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iOS users now have greater control over their data consumption
Apple has identified background data usage control as essential for improved customer experience, and have included it as one of the crucial feature enhancements in the recent iOS update. iPhone and iPad users can now use the Low Data Mode to block background data usage without any disruptions to their regular daily routines.
According to Analysis Mason, iPhone owners account for 80% of the top 10% of heavy data users. Further, iOS mobile apps are more than twice the size of Android mobile apps on average. Thus, for iPhone users, Apple’s introduction of Low Data Mode is a welcome addition.
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How Low Data Mode works on iOS 13
Low Data Mode prevents routine background activities that consume data, such as background app refresh, automatic app updates, Photos backup on iCloud, the App store’s automatic video playback and other apps that consumes data such as GPS tracking, Waze and Nationwide SmartRide Device app. Those tiny bits of data used by different apps in the background for routine updates and backup operations can quickly add up. Low Data Mode on iOS can be the difference between continued browsing and exhausting your data plan.
Turning on Low Data Mode also minimizes the quality of your audio and video streaming for a low bandwidth connection. Thankfully, features that are locked by Low Data Mode can be reinstated anytime you’re connected to a network that isn’t locked into the Low Data Mode. Also, you can manually allow for certain syncing and background functions to continue while others remain restricted under the mode.
You can also specify the networks you want to be locked into Low Data Mode — for example, a Wi-Fi network with limited bandwidth or data allowance. However, this can turn out to be a huge hassle since you have to set the mode to cover each Wi-Fi network or data plan one at a time.
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How to turn on Low Data Mode for a Wi-Fi network
To turn on the Low Data Mode for a particular Wi-Fi network,
- Go to Settings on your iOS device;
- Select ‘Wi-Fi’;
- Tap the ‘i’ button next to the Wi-Fi network you want to place in Low Data Mode;
- On the menu that pops up, click on the ‘Low Data Mode’ button, and that’s it.
Repeat these steps for any Wi-Fi network you want to limit.
How to turn on Low Data Mode for cellular plans
To turn on the Low Data Mode for any cellular network,
- Go to Settings” on your iOS device;
- Go to the “Cellular” window;
- Tap the “Cellular Data Options” button (if your device is set to a different language other than US English, what you’ll see here, instead, are “Mobile Data” and “Mobile Data Options”. Note also that US iPhones will show ‘cellular’ in place of ‘mobile’);
- A toggle button will appear for the Low Data Mode. Now, toggle it on.
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Always remember that the Low Data Mode is turned on. Unlike the Low Power Mode, which performs similar functions to conserve your battery life, the Low Data Mode does not have any home screen icon to indicate when it is active.
Final words
You don’t have to run Low Data Mode at all times for all networks; you just need to know when it’s worth the efforts of activating it. Having it on all the time might prove inconvenient — the quality of your connection might be reduced, so you run it only when needed. For example, turn it on to stretch your data plan if you think you might exhaust it before the end of your plan cycle; or to prevent throttled speeds when you exhaust the initial allowance of your unlimited data plan.
A key feature of Low Data Mode is that it shuts down background data. This can also help you surf at maximum speeds when you’re using a slow network. Shutting down background data also indirectly reduces your battery use, keeping your device alive for much longer after a charge. You’ll hardly notice any difference in your regular phone use other than a significant reduction in uncontrolled data usage.
This feature certainly comes in handy for iPhone users, but there’s some room for improvement. Apple could provide a shortcut, as well as make it easier to remember the mode has been turned on for certain networks.
