Where to find your total data usage on iPhone

Open Settings, then tap Cellular (or Mobile Data on some carriers). Scroll down to see "Cellular Data" — this shows your total data use since you last reset the counter. The number resets on the date your carrier's billing cycle starts, which you can set manually in the same menu under "Cellular Data Options" if your plan doesn't match the default date.

If you use Wi-Fi, that data doesn't count toward your cellular plan. To see Wi-Fi usage separately, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon next to your network name. This shows only data used on that specific network, not your total across all Wi-Fi.

The numbers in Settings are approximate — they may not match your carrier's bill exactly because of how each system counts data. Your carrier's count is the one that matters for overage charges.

Key Takeaways

  • Your total cellular data use appears in Settings > Cellular, and resets monthly on a date you can control.
  • Individual apps show their data use in the same Cellular menu, listed by how much data each one has used since the last reset.
  • Background App Refresh and automatic updates can use significant data without you noticing — both can be turned off per app.
  • Wi-Fi and cellular data are counted separately, so turning off cellular won't affect apps that run on Wi-Fi only.

See which apps are using the most data

In Settings > Cellular, scroll past the total at the top. Below that, you'll see every app listed with how much cellular data it has used. The list is sorted by highest use first. Apps that haven't used any data won't appear on the list.

This view shows only cellular data, not Wi-Fi. If an app uses mostly Wi-Fi, it may appear low or not at all here even though it's using a lot of data overall. To check Wi-Fi use by app, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage — apps are listed by size, but this doesn't show data use, only the app's file size on your phone.

The data shown includes background activity. If an app is refreshing in the background or syncing without you actively using it, that counts toward its total.

Turn off background data for specific apps

Apps can use data even when you're not looking at them. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You'll see a list of every app that can refresh in the background. Toggle off the ones you don't need updating constantly — for example, a news app you check once a day doesn't need to refresh every hour.

You can turn off Background App Refresh for individual apps or for all apps at once by toggling the top switch. Turning it off for a specific app means that app won't update its content until you open it, but it will still work normally when you use it.

Some apps, like Mail and Messages, may stop working properly if you turn off background refresh. Test each app after disabling it to make sure it still does what you need.

Stop automatic downloads and updates from using data

iOS can download app updates and iOS system updates automatically over cellular, which uses data without asking. Go to Settings > App Store and look for "App Updates" — toggle this off if you want updates to happen only on Wi-Fi. The same menu has "Automatic Downloads" for apps you've bought on other devices; turning this off prevents your phone from automatically downloading them.

System updates (iOS itself) are separate. Go to Settings > General > Software Update, then tap "Automatic Updates" and toggle off "Download iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates". This prevents your phone from downloading and installing new versions of iOS without your permission.

If you turn off automatic updates, you'll need to manually update apps and iOS when you want to. Check the App Store app weekly or monthly to see if updates are waiting.

Understand what counts as data and what doesn't

Cellular data includes anything your phone sends or receives over your carrier's network — texts with photos or videos, streaming video or music, browsing websites, using maps, and app syncing. Regular text messages (SMS) don't count, only iMessage and other messaging apps.

Wi-Fi data doesn't count toward your cellular plan, even if you're using the same apps. If you're on Wi-Fi, you can stream video, download files, and use data-heavy apps without affecting your monthly limit. The trade-off is that Wi-Fi is only available where there's a network — cellular works anywhere your carrier has coverage.

Some carriers offer "zero-rated" data, where certain apps (like their own video service) don't count toward your limit. Check your carrier's website or bill to see if you have this.

Reset your data counter to track usage in a custom period

The counter in Settings > Cellular resets automatically on your billing cycle date, but you can reset it manually anytime. Scroll to the bottom of the Cellular menu and tap "Reset Statistics". This clears all the data counts and starts fresh from zero.

Resetting is useful if you want to track data use for a specific week or month that doesn't match your billing cycle. After you reset, the counter will show only data used since that moment. The next automatic reset will still happen on your regular billing date.

Resetting doesn't affect your actual data use or your carrier's records — it only clears the numbers shown in Settings. Your carrier still tracks everything for billing purposes.

Use Low Data Mode to reduce background activity

Low Data Mode tells apps to use less data by reducing quality, pausing downloads, and disabling background refresh. Turn it on in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Low Data Mode (or in Settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi Preferences > Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi networks).

When Low Data Mode is on, video streams at lower quality, photos upload smaller, and apps won't refresh in the background. You can turn it on just for cellular and leave it off for Wi-Fi, or vice versa. Some apps may not work properly in Low Data Mode — if something stops working, turn it off for that app in Settings > Cellular and scroll to that app's name.

Low Data Mode is most useful when you're close to your monthly limit or using a limited hotspot connection from another device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone show more data use than my carrier's bill?

iPhone's counter and your carrier's counter use slightly different methods, so they rarely match exactly. Your carrier's number is what you're charged for. If the difference is large, contact your carrier to ask how they count data — some include overhead or count video differently than iPhone does.

Does using FaceTime over Wi-Fi count toward my data limit?

No. FaceTime over Wi-Fi uses only Wi-Fi data, not cellular data, so it doesn't count toward your monthly limit. FaceTime over cellular does count. You can force FaceTime to use Wi-Fi only in Settings > FaceTime > Cellular, then toggle off "Wi-Fi Calling".

Can I see data use for apps I've already deleted?

No. Once you delete an app, its data count disappears from the list in Settings > Cellular. If you need to track it, take a screenshot of the Cellular menu before deleting the app.

What uses the most data on iPhones?

Video streaming (YouTube, Netflix, TikTok), social media apps with video (Instagram, Facebook), music streaming, and large file downloads use the most. Maps and navigation use moderate amounts. Email, messaging, and web browsing use much less unless you're downloading large attachments.

Does iCloud backup use cellular data?

iCloud backup can use cellular data if you're not on Wi-Fi. To back up only on Wi-Fi, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then toggle off "iCloud Backup" and turn it back on — it will then only back up when you're on Wi-Fi and plugged in.