What is cellular data, and how can you control data usage?
When checking out cell phone plans, you’ve probably seen the term “cellular data.” But what exactly is it? It’s the internet access provided by your phone network, which allows you to browse, stream, and use apps without Wi-Fi. But be warned — without the right plan, it can also be the culprit behind those shocking additional fees (you know, the ones that make you do a double-take on your bill). Not to worry, though. In this article, we’ll explain what cellular data is, when your phone uses it, and how to keep those sneaky charges off your cell phone bill.

Table of Contents
- What is cellular data?
- Cellular data vs. mobile data
- Cellular data vs. Wi-Fi
- Which apps use cellular data on the phone?
- Web browsers
- Social media apps
- Email apps
- Streaming services
- Maps and navigation apps
- How to check cellular data usage
- iPhone
- Android
- Checking through your provider
- Best practices to save cellular data
- Use Wi-Fi when available
- Disable background data for apps
- Limit streaming quality
- Turn off automatic updates
- Monitor data usage
- Be careful using mobile data while traveling abroad
- What is data roaming?
What is cellular data?
Cellular data, also known as mobile or wireless data, is the distribution of digital data through wireless networks. It allows your phone to access the internet when you’re away from Wi-Fi or a wired connection. It’s like having the internet in your pocket, ready whenever you need it — as long as cell service is available, of course!
Here’s how it works. Your phone connects to the internet through cell towers (that’s where “cell-ular data” comes from — how shocking!). These towers allow you to make phone calls and send texts, and they handle all the data your phone needs when you perform different tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, or sending emails. If you’re out of Wi-Fi range, cellular data steps in to keep everything running smoothly.
Now, you can use your phone without cellular data, but it means you won’t be able to browse the web, check social media, or stream videos unless you find a Wi-Fi connection. Apps that rely heavily on data, like maps or email, will also stop working until you’re back on Wi-Fi or cellular. Basically, your phone becomes just a call-and-text device without cellular data.
Cellular data is typically measured in gigabytes (GB), and most providers offer various data plans to fit different needs. These plans can range from limited amounts of data to unlimited options.
Cellular data vs. mobile data
You might notice the terms "cellular data" and "mobile data" both used in reference to phone data. Do they have different meanings? The truth is that they typically have the same meaning, but one or the other may be preferred depending upon language and geography.
If your cell phone is set to American English, you’ll most likely see “cellular data.” In British English, it will be “mobile data” instead. This situation is similar to how Americans say "elevator," and Brits say "lift."
Keep in mind that the term "mobile data" can sometimes refer to a broader category of portable connections, which could include cellular, satellite, or other wireless technologies. But in everyday conversation, cellular data and mobile data are essentially the same thing.
Cellular data vs. Wi-Fi
Both cellular data and Wi-Fi let you connect to the internet, but they work in different ways, and knowing when to use each one can save you from burning through your data or dealing with slow speeds.
Wi-Fi connects your device to the internet through a router linked to a cable service (like your home Wi-Fi or the internet at a coffee shop). You typically have no limit on how much cell data you can use. But the catch is that it has a limited range, so you need to be close to the router for it to work. Cellular or mobile data, on the other hand, doesn’t rely on a router. Instead, your phone connects to the internet through cell towers, which means you can stay online anywhere your mobile carrier has coverage.
Another big difference is security. Your home Wi-Fi network may be secure, but public networks (like in cafes or airports) are often risky and attractive to hackers. Cellular data, however, is generally more secure since it connects directly through your mobile provider. If you’re handling sensitive info, like when you access your bank online, switching off public Wi-Fi and sticking with your mobile data plan might be safer.
Which apps use cellular data on the phone?
Most apps on your cell phone that need the internet will use cellular data when you're not connected to a Wi-Fi network. But not all apps are created equal. Some apps are data hogs, while others use less data. Let’s break it down.
Web browsers
Safari, Chrome, and other web browsers use moderate amounts of data. Browsing the internet can consume anywhere from a few kilobytes (KB) per second to several megabytes (MB) per minute. It really depends on what you're doing — simply reading articles won’t use much data, but if you're browsing sites full of images, videos, or (sneaky) ads, your data usage can climb quickly.
Social media apps
Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok are notorious for high data usage, especially if you frequently scroll through videos or load high-resolution photos. While it depends on the type of content, social media apps, on average, use 600MB per hour.
Email apps
Email apps typically use low to moderate amounts of data, depending on the email content. Simple text-based emails? No big deal. But if you're sending or receiving file attachments, your data use will spike.
Streaming services
Video and music streaming services are high data users. Binge-watching your favorite show on cellular network data can burn through gigabytes in no time. HD content can consume up to 3 GB per hour. Even streaming music, while it uses less data than video, will still use up a good amount if you’re on the go without Wi-Fi.
