What is Wi-Fi assist and should it be turned on?

Have you ever wondered why your phone still uses up your data even though you are connected to Wi-Fi? This could be due to Wi-Fi Assist being turned on on your device. Not sure what Wi-Fi assist is and what it does? Let’s take a look.

What is Wi-Fi Assist on iPhone?

Wi-Fi Assist is a feature introduced by Apple in iOS 9 to help users maintain a stable internet connection. When your Wi-Fi connection becomes weak or unreliable, Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches to cellular data to keep your browsing or app usage smooth. It’s particularly useful when you're in areas with patchy Wi-Fi signals, like cafes, public spaces, or even at home when you’re far from the router.

While Wi-Fi Assist works in the background, users can control whether it’s on or off simply by toggling it from your device settings. If you are not sure if you should keep Wi-Fi assist on, let’s explore the pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision.

Why you would keep Wi-Fi Assist on?

1. If you need uninterrupted connectivity: Wi-Fi Assist ensures that you don't experience slowdowns or disconnections when a Wi-Fi signal is weak. It automatically kicks in cellular data when the Wi-Fi can no longer provide a reliable connection, ensuring you maintain fast browsing speeds, uninterrupted streaming, and smooth downloads.
2. Convenience: You don’t have to manually switch to mobile data when you encounter Wi-Fi problems. The feature automatically detects poor Wi-Fi performance and makes the switch seamlessly, providing a hassle-free experience.
3. Essential for Streaming and Cloud-Based Apps: Apps that require a stable connection like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or iCloud benefit from Wi-Fi Assist. You’ll continue listening, watching, or syncing without buffering or interruptions.
4. Works Only When Necessary: Wi-Fi Assist does not activate if you’re on a solid Wi-Fi connection. It only steps in when your Wi-Fi is performing poorly, meaning it isn’t constantly using your data unnecessarily.

Why you might not want to turn on Wi-Fi Assist

1. Potential Data Usage Increase: The primary concern for many users is increased data usage. Since Wi-Fi Assist switches to cellular data when Wi-Fi is weak, you may end up using more of your mobile data allowance than anticipated. If you're on a limited data plan, this can result in exceeding your limit and incurring additional charges.
2. Background Data Consumption: Even though Wi-Fi Assist doesn’t activate with all apps, certain background processes could still consume cellular data without your awareness. Features like automatic app updates, email syncing, or background streaming may quietly add to your data usage.
3. Not Ideal for Limited Data Plans: Users with limited data plans or those who live in areas with weak cellular signals may find Wi-Fi Assist more trouble than it's worth. You might unknowingly switch to cellular data, leading to increased data consumption when you believed you were connected to Wi-Fi.
4. International Roaming Charges: If you travel frequently, especially internationally, keeping Wi-Fi Assist on could lead to hefty roaming charges. It might switch to your cellular network without you noticing, resulting in high fees if you don’t have an international data plan.

How to Turn Wi-Fi Assist On or Off?

Turning Wi-Fi Assist on or off is simple:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list of apps, and you’ll see Wi-Fi Assist.
4. Toggle the switch to turn it on or off.

FAQs about Wi-Fi Assist

• Does Wi-Fi Assist use a lot of data? Wi-Fi Assist only switches to cellular data when Wi-Fi is weak, so its impact on data usage depends on how often you encounter poor Wi-Fi signals.
• Can I track how much data Wi-Fi Assist uses? Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t provide a specific breakdown of how much data Wi-Fi Assist uses. However, you can monitor your overall data usage through the Settings app.
• Is Wi-Fi Assist available on all iPhones? Wi-Fi Assist was introduced with iOS 9 and is available on iPhone 5 and later models.

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And if you will be traveling, we recommend that you turn off Wi-Fi Assist so that you do not unknowingly use more data than you expected!

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