Low data mode

Low data mode is a per-network setting Apple introduced in iOS 13. When you mark a network as low data, the system cuts background data usage: automatic updates, iCloud syncing, and other downloads you didn’t explicitly ask for.

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.

How to turn it on

On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to the network name, and enable Low Data Mode.

The setting is per network. Your home Wi-Fi stays normal, while the hotspot network is treated as scarce. There’s an equivalent option for the cellular connection itself, under the cellular data settings.

What it does in practice

With low data mode on, the system pauses automatic app and OS updates, turns off Background App Refresh, pauses iCloud Photos syncing, and skips automatic backups and downloads.

Streaming apps may lower their quality too. Apps can detect the setting and reduce their own usage, and the well-behaved ones do.

What about the Mac?

When I originally wrote this post, the Mac had no such option, and that bothered me.

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.

Apple eventually listened. macOS Ventura added the same setting: open System Settings, click Wi-Fi, click Details next to the network, and enable Low data mode.

Same idea as iOS: system services cut their background activity on that network, and apps that respect the setting follow along. It’s a hint, not a hard block, so a misbehaving app can still ignore it. But it covers the scenario that used to eat my roaming data: updates and photo syncing kicking in the moment I connect through the hotspot.