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Galaxy S5 Download Booster

With faster and faster internet connections (WiFi or mobile data), downloading is actually quite fast nowadays from smartphones in most regions.

But sometimes, you may want to get an even faster speed.

Now Samsung has a solution for you in Galaxy S5: download booster.

Galaxy S5 Download Booster combines LTE and WiFi

Galaxy S5 download booster technology lets you use the LTE and Wi-Fi simultaneously to give you an unrivaled download speed.

In a nutshell, Galaxy S5 download booster combines the WiFi connection and your 4G connection to finish one download task.  The combined speed will surely be faster than WiFi only or 4G LTE only.

Can I use Galaxy S5 Download Booster for streaming services, e.g., YouTube?

Galaxy S5 download booster is for downloading files only. It is not for streaming.

So, for streaming, Galaxy S5 will use WiFi only if WiFi connection is established, or mobile data only if WiFi connection is not available.

In most cases, WiFi or LTE itself is sufficient for streaming services.

How much additional speed  Galaxy S5 Download Booster can provide?

When download booster is enabled in Galaxy S5, you are using both LTE connection and WiFi connection for the single file downloading.

Of course, there are some overheads. Samsung claims that turning on the LTE and Wi-Fi together will give you  approximately 80~90% of the added network speed of LTE and Wi-Fi.

For example, if you use WiFi only to download the file, the speed is 10MB/s. With LTE only, it is 5MB only. Now if you use Galaxy S5 download booster, you may get a speed of 12-13MB/s.

If the difference of the WiFi speed and LTE speed is large, you will not benefit much from download booster. Simple math can tell us this.

Please note, the speed we are talking is the internet connection speed to the server that the file is located, not your router speed, or local LTE speed.

Can Galaxy S5 Download Booster use 3G and WiFi

Galaxy S5 download booster use 4G LTE mobile data only. If you only have 3G, HSPA, or HSPA+ mobile data connections, you cannot use the download booster in Galaxy S5.

One reason is that normally the 3G connection tends to be far slower than WiFi, and you will not get much boost by combining these two.

Anyway, download booster does not use any 3G connections. You need 4G LTE connection for Galaxy S5 download booster.

Do you have any questions on  using  Galaxy S5 Download Booster? Please let us know them in the comment box below.

To know more about Galaxy S5, please check our Samsung Galaxy S5 features explained page.

View Comments (130)

      • Actually it's been ported to the S4. If you root an S4 you can install the download booster. There is no change in hardware whatsoever.

  • is the download booster going to work with any router or it should only work with router supports 802.11ac

    • No, as I know the download booster does not need ac. But if you are going to get a new router, you should try to get one with AC. More and more hardwares support ac now.

      • sir, i have a query regarding the download booster . i bought my s5 from india .i dont have the option for download bosster. wat shud i do??????

        • This means download booster is not available for the phone model.

          As explained in the post, download booster is only available in Galaxy S5 with 4G LTE.

  • Does the Galaxy S5 on the download booster use Wi-Fi data, or your mobile (LTE) data on your phone data bundle . . or does it use both the connections data ? Wi-Fi as well as the data on your phone. . . or just the connection ??

    • If the download booster is enabled, if will use both mobile data and wifi connections. If you have very limited mobile data, you probably don't want to enable it.

    • Really? It is unlikely.

      We will confirm this in a few days.

      Update: it seems AT&T, sprint and Verizon removed this feature.

  • I bought a Samsung galaxy s5. But,I can't get Download Booster in my phone. So how can I get it. Tell me

    • In most US models, the download booster was disabled /hidden by the carrier.

      You can check the quick settings to see whether you get the toggle.

  • If you want to enable it for Sprint, At&T and Verizon...below is the method

    The directions are for Nova Launcher but will work for Apex Launcher and others. After installing Nova Launcher, open the app up and long-press on your Galaxy S5's home screen, choose Shortcuts, tap Activities, tap Settings, then tap Download Booster. You'll now be able to toggle Download Booster on and off.

