Movistar customers with iPhones can now connect to Telefónica’s 5G SA network thanks to a new version of their operator settings, something that was not possible before the arrival of iOS 18, now available for download.
Before iOS 18, iPhone users were unable to use Movistar’s 5G+ network. The blue operator has the advanced version of 5G that activates the full and independent mode of this mobile network. However, although the operator began to deploy 5G+ in up to 11 cities more than a year ago, iPhone was not among the mobile brands for which Movistar activated this signal. But now, the arrival of iOS 18 has brought new operator settings to the iPhone that allow Movistar users to use this network.
After updating to iOS 18, the new version of the iPhone operating system that Apple released on September 16, Movistar customers can enter the terminal’s Settings and activate independent 5G (as Apple calls 5G+) as follows: go to Settings > Mobile data > Options > activate the Independent 5G tab. This is due to an update to the Movistar version of the operator’s settings, version 59.1.
O2 customers should also be able to activate this network, as some users have reported on forums. However, others are unable to activate it and are faced with the message: “Your current SIM does not support the standalone 5G feature. Please contact your operator for more information.” In order to use 5G+, it is essential to use a SIM card with SUCI encryption, so this may be the cause of the problem.
The fastest 5G
5G+ is the network that truly offers the features expected from regular 5G, as conventional 5G often fails to reach maximum gigabit speeds. 5G+, also known as 5G SA, is better in terms of battery performance, communication security and connection efficiency.
The Spanish operator is also well prepared for the deployment of this network, as it has the largest number of n78 antennas installed. Movistar thus manages to match Orange, whose 5G+ was already working for iPhone users.
Other compatible devices
Apple phones thus join the list of brands that allow the use of this 5G SA network. At least 68 other terminals from Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo and Motorola could already use 5G+ with the blue operator.
Although iPhones can theoretically connect to the 5G+ network starting with the iPhone 13, at the moment it has only been seen working on the iPhone 14, 15 and 16. This is confirmed by the post by @DJ_Xavi_G in X, which seems to indicate that the iPhone 12 and 13 have not received this update to the Movistar settings. The user asks the operator: “Is there any reason why you have not included iPhone 12 and 13 in the 5G SA profile in the iOS 18 operator settings? They are fully technically compatible and you have excluded them, contributing to planned obsolescence?”
5G+ should also be available on the latest versions of the iPad Pro, Air and mini. Please note that you need to have a 5G+ compatible SIM or eSIM.
