Why does the iPhone eat up traffic? How to reduce mobile traffic on iOS
With the advent of full-fledged 3G, the process of use itself is changing mobile devices, new opportunities appear. Mobile Internet is no longer a useless technology that allows you to check your email with a terrible creak and, if you have strong nerves, then browse several “easy” sites.
3G frees up the user's hands and makes devices truly mobile. But with this comes the issue of controlling traffic consumption. After all, what could be pumped out in 2G networks in a month can be spent in 3G in a few days.
Some tips to help control/reduce mobile Internet consumption. In addition, these tips will have a positive effect on the battery life of the device.
Check your cellular data usage
Let's start by looking at what software consumes how much mobile traffic.
Open Settings - Cellular - Scroll down to the list of applications. Here you can see how much the application has “ate” of the Internet and, if necessary, disable the program’s access to the network.
Just above the list there is general statistics on traffic consumption for the period. It’s convenient, but there is one thing: this period is counted from the moment the statistics were last reset. Therefore, if you want to know your monthly consumption, you need to clear this data once a month. To do this, at the end of the list there is a “Reset statistics” button. And above this button you can find detailed information about how much traffic is used by system services.
Turn off cellular data for iTunes
iTunes and App Store can use mobile Internet for automatic downloads shopping. To prevent this from happening, open Settings - iTunes Store, App Store - scroll down and turn off Cellular Data.
Turn off cellular data for iCloud
iCloud Drive (“iCloud Documents and Data” before iOS 8) uses the mobile Internet to synchronize data from third-party applications stored in the Apple cloud. Look at the list of these programs; perhaps you do not use them so often to constantly update data via the mobile Internet.
Open “Settings” - “iCloud” - “iCloud Drive” (“Documents and Data” for iOS 7) - below the list of programs, turn off “Cellular Data”.
Notifications
In the statistics of Internet use by system services (see the first paragraph), data on “Push notifications” is available. If this item is a big expense, then it makes sense to clear the list of notifications. Go to “Settings” - “Notification Center” - disable unnecessary applications.
Background content and mail updates
Many apps continue to run and use mobile data even when you're not using them. And the mail agent “Mail” can periodically contact the server to check and deliver new letters.
Hello! Despite the fact that the number of gigabytes (included by cellular operators in their tariffs) is growing every year, and the price, on the contrary, is falling, still not many can afford completely unlimited Internet on their device. And here, most likely, it’s not a matter of “allowing”, but simply not many people need it. There is a conditional one gigabyte per month and it is enough - why pay more?
But in some cases (especially when switching to an iPhone from another device), these same gigabytes suddenly begin to not be enough - when turned on, Apple’s mobile phone begins to wildly eat up traffic and eats up the entire available limit in a few hours. And here the cries begin: “The iPhone is bad, I just inserted a SIM card - I don’t do anything, and the traffic goes away on its own (and even the battery is drained!).” Ay-ay-ay and all that...:) Why is this happening? Believe me, not because the iPhone is bad and the company decided to ruin you. No.
The thing is that the iPhone, like any modern smartphone, has a number of settings that you simply need to pay attention to in order to avoid such “arbitrariness” of your smartphone with your own Internet.
But first, a small list of where traffic on iPhone can go without your knowledge:
An experienced reader and user will say: “Yes, there are still plenty of places where traffic can flow!” And he will be right - updates mailboxes, push notifications, browser, etc. all this also affects the number of gigabytes consumed, but:
- Say that push notifications, mail loading, etc. They really devour the entire cellular Internet - it’s impossible. If they use it, it is in very small quantities.
- And if you turn all this off, as suggested on many sites (the most brilliant advice I’ve come across is to turn off the Internet in the settings so that you don’t waste it), then why use an iPhone?
Therefore, we’ll try to make do with little expense - we’ll ban the iPhone from consuming the Internet on its own, but without much damage to us.
