What is Data Saver Mode?
Data saver mode is a feature available on some smartphones that helps reduce mobile data usage. When enabled, data saver mode typically limits background data usage for apps and services. This prevents apps from using large amounts of data in the background for things like syncing, updating, and uploading.
According to Google’s Pixel Phone Help page, data saver mode “lets most apps and services get background data only via Wi-Fi.” So while active apps can still use mobile data, inactive apps in the background are restricted to only using Wi-Fi for their background data needs [1].
Data saver essentially helps optimize data usage on mobile networks. This allows users to conserve their monthly data allowance and potentially avoid overage charges. It’s a useful feature for those who don’t have unlimited data plans.
Does the iPhone Have a Built-In Data Saver Mode?
Unlike many Android phones, iPhones do not have a built-in data saver mode. When iPhone users switch from Android, they often complain about the lack of this feature that is commonplace on Google’s mobile operating system.
Out of the box, there is no setting on iOS to enable a blanket data saver mode that restricts background data usage across all apps. This absence frustrates many new iPhone converts who relied on the data saver functionality on their old Android devices.
Why Doesn’t the iPhone Have This Feature?
Apple has not added a built-in data saver mode to iPhones for a few likely reasons:
First, Apple wants to encourage users to connect to WiFi networks whenever possible. By not having a robust data saver mode, it provides more incentive for users to seek out WiFi hotspots to reduce their cellular data usage. This saves users money on their cell phone plans.
Second, Apple wants to promote their own ecosystem, which includes iCloud backups, streaming Apple Music, using FaceTime video chatting, and utilizing other Apple services. These use cellular data, so Apple has little incentive to restrict their own services.
Finally, adding more controls around cellular data usage could negatively impact the user experience. Apple prefers to keep things simple and hide complexity from users. A data saver mode would add more settings to manage.
In summary, Apple likely avoids a native data saver mode to guide users towards WiFi, promote their own services, and maintain a simplified user experience. Their stance favors using iPhones seamlessly over excessive data controls.
Workarounds and Alternatives
While the iPhone does not have a built-in data saver mode like some Android phones, there are still ways to reduce data usage on an iPhone.
One way is to disable background app refresh. This prevents apps from using data in the background when not in use. To disable it, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle it off for some or all apps.
You can also limit the streaming quality of music and video. Lower quality uses less data, so go to Settings > Music and choose a lower quality under Cellular Data. For video, use Low Data Mode in apps like YouTube.
Enabling WiFi Assist is another option. This automatically uses WiFi data when available instead of cellular data. Go to Settings > Cellular and enable WiFi Assist.
Finally, simply using WiFi instead of cellular data when available can greatly reduce usage. Turn on WiFi when at home or work to avoid using cellular data unnecessarily.
3rd Party Data Saver Apps
While the iPhone doesn’t have a built-in data saver mode, there are many third party apps you can download to help monitor and reduce data usage:
Some popular options include:
- Onavo – This free VPN app compresses web pages and images to reduce data usage. It provides real-time data monitoring and alerts.
- DataMan – DataMan tracks overall usage and per app data consumption. You can set data limits and get notifications when approaching the limit.
- Skyroam – The Skyroam mobile hotspot includes a Data Saver feature to compress web pages, photos, videos, etc. to reduce data usage.
These apps let you visualize your data consumption, set limits and restrictions, and compress content to optimize data usage. While not quite as seamless as a built-in data saver mode, third party apps provide iOS users with ways to reduce data consumption.
Using Airplane Mode
One workaround iPhone users have found to limit cellular data usage is to turn on Airplane Mode. Airplane Mode disconnects the iPhone from cellular networks and WiFi, preventing any background data usage or push notifications (source). This essentially acts as a data saver by stopping any data transmission or reception.
However, when in Airplane Mode, users lose phone call functionality, text messaging, email, and internet access. The only connectivity allowed is Bluetooth and WiFi, but only if the user manually re-enables them after activating Airplane Mode. So it saves data but limits the iPhone’s capabilities (source).
Airplane Mode can be useful in situations where cellular data needs to be preserved, like international travel or areas with poor signal. But for daily use, the loss of functionality means it’s not a very practical long-term data saver solution.
Apple’s Stance
Apple has not implemented a built-in data saver mode on iPhones because they believe their devices and iOS software are already highly optimized for efficient data usage (1). iPhones have features like Low Data Mode, which restricts background data usage, and cellular data settings to manage usage (2). The Apple TV app also allows choosing between High Quality or Data Saver streaming options (3).
Apple focuses on efficiency at the operating system and hardware levels to minimize data usage, rather than relying on a separate data saver mode. They believe giving users granular control over data settings provides sufficient tools for managing usage effectively on iPhones.
User Demand
There has been significant user demand and requests for Apple to add a built-in data saver mode to iPhones. Large online petitions like this iPetitions.com petition with over 10,000 signatures show that many iPhone users feel strongly about having this feature to help reduce data usage and costs.
Discussions on the Apple Support Communities forums also highlight users eagerly requesting the data saver mode feature for iPhones, with some threads getting thousands of views and responses. As this popular thread shows, users are very interested in having more control over background app data usage to save on their data plans.
The demand is driven by a desire for iPhones to have similar data management capabilities as Android phones. With many wireless carriers moving towards metered data plans, iPhone users want better tools to limit unnecessary data consumption. The addition of a data saver mode is one of the most sought-after enhancements to give users more say over their data usage.
Implementation Challenges
There are several potential hurdles Apple would face in implementing a built-in data saver mode on iPhones:
Battery life could take a hit. Limiting background data usage may impact how some apps function, potentially leading to decreased battery optimization. Apple would need to find ways to restrict data without compromising battery performance [1].
Overall device performance could also be impacted. Data saver modes on Android throttle some background processes, which helps reduce mobile data usage but can sometimes lead to lag or slowdowns. Apple would need to find a careful balance here [1].
It could introduce fragmentation into the iOS ecosystem. Many apps are designed taking full-time connectivity into account. Limiting that could cause unintended issues. Extensive developer outreach and documentation would be needed [2].
Data saver modes encourage users to rely on WiFi instead. But some users don’t always have ready WiFi access. Apple would need to ensure features still work reasonably without WiFi [1].
The Future
Even though iPhones currently lack a dedicated data saver mode, there is some speculation that Apple may add this feature natively in a future iOS update. Some technology blogs and forums have suggested Apple could be working on incorporating data saving functionalities more deeply into iOS.
For example, one rumor indicated that upcoming versions of iOS may include options to restrict background data usage for specific apps. There have also been leaks hinting at a system-wide “low data mode” being tested internally at Apple. While not confirmed, these rumors suggest data saving capabilities are on Apple’s radar for future iPhones.
However, Apple has not officially announced plans to add a data saver mode at this time. The company is known for keeping a tight lid on future software features until they are deemed ready for release. Unless concrete evidence emerges, iPhone users will have to rely on workarounds and third party apps for now to reduce data usage.