Maps and navigation apps
Navigation apps, like Google Maps, generally use less cellular data than apps like Netflix or YouTube, but you’d be surprised at how much data Google Maps uses. For quick trips, of course, you’ll use less data. But if you’re using the app for long journeys with traffic updates and rerouting, the data can add up very quickly.
How to check cellular data usage
Checking how much cellular data you’ve used once or twice a month will help you stay on top of your usage and avoid additional fees. Luckily, you can track your data use directly from your phone or through your provider.
iPhone
If you're using an iPhone, follow these steps to check your cellular data usage:
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap “Mobile service." You also might see “Cellular data” instead.
Look for the “Current period” section. There you’ll see how much mobile data you’ve used since your stats were last reset. You can reset the statistics every month to keep track of your monthly data usage.
Android
On Android devices:
Open the Settings app.
Go to “Connections.”
Tap “Data usage.” Here you can see how much data you’ve used and even set a monthly data limit to help you not go over it. Your phone will alert you when you’re getting close to your limit.
Checking through your provider
Besides your phone’s settings, you can also check your data usage through your mobile provider. You can either:
Log in to your account on your provider’s website. There you'll usually find a dedicated section for your data plan.
Download your provider’s app, which usually has a section for checking data usage.
Call your provider's specific number from your cell phone to get a text message about your current data usage.
Best practices to save cellular data
Keeping your mobile data usage in check can save you from unexpected charges and help you stay within your plan limits. Here are some practical tips to help you manage and reduce your data consumption.
Use Wi-Fi when available
One of the easiest ways to save cellular carrier data is to connect to a Wi-Fi network whenever you can. At home or work, make sure your phone is connected to Wi-FI to avoid using up your data plan. Just a heads-up — while public Wi-Fi can be convenient, it's a good idea to use a VPN to keep your information secure.
Disable background data for apps
Background data is the data apps use while running in the background. However, you can prevent individual apps from consuming data while you’re not using them.
On an iPhone, go to “Settings” > “General” > “Background app refresh” and choose to disable it or limit it to Wi-Fi only. For an Android phone, head to “Settings,” tap “Data usage,” select the apps you want to restrict, and toggle off background data. This way, apps won't use your data unless you're actively using them.
Limit streaming quality
Streaming media can quickly eat through your monthly cellular data allowance, especially if you're watching in high definition. To save data, lower the streaming quality in your app settings. For example, switching from 1080p to 480p can make a significant difference in your data usage. This way, you can still enjoy your favorite shows and movies without worrying about hitting your data limit.
Turn off automatic updates
Apps and system updates can consume a lot of cell data if they download automatically. To manage this issue, turn off automatic updates for apps and system software while on cellular data.
On iPhone, go to “Settings” > “App Store” and turn off “Automatic downloads” under “Mobile data” to disable automatic app updates. Automatic software updates on an iPhone only happen when it is connected to Wi-Fi and charging. By turning off automatic updates, you can save data on your iPhone.
For an Android, go to “Settings” > “About device” > “Software update” and set updates to happen only over Wi-Fi. For app updates, open the Play Store app, go to “Settings” > “Network preferences,” and select “Update over Wi-Fi only” under “Auto-update apps.”
Monitor data usage
Regularly checking your mobile data usage helps you stay aware of how much data you're consuming and identify the apps that are using more cellular data than expected. Many phones also allow you to set data limits and alerts to help you manage your usage more effectively.
Be careful using mobile data while traveling abroad
When you’re traveling abroad, using your cell phone without a roaming plan can result in hefty charges. To avoid this problem, you might want to use the phone overseas without roaming by turning off cell data and only connecting to Wi-Fi. If you must use mobile data, check with your provider for international data plans or deals before you go. You can also consider getting an eSIM plan, which can provide you with flexible data options and often better rates for data plans abroad.
What is data roaming?
Cellular data roaming allows you to stay online when you're out of your carrier’s coverage area by connecting to nearby towers from other cell phone carriers. However, you should be aware that while it keeps you connected, data roaming can come with a hefty price tag, especially abroad. To avoid unexpected fees, turn off data roaming in your network settings unless you absolutely need to use it.
If you're traveling and want to stay connected without high costs, consider using an eSIM. An eSIM works by letting you add a local or international data plan without swapping SIM cards, making it easier to manage your mobile plan. This option can help you avoid costly roaming charges while keeping you connected.
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Aurelija loves traveling and snapping pictures, so having data abroad is as essential to her as having clean underwear. She believes everyone should be able to go online wherever they are and wants to help make that happen with her content.