iPhone settings to reduce cellular data usage

iPhone users can manage and reduce cellular data consumption through several built-in iOS settings, which is particularly useful for those using limited MVNO plans or international travel eSIMs.

One primary method is enabling ‘Low Data Mode’. Found under Settings > Cellular, this mode reduces data usage by lowering the quality of media streaming and video calls, pausing automatic updates and cloud backups, and limiting the refresh rate of dynamic feeds.

Users can also fine-tune consumption by managing ‘Background App Refresh’. This can be adjusted globally to allow refreshes only over Wi-Fi, or managed on a per-app basis via Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Additionally, the cellular data settings menu allows users to view usage per application and manually disable cellular access for specific resource-heavy apps.