• Tips to Manage Data Usage on your Apple Devices

    There’s a range of ways to prevent your iOS devices from using more mobile or wifi data than necessary. Here are some simple ways to change the built-in features on Apple devices to reduce data usage. Many of these relate to automatic or background functions of the device or its apps.

    Changing these settings may also reduce the number of notifications you receive, slightly outdated apps, or stagnant news feeds. Finding the right balance may require toggling different features on and off. You might need to manually update content and consider data usage to maintain an optimal experience. Remember to reapply these settings after device updates.

    Wi Fi

  • Parental and data usage control tips for Apple Mac

    This information below provides basic tips on managing data and controlling the usage of your Apple Mac computer or laptop. It includes the use of parental controls and screen time systems. The Apple support pages can also be very helpful for general information, common tasks or issues.

    • 1 Parental controls for Apple devices

      • Parental controls allow you to control who can access what devices, services, or internet pages at any given time. They are particularly useful for managing child/student access to devices, keeping younger people safe online.

        They are also useful in managing or preventing addictive internet behaviours or keeping you focussed on a particular task. These controls can form a key part of a cyber-safety program.

        Please note that Regional Tech Hub are not specialists in this area. This page presents a small sample of the tools you can use to manage your own and your child’s device. We encourage you to read widely on this topic if you have school-aged children and remind you that many social media platforms require children to be at least 13 years of age to join.

      • 01
        Apple Parental Controls explained – for older Macs

        These are available in older Macs, running MacOS Mojave or older. Find out which macOS your Mac is using. Parental Controls apply only to the Mac on which they’re running.

        Open system settings and then select Parental Controls. You can control:

        Category Purpose
        Apps Restrict multiplayer game access, limit email to known contacts, control camera usage, and manage app access.
        Web Limit access to specific websites across all browsers.
        Stores Manage iTunes Store usage and restrict access to specific apps, movies, TV shows, music, and books.
        Time Set time limits for account usage, such as weekends, weekdays, or before bedtime.
        Privacy Control which apps and services can access user data.
        Other Prevent access to printer and scanner settings, disable Siri and Dictation, restrict disc burning, and modify the Dock.
      • 02
        For more information:

        Visit these trusted links:

    • 2 Apple Screen Time explained – for newer Macs

      • Screen time is the time spent looking at a computer or device screen. It’s widely known that too much screen time on any device can be bad for mental and physical health.

        Apple’s Screen Time is built-in to macOS Catalina and better. Find out which macOS your Mac is using.

        The Apple Screen Time feature allows you to manage how you, your children, or your family use your Apple computers and devices. For example, you can:

        • Access real-time reports about how much time you spend on your computer, iPhone or iPad.
        • Set limits on how the device is used, and for how long.
        • Block or limit specific apps and features on your and your child’s device.
        • Restrict access to explicit content, purchases and downloads,
        • Tighten privacy.

        Managing Screen Time is covered in detail in several places. We’ll cover the basics, but please use the links below, Apple or other websites for more detailed information:

        1. Apple: Use Screen Time on your Mac. This has extensive instructions on turning on and using Screen Time.
        2. Apple Help: Track app and device usage in Screen Time on Mac
        3. MacRumors: How to Use Screen Time on Mac
    • 3 How to use Apple Screen Time
      • 01
        Turn on Screen Time
        1. Go into Settings or the Apple icon then settings; select Screen Time.
        2. Click Options on the bottom left-hand side.
        3. Click Turn On. Screen time is now turned on.

        How you set up Screen Time depends on whether you’re setting it up for you or a child.

        Please visit: Set up Screen Time for a child on Mac.

      • 02
        Set usage limits

        Use the Downtime, App Limits, Communication Limits, Always Allowed, and Content & Privacy features in the Screen Time sidebar to schedule breaks and control usage of apps and websites. These limits affect not only your Mac but also other devices connected to Screen Time with ‘Share’ across devices enabled.

      • 03
        Setting up Family Sharing

        Family Sharing creates a family group that up to six people with separate Apple accounts can join. Those people can share the iTunes Store, App Store and Apple Books purchases and an iCloud storage plan without having the same username and password.

        You should create a Family Sharing group to manage your child’s device if they have their own Apple login.

        For more information:

    • 4 Other parental control systems
    • 5 Other time-tracker apps

      • If you’re solely focused on tracking your time, you might find Parental Controls or Screen Time systems too restrictive. These built-in tools are primarily designed for parental monitoring. Instead, consider researching other apps or software specifically designed to track, record, and manage your time, especially if it’s for work-related purposes.

        other tracking app

    • 6 Controlling Apple data usage

      • There are a range of ways to prevent your Apple computers and devices from using more Wi-Fi data than you’re expecting. Here are some simple ways to reduce data usage. Many of these relate to the device’s automatic or background functions or apps.

