Hotspot Low Data Mode Is Apple’s Per Network Wi Fi Switch
Hotspot Low Data Mode is Apple’s per network Wi Fi switch, turned on for the phone’s hotspot network, and it cuts background data use on the device that joined. Apple’s page describes the mode this way: “With iOS 13 and later, you can turn on Low Data Mode to restrict background network use and save network usage.”
Apple’s page never prints the word hotspot. It gives the switch for each Wi Fi network you join, and a phone’s hotspot is one of those networks, so reading the hotspot label as that switch is this site’s reading.
The switch is set per network and per connection type. The page puts it this way: “You can turn on Low Data mode separately for cellular and Wi-Fi. Your Low Data Mode settings might vary depending on your carrier.”
What does Low Data Mode do on a hotspot connection?
It limits what the connected iPhone or iPad does in the background. Apple’s page says: “If your cellular or internet plan limits your data usage, or if you’re in an area with slow data speeds, you might want to use Low Data Mode.”
Apple lists what to expect, with a qualifier up front: “Different apps use different ways of reducing data usage in Low Data Mode. In general, here’s what you can expect:”
- “Stops using network data when you’re not actively using those apps”
- “Turns off Background App Refresh”
- “Reduces the quality of streaming content”
- “Turns off automatic downloads and backups”
- “Pauses updates for services such as iCloud Photos”
How do I turn Low Data Mode on or off for a hotspot network?
On the iPhone or iPad that joined the hotspot, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the Info button beside the hotspot’s name, and move the Low Data Mode switch. Apple’s steps under “Use Wi-Fi” read: “Go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi.”, “Tap the Info button next to the Wi-Fi network that you’re connected to.”, then “Turn on Low Data Mode.”
Apple writes the steps for turning it on. Turning it off is the same switch moved back, which is this site’s reading, since the page prints no off instruction.
The setting follows you. The page’s line: “iCloud keeps your Low Data Mode preferences for each Wi-Fi network up to date across all your devices.” So a hotspot network you set to Low Data Mode on one device shows the same setting on your other devices.
Should the phone sharing the hotspot use Low Data Mode too?
That is a different switch, on the phone’s cellular line. Apple’s page gives it three ways depending on the plan: for LTE or 4G, “Tap Cellular Data Options, then turn on Low Data Mode.”; for 5G, “Tap Cellular Data Options, select Data Mode, then turn on Low Data Mode.”; and for Dual SIM, tap Cellular or Mobile Data, then “Tap one of your numbers.” and turn it on.
The first step under “Use LTE/4G Cellular” and under “Use 5G Cellular” is “Go to Settings and tap Cellular.” and the first step under “Use Dual SIM” is “Go to Settings and tap Cellular or Mobile Data.” Apple’s page prints no line about a hotspot, so this article makes no claim about whether the host phone’s cellular setting reaches the devices connected to it.
Which apps change in Low Data Mode?
Apple names six of its own apps and services. Its lead in reads “Built-in iOS apps and services adapt to Low Data Mode in the following ways:” and the lines are these.
- “App Store: Turns off video autoplay, automatic updates, and automatic downloads.”
- “Music: Turns off automatic downloads and high quality streaming.”
- “Podcasts: Limits how often feeds update, and the device only downloads episodes when it is connected to Wi-Fi.”
- “News: Turns off article prefetching.”
- “iCloud: Pauses updates and automatic backups, turns off iCloud Photos updates.”
- “FaceTime: Optimizes Video bitrate for lower bandwidth.”
Related on this site: how much data a laptop uses on a hotspot, LG TV says Wi Fi is turned off, and Xfinity WiFi connected but no internet.
Where Apple’s page stops
It never prints hotspot or tether. The hotspot reading in this article rests on the page’s per network Wi Fi switch and nothing else.
It gives no speed figure and no data saving figure; its one mention of speed is “slow data speeds”.
It prints no off instruction and no Mac steps. The page’s title covers iPhone and iPad, and the word Mac on it sits in the site menu.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my iPad say Low Data Mode under my iPhone’s hotspot?
Because that network’s Low Data Mode switch is on, on the iPad or on another of your devices, as this site reads Apple’s line. Apple’s page says iCloud keeps the per network preference “up to date across all your devices.”
Does Low Data Mode make the hotspot slower?
Apple’s page prints no speed figure. Under “What to expect in Low Data Mode” it says “In general, here’s what you can expect:” and the five effects it lists are the ones in the first section of this article.
How do I turn off Low Data Mode on a hotspot network?
Settings, Wi-Fi, the Info button beside the network, then the Low Data Mode switch. Apple prints those steps for turning it on; the off direction is the same switch, as this article reads it.
Is hotspot Low Data Mode the same as Low Power Mode?
Apple’s Low Data Mode page never prints Low Power Mode. Its Learn more section links a separate page titled “Save battery life with Power Modes on iPhone”.