If you are out most of the time, chances are you are using a lot of data on your iPhone. This may cost you overage fees, but here’s how to use less data on your iPhone and save a lot of money in the process.
by Mobile data consumption survey in 2013 Run by JDSU, iPhone 5s users (and iPhone users in general) use the most data from any other smartphone or tablet brand.
The survey examined the data usage habits of more than one million mobile subscribers across Europe using more than 150 different brands of smartphones and tablets over a 24-hour period. After that, it was discovered that Apple smartphone owners consume more data than anyone else.
Using too much data can end up costing subscribers more money at the end of the month than they bargained for, whether in redundancy charges or the need to upgrade their data plan to account for more data. However, there are ways to try and reduce your monthly data usage on the go without sacrificing a ton. Let’s take a look at some simple tricks you can apply to save yourself the embarrassment of excess fees.
Connect to WiFi Whenever Possible
One of the most effortless methods of saving valuable data, whether at home, at work or in a cafe, is to hop on a WiFi network. You can watch any YouTube video you want without having to worry about using up your allocated amount of data.
However, if a WiFi network is not available, you don’t have much choice, but there are still a few settings you can change to at least reduce the damage to your data plan.
Turn off Cellular Access to Certain Apps
Most of the apps you install on your iPhone need access to the internet to download data and other information to stay up-to-date and provide a better user experience. However, this requires the app to get into your data share and go crazy, and if it’s an app like Netflix or Spotify that it streams videos and music from, the damage can be pretty bad.
However, if you are using LTE or 3G, you can easily disable such apps from connecting to the internet. To do this, open the app, tap on it and go to the section titled. You will see a list of the apps you have installed and from there you can disable any particular app from accessing the internet while on a 3G or LTE connection. Simply tap the toggle switch next to the app to turn data access on or off.
Personally, I disabled all my data collection apps including the App Store, Netflix, Spotify, Downcast, and even FaceTime because video chat is running out too much data if you are not on WiFi.
Disable Background App Refresh
On smartphones, apps can be automatically refreshed with new information even when they are not currently open and in use, so that when you return to the app later, it will automatically update with the new information.
However, this is mostly just a convenience feature and is often not really necessary. Also, if you don’t have a WiFi connection, the data used to refresh background apps can be collected quickly, depending on how many of your apps are refreshing in the background.
Fortunately, you can disable this feature for certain apps of your choice. Just open the app and go to . You can flip the home switch to completely disable Background App Refresh for all apps or disable it only in certain apps. Disabling this feature also saves battery life, so it’s a win-win situation.
Disable Data Usage in Cloud and Photo Apps
While you can disable certain apps from using cellular data, it’s also a good idea to disable the feature inside the app if it offers such an option. In many cloud storage apps and photo apps you will find a setting that allows you to upload files only over a WiFi connection or use a data connection if WiFi is not available.
It’s always safe to only allow uploads over WiFi, that way you won’t face any surprise overcharges when your next statement arrives.
Disable Videos Autoplay in Facebook App
Perhaps one of the biggest culprits of data collection is the annoying autoplay videos that appear in your Facebook News Feed in the iOS app. Fortunately, there is an easy way to disable them from playing automatically.
Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Facebook. When you’re there, go to and select or . Setting it to Wifi only disables autoplay videos only when on cellular connection, but resumes autoplay when on WiFi only.
Don’t Just Use Your Phone
Perhaps the best way to save data on your iPhone is to not use your iPhone in the first place while you’re out and about.
Of course, it’s easier said than done and there are times when we need our smartphones to search for information or wait for a call. However, if you’re just waiting in line at the grocery store and want to browse Facebook and Twitter, the better plan is to leave your phone in your pocket and wait in line.
Watch some people, look at one of the magazines sitting in the booth next to you, or even try to have a small talk with the person behind or in front of you. Whatever the case, you don’t need To check Facebook and Twitter when you have a spare moment.
