How to turn off Data Saver is worth knowing when apps stop refreshing, notifications arrive late, or your phone seems to hold back background activity. The fix is usually simple, but the right steps depend on your device.
Before changing anything, find the quickest method for your phone and learn what you may be giving up by turning the feature off.
1. How to Turn Off Data Saver Quickly
If you’re wondering how to turn Data Saver off, the most reliable method is through your phone’s Settings. The exact menu can vary by Android model and software version.
On most Android phones:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet or a similar network setting.
- Select Data Saver.
- Turn Data Saver off.
Some phones also place a Data Saver shortcut in Quick Settings. If you see it there, you can tap the shortcut instead of opening the full Settings menu.
If you cannot find the option, use the search bar inside Settings and type Data Saver. This is often the quickest way to locate it when your phone uses a different menu layout.
On iPhone:
- Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models).
- Press and hold the Cellular Data or Wi-Fi icon.
- Tap Low Data Mode to toggle it off.
Both routes of how to turn off Data Saver take under five seconds, and neither requires digging through a settings menu. That speed is exactly why the two-tap method is worth learning even if you only use it occasionally.
2. How to Unrestrict Specific Apps Without Disabling Data Saver
Turning the feature off completely is not always the right move. If notifications from only one or two apps are the real problem, leaving Data Saver on and unrestricting those specific apps solves it with less trade-off.
On Android:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet > Data Saver.
- Tap Unrestricted data or the equivalent option on your phone.
- Turn on access for the apps you want to keep running normally in the background.
This gives you a middle ground: Data Saver can continue limiting unnecessary background data while your most important apps remain less restricted.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings, then Cellular.
- Scroll down to the app in question.
- Enable both Cellular Data and Background App Refresh for it.
This approach caps your overall usage while the apps you actually rely on keep notifying you in real time. It is a smaller fix than disabling Data Saver outright, but it usually solves the exact complaint that sent you looking for a solution in the first place.
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3. Full System Menu Walkthroughs by Device
The steps of how to turn off Data Saver are similar across Android phones, but the menu names can change between manufacturers and software versions. If one path does not match your screen, searching for Data Saver inside Settings is usually the easiest workaround.
Samsung Galaxy Devices (One UI Settings Path)
If you’re looking for how to turn off Data Saver on Samsung, open Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver, then switch the feature off.
Samsung’s menu can look slightly different depending on your Galaxy model and One UI version, so use the Settings search bar if you cannot find Data Saver in the expected location.
Stock Android & Google Pixel
For users searching how to turn off Data Saver on Android, the usual path on Pixel and other phones using a similar Android interface is Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver. From there, turn the Data Saver switch off.
Because Android menus can vary by device, do not worry if your phone uses slightly different wording. Searching Data Saver within Settings should take you to the right option.
iPhone Cellular & Wi-Fi Low Data Mode
iPhone does not use Android’s Data Saver feature. Instead, Apple calls its comparable setting Low Data Mode.
| Connection type | Menu path | What to select |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular | Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode | Standard (instead of Low Data Mode) |
| Wi-Fi | Settings > Wi-Fi > (info icon next to network) | Turn off Low Data Mode |
These are separate settings, so check the connection you are currently using if your phone still seems to be limiting data.
4. How to Control Data Usage Manually (Without Data Saver)
Turning Data Saver off gives apps more freedom to use mobile data, but you can still control where that data goes. If your goal is to avoid unnecessary usage rather than restrict every app, managing individual apps can be a better approach.
In-App Data Controls (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify)
Many data-heavy apps have their own settings for reducing mobile data use. Check each app’s settings for options related to video quality, downloads, or data usage.
- Spotify lets you choose streaming and download quality separately, so music can stay high quality while podcasts download in a lighter format.
- YouTube lets you cap streaming quality under Settings, then General, then Data Saving.
- Instagram and TikTok both offer a data saver toggle inside their own app settings.
Managing Background App Refresh and Auto-Updates
Automatic updates, cloud backups, photo syncing, and background activity can continue using data after Data Saver is turned off. Review these settings if your data usage suddenly increases.
This gives you more control without having to keep Data Saver enabled all the time.
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5. Common Causes of Hidden Data Usage & Carrier Throttling
Turning Data Saver off does not necessarily explain a sudden increase in mobile data use. Background syncing, automatic app updates, cloud photo backups, video streaming, and other data-heavy activity can all contribute.
Your carrier can also manage speeds separately from your phone’s Data Saver setting. If your connection remains slow even after Data Saver is off, check whether your plan has a data allowance, speed threshold, or other network-management terms.
In other words, turning off Data Saver removes one restriction, but it does not remove every possible limit on your mobile connection.
6. FAQs
These quick answers cover what people run into right after making the switch.
Does turning off Data Saver affect my Wi-Fi data usage too?
On Android, Data Saver primarily limits mobile data use. Turning it off does not automatically change separate Wi-Fi settings. If you’re using an iPhone, Low Data Mode has separate controls for cellular and Wi-Fi connections.
Why does Low Data Mode keep turning back on by itself?
This usually happens when it is tied to a specific network or plan rather than a global setting. Check both the per-network toggle and the main Cellular Data Options menu, since either can re-enable it.
Will turning off Data Saver drain my mobile data faster?
Somewhat, since apps regain full background access to sync and refresh. The difference is usually smaller than expected unless several data-heavy apps were restricted at once.
Can I turn off Data Saver for just one app instead of everywhere?
Yes, that is exactly what unrestricting an app does. It keeps Data Saver active system-wide while letting one chosen app use background data freely, which solves most notification complaints.
Conclusion
Turning Data Saver off gives your apps more freedom to stay updated and connected, but it also means your phone may use more mobile data. The key is knowing when you need that extra access and when a more selective approach makes sense.
Whether you disable the feature completely or allow only certain apps to use background data, how to turn off data saver is ultimately about finding the right balance between convenience and data usage. Once you know where that balance sits, managing your phone becomes a lot less frustrating.