Updating or downloading programs from the App Store
Current applications and games can reach 2-3 gigabytes in volume and Apple company took care of saving traffic - you cannot officially download a program with a volume of more than 150 megabytes from the App store (though we know). But at the same time there is a large number of programs with a volume less than this threshold (150 MB). And it is they who can devour your Internet package.
Here we're talking about not so much about downloading (you see what you are downloading), but about independently updating these programs via the cellular network. Therefore, such an update needs to be disabled:
That's it, now programs will stop using the cellular network for their updates, and will do this only via Wi-Fi.
How to find out which application is consuming traffic on iPhone
Installed programs, in addition to simply updating their version, can also consume the Internet in order to perform their normal functions. Therefore, if you really feel that megabytes are running away, it makes sense to check - maybe some application is too greedy? You can do this:
Just in case, remember this point so that in the future you won’t be surprised why cards (for example) refuse to work and update their data.
Sending “official information” can also waste internet
In fact, of course, this option does not consume the mobile Internet so much and I have not encountered this myself, but I have seen several stories that talk about this particular “glitch” or failure, when this very service information was constantly sent. Therefore, I decided to include this item here - disabling its sending would definitely not be superfluous. How to do it?
As we see in the explanation, this information is sent daily, and does not bear any special burden other than helping Apple improve its products. Therefore, if you turn off its transmission, then nothing bad will happen, and traffic (even if small) will be saved.
“Help with Wi-Fi” - traffic on iPhone leaks very quickly
“Wonderful” option, which for some reason is enabled by default. Its essence is that if your Wi-Fi signal does not work, but the cellular network can provide better speed- Wi-Fi will automatically turn off and data transfer will go through the SIM card.
Not long ago I fell for this bait myself - I sat watching videos on YouTube and didn’t bother anyone. Then the iPad didn’t like something about my Wi-Fi (bad signal, insufficient speed) and decided to turn it off (which is important - no notifications come!), and I, blissfully unaware, continued to enjoy the video via cellular connection. I came to my senses only after the operator sent an SMS message with the text: “Your Internet package is coming to an end.”
Therefore, in my opinion, if you do not have an unlimited tariff, this option should be disabled immediately. How to do it:
I repeat, this option should be turned off in almost any case, so that there are no surprises with the disappearance of traffic.
Syncing iCloud services eats up mobile data
iCloud is really good and convenient, and backups are generally beyond praise. However, if you care about saving precious megabytes on your tariff, then in this case the “cloud” will have to be turned off.
We are now talking about iCloud Drive - this is a kind of cloud data storage (I have already discussed the principles of its operation). So, synchronization (downloading and uploading data) with this storage can occur over a cellular network. And it’s good if you sent a small object there, but what if it’s 100-200 megabytes? By the time it downloads, all traffic will go away.
Yes, and ordinary programs can store their data there. And who knows how much they will load there? But the good thing is that all this can be turned off:
After this, the “cloud” will synchronize exclusively via Wi-Fi.
It would seem that each of the actions is quite simple and does not require special effort. But disabling and fulfilling all points.
How to reduce mobile traffic consumption on a smartphone or tablet - a classic problem of the era mobile Internet, solved with varying success from year to year, as technology develops and new services appear. How to minimize traffic consumption when using iPhone we'll tell you below.
How to reduce mobile data consumption on iPhone or iPad
1. How to track traffic consumption
Is there a problem with overspending at all? To do this, you need to know exactly how many bytes have leaked and arrived over a specified period of time, tied to tariff plan usually within a month. The required numbers can be found along the path: Settings -> Cellular communications in the Cellular tariff statistics section, the “Current period” field, but there is one catch. iOS automatically counts traffic and summarizes old data with new ones, showing by default values for the entire period of operation of the gadget.
This means that you will have to get into the habit of clicking on the “Reset statistics” button at the very bottom of this menu once a month and “starting life from scratch.”
Alternatively, you can use a third-party service, such as an app or Data Widget.
