How to Stop Twitter from Using Cellular Data on Your iPhone

To stop Twitter (now X) from using cellular data on your iPhone, open Settings, tap Cellular, scroll to X in the list of apps, and turn off its switch. After that, the X app only loads posts, images and videos over Wi-Fi.

Twitter’s iPhone app is now named X, but it is the same app, so look for X in the list. These steps follow Apple’s iPhone User Guide and work on current versions of iOS.

In this guide:

• Turn off cellular data for X
• See how much data X uses
• Use less data without blocking X
• Other ways to cut cellular data
• FAQs

How to Turn Off Cellular Data for X on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Cellular. In some regions this is called Mobile Data.
3. Scroll down to the list of apps. If you don’t see X, tap Show All.
4. Turn off the switch next to X.

Result: According to Apple, when cellular data is off for an app, iPhone uses only Wi-Fi for it. If you open X away from Wi-Fi, it won’t load new content until you reconnect or turn the switch back on.

To undo it, go back to the same screen and turn the switch next to X back on. Other apps aren’t affected; each one has its own switch. For example, you can restrict Facebook to Wi-Fi on your iPhone the same way.

How to See How Much Data X Uses

On the same Cellular screen, the amount of cellular data each app has used appears under its name. Tap Show All to see the full list. To start a fresh count, scroll to the bottom and tap Reset Statistics.

Apple notes that these numbers are an estimate. For the most accurate figure for your billing period, check with your carrier.

Result: You can see whether X is one of your biggest data users before deciding to block it. If a video app is higher on the list, you can turn off cellular data for the YouTube app with the same switch.

Keep Using X on Cellular but Use Less Data

If you still want X on the go, limiting video autoplay is a good middle ground. Per X’s help page on videos:

1. In the X app, open Settings and privacy.
2. Under Accessibility, display, and languages, tap Data usage.
3. Tap Video autoplay.
4. Choose Only on Wi-Fi or Never. The other option is On cellular or Wi-Fi.

Result: Videos and GIFs no longer start playing by themselves on cellular. X says this setting is separate for the app and for x.com, so change it in both places if you use both. Our guide to turning off video autoplay in the X app has more detail.

Other Ways to Cut Cellular Data

• Block x.com in Safari, too. Turning off X only affects the app. If you open X in Safari, it uses Safari’s setting. You can turn off cellular data for Safari or use restrictions to block the website.
• Turn on Low Data Mode. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode and choose Low Data Mode. Apple says it pauses automatic updates and background tasks when you aren’t on Wi-Fi.
• Check Connectivity Assist. Apple explains that this feature can use cellular data when Wi-Fi is weak or not connected to the internet. You can turn it off in Settings.

For more ideas, see 10 ways to reduce cellular data usage on your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off cellular data for X affect other apps?

No. The switch only applies to X. Every other app keeps using cellular data unless you turn it off separately.

Why can’t I find X in the Cellular list?

Tap Show All below the app list to see every app. Make sure you’re looking for X, since the app no longer appears as Twitter.

Can I turn off cellular data for System Services?

No. Apple lets you see how much data System Services use, but you can’t switch them off one by one.

Can I still post or read X away from Wi-Fi?

Not in the app while its switch is off. You’ll need Wi-Fi, or you can turn the switch back on. If you also want to share links to X from Safari, see how to share on X from Safari.

Seeing too many posts from one account? Here’s how to mute someone in the X iPhone app. To make the app easier to read in a dark room, see how to turn on night mode in the X iPhone app.