Take Control Of Your 3G Data Usage [iOS Tips]

A lot of people don't have access to unlimited 3G data plans so they need to keep an eye out on the amount of data they use every month. There are different tasks and apps that will use data on an iPhone or iPad, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. Luckily, Apple has thought of a few ways you can limit access to 3G data forcing apps to use Wi-Fi instead when it is available.

Turn 3G Cellular Data Off Completely

The nuclear weapon option in the war on saving data is to open the Settings app, tap General, tap Network and toggling Cellular Data to off.

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Control Apple Store Access to 3G Cellular Data

Another option to consider when you want to cut back on 3G data usage is how the Apple Stores in iOS download content. You can set limits on access over 3G to music, apps or books. In addition to that you can limit the access to content by other apps, like the New York Times app below, if listed in the Store settings screen.

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Just launch the Settings app and tap Store. Now toggle automatic downloads for music, apps and books to off. Do the same thing for any apps listed and if you want to use another nuclear catch-all option just toggled Use Cellular Data to off.

iCloud Documents and Data

Finally, another option to consider when you want to cut back on 3G data usage is how iCloud accesses documents and data. You can prohibit access to these over a 3G cellular data connection.

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Just launch the Settings app and tap iCloud, tap Documents & Data and toggle Use Cellular to off.

Conclusion

You now have three ways to limit how you access data over your 3G cellular data connection. Use them all or a combination to help manage how you use your data each month.