How to Use Smart Data Mode on iPhone 13

Learn about this battery-saving mode on your iPhone

By
Joshua Hawkins
Josh Hawkins
Joshua Hawkins
Freelance Technology Reporter
  • Full Sail University
Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life.
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Updated on January 29, 2022
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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What to Know

  • To enable Smart Data mode: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data.
  • You can also turn 5G off entirely by selecting LTE instead of 5G Auto.

This guide will showcase how to use Smart Data mode and discuss precisely what Smart Data mode is and how it works.

How Do I Turn On Smart Data Mode on My iPhone 13?

Turning on Smart Data can help save battery life and also cut down on the amount of 5G data you’re using if you don’t want to use it all the time. Follow the steps outlined below to turn on Smart Data mode.

  1. Open the Settings application on your iPhone.

  2. Tap Cellular to navigate to the Cellular options menu.

  3. Select Cellular Data Options.

    Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options

  4. Tap Voice & Data.

  5. Choose 5G Auto to enable Smart Data mode.

    Voice & Data > 5G Auto

What Is Smart Data Mode on iPhone 13?

Smart Data mode was introduced on the iPhone 12 to help with concerns that battery life was shorter when running 5G data connections. Apple created Smart Data mode to help your phone decide when to use 5G data or when LTE data was enough to take care of the things you’re doing.

When Smart Data mode is on, your iPhone 13 will essentially turn 5G off and on as it is needed. For example, if your phone is in sleep mode and you aren’t downloading anything, it would turn 5G off to help conserve battery life. However, if you opened your phone and began downloading a movie, app, or TV show, it might turn 5G on to help speed up the download process. Your iPhone might also use 5G when the display is off, but you’re downloading something in the background.

How to Disable Smart Data Mode

While Smart Data can help save battery, if you live in an area where 5G isn’t readily available just yet—or you just want to use 5G all the time—you can always make use of the other modes that your iPhone has to offer. 

  1. Open the Settings application on your iPhone 13.

  2. Navigate to the Cellular settings menu.

  3. Press Cellular Data Options.

  4. Tap Voice & Data.

  5. If you want 5G on all the time, select the option for 5G. If you wish to disable 5G altogether, select LTE.

FAQ
  • How do I disable Lost Mode on my iPhone with no data?

    If you used Lost Mode to prevent someone from using your device but recovered it, you don't need to connect to the network. You can disable Lost Mode by entering your passcode on the device. Alternatively, you can turn off Find My Phone from any computer. Go to iCloud and select Find My iPhone > All Devices > device in Lost Mode > Lost Mode > Stop Lost Mode > Stop Lost Mode.

  • How can I restore my iPhone in Recovery Mode without losing data?

    You can restore your iPhone from a backup. Confirm that you have a usable backup stored in iCloud. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings > Erase Now > Enter passcode > follow prompts to erase and when the phone restarts, sign in to iCloud, select Restore, and follow the on-screen instructions. To restore an iPhone backup from iTunes on a computer, open iTunes on the computer, connect the iPhone to the computer, select the iPhone icon on iTunes, choose Restore Backup, select the backup, and click Restore.

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