 series onwards support 5G in India with the correct carrier settings.

You can also search “[Your Phone Model] 5G bands India” online to confirm compatibility with Indian operators’ 5G bands.

6. 5G vs 4G Speed Comparison in India

Real‑world 5G speeds vary by city, tower load, and device, but in general, users can expect much higher throughput than 4G.

Typical experience ranges (approximate, indicative only):

4G: often around a few Mbps to tens of Mbps in many Indian cities.
5G: can be several times faster, with some operators advertising speeds up to many times their 4G performance in ideal conditions.

Airtel, for example, states that its 5G Plus network can deliver speeds up to around 30x faster than its 4G network in certain scenarios, though your actual speed will depend on signal strength and congestion.

7. Is 5G Free or Paid? (Pricing Breakdown)

Whether 5G is “free” depends on your operator and plan type.

Jio: Offers 5G access on many existing plans in eligible cities as part of its current rollout strategy, but this may change as tariff structures evolve.
Airtel: Provides free 5G access to users on eligible Airtel plans where 5G Plus is available, subject to ongoing offers.
Vi: Rolls out 5G selectively; 5G access is generally linked to active data plans, with more structured 5G packs expected as rollout grows.
BSNL: As of 2026, BSNL is focusing on 5G rollout after stabilising its 4G network, with pricing and packs expected to be announced around or after its commercial launch.

Always check your operator’s app or website for the latest 5G‑inclusive plans and tariffs, as offers change frequently.

8. BSNL 5G Launch Date (Latest Update)

BSNL has confirmed that it will launch 5G services after stabilising its pan‑India 4G rollout.

Government and BSNL officials have indicated a 5G rollout timeline around mid‑2025, with 4G sites being upgraded and new 5G infrastructure deployed using indigenous technology.
BSNL has also soft‑launched a “Quantum 5G FWA” fixed wireless access service in select locations like Hyderabad as part of its 5G push.

For mobile users, this means BSNL 5G availability will gradually appear city by city once commercial services start, similar to how Jio and Airtel rolled out.

9. Common 5G Problems and Easy Fixes

Even if you follow all steps, you may still not see 5G. Here are common issues and solutions.

Problem 1: 5G Option Not Showing in Settings

Possible reasons and fixes:

Your phone is not a 5G model → Verify model specs; only 5G phones show the 5G network type.
Old software → Update your phone’s OS and carrier settings.
Wrong region firmware (imported phones) → Some imported devices may not show 5G options for India; check with the manufacturer.

Problem 2: 5G Option Visible, but Network Stays on 4G

You are outside 5G coverage → Confirm your city and area via operator app or website.
Weak indoor signal → Try going near a window or outdoors.
Network mode set to 4G only → Ensure 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto) is selected.
Smart 5G/Battery saver limiting 5G usage → Turn off “Smart 5G” or similar options in some Android phones.

Problem 3: 5G Plan Not Active

Even with 5G in your area, your plan might not be eligible.
Check your pack in Jio, Airtel, or Vi apps for 5G access mentions; if missing, upgrade to a 5G‑ready plan.

Problem 4: Random Disconnections or Slow Speed on 5G

Toggle Airplane mode on/off.
Restart your phone and re‑insert the SIM.
Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings) if issues continue.

If nothing works, test your SIM in another known 5G phone; if it works there, the issue is likely with your device, not the network.

FAQ: 5G Activation in India

Q1. Do I need a new SIM card for 5G?

In most cases, no. Jio, Airtel, and Vi support 5G on existing 4G SIMs, but if you face issues, your operator may advise a SIM replacement.

Q2. Is 5G available in my village/town?

5G is mainly available in major cities and selected towns, with coverage expanding gradually. Check your operator’s 5G coverage map or app for exact availability.

Q3. Will 5G drain my battery faster?

5G can consume more battery than 4G, especially in areas with weak signal, because the phone works harder to maintain the connection. You can switch to 5G Auto or 4G when not needed.

Q4. Is 5G safe?

Current 5G deployments follow international safety standards and regulatory limits set by authorities; no credible agency has classified standard 5G usage as unsafe when operated within guidelines.

Q5. Can I use 5G and still get normal call quality?

Yes. Calls often still use 4G (VoLTE) or 5G‑ready voice technologies, and your phone automatically manages network switching between data and voice layers.