5 Ways to Cut Your Phone Bill
Easy money savers you didn't know about.
Want to save money on your phone bill? Here are five tips to lower your monthly phone bill and keep you from triggering data overages. While it's always good to keep an eye out for a different wireless carrier with better rates, these are ways to save money with your current provider. You'll also be able to use these tips with your current iPhone, but make sure you are running iOS 13 or later. If you're ready to reduce your monthly bill, read on!
1. Turn off Wi-Fi Assist
Wi-Fi Assist automatically starts using cellular data if you're in an area with a weak Wi-Fi connection. Don't let your internet browsing eat up your data! Go to Settings > Cellular and scroll down to toggle Wi-Fi Assist off. Remember, Wi-Fi Assist only works with foreground-running apps and doesn't activate with any background tasks when you do have it enabled, limiting the damage to your data bill you can do.
2. Download Your Carrier’s App
You can expect that your carrier has a free app for you to download. What you might not have known is that wireless provider apps will give users little freebies each month or throughout the year. T-Mobile's self-named app has T-Mobile Tuesdays, where each week customers can receive coupon codes for gas, movie rentals, and more. Verizon's app, My Verizon, has monthly Verizon Up rewards, which can include similar coupons or gift cards such as $3 to Starbucks. But what you want to keep an eye out for is when your provider offers bonuses like 1 GB of data. The offers will all have terms, such
as the 1 GB bonus data needing to be used within 90 days of activation. Having a little extra free data has saved me from triggering overage fees more than once when I needed to use data for Google Maps directions. And if you do need to upgrade your smart device, I've received offers of $200 off iPhone models from my current provider's app, My Verizon. Plus, having your carrier's app will make it easier for you to use the next two tips!
3. Activate Paperless or Auto-Billing
Receiving your cellphone bill by email and paying it off each month via auto-billing can typically save you as much as $5 each month. You can set these options up through your carrier's app, website, or customer service phone line. You'll need to link a bank account or card for auto-billing to take out the balance each month. Some carriers like Verizon require a debit card instead of a credit card to receive a discount, so be sure to check the terms. Another advantage of autobilling is you won't trigger a late fee since the auto-billing withdraws the funds automatically on a set date each month. Be sure to have the funds available in the account you've linked to auto-billing before the withdrawal date. While saving $60 each year might not sound like something to boast about, try multiplying that $60 with how many years you've been using your cell phone plan.
4. Track Your Data Usage
Tracking your data usage can help you put your money to better use. Do you feel like you would be better off paying for a smaller data plan? What about upgrading to a bigger one to save on overage fees? The best way to make this call is by seeing how much data you're actually using each month. You can track your data usage on your iPhone by going into Settings > Cellular and looking at all the apps under Cellular Data. You may need to scroll to Reset Statistics at the bottom and tap Confirm to start tracking your recent data usage, as it does not automatically refresh. But, by using your carrier's app or website, you can find a monthly breakdown of your previous data usage right away! Typically, the carrier's website will have a more extensive data usage history. I use Verizon, and the My Verizon app only shows me my past three months of data use.
5. Enable Low Data Mode
Low Data Mode pauses background tasks, such as automatic downloads, backups, and updates, so they won't drain your data. You can enable Low Data Mode to reduce your data usage by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > and toggling on Low Data Mode. Low Data Mode is not something to have on all the time but it will benefit you if your poor signal siphons your battery power while you're out for errands. If you're outside a strong signal area or Wi-Fi connection, be sure to enable Low Data Mode to stay within your data plan!
Now, you'll be able to save money each month on your phone bill. The most important thing to know is the minimum amount of data you need. With the above tips, you'll find that out and be able to enjoy your iPhone for calls and apps without breaking the bank!