By default, your Google Pixel 6a will use 5G. If you want to disable this mobile network connection, then you can take a look at this guide to see how you can properly do so.
How to turn off 5G on the Pixel 6a
Depending on mobile network carrier, you may be able to turn off 5G by using the Settings App. In order to do so, you can try taking the following steps:
1. Open the Settings App on your Pixel 6a.
2. Once you get inside of the Settings App, you need to select Network & Internet.
3. From the Network and Internet menu, you need to select SIMs.
4. You should then select “Preferred network type.”
5. Finally change the network from 5G to LTE, 3G or 2G.
How to turn off 5G on the Pixel 6a in Safe Mode
If you aren’t able to disable 5G by using the Settings App, then you can try using the same application when you set your Pixel 6a in Safe Mode. In order to do so, you need to do the following:
1. Open the power menu.
You can do so by pressing and holding both the power and volume up buttons at the same time. Alternatively. You can also swipe downwards from the top of the screen two times to open the expanded Quick Settings menu and then select the power option.
2. In the power menu, press and hold the power option until you see a notification asking you to reboot the phone in Safe Mode. Select OK to continue.
3. In Safe Mode, swipe downwards two times from the top of the screen to open the expanded Quick Settings menu. From there, make sure that you disable Airplane Mode.
4. With the Airplane Mode disabled, select the gear icon in the same Quick Settings menu to head into the Settings App.
5. In Settings, select Network & Internet.
6. You then need to select SIMs.
7. In the next screen, select the “Preferred network type” option.
8. Change the network type to something other than 5G.
How to disable 5G on Pixel 6a by using the dialer
If the “Preferred network type” option does not appear in the Settings App, then you need to use the dialer of your Pixel 6a in order to turn off 5G. In order to do so, you need to take the following steps:
1. Open the Phone app on the home screen.
2. In the Phone app, select the dialer option on the bottom right on the screen.
3. You then need input the following on the dialer:
*#*#4636#*#*
4. If done correctly, you should now be in the Testing menu. From there, you need to select the Phone Information option.
5. Once you get to the Phone information menu, select the Set Preferred Network Type drop-down menu.
6. Finally, change the network type to something that does not contain NR in order to disable 5G.