Data usage on an iPhone: How to check and reduce it

Why check data usage on an iPhone? 

You should check your data usage to make sure you’re not using more than you intend to and avoid running out of data unexpectedly. If you know which apps and services use the most data and how to track it, you can stay in control and avoid going over your plan limits. 

For example, many essential features (like email, navigation apps, and cloud backups) rely on mobile data to keep your phone running smoothly. A quick text message uses almost no data, but an hour of high-definition video streaming can burn through gigabytes. 

Struggling to gauge how much data you actually need based on your internet habits? Try using our data usage estimator to get a clearer picture of your own online habits. 

How to check data usage on an iPhone

If you want to manage your data, you need to know how much data you’re using. The easiest way to work this out is to check your iPhone’s built-in tracker.

1. Open your Settings app.

2. Tap “Cellular” or “Mobile data” (depending on your region).

3. If you’re checking on an iPad, tap “Cellular data.”

You’ll see your total cellular data usage for the current period. If it’s higher than you expected, don’t worry because you can check where exactly your data is going.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s go deeper into specific data metrics you might want to review, like daily usage rates and the amount consumed by your hotspot. 

How to check monthly data usage on an iPhone 

You can track your data usage across the month with just a few taps on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap "Mobile data" or “Cellular data.”

3. Scroll down to view your total data usage for the current period.

4. Check the “Current period” section to see how much data you’ve used this month.

5. If needed, scroll to the bottom and tap “Reset statistics” at the start of a new billing cycle to track monthly usage accurately.

What does “Reset statistics” mean? It’s a feature that clears your phone’s cellular or mobile data usage metrics and resets your phone’s data usage to zero. After the reset, when you next check your data metrics, you’ll see how much data your phone has used since that point.

How to check data usage on an iPhone per day 

Do you want to monitor your daily data usage on your iPhone? Follow these instructions.

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Mobile Data” or “Cellular Data.”

3. Scroll down to see app-by-app data usage.

4. Your iPhone doesn’t show daily breakdowns by default, but you can reset “Statistics” daily to track one day at a time.

Alternatively, check your carrier’s app or website for daily usage details. 

How to check Wi-Fi data usage on an iPhone 

Your iPhone doesn't offer a built-in way to track Wi-Fi data usage. Wi-Fi data is usually unlimited, so monitoring how much you use is rarely a priority. 

If you want to monitor your Wi-Fi data usage, the most reliable option is through your router. Most modern routers include an admin dashboard that shows how much data each connected device has used over Wi-Fi, often with daily or monthly breakdowns. This gives you a clearer picture of usage across your home network.

How to check hotspot data usage on an iPhone 

You might want to know how to check your hotspot data usage, but there’s no reliable system to show how much data you’ve used specifically through your iPhone’s hotspot. iOS counts hotspot traffic as regular mobile data, so it’s bundled into your overall usage instead of being counted as a separate total.

On some carriers, you may see connected devices listed under “Personal hotspot” in the “Mobile data” section, but this information isn’t consistent and doesn’t always provide clear totals. If you want a rough estimate of your hotspot usage, you can reset your 'Statistics' before turning the hotspot on and then check your total mobile data afterwards.

How to check data usage on an iPhone by app

Some apps use more data than others. Follow these easy steps to see which apps are the most data-hungry.

1. Open Settings and tap “Cellular” or “Mobile data.”

2. Scroll down to find a list of apps and how much data they’ve used.

3. Toggle cellular data on or off for any chosen app.

A good rule of thumb? Leave essential apps like maps, email, and messaging on, but consider disabling data for apps that can wait until you’re on Wi-Fi, like app stores, downloads, and video streaming.

How to check data roaming usage on an iPhone 

You can follow the steps below to get a general idea of how much data you’ve used while roaming. For exact roaming totals, check your carrier’s app or your bill for a period when you used roaming.

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Mobile data.”

3. Select “Mobile data options.”

4. Tap “Roaming.”

5. Turn “Data roaming” on or off, and then monitor overall usage in the main “Mobile data” screen.

How to reduce data usage on an iPhone

Even if you aren’t constantly streaming videos, your data can disappear quickly if you aren’t careful. Fortunately, you can limit your data usage in four simple ways.

