Most iOS apps are updated automatically, which is helpful for some users. However, if you pay for mobile data and are concerned about your gadget’s monthly bill or regular data usage, you will most likely want to cut back on the costs and disable automatic downloads.
Disabling Automatic Updates
According to experts who review and sell iPhones, if you’re forgetful, automatic downloads are heaven-sent because you don’t have to check your apps’ current versions every now and then. You don’t want to get stuck with the old versions, but you don’t want to be caught with so many updates to download all at once.
If you want updates to cost less or avoid ending up with a queue of apps to update all the time, you can deactivate your gadget’s automatic updates. Disabling these automatic downloads on your devices is easy enough. The best thing about it is that you still get the latest versions of your favorite apps via Wi-Fi connection when they are available.
Here is how you do it:
• Go to your home screen and tap “Settings”.
• Look for the “iTunes & App Store” on the left side of the screen and tap.
• Find the slider button on the right to “Update”.
This works similarly for music and books. Just disable the corresponding sliders. You would know
when you’ve disabled the slider button when it turns white and gray. You also have the option to still get automatic downloads on Wi-Fi by tapping “Use Cellular Data”. Simply tap to enable or disable this feature.
Wi-Fi Assist on iOS 9
Wi-Fi Assist is one of iOS 9’s features that gets a lot of buzz, both positive and negative, from users. If your device is already running iOS 9, it has Wi-Fi Assist, which switches your connection to mobile data when your current Wi-Fi connection is weak or unavailable.
This feature ensures that you are always connected. For instance, if the connection signal of your iPhone suddenly weakens or abruptly stops, Wi-Fi Assist would prompt the mobile data of your device to turn on so you stay connected online.
This feature triggers your mobile data when Wi-Fi is not detected. Based on user reviews, it’s both a good and a bad feature. It’s the former because it guarantees that your iPhone always has an internet connection. It’s the latter because it activates mobile data, which can cost a lot if you’re not careful. With this feature, it’s best you consciously stay within the Wi-Fi zone if you’re busy on your phone and do not want to pay for mobile data.
Here’s how to turn off the Wi-Fi Assist:
• Go to “Settings” and tap “Cellular”.
• On the Cellular screen, you will see the current data usage. The option for you to disable the apps that use up mobile data – apps you can do without automatic updating – is also visible.
• The turn-off button for the Wi-Fi Assist is at the bottom part of the screen.
Android users who prefer to limit their mobile data usage could also disable or enable their automatic updates.
In Conclusion
As you can see, turning your updates on and off is not at all complicated, and you can manipulate your future iOS updates if you need to. Lastly, remember that even trendy technology such as iPhones eventually becomes obsolete, and older models might not even support the latest iOS updates. So, to prevent those things from happening, consider selling your used iPhone with Gadget Salvation to recover its salvage value and use the funds to upgrade. We guarantee a speedy transaction with free shipping and a fair cashback!
Cesar is a Product Manager at Gadget Salvation, a leader in the refurbished electronics industry. An avid technology enthusiast, he’s always on top of the latest tech trends and applies that knowledge to drive product innovation.
