What is low data mode on an iPhone?
Low data mode is an iPhone setting — available in iOS 13 and later — that reduces how much cellular or Wi-Fi data your device uses. When it’s turned on, your iPhone limits background activity such as automatic updates, syncing, backups, and some app processes that would otherwise use data without your knowledge.
Unlike turning off cellular data completely, low data mode keeps your iPhone connected while reducing certain background data use. The setting can help you stretch your cellular data allowance further and reduce the risk of extra charges if your mobile plan has a data limit. It can be especially useful while traveling, when roaming data is expensive or limited.
For even more control over your data consumption abroad, you can pair low data mode with a travel eSIM such as Saily. An eSIM gives you a separate prepaid data allowance for your trip, while low data mode can help make that allowance last longer. Other benefits of an eSIM include switching data plans without swapping a physical SIM card.
💡 Good to know: For a more detailed explanation of cellular data usage and how to manage it, see Saily’s post, What is cellular data?
What low data mode on an iPhone does
Low data mode makes several small changes to reduce how much data your iPhone uses, particularly when apps are running in the background. When you turn it on, it:
Disables background app refresh, limiting the data apps use when you’re not actively using them.
Pauses some background tasks, such as automatic downloads, updates, and backups, including some iCloud activity.
Reduces streaming quality for services such as music and video apps.
Reduces FaceTime video quality by optimizing the video bitrate for lower bandwidth.
Limits how often some apps and services refresh or download new content.
These changes can help your data allowance last longer, but you may notice that some content takes longer to update or that automatic downloads and backups remain paused until you use an unrestricted connection.
💡 Good to know: Low data mode is only one option — you can save data on iPhone in several other ways when you want to make your allowance last longer.
How to turn low data mode on an iPhone on and off
You can turn low data mode on or off separately for cellular and Wi-Fi connections, and the process may vary slightly depending on the type of connection and mobile network provider you use. The steps below show where to find low data mode on iPhones and how to disable and enable it for cellular data, Wi-Fi, and hotspot connections.
For mobile data (LTE/4G/5G)
To turn low data mode on or off while using LTE or 4G:
Open the “Settings” app.
Tap “Cellular” or “Mobile data.”
Tap “Cellular data options” or “Mobile data options.”
Toggle “Low data mode” on or off.
If you use 5G, follow a slightly different path to enable/disable low data mode:
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Cellular” or “Mobile data.”
Tap “Cellular data options” or “Mobile data options.”
Tap “data mode.”
Select “Low data mode” to turn it on. To turn it off, select “Standard” or “Allow more data on 5G,” depending on your preferred data setting.
💡 Note for dual SIM and eSIM users: If you have more than one mobile plan on your iPhone, go to “Settings” > “Cellular” or “Mobile data” and select the SIM or eSIM line you want to manage before changing its low data mode setting. If you’re not sure whether your device supports the feature, check Saily’s guide to iPhones with eSIM functionality.
For Wi-Fi
You can also use low data mode on iPhone Wi-Fi connections.
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Wi-Fi.”
Tap the “Info” button next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
Toggle “Low data mode” on or off.
Your iPhone remembers your low data mode preference for each Wi-Fi network, so you can use it on a limited connection without restricting data use on other networks.
For a personal hotspot connection
A personal hotspot is a form of tethering that lets one device share its mobile connection with another. When your iPhone is connected to a personal hotspot, manage low data mode as a Wi-Fi network setting.
Open “Settings.”
Tap “Wi-Fi.”
Tap the “Info” button next to the personal hotspot you’re connected to.
Toggle “Low data mode” on or off.
The instructions for how to turn off low data mode on iPhones are simple — follow the same path you used to enable it and change the setting.
When should you use low data mode on an iPhone?
Low data mode can be useful whenever you want to reduce how much mobile or Wi-Fi data your iPhone uses. Some of the most common situations include:
Travel abroad. Using an iPhone internationally can mean working with a limited roaming or travel data allowance. Low data mode reduces background data use, helping that allowance last longer.
Having a limited data plan. If your mobile plan only includes a few gigabytes of data each month, low data mode can help you avoid reaching your limit too quickly or potentially incurring extra charges.
Using a personal hotspot. If you’re connecting your iPhone to another device’s hotspot, turning on low data mode for that Wi-Fi connection can help reduce how much of the hotspot’s data allowance you use.
Having a slow connection. Low data mode works to reduce background activity and automatic downloads, which can help a slow or congested cellular or Wi-Fi network work more smoothly.
💡 Pro tip: If you rely heavily on navigation while traveling, checking your Apple Maps data usage can help you budget your allowance.
When should you not use low data mode on an iPhone?
Low data mode isn’t always necessary, especially when data use isn’t a concern, or you need your iPhone to work without restrictions. Whether you should use low data mode on your iPhone depends on your data plan, connection speed, and how you use your device. You may want to keep it turned off in situations such as:
When you have plenty of data. If you have an unlimited or high-data mobile plan, restricting background activity may offer little benefit — you’d simply miss out on conveniences like automatic iCloud photo backups and smoothly running, up-to-date apps for no real reason.
When you need automatic updates and backups. Low data mode can pause automatic downloads, iCloud backups, apps updates, and some syncing, so turn it off when you want or need these processes to run normally.
When you want higher-quality streaming or video calls. Low data mode can reduce streaming quality and FaceTime bandwidth to conserve data.
When apps need to update in the background. If you rely on apps to refresh content automatically, low data mode may delay some updates until you open the app or connect without the restriction.
Pros and cons of using low data mode on an iPhone
Low data mode can be useful when you’re trying to protect your data allowance. It’s not without its drawbacks, though.
Pros of low data mode
On the upside, low data mode can help you:
Save cellular data, helping you avoid unwanted charges and restrictions.
Reduce background activity that may otherwise use data unnecessarily.
Reduce competing background data use on slow networks.
Avoid using too much hotspot data when your iPhone is connected to another device’s Personal Hotspot.
Cons of low data mode
There are some tradeoffs too. Low data mode can:
Stop apps from refreshing regularly, delaying some background content updates.
Pause or delay iCloud syncing and automatic backups.
Lower the quality of video and audio streams.
Pause automatic app updates and downloads.
How eSIMs help you save data when using low data mode while traveling
Low data mode can help reduce how much data your iPhone uses abroad, and pairing it with a travel eSIM gives you even more control over your mobile data costs. Instead of relying on your home carrier’s roaming plan, you can purchase a prepaid data allowance for your destination and use low data mode to help make that allowance last longer.
With the Saily eSIM app, you can choose from flexible data plans for 200+ destinations. Just download the app before your trip, install your eSIM, and connect when you arrive. Once your travel eSIM is set as your mobile data line, turning on low data mode can reduce background activity, automatic downloads, and other unnecessary data use.
Not sure how much data you’ll need? Saily’s data usage calculator can help you estimate your usage before you choose a plan. Together, a travel eSIM and low data mode can make it easier to stay connected without constantly worrying about your data allowance or roaming charges.
We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!