• Limit background data usage. Many apps continue to eat up your data even when you aren’t actively using them. This happens when they refresh in the background, check for updates, or sync. To limit background data usage, open the Settings app, select “General,” tap “Background app refresh,” and toggle it off. This will prevent apps from consuming data unless you’re actively using them.

• Enable low data mode. Want to really cut down on your cellular data usage? Turn on low data mode to reduce how much data apps burn through in the background and prioritize only essential tasks. To enable low data mode, open your Settings app, tap “Cellular” and “Cellular data options,” and toggle “Low data mode” on.

• Download app updates over Wi-Fi. If you want to save mobile data, stop apps from updating automatically when you aren’t connected to Wi‑Fi. Doing this will help you stay within your data limits. 

• Reduce media quality. To save data, adjust the settings in your messaging apps to lower the quality of images and videos you send. This change lets you share photos and videos without using as much data, helping you stay within your limits while staying in touch.

Need to know what uses data on your cell phone? The short answer is that every app on your device uses some data, at least for occasional updates, if it’s connected to the internet. Be especially careful with apps that show visual media such as videos and photos or stream content from servers (think Spotify, Netflix, and online gaming apps).

How to monitor data usage on an iPhone

Your carrier may offer tools and apps that help you monitor your mobile data usage. These tools give you real‑time information so you can keep your data usage in check. In this section, you’ll learn how to use your carrier’s app, set up data alerts, and check your usage by phone.

• Use your carrier’s app. Most mobile carriers offer apps that let you monitor your data usage directly on your phone. By using your carrier’s app, you can quickly check how much data you’ve used and how much you have left in your plan. Some apps also let you set custom data limits for each month.

• Set data alerts. Another helpful feature your carrier may offer is data alerts. Many carriers let you set up notifications that alert you when you’re getting close to your data limit. For example, you can set an alert for when you’ve used 80% of your monthly data. This gives you time to reduce your data usage or adjust your plan before you incur overage charges.

• Check your data usage through your carrier’s support line. If you need more detailed information about your data usage or if something doesn’t seem right, contact your carrier’s customer support. Whether you call, chat online, or visit a retail store, your carrier can explain your usage statistics and help you find a better contract if necessary.

How to fix data usage problems on an iPhone

If you're running into issues with high data usage or data roaming, you’ll need to troubleshoot to get things back on track. In this section, we cover common data usage problems and how to fix them by addressing excessive data usage, managing data roaming, or contacting Apple Support.

• Fix excessive data usage. If your data is disappearing faster than expected, several factors might be causing it. One common reason is outdated carrier settings, which can affect how your phone uses data. To check for updates, open “Settings,” tap “General,” then tap “Software update.” Keeping your software up to date can help you manage and reduce heavy data usage.

• Disable data roaming. Planning a trip abroad? Turn off data roaming to avoid high international data charges. While roaming can be convenient, it can also lead to extra costs when you’re outside your home country. To prevent unexpected charges, go to “Settings,” tap “Cellular,” and toggle off “Data roaming.” You can also contact your carrier for more details about their data roaming policies.

• Contact Apple Support. If you’ve tried these tips and are still experiencing high data usage, reach out to Apple Support. Have a list of what’s been happening, what you’ve already tried, and details about your device, such as the model and software version. You can contact Apple Support through its website, online chat, or by calling the support line.

Why choose Saily for your data usage needs on an iPhone 

When you travel, using mobile data can be expensive — sometimes very expensive. Roaming charges add up quickly, which is why many travelers choose an eSIM app to get online abroad. Saily is one of the most affordable eSIM apps on the market and includes useful security features to help keep you safe online.

With plans starting at just US $1.99 for seven days of data, you can keep using your iPhone as usual while abroad — no unexpected bills and no sudden outages.

Saily also includes an ad blocker. In addition to making your browsing experience cleaner and less cluttered, this feature reduces the amount of data you use by approximately 28.6% per page. That means you can make your data last longer, whether you’re using an iPhone, an Android model, or another type of device.