How to Reduce Data Usage on Your Smartphone
Stop going over your monthly data limit. Learn which settings and habits waste the most mobile data and how to cut back on both iPhone and Android.
At a Glance
In this guide (6 steps):
Check your current data usage by app
~24sTurn on Low Data Mode (iPhone) or Data Saver (Android)
~22sStop apps from updating over mobile data
~23sTurn off automatic video playback in social media apps
~20sMake sure your phone connects to Wi-Fi at home
~23sTurn off mobile data for apps that do not need it
~28sYou Did It!
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Mobile data — the internet connection your phone uses when it is not connected to Wi-Fi — is limited on most phone plans. If you have ever gotten a warning that you are close to your monthly limit, or been charged extra fees for going over, this guide is for you.
The good news is that most data overages are caused by a small number of apps and behaviors. Once you know what to look for, it is usually straightforward to bring your data usage down a lot.
What uses the most data?
Video is by far the biggest data consumer. Watching a video on YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok uses more data in a few minutes than most other activities do in an entire day. Streaming music, loading photo-heavy websites, and automatic app updates also add up quickly. Many of these happen in the background without you realizing it.
Wi-Fi is your best friend
The single most effective way to reduce mobile data use is to make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi whenever possible — at home, at a family member's house, or at locations that offer free Wi-Fi like libraries and coffee shops. When your phone is on Wi-Fi, it does not use your mobile data plan at all.
Check how much data you have used this month
Before making changes, it helps to see where you stand. Both iPhone and Android show you a breakdown of which apps have used the most data in the current billing period. This can help you identify the biggest culprits.
Automatic updates over mobile data
By default, many phones allow apps to update automatically even when not on Wi-Fi. These updates can be large — sometimes several hundred megabytes each — and they can happen without you knowing. Changing this setting so updates only happen on Wi-Fi can save a significant amount of data each month.
Data Saver and Low Data Mode
Both iPhone and Android have a built-in mode that tells apps to use less data. On iPhone it is called Low Data Mode. On Android it is called Data Saver. Turning either of these on limits how aggressively apps use data in the background and can reduce usage noticeably.
Quick Tip:
When traveling, your phone may connect to a foreign cellular network. Using mobile data abroad can result in very high charges unless you have an international plan. When in doubt, turn on Airplane Mode while traveling and only connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks.
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