TheCyberEntity
Level 1 (9 points)
iPhone

Q: If I have both Wi-Fi and Cellular Data activated my iPhone 5S will restrict ALL DATA to Wi-Fi or it will use shorts amounts of data from cellular?

I don´t want to turn on and off Cellular Data every time so I wonder if it will prioritize completetly Wi-Fi when both are active.

 

Thank you.

 

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Feb 20, 2016 8:04 AM

by Lawrence Finch,Solvedanswer
Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch
Level 8 (37,891 points)
Mac OS X
A:

First, turn off WiFi Assist in Settings/Cellular.

 

There are several cases where the phone will use cellular data over WiFi even if WiFi assist is off:

  • Notifications such as Push email, weather, stocks, etc
  • Visual Voicemail
  • MMS messaging
  • The biggie: WiFi turns off when the phone goes to sleep to preserve battery (WiFi uses power continuously, whether data are being exchanged or not). So any apps that use background data will switch to cellular if the phone is asleep.

Posted on Feb 21, 2016 8:17 PM

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TheCyberEntity

Q: If I have both Wi-Fi and Cellular Data activated my iPhone 5S will restrict ALL DATA to Wi-Fi or it will use shorts amounts of dat ... more

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  • by ZikzakCorp,Apple recommended

    ZikzakCorp ZikzakCorp Feb 21, 2016 8:17 PM in response to TheCyberEntity
    Level 4 (1,033 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 21, 2016 8:17 PM in response to TheCyberEntity

    The iPhone will always connect to and use Wi-Fi when it's available. The first time you connect to the Wi-Fi network, you'll need to set it up (put in password, etc.), but then it will automatically connect the next time it's in range. When it's connected to Wi-Fi, almost all data will go through Wi-Fi, except for some features like picture messages (MMS). When the phone has no Wi-Fi available, it will go back to cellular. If the device is not staying connected to Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Cellular. Then scroll down and tap Wi-Fi Assist.

    Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

  • by Lawrence Finch,Solvedanswer

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Feb 21, 2016 8:17 PM in response to TheCyberEntity
    Level 8 (37,891 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2016 8:17 PM in response to TheCyberEntity

    First, turn off WiFi Assist in Settings/Cellular.

     

    There are several cases where the phone will use cellular data over WiFi even if WiFi assist is off:

    • Notifications such as Push email, weather, stocks, etc
    • Visual Voicemail
    • MMS messaging
    • The biggie: WiFi turns off when the phone goes to sleep to preserve battery (WiFi uses power continuously, whether data are being exchanged or not). So any apps that use background data will switch to cellular if the phone is asleep.

  • by TheCyberEntity,

    TheCyberEntity TheCyberEntity Feb 21, 2016 8:28 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 21, 2016 8:28 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    I did not know that Wi-Fi turns off when the iPhones goes to sleep. But if I turn off Background App Refresh it will still switch to cellular?

     

    Thank you.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Feb 22, 2016 3:48 AM in response to TheCyberEntity
    Level 8 (37,891 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 22, 2016 3:48 AM in response to TheCyberEntity

    If you turn off background app refresh it will use less cellular data, but it will still use some. That's because Notifications use data, and that doesn't count as background refresh. The only way to prevent all cellular use is to turn off cellular data.

  • by Ms.Swanigan2,

    Ms.Swanigan2 Ms.Swanigan2 Jul 19, 2016 2:08 AM in response to TheCyberEntity
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 2:08 AM in response to TheCyberEntity

    why cant I enable Wi-Fi on my iPhone 6 but I can only use my celluar data


  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Jul 19, 2016 3:12 AM in response to Ms.Swanigan2
    Level 8 (37,891 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2016 3:12 AM in response to Ms.Swanigan2

    No one can answer such a general question. What happens when you turn on the WiFi switch on the phone?