    The good news is the feature is still alive and kicking on Verizon and AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones but it does not fully work the way Samsung intended. Users who have enabled it report that their speeds have increased when downloading apps from Google Play but not on large files. XDA forum members claim that in order to full experience Download Booster on these devices, root access is needed, but has not been achieved yet. if you notice any speed increases after trying these instructions, please let us know.

    • This feature was disabled by some carries, mainly US carriers .

      You can cannot find in your settings or quick settings panel, very likely, it was disabled by your carrier on your model.

  • I have t mobile but my booster doesn't work, trying to download movies from ttorrent, it just stays light gray...

    • Same here, I got metro pcs LTE coverage and the download booster logo stays inactive in the top of screen

  • Do I have to turn the wifi off before turning the s5 download booster on? Because I turned it on and tried to download some apps and its showing that its using only wifi not mobile data and wifi together?

  • I'm wondering how much % of the download is consumed by LTE data and how much % is used by Wifi. Is it 50/50?

    Thanks,

    Josh

    • No, it will use all available bandwidth of WiFi and 4G. If your 4G is faster, it will be used more.

  • Hi,
    if i enable the booster, using a third-party app to download a large file, the speed is also faster?

      • Hi simon,
        Is download booster also an App? if wifi and 4G is good and booster enabled, can a third-party app also get faster speed when download a large file?

        • Download booster is triggered by download action explicitly. So it should work on some (very limited) apps, and it will not work for some apps. It depends on apps.

          Please note, download booster will not make the apps faster if the app need fetch (download) a lot of data. Download booster will not be triggered at all in such scenarios. Fetching data or files within an app is different from downloading.

      • but mine is factory unlock, or at least that was told to me in the store where i bought it in my country (Honduras) how can i find out if it's actually factory unlock? is there a way for me to install the download booster in my phone?

        Thanks

        • Download booster is embedded in the firmware, and you cannot download it. In some regions, this feature was removed.

          In addition, download booster is only available for 4G LTE models and only works with 4g LTE. You can check the model number at settings- about phone.

          I don't think there is factory lock nowadays. Some carriers may have carrier lock. But in this case you can only use the device on their network.

          If you want to verify the authenticity of the phone, you can try to register warranty. You can also always check the phone with local Samsung service center.

  • I know it requires hardware changes but still update me can download booster work in Samsung galaxy note 3 LTE enabled.

    Waiting for reply

    • No, unless Samsung ports this feature to Note 3. The implementation is proprietary, so third-party developers cannot directly use it.

  • i have galaxy s5 SM-G900F also have the download booster but i can't find the option to switch to lte mode. in networks their is only option to select between 2g and WCDMA .No lte at all. pls HELP

    • If you cannot find lte/wcdma/gsm mode, you need check with the mobile company who issued the sim card. In some regions, if LTE is disabled in your Sim card, the option will not be available.

      You also need make sure the phone was bought through local distributors and is for your region because different countries or even different carriers may use different frequencies (band) for LTE.

      • I have Galaxy S5 G900I but I can't see a Download booster icon on notification bar and also main setting.I bought it from Taiwen Samsung Company so it have shown on the Box as supported 4G LTE Cat4 150 Mbps DL,50Mbps UL.Why???
        Pls help, I want to use it,sir!

        • You need check the Settings to see whether you have download booster (under quick settings category by default). It is not enabled by default.

  • I bought a factory unlock phone from singapore I also use s4 i9305 with same sim and it let's me select between 2g 3g and 4g but s5 doesn't show the option at all

    • Band 3 (1800MHz) and band 7 (2600MHz) are used in Singapore for LTE. Did you check whether your country/carrier uses at least one of the two bands?

      Also, did you try to verify that the S5 is genuine?

  • Is there a file to download the booster; my provider removed mine upon taking delivery of said phone?

    • Download booster is part of the firmware (TouchWiz). You cannot get it if it is removed by the carrier or distributor.

    • Download booster is in the firmware. If it is not available in your firmware, you cannot get it anyway. Your carrier may not support it even if you manage to get it.

