Read on to learn more about this mobile data vs wifi situation, and whether or not it makes sense to turn off your data if you’re connected to wifi.
Should you turn off mobile data when using WiFi?
Mobile hotspots are available almost everywhere you go now. And chances are, you’re using Wi-Fi far more often than 3G or 4G these days because it’s faster and more reliable than cellular connections. But that also means you’re probably burning through your monthly data allotment much faster if you haven’t turned off your Wi-Fi connection.
If you have a limited data plan, then yes—you should be turning off your mobile data whenever possible to avoid paying overage fees. If you don’t have a limited plan, then no—you shouldn’t be turning off your mobile data just yet.
There are two reasons why you might want to turn off your mobile data when connected to Wi-Fi:
You’re worried about exceeding your monthly data limit.
You want to make sure your computer gets an IP address from your router instead of relying on DHCP (because sometimes it takes longer for an IP address from a router to kick in).
Both of those arguments revolve around money.
Should I always have my mobile data on?
The biggest expense for most people every month is their cell phone bill and if there are ways to cut that cost without sacrificing too much quality, we should take advantage of them. This is especially true when it comes to cellular data plans since overages can be big money-eaters.
If your carrier offers a cheap or unlimited plan, that’s fantastic! Continue to do what you’re doing. In any case, here are some suggestions to help you save some money.
Let’s start by discussing whether you should leave your cell phone data on all day. It might sound like a good idea in theory: By keeping mobile data turned on at all times (unless actively connected to Wi-Fi), you won’t have to wait for things like email and Facebook updates to load when they come in while you’re out and about – everything will just work as soon as possible.
However, your phone still has to check in with your provider from time to time so it knows where you are and how fast you’re moving. That means even if you don’t use any data, leaving mobile data turned on still drains battery life by checking in now and again – which leads us right into our next tip… Turn Off 4G/LTE: 4G/LTE connections drain battery life faster than 3G connections do because they require more power.
Which is preferable, WiFi or mobile data?
When it comes to internet access on your phone, there are two ways to get it: via a wireless network (e.g., a wireless hotspot or cell tower) or over a wireless network that also includes internet access.
In other words, one option is to use Wi-Fi and connect directly to an internet source (like a cable modem), while another is to just use your phone’s cellular connection in combination with some sort of nearby Wi-Fi network. The latter option is commonly referred to as tethering, though most carriers refer to it as a mobile hotspot.
Wi-Fi is usually faster and easier to access, but tethering can allow you to use your existing internet connection (and monthly allotment) for other devices. However, if it’s cheaper for you to use Wi-Fi versus tethered data, it might be worth turning off tethering on your phone.
Should I turn my phone into a mobile hotspot?
In general, it’s a good idea to avoid using your smartphone as a tethered modem at all costs. It’s not only slower than most home broadband connections but also tends to consume more battery life than just about any other activity that uses your phone. It also eats up more of your allotted data than you may realize.
Some carriers now charge overage fees for tethered usage. If you need a Wi-Fi network that extends beyond what your router provides, look into getting an extender or range extender instead of relying on tethering.
Conclusion
Both Android and iOS provide features that can greatly improve your mobile internet experience, but they can also use up a lot of bandwidth. It’s Wi-Fi Assist on iOS. Adaptive Wi-Fi is available on Android. In either case, if you consume excessive amounts of data each month, you should think about shutting it off.
Does mobile data need to be on to use Wi-Fi?
No. Your phone won’t be able to connect to the 5G, 4G, 3G, or any other wireless carrier network whether it is linked to your Wi-Fi network at home or any other Wi-Fi network.
What happens if I simultaneously turn on Wi-Fi and mobile data?
Only WiFi will function if both WiFi and mobile data are turned on at the same time.
Which is better Wi-Fi or mobile data?
Wireless internet speeds are usually much higher than mobile data speeds. What’s fortunate is that most of these connections are either through broadband or fiber, which means they are both fast.
