How to check your data usage on iOS

SIM Only deals represent the most affordable way to enjoy Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads.

However your data usage can escalate quickly if you’re not careful.

Being able to keep track of how much data you’ve used recently is important if you don’t want to waste money on unnecessary bills or data top-ups.

Fortunately, Apple’s iOS software makes it relatively straightforward to monitor your data consumption.

How to check your data usage on iOS

This describes the procedure on iOS version 11.1.2, though other versions of iOS also follow the same navigation path:

1. Unlock your device, and click the Settings button.
2. Tap Mobile Data.
3. Scroll down past network operator information to the Mobile Data header.
4. Your total usage is divided into two categories – current period and roaming. Ignore the former (which includes WiFi connectivity), and look at the latter.
5. Each app with permission to use mobile data will display the amount of data it’s consumed since the statistics were last reset, which can be done at the bottom of this menu.
6. There’s no distinction between data used via 3G/4G or WiFi in the figures for individual programs.
7. Unlike Android, it isn’t possible to view data consumption over previous months, to compare with current usage.

It is possible to check your data usage using apps from your network provider. However, there might be slight variations in how data usage is calculated compared to iOS.

Ways to reduce iOS data usage

When you’re on a SIM Only contract, you need to justify every megabyte of data usage.

The iOS platform is notorious for using data even when the handset is asleep.

Fortunately, Apple has simplified the process of controlling which apps and services are permitted to use mobile data.

These are our tips for ensuring your iOS device isn’t frittering away data overnight, or conducting updates when you’re away from home.

• Go down the list of Mobile Data apps, and look at each program’s data consumption. Slide the green switch left to turn off any apps using substantial or unnecessary amounts of data – you can always turn them back on later
• WiFi Assist appears as an option below the list of installed apps – make sure it’s off, to prevent the device switching to mobile data if WiFi connectivity is poor
• Ensure Personal Hotspot is turned off in the Mobile Data menu, since this enables other devices to piggyback on your connection
• Also check Data Roaming is off if you’re planning to go abroad, as it will connect your device to the first available network regardless of cost
• If you don’t want to use any data on the move, you can even disable 4G
• Our final tip involves leaving the device’s WiFi switched on all the time. Although this drains the battery, it ensures your device will automatically connect to any stored wireless networks when they come into range.That’s much more dependable than having to remember to manually turn on WiFi every time you come home from work or school.