        By changing these settings, you may also reduce the notifications you receive, have apps that are a little out-of-date, or have news that doesn’t refresh.

        This may mean you need to experiment with turning various features on and off until you’ve found the right balance between being kept informed and up-to-date, manually updating content, and keeping data costs low. You may also need to re-apply these settings after completing an update to your device.

        Let’s get started with these simple steps:

      • 01
        Use the Activity Monitor

        Closing, exiting, or cancelling any unused background process gives more space back to the computer itself and may prevent unnecessary apps and software from using up data. However, use this very carefully.

        If you do not know what a process does, search its name. Do not disable processes if unsure, as some processes are necessary for your computer to function normally.

        You can stop applications like Skype, printer applications, camera updaters, etc., from being automatically loaded at start-up. Applications like your antivirus software need to be loaded at start-up.

        For more information:

      • 02
        Disable or defer updates

        Operating system software and all apps in the Mac App Store will automatically download and update themselves.

        If you have an nbn® Sky Muster® Plus plan, note that operating and software updates are not metered. However, if you have a metered internet plan or are trying to reduce data usage, you’ll probably want to stop these updates from downloading in the background.

      • 03
        Turn off automatic operating system updates

        It is recommended to leave Install system data files and security updates on.

        For MacOS Catalina and upwards:

        1. Open System Preferences.
        2. Click Software Update.
        3. Click the check box next to “Automatically keep my Mac up-to-date” to turn this option off. You may need to enter your main password.
        4. You can also click Advanced to turn specific options on or off.

        For MacOS Mojave and older:

        1. Open System Preferences.
        2. Click App Store.
        3. Click next to the options you want to turn on or off.
      • 04
        Manually install apps and software

        In MacOS Catalina and newer:

        1. Open System Preferences.
        2. Click “Software Update”
        3. Click “Check for updates” or “Update now”, depending on the option available.

        For MacOS Mojave and older:

        1. Open System Preferences.
        2. Click “App Store”
        3. Click “Show Updates”. This will list the updates available. You can then decide on which updates are the most important and click on “Update” or “Update all” (if you have the required data available).

        We always recommend having your computer backed up to an external hard drive before making any major updates, whether automatic or manual.

        For more information:

      • 05
        Disable notifications

        Notifications on your Apple device can consume a small amount of data each time they appear. Since your Mac continuously checks for new notifications, this data usage can accumulate quickly over time.

        You have the option to hide notifications for specific applications or for your entire computer.

        For more information:

      • 06
        Stop syncing to iCloud

        iCloud stores Mac-based data remotely. It’s a good way to get information off your hard drive, but can use up a lot of data, as it’s constantly transferred between your computer and iCloud.
        You can choose which apps or software synchronise (sync) their content to iCloud or not.

        Note that this may impact information synchronised between your iPhone/iPad and your desktop – for example, contacts, photos, and notes.

        1. Go into Settings > iCloud (for more recent computers, click your name first).
        2. Turn appropriate apps on and off, so you have the right balance between using data and having shared information.

        Apple: Change your iCloud settings

        Note that the same applies to any other cloud service you might use, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive.

    • 7 General data saving tips

      • Most of the options you need to change are in the “Settings” section of your device.

      • 01
        Use home Wi-Fi

        Even if you have mobile access to your property, connect your mobile phone to your home or property Wi-Fi network, as this internet connection likely includes more data.

        iphone seting

      • 02
        Use Telstra hotspots

        If you use Telstra, look for Telstra Air hotspots. This provides free internet access.

        iphone setting

      • 03
        Restrict notifications

        Turn off ‘push notifications’ for emails, social media and GPS apps. Notifications can use just a small amount of data each time, but your device is constantly checking to see if there’s anything to be downloaded, so it can rapidly add up. This can exhaust both battery and data.

        To prevent excessive data usage, modify notification settings for each separate app:

        1. Go to Settings and tap on Notifications.
        2. Tap the app to open its notifications settings – for example, Facebook.
        3. Tap Allow Notifications off to disable notifications altogether.
        4. Or change the notifications to a method that works best for you.

        iphone setting

      • 04
        Restrict autoplay

        Turn off video autoplay for social media. Change your settings in apps like Facebook and Instagram so videos do not automatically start playing.

        iphone setting

      • 05
        Use SMS

        Use SMS (text messages) rather than iMessage or apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. These apps use internet data to send messages.

        iphone setting

      • 06
        Use low data mode

        With iOS 13 and later, you can turn on Low Data Mode to restrict background network use and save mobile and Wi-Fi usage. You might want to use Low Data Mode if your mobile or internet plan limits your data usage, or you’re in an area with slow data speeds. You can turn on Low Data mode separately for mobile and Wi-Fi connections.