  • galaxy s5 kullanıyorum g900 ama download booster eksik nedenini bilen varsa cevap atabilir mi acaba ?

    • For unlocked models, download booster should be available.

      Please note download booster is only available on s5 4g lte models only.

  • Is note 10.1 2014 will gonna have download booster in the next update ...to the firmware

    • No, as I know. Download booster is for single file from single fixed location. The size must also be larger than 30mb. I think torrent works in different ways.

    • Download booster is available on 4G LTE models only.

      A few carriers, mainly US carriers, choose to disable this feature even for 4G models.

    • Download booster is only available for 4G LTE models (mainly 900F).

      Are you in an LTE network? (if you cannot see LTE or 4G icon in the status bar, download booster is useless for you.)

      • Well, I thought if I buy a Samsung s5 all the features like 4G and download booster are on it. Now I have to sell my new galaxy which I bought a week before.

        • Galaxy s5 also has 3g variants. For download booster, it is usually only removed on the models for specific carriers upon the request of the carriers.

          If course, download booster only works with 4G LTE. (There are not much benefits to use it with 3g.)

      • Also functions on SM-G900T1. Make sure you go into WiFi settings and enable smart switch. Go into security settings and select "security policy updates" then click "check for updates". For some reason the old packet automatically connected to WiFi at the expense of 4g. You may need to "forget network" and enter password again to finalize setup. Now will not connect to WiFi unless there is a good signal. Some carriers hid the function for your own protection, as they know that they charge entirely to much for data. MetroPCS has unlimited everything for about $60 a month per line, I'd hate to see the price for the same package from AT&T. Also, if your carrier did hide it, as stated above a custom LAUNCHER may be able to access it. This is because they have access to the firmware layer. Do not confuse a custom launcher with a custom ROM, as non Samsung proprietary os should not even detect this function. Also as I said, if you dont have unlimited data this WILL end up costing you. Don't forget that it only works on 4g models.

  • if you menage to success on this process Mert will provide free kral hookah for samsung executives!!!

  • The galaxy s5 6900F has a 4g and a download booster.Is this model will be available soon here in europe? (Spain)

    • Not sure. I think it should be available already. Anyway, check with local Samsung office.

      Please note, download booster may be disabled by some carriers or distributors.

      • How about if i reset to factory or reinstall all system in Samsung service? Does it work to enable download booster.?

        • If the feature is not available in your model, factory reset will NOT help. In other words, you probably do not have any official ways to get it. You can check with local Samsung service centre whether this feature is available in your region/model.

          The feature was disabled for two possible reasons: 1). the model is not 4G LTE; 2). with 4G LTE, but the carrier or the distributor does not like this feature.

  • Hi I have the new s5 and I have tried to use the download booster and after enabling it went to download a 184mb file. The icon shows in my notification bar but is a light grey and my WiFi icon is on and shows white does that mean it's not working or is it only using the WiFi on it. How can I know both are working thank regards Grant

    • The notification will tell you about it if download booster is used. During downloading, or if also indicates the speed of WiFi and 4g being used for the downloading.

  • Ok I went and did a little research and what I have found is that a lot of networks have removed it or hidden it yet t mobile has let it be I have bought my phone from t-mobile I have the option and everything It just doesn't seem to work. I don't know if it has got to do with the fact that you have to disable the via WiFi only option which I haven't the clue where that is or if there is something else in the way please can you help as I turn it on and it tells me it may result in additional charges as it is over the network as well and then after that nothing happens no notification only the icon in the status bar but like I said before only the WiFi icon is lit up which I can only assume means it's only downloading from WiFi. Thank you for your time and effort I really appreciate it

    • You need enable both WiFi and mobile data. But normally, when WiFi is active, mobile data will not be active. So, for normal network activities, it will be routed through WiFi.

      But if you enabled download booster, and when you download large files (>30MB depending on carriers), both WiFi and mobile data (4G LTE only) will be used for the downloading job. In the download notification (during downloading), it will show you the speed from WiFi and LTE.