2. How to identify and disable applications responsible for increasing traffic consumption
Here, in the Cellular data section, statistics on the use of mobile traffic for each application installed on the iPhone are available.
Starting with iOS 7, the system is trained to report, in detail, which specific applications used cellular communications in their work. And indicating the value of traffic shares in understandable units of measurement - kilobytes (Kb) and megabytes (MB), calculating the most “gluttonous” is as easy as shelling pears. In order to show who the true owner of this iPhone is, we study the list of consumers and, with royal gestures, turn off the very best. In case of doubt, the switch can be moved in the other direction at any time.
3. Turn off cellular data (2G, 3G, LTE)
A method recommended when traveling or for users with a small monthly mobile data limit. There is no need to deal with a long list of applications that consume cellular internet, and use one toggle switch (Settings -> Cellular -> Cellular Data) to turn off cellular transmission ( mobile traffic) fully.
There is no reason to worry; you certainly will not be left without access to the Internet - Wi-Fi is not turned off by this toggle switch.
4. Limit Instagram, VKontakte, FaceTime and other social networks and instant messengers
Scrolling through the list of applications during tip 2, you will probably see this name, among others, with far from symbolic numbers next to it. Is being ready to communicate every second with your contact list really so important that you don't have to worry about paying for traffic? Then there's no point in doing it further actions– move the switch to the “off” position, leaving only a connection via Wi-Fi for FaceTime. The one that is free in many cafes, offices and in the presence of frivolous neighbors. We do the same with the “gluttonous” Instagram, Skype and Vkontakte.
ON THIS TOPIC: How to download photos and videos from Instagram (from any account) to your computer.
5. Turn off syncing iCloud Drive
The option is designed for a good purpose, but in practice, not everything is so simple - updating data in the cloud at every convenient moment does not so much help save files as it increases traffic. Of course, for those who actively use the contents of the iWork package, automatic synchronization is vital all the time when working with documents.
Especially when it comes to real work and corresponding responsibility, but most iPhone owners do not store business files in iCloud at all, but all sorts of interesting garbage. And let him be all dear, like a memory, in the name great goal To minimize traffic, you should go to Settings -> Cellular and at the very bottom turn the iCloud Drive switch to the off position, thereby prohibiting the system from using cellular communications to work with cloud storage.
6. Block downloads from the iTunes Store and App Store on cellular networks
The business world is cruel - we are forced to pay for content, for using a virtual service and, in addition, for traffic. Often redundant, and the question of the need to necessarily copy purchased files to all iOS gadgets is still a matter of debate. Meanwhile, the optimal solution is before your eyes - go to Settings -> iTunes Store, App Store and turn off cellular traffic (Cellular data switch) for automatic downloads from the iTunes Store, App Store.
7. Turn off data roaming
What many compatriots vacationing abroad have been burned by - downloaded clips, fashion hits, news from home and other benefits of mobile Internet at the resort turn into millions of bills. Even if it is an exaggeration, it is not based on nothing, and since this article is about minimizing traffic to reduce costs, you should absolutely not ignore this aspect.
The easiest way to “take it and cancel it” is to switch to the “off” position the corresponding Data Roaming toggle switch, located along the path Settings -> Cellular Communications -> Data Settings -> Data Roaming.
8. Use Safari offline
Many users like to save web pages of sites for later offline reading. And you don’t need to download third-party applications for this; you can use the standard Safari browser. To do this: Open Safari and load the desired web page
1. Open Safari and load the desired web page;
2. Switch to reading mode by clicking on the special icon to the left of the URL;
5. Once saved, the page will open in the easy-to-read iBooks app.
Mobile Internet is developing more and more every year, but still not every operator, and even more so, not every region has affordable tariffs for unlimited Internet access. And now you are using a tariff with limited traffic, and then your iPhone begins to literally devour it out of the blue. What to do in such a situation? Let's figure it out.
