Modern iPhones consume a massive amount of data in the background. Between downloading high-resolution photos from iCloud, pulling down app updates, fetching emails, and streaming high-quality Apple Music audio, it is very easy to blow through a restrictive data cap. This is especially problematic if you are traveling internationally and paying exorbitant roaming fees.
To combat this, iOS includes a “Low Data Mode.” When activated, this feature forces the iPhone to pause automatic background tasks. Apps will stop refreshing when you aren’t looking at them, video streaming quality will be reduced, and automatic downloads will halt entirely until you manually request them.
This guide explains how to enable Low Data Mode for both your cellular connection and specific Wi-Fi networks on your iPhone.
Enabling Low Data Mode for Cellular Data
This setting will restrict data usage whenever you are away from Wi-Fi and relying on your carrier’s 4G or 5G network.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Cellular (or Mobile Data depending on your region).
- Tap on Cellular Data Options.
- Depending on your carrier and network type (e.g., 5G vs LTE), you might see the toggle right here, or you may need to tap into Data Mode first.
- Select or toggle on Low Data Mode.
You can turn this off at any time when you return to a country or plan with unlimited data.
Enabling Low Data Mode for Specific Wi-Fi Networks
Not all Wi-Fi networks are truly unlimited. If you are tethered to a friend’s mobile hotspot, or if you are using an expensive pay-per-megabyte hotel Wi-Fi connection, you need to restrict data there as well. Apple allows you to enable Low Data Mode on a per-network basis.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Wi-Fi.
- Ensure you are currently connected to the specific network you want to restrict.
- Tap the blue “i” (Information) icon next to the name of the connected network.
- Scroll down slightly and toggle the switch for Low Data Mode to the On (green) position.
Your iPhone is smart enough to remember this setting. The next time you connect to that specific Wi-Fi network, Low Data Mode will automatically engage. It will not affect your data usage on your home or office Wi-Fi networks where you have not flipped the switch.