  • So if it doesn't show in my notification bar it doesn't work? Is there another method to make sure all settings are correct and ready for it to be used or is there anything I can do to gt it to work

    • Swipe down with two fingers from the status bar (top of the screen), you should be able to find mobile data with many other buttons. Tap it to toggle it on or off.

    • If you are sure it presented before, you may backup your data and perform a factory data reset.

  • Plz tell me on my galaxy s5 the internet speed on 2g idea sim in india was coming at 7-8 mbps but now its drastically lower. Y any reason plz

    • The slow mobile data connection is due to carrier network.

      Typically, on a 2g network, you speed is in kbps not mbps. Most 3G network even cannot provide 7-8mbps. You need hspa or hspa+ to get that speed.

  • Hola tengo un samsung S5 (SMG900V) no encuentro dicha funcion, dounload booster, hay alguna forma de activarla??? Gracias

    • Do you mean quick setting panel? You may check whether you have it under settings.

      Download booster is only available on 4g lte models.

  • I have a s5 thru t mobile and my download booster doesn't work. Like a couple people commented above the icon stays dark gray and the WiFi icon stays lit up. Yes my 4G icon is on I've turned off WiFi calling, I've tested apps and files larger than 30 mb as big as 1gb and I've enabled mobile data. Do you have any solutions on how to fix this problem bc my galaxy s5 would be great if this feature would work.

    • For download booster, Samsung did not provide settings. You just enable it (together with WiFi and mobile data). Then it is supposed to work when you download large files. Please note, it only works when you are downloading file through web browser (there should be a downloading icon in the status bar).

      If it does not work, you cannot do much because there is no other settings.

      You may visit local Samsung service center and they can check and fix it.

    • as explained in the post, the benefit comes when the two connections have a similar speed. 3G is usually too slow compared to wifi.

  • Hi Sir. I have bought S5 in India and the phone model number is SM-G900H. But I don't have the option of download booster. Can you please guide me?

  • The download booster can be the best feature. All samsung have to do is have download booster support downloads from apps and torrents.

    • You cannot install or uninstall download booster. It is part of the firmware.

      If you cannot find download booster in the Settings, it simply means this feature is not available in your phone.

    • No, it has nothing to do with mobile signal strength. Download booster will only boost the download speed when your LTE speed is close to your wifi speed.

    • Download booster is only available IN S5 models with 4G LTE. Some carriers or regional distributors may hide/remove this feature.

  • I will have to check that out, because I believe it does come with the download booster. I will check with the store I bought the phone. Keep you posted on this one. My phone : SM-G900H, 4.4.2,baseband version G900HXXU1ANG3

    • As it's a 3 only model, download booster should not work on it because this feature requires 4G LTE.

      Please note, download booster will only be triggered when you are downloading large files. It will not be triggered for other traffics, e.g., streaming.

  • I have Download Booster enabled on my Samsung S5.
    I have Data Mobile enabled and WLAN active.
    I also disable "Software Update" over "Wlan Only"

    I understood Download Booster uses the HTTP technology called byte serving.

    So I try download a file over http. But it download files only over Wifi, it never uses LTE.
    If I switch off Wifi , it stops the download, if I switch Wifi again on, it starts the download again, but it does not try to do it over LTE.

    • If you turn off WiFi, you should be able to download from LTE. If not, you need check whether your mobile data work properly. Sometimes, mobile data is connected, but no internet access due to some wrong APN settings.

      To use download booster, the file size should be larger than 20MB. You may also try the Internet app, not Chrome.

    • Download booster works only: 1). It's enabled; 2). Wifi is enabled and connected; 3). Mobile data is enabled; 4). 4G LTE connection is available; 5). The size of the file to be downloaded is larger than 20MB.

  • Hello, I would like to kwon whats the technical performance, I mean, does it uses multiple http paths thanks to a proxy? does the app need to be special? does it works in application layer? I'm trying to understand how does it work (I study engineering) and I have doubts.

    • Yes, it use two internet streams. If the server supports multistreams, WiFi and mobile data will be used concurrently. If the server does not support it, mobile data and WiFi can be bridged .

      It only works in "download" activity, usually in browser.

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