If the iPhone starts to eat up traffic, then, in most cases, the applications installed on it are to blame. It is the applications that access the Internet in the background, when the user does not even think about them, that are the reason for the traffic consumed several times faster than normal traffic, and in cases with separate tariffs, hefty bills for that same traffic. But why not delete all applications completely?
What to do if iPhone eats traffic - we track violators
If you start to notice that your iPhone is consuming much more traffic than usual, the first thing you need to do is find out which application or applications are responsible for it. This can be done either using standard tools or through special applications from the App Store.
In order to find out the traffic consumption of specific applications and services on the iPhone, you need to go to the menu Settings -> cellular -> Cellular tariff statistics. In this section, you can not only find out which applications are eating up mobile traffic, but also immediately disable them, of course, if they are unnecessary. 
A standard traffic tracking tool, in fact, is quite enough to detect the reason for a smartphone’s high consumption of valuable megabytes, however, you can also take a closer look at alternative tools from the App Store. The best applications for this in the Apple store are: Data Usage (15 rubles), Traffic Monitor (free) and Download Meter (149 rubles).
What to do if iPhone eats traffic - switch to an alternative browser
Safari, unfortunately, does not have a built-in data saving mode, and the only feature that Apple’s standard browser can please is the “Reading List” function. You can save individual pages into it for later reading without active access to global network. This function can help in saving traffic, but when surfing Safari will still consume mobile traffic to the fullest.
In such a situation, alternative browsers can help out, like Opera Mini, which has a built-in ability to view web pages in economy mode. Browser Google Chrome until recently, it also allowed iPhone and iPad users to save traffic, but now this feature works among Apple devices.
What to do if iPhone eats traffic - turn off background updates
An incredibly useful iPhone feature that allows the device to update apps in the background can also be harmful. Applications updating with the latest information via the cellular network often cause huge traffic bills, so it is better to turn off this feature. You can do this by going to the menu Settings -> Basic -> Content Update.
What to do if your iPhone is eating up traffic - disable the “Wi-Fi Assist” function
The “Wi-Fi Assist” function, which first appeared in iOS 9, was called by many the main innovation of the “nine”. However, there were also a considerable number of people dissatisfied with the function, and the reason for their dissatisfaction was the huge bills for mobile traffic.
The fact is that if the “Wi-Fi Assist” function is activated, then with each significant drop in the Wi-Fi signal level, the iPhone switches to using cellular data, thereby giving the user the opportunity to always use the fastest Internet. At the same time, no one specifically warns the user about this, and cellular traffic continues to be consumed at a steady pace without the knowledge of the owner.
In order not to constantly worry about this, you should disable the “Wi-Fi Assist” function. Naturally, you don’t need to do this if your tariff provides unlimited Internet access - in this case, “Wi-Fi Help” will be truly useful.
You can disable the Wi-Fi Assist feature in the menu Settings -> cellular -> Help with Wi-Fi.
The times when we paid for home Internet based on the traffic spent are long gone. Nowadays, almost everyone in their apartment has their own “unlimited” plan, limiting the use of the Internet only by speed. However, the problem with the amount of downloaded traffic for our portable devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, has not gone away, so we have to constantly monitor the consumed megabytes every day, so as not to be left without the Internet at one fine moment. But what is the most convenient way to track it is, of course, an interesting question.
Business in Russia is another topic of eternal debate. After all, there is always a possibility that the operator will turn off your Internet for exceeding the limit at a time when it has not yet been reached. How can I check this? What if you are being deceived?
Of course, on your smartphone or tablet you can always view statistics on megabytes used, but this is not so convenient. Besides, you always need to remember this. Well, let's look at the options available to us and then decide which one fits better just to account for traffic. So what we have:
1) Using the statistics collection solution built into iOS.
2) Install a separate application from the telecom operator.
3) Install a third-party application from the App Store to compare statistics.
4) Jailbreak and subsequent installation of third-party software from Cydia.
5) Purchasing an unlimited Internet package.
