Learn how to use restriction controls on your iPhone or iPad to completely block cellular data usage, avoiding unwanted charges and bill shock.
Many wireless carriers nowadays offer unlimited cellular data on 4G/LTE and 5G plans (folks on metered plans which cap their monthly data allowance can peruse our tips to save cellular data on an iPhone). But if your wireless service comes with zero data privileges, you can always block all cellular data usage on your iPhone. This nuclear option will also prevent accidental re-activation of cellular data through the Control Center, saving you from unwanted charges on your monthly bill.
If your kids use your iPhone, you’ll want to ensure they cannot turn on cellular data in the Control Center. And when traveling to a foreign country, blocking cellular data will save you from hefty roaming charges. Follow our steps below to completely block all cellular data usage on your iPhone or cellular-enabled iPad. The same steps apply to keeping cellular data always enabled and stopping anyone from disabling it.
Completely block all cellular data usage on your iPhone
1) Turn off cellular data in the connectivity group of the Control Center.
2) Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
3) Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4) Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions on the next screen and then scroll to the bottom and choose Cellular Data (previously called Cellular Data Changes). Enter your Screen Time passcode, if asked.
5) Select Don’t Allow, then close out the Settings app.
Wait about 15 seconds, then lock and unlock your iPhone. Next, go to the Control Center and the cellular data option should be grayed out. This should be enough to stop you from accidentally turning mobile data on. However, I could still turn cellular data through the Settings app on my iPhone running iOS 18.1.
At any rate, the built-in restriction settings will block further changes to your cellular data settings. If mobile data was turned off, it will remain off. Conversely, if it was enabled, it will remain switched on until you un-restrict cellular data changes.
Turn off cellular data restrictions
To remove cellular data restrictions, venture into Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Cellular Data and tap Allow. You cano now toggle cellular data on your iPhone like before, turn it on and off as you please.
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