Tips to reduce your Apple iPhone data usage

Reduce data usage on your iPhone by following these tips. You may need to follow different instructions based on your specific iPhone model. Apple provides in-depth tutorials here.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
   1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to a trusted Wi-Fi network.
   2. Wi-Fi networks are typically faster and don’t incur data charges.
2. Turn off background app refresh to restrict apps from updating in the background.
   1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and update this setting to Wi-Fi and not Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
3. Download maps for the areas which you will be traveling to and use them offline.
   1. For Google Maps, connect to Wi-Fi and open the app. Search for the area you want to download. Tap your profile picture and click on Offline maps. Tap Select your own map. Adjust the map according to the area you want to download. Tap Download.
   2. For Apple Maps, connect to Wi-Fi and open the app. Tap your profile picture and click on Offline maps. Select Download New Map. Search for the area you want to download. Adjust the map according to the area you want to download. Tap Download. Note: Offline maps is a feature only available in iOS 17+.
4. Download content (e.g. movies, music, podcasts) and use offline modes.
   1. Connect to Wi-Fi and open your desired app. Find and download content to your device.
5. Turn off cloud backups and syncs over cellular networks.
   1. For iCloud Backup, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn off Back Up Over Cellular. Note: This setting doesn’t exist for all devices.
   2. For Dropbox, open the app. Select the Account option at the bottom-right of the screen. Select the Camera Uploads option. Turn off Use Cellular Data.
   3. For Google Photos, open the app. Tap your profile picture and click on Backup. Turn off Use cellular data when there’s no Wi-Fi.
6. Turn off Wi-Fi Assist.
   1. Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data. Scroll down and turn off Wi-Fi Assist.
   2. Wi-Fi Assist helps you stay connected to the Internet when you have a poor Wi-Fi connection but uses your cellular data.
7. Use apps connected to Wi-Fi like Google Hangouts, Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime.
   1. These apps allow you to make voice or video calls at no charge. If you plan on using these apps while traveling internationally, we recommend testing this functionality before you leave so you are comfortable with how it works.
8. Limit streaming when not connected to Wi-Fi.
9. Limit social media usage when not connected to Wi-Fi.
10. Limit online gaming when not connected to Wi-Fi.
11. Limit video conferencing when not connected to Wi-Fi.

If you’re traveling internationally and prefer not to incur international roaming charges, we recommend placing your iPhone into airplane mode. While in airplane mode, you can still connect to a Wi-Fi network.

If your iPhone is in airplane mode and you need to make and receive calls while traveling internationally, you will need to enable Wi-Fi calling. These calls will incur international roaming charges.