1. iOS already knows everything
Absolutely every iOS device has a built-in tracker that counts your megabytes spent. Its use is perhaps the simplest of all the above options. You can find usage statistics on iOS by going to Settings – cellular and go down a little lower in the menu to the item Tariff statistics via cellular connection.
Here we have general traffic statistics for all your actions, and just below - for each individual application. At the very end of the list there is a statistics reset button, clicking on which will start the countdown from zero - this will be relevant for counting traffic at the beginning of each month. In addition, among the applications you use, you can disable those that you think should not consume too many valuable megabytes, thus preventing them from accessing the network.
Pros:
- Already available on every iPhone and iPad.
— Easy to use.
— Work in the background.
— Statistics for each application.
- Ability to disable certain applications.
Minuses:
— Statistics need to be reset every month or carefully monitored.
— No notifications when the limit is reached.
2. Trust your operator
Every self-respecting operator a few years ago allowed the subscriber to manage their tariffs directly, making for each Personal Area. However, progress does not stand still and applications replacing it have replaced the personal account in web versions. However, the quality and usability of the applications themselves leave much to be desired. Often find necessary information in an overloaded interface it becomes quite difficult, so this option is only acceptable for users of cellular operators somewhere in America or Europe.
Pros:
— The most accurate statistics directly from the cellular operator.
— The application is free.
— Notifications about reaching the limit (not always).
Minuses:
— Usually disgusting support.
— Terrible application optimization (for Russian and CIS operators).
- Not an intuitive interface.
— Often there is a justified mistrust of the operator.
3. Apps from the App Store
In addition to official applications from telecom operators, the Apple app store contains many other solutions that will help you track precious megabytes, and at the same time notify you when a certain threshold of downloaded traffic has been reached. The most popular of them is probably Data Usage with a modest price of 33 rubles. However, there are other, even free analogues, but, unfortunately, different quality. The application is worth highlighting separately Traffic Monitor, which has proven itself well for a long time.
Pros:
— Automatic reset of statistics and counting over a new one.
— Notifications when certain traffic limits are reached.
— You can set restrictions yourself (for example: daily, weekly, etc.).
— User-friendly interface, plotting.
— Independent traffic counting.
Minuses:
— Not all (and not always) applications can work correctly in the background.
— You have to pay for quality (as an exception, you can try Traffic Monitor).
4. Applications from Cydia
Here, of course, everything is clear: first you need to Jailbreak your device in order to gain access to the Cydia application store. However, hacking a device does not mean that you can now install anything for free. Not at all. As with the App Store, Cydia has a fair number of apps, but most of them also cost money.
The most popular are probably WeeTrackData, which, in addition to working in the background, can be embedded in the notification center for quick access, and CCMeters, which can also be displayed in the control center, but to install it you will have to install an additional software CCLoader.
Pros:
— Of course, work in the background.
— Quick access to the application from the Notification Center.
— Notifications about reaching the limit.
Minuses:
- Jailbreak required.
- Often costs money.
— Depending on the software, you may need to install additional components.
4. Down with restrictions!
One of the most simple ways forget about the headache of traffic costs - connect unlimited Internet. Undoubtedly, this option can cost a pretty penny, but if this is not a problem for you, this method will be the most painless. Another thing is that not all operators offer exactly unlimited tariffs. There are packages of 80-100 GB, but they run out anyway. On the other hand, you don’t download Blu-Ray movies on iOS for days, do you?
Alternatively, if there is an operator in your city that provides truly unlimited traffic, then you can simply use its services, as I did.
ZY
If you look at the problem from the other side, then you can think not about counting traffic, but about minimizing it. For example, use third-party browsers with this feature. By the way, Opera Mini has been able to compress it for a long time. Or if you can't stand anything other than Safari, you can try Onavo Extend, a separate application that works on the same principle. Unfortunately, not available in the Russian version of the App Store.
How much traffic do you spend per month? Is what the operators offer enough? Tell us about it in the comments!