        Mobile:

        1. Go to Settings and tap Mobile
        2. Tap Mobile Data Options, then turn on Low Data Mode.

        Wifi:

        1. Go to Settings and tap Wifi.
        2. Tap the Info button next to the Wifi network that you’re connected to.
        3. Turn on Low Data Mode.

          Your Low Data Mode preferences for each Wifi network are kept up to date across all your devices through iCloud.

        Apple resource: Use Low Data Mode on your iPhone and iPad.

        iphone setting

      • 07
        Disable or defer automatic iOS updates

        By default, your iPhone or iPad will automatically download and install updates to the operating system when it’s night-time, plugged into power, and connected to a Wi-Fi network. Updates can take up a lot of data, however.

        They’re not counted under an nbn® Sky Muster® Plus plan, but they are counted under any other data plans. You can therefore turn off updates until you’re connected to a less-restricted network.

        1. Go to Settings, tap General and then tap “Software Update”
        2. Tap “Customise Automatic Updates” (or Automatic Updates).
        3. If “Download iOS Updates” is green, tap the button so it turns grey.
        4. When you want to download an update, repeat these steps and turn “Download iOS Updates” back on again.

        You can delay iOS updates by turning off Wi-Fi entirely as the update won’t download over a mobile connection.

        1. Go to Settings and tap on Wi-Fi.
        2. Click the green button next to Wi-Fi so it turns grey.

        You’ll need to click the button again to turn on Wi-Fi for internet access.

        Note: when you turn off Wi-Fi, you won’t have internet access unless you have mobile phone reception in your location.

        iphone setting

      • 08
        Turn off automatic app updates

        Apps will update automatically unless you tell them otherwise.

        If you have multiple Apple devices using the same Apple ID, any apps downloaded on one device will automatically download to the other ones, unless you tell it otherwise.

        1. Go to Settings and tap on the App Store.
        2. Change the settings in this section to limit what’s downloaded automatically.

        iphone setting

      • 09
        Turn off Wi-Fi Assist and stop apps using mobile data

        Wi-Fi Assist automatically defaults to using your mobile data when the Wi-Fi signal is poor. This means your mobile data could be used without you realising, meaning you can run out of data more quickly, and possibly be charged excess data fees.

        Wi-Fi Assist is particularly notorious for chewing up your data, and it’s turned on by default in iPhones and iPads with a mobile connection.

        You can also specify which apps can use mobile data, and which must wait for a Wi-Fi connection to update.

        1. Go to Settings and tap Mobile
        2. Go through your apps and uncheck (tap so they turn grey) those you don’t need constantly accessing mobile data.
        3. Uncheck the Wi-Fi assist option at the bottom of the screen.

        Turn off Wi-Fi Assist and stop apps using mobile data

      • 10
        Turn off Background App Refresh

        Apps use “background refresh” to look for new information. It’s particularly used by news and information apps, but all apps have the option available.

        It’s turned on by default, but most apps don’t actually need it in order to do their job.

        Go into this setting and adjust it to suit your requirements. You can turn it off entirely, or to work just over Wi-Fi, or over Wi-Fi and mobile networks. You can also turn it off or on for every app on your phone.

        1. Go to Settings, tap on “General”
        2. Tap “Background App Refresh” and select whether you want it on at all.
        3. If you do leave it on, scroll through your apps and turn it off for anything except those you really want kept updated (e.g., ABC News, email, or weather apps).

        When Background App Refresh is turned off, apps will still refresh when you open and use them.

        Turn off Background App Refresh

      • 11
        Syncing or backing up your device

        We recommend backing up your device to a desktop computer or a remote location.

        iPhones and iPads naturally synchronise and back up to either iCloud, Apple’s remote storage service, or your local computer.

        Syncing to iCloud means your information is available for you anywhere. However, it uses data every time you back up or synchronise your device.

        Consider backing up and synchronising to your desktop computer instead, by plugging your device directly into it and using either iTunes (older MacOS versions, or Windows) or Finder (MacOS Big Sur and more recent).

        You can change these settings on both your devices and your computers.

        Apple: Sync your iPhone, iPad or iPod using your computer

        icloud backup

      • 12
        Close apps after use

        An easy tip is also to shut down all your apps and browser windows when you have finished with them.

        Apple tends to suggest you don’t need to do this with the more recent versions of the iOS or iPadOS; however, an open app can potentially be refreshing and using data.

        Closing apps is done slightly differently depending on the version of your device: use the Apple article to do it correctly.

        Apple: Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch

        Apple: Close an app on your iPad

        iphone setting

  • Need more tips?

    These articles provide further information on managing data on Apple iOS devices.

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