Your internet data plan on your iPhone may run out faster than you expect, even if you don’t spend long hours browsing the web. Some apps consume data in the background, while other services may continue to update their content or download files automatically without you noticing. The good news is that there is a set of simple settings and tricks that will help you reduce data consumption and thus preserve your plan until the next renewal date.
Enable Low Data Mode
It can be said that this step is one of the easiest ways available to reduce internet consumption on the iPhone. To enable Low Data Mode, go to Settings, then Cellular, and then select the SIM card you want to adjust if you use more than one. The next step is to tap on Data Mode and then enable Low Data Mode. Once enabled, your iPhone’s data plan consumption will be reduced by lowering the quality of video streaming and FaceTime calls, in addition to pausing automatic updates and backups. The content refresh rate within apps will also be reduced.
Disable Background App Refresh
Not all apps need to constantly update their content while you are not using them, so you can disable this feature for apps that you don’t need to keep up with in real-time. To turn off background app refresh, go to Settings, then General, and then Background App Refresh. Turn this option off while using cellular data, and you can allow apps to update only when the device is connected to Wi-Fi.
Note: If you have activated Low Data Mode, it will automatically disable the Background App Refresh feature.
Prevent Apps from Eating Up Your Data
If you notice that an app is consuming a large amount of your data, you can completely block it from using cellular data, while still being able to use it when connected to Wi-Fi. To do this, open Settings, then Cellular, and scroll down to the list of apps, then tap Show All. You will then see the amount of data each app has consumed during the current period. The next step is to identify the apps with the highest consumption, then disable the app you don’t want using your internet plan. Afterward, that app will not use data, neither in the background nor while you are using it.
Review App Settings
Saving internet is not limited to iOS system settings, as many apps provide specific options to reduce data usage. For example, video apps like YouTube and social media platforms allow you to turn off video autoplay and lower the default video quality. Music apps like Apple Music allow you to set the streaming quality over cellular data separately from the streaming quality while connected to Wi-Fi. Furthermore, most podcast apps provide options to control episode downloads over cellular data. Meanwhile, apps like Spotify and Instagram include a data-saving mode that makes several changes in one setting to reduce cellular data drain.
Download Content in Advance
If the available storage space on your iPhone allows it, downloading content for offline use is one of the most practical ways to save data. You can download the maps you need before traveling, save movies and series from streaming apps, and download music playlists and podcast episodes to listen to later without needing to turn on cellular data.
Note: Some downloads expire after a certain period, so check your saved files before you plan to use them so you don’t have to re-download them using your cellular data plan.
Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist
There is a setting that might consume your data plan without you noticing, known as “Wi-Fi Assist”. When enabled, the iPhone can use cellular data when the Wi-Fi connection is weak or unavailable to improve connectivity and make browsing smoother. To disable this feature, all you have to do is go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, and then disable Wi-Fi Assist.
Note: This feature does not work while international roaming is on or when Low Data Mode is enabled. If you want to disable the feature only when connected to a specific Wi-Fi network, tap the information icon (i) next to the network name, then turn off the Wi-Fi Assist feature.
Disable Automatic Downloads from the Store
App updates and automatic downloads can consume a large amount of your internet plan, especially when it comes to large apps and games. To avoid this, go to Settings, then Apps, and choose App Store. Then, disable the Automatic Downloads option under the Cellular Data section. Also, you can set the app download option to “Always Ask” or “Ask If Over 200 MB” to avoid accidentally downloading large new apps while you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Turn Off Backup
Backups can consume a lot of your iPhone’s data plan, so it is preferable to ensure the feature is disabled while using cellular data by going to Settings, then tapping your name, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Disable the “Back Up Over Cellular” option. By doing this, you will avoid using cellular data for backups, and the process will rely on Wi-Fi instead.
Reduce High-Data Activities
Even after adjusting settings and turning off some features, some activities remain more data-intensive than others. Watching high-quality video and making video calls can drain your plan quickly, especially when used for long periods. Therefore, try to lower the video quality when using cellular data, and don’t forget to use voice calls instead of video calls when you don’t need to use the camera. You can also postpone watching long videos and downloading large files until you are connected to Wi-Fi.
We have reached the end of our article after reviewing a comprehensive guide on how to reduce data consumption on the iPhone to preserve your plan. It can be said that the solution doesn’t have to be buying a larger internet plan, but rather preventing the iPhone from consuming your data on things you don’t need. By adjusting some settings, disabling a number of features, and reviewing the most data-consuming apps, you will be able to keep your plan for longer and avoid running out before the renewal date.
What is the biggest data drain on your iPhone in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!
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