Learn how to enable and use Low Data Mode on your iPhone to save data, extend battery life, and manage app data usage efficiently.
Have you ever been worried about running out of mobile data on your iPhone when traveling? Or, maybe you don’t have an unlimited cellular or home internet plan and want to restrict your data usage.
Luckily, iOS features a built-in mode that will help you do just that by limiting your internet usage on cellular and Wi-Fi. You can use this feature to make sure you don’t blow through your data or Wi-Fi plan.
Turn on Low Data Mode for cellular data
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Cellular. It’s called Mobile Service or Mobile Data in some countries.
- Tap Cellular Data Options and turn on Low Data Mode. Note that if you use more than one SIM, select one first
- If you’re using 5G, tap Data Mode after Cellular Data Options and then select Low Data Mode.
Use Low Data Mode for a Wi-Fi network or Personal Hotspot
- Go to the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the connected network or hit the info button ⓘ next to a previously joined available network.
- Turn on Low Data Mode.
The feature is now enabled for the connected Wi-Fi network and will stay on until you toggle it off. You may also turn this mode on for certain Wi-Fi networks and leave it disabled on others. Your iPhone will remember this setting and sync it across all your devices via iCloud.
What Low Data Mode does
Low Data Mode limits your iPhone or iPad from using too much data when browsing, streaming content, etc.
Low Data Mode works differently on different apps. For example, the feature will lower the bit rate when making video calls through FaceTime, hence reducing data usage. It can also turn off background refresh on some apps, lower the quality while streaming video or audio, and can disable iCloud backups or pause iCloud Photo sync.
Here are some other things that can happen:
- Automatic downloads and updates for things like apps and media are turned off.
- Video auto-play is also disabled for the App Store.
- Apps may stop using cellular data or Wi-Fi when you’re not actively using them.
- The frequency of updates in Podcasts and News apps is limited.
- You may see alerts when you try to download or update apps.
Other tips to save data
While Low Data mode is a good starting point, it’s not all. If you’re on a very limited plan, you should also consider doing these things:
- Turn off cellular data access for specific apps like games that work offline
- Turn on data-saving modes in individual apps like X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, and more.
- Explore these 19 other tips to save cellular data.
- And if you want to go extreme, you can also block cellular data usage completely on your iPhone!