# Low data mode

> A look at how iOS low data mode saves bandwidth when using an iPhone hotspot or roaming, and why I wish macOS had the same option to curb background downloads.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2021-11-01 | Topics: [Mac](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/mac/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/low-data-mode/

One thing that I love in the iPad is the ability to set a WiFi network as "low data mode". In particular that's super useful when you use the iPhone as personal hotspot.

Super super useful when, for example, roaming in Europe. We have a limited amount of free data we can use in other countries, so not having the iPad download updates or data from iCloud is a great data saver.

I'd love this to appear on the Mac, but there's no such option.

Sure you can use apps like Little Snitch and others but honestly I hate to always give permission or deny permissions and it's all just busywork.

I'd like to just say:

- don't download OS updates (yes I can disable them but then I have to remember to re-enable them)
- don't download photos and videos on Photos
- don't download any app updates

And so on. Just do what I want, not anything in the background that might make sense when I'm at home, but not when I'm traveling.