How to Speed Up Cellular Data: 12 Proven Tips for Faster Internet

Slow mobile data speeds are a frustrating obstacle in our day-to-day life. A sluggish connection can hinder productivity and diminish the overall user experience, whether browsing the web, streaming videos, or downloading files.

In every U.K. mobile network experience report, EE consistently ranks at the top for average overall download speeds; this report is no exception.

EE leads with an impressive score of 47.7Mbps, outpacing the second-place network, 3, by 12.2Mbps, which averages 35.4Mbps.

With the right strategies and tools, you can overcome data lag challenges and unlock your mobile device’s full potential.

Hence, we will explore various aspects of cellular data, such as the causes of slow mobile data, such as poor connectivity, network congestion, and too many active apps.

• Solutions to improve data speed, including restarting the phone, clearing browser cache, and turning off background apps.
• Utilizing tools and strategies like ad blockers and malware scanners and contacting the network provider for assistance.

Implementing these techniques will allow you to enjoy faster internet speeds and seamless connectivity on your smartphone or tablet.

Intriguing, isn’t it? Let’s dive right in.

Why is the Internet So Slow on My Phone?

A slow data connection on your phone can be incredibly frustrating. It is often due to a few common issues, such as poor connectivity, network congestion, or too many background apps running.

Slow internet speeds on iOS or Android devices are a frequent complaint among smartphone users, and various factors could be responsible.

Here are some reasons why your phone’s internet might be slow:

Poor Connection in Your Location

If you have weak reception or “no bars,” connecting to mobile data services can be challenging.

Moreover, being on a crowded public Wi-Fi network can lead to bandwidth competition, slowing down your internet speed.

Changing your location might help improve your connection.

Network Congestion

Internet speeds are faster when fewer devices are connected. If multiple devices use the same Wi-Fi or cellular network, bandwidth is shared, slowing your connection.

Too Many Active Apps or Tabs

Too many open apps or tabs can strain your data connection, reducing speed.

Even the fastest mobile data plans can struggle with the demands of numerous background apps and open tabs.

Issues with Your Cache

Your browser saves data in a cache to quickly load frequently visited websites.

However, problems with cached data can slow down your internet experience instead of speeding it up.

Network Settings Need a Reset

Your phone’s network settings might be causing slow internet speeds. Over time, these settings can become misconfigured, leading to a slower connection.

Resetting your network settings can help restore optimal performance.

How to Speed Up Cellular Data?

Below are some practical tips that will help you troubleshoot speed lags.

1. Restart Your Phone

A quick restart can solve more problems than you might think, including improving your 4G or 5G connection speed on both Android and iOS devices.

Additionally, activating Airplane Mode or resetting your network settings can help boost slow data speeds.

Restarting Your Phone on iOS

• Hold down the power button.
• Slide the power icon at the top of the screen to the right.
• Once the phone powers off, wait a few seconds.
• Hold down the power button again to turn it back on.

Restarting Your Phone on Android

• Hold down the power button.
• Select either Power Off or Restart.

2. Activate Airplane Mode

Enabling Airplane Mode can reset your device’s internet connection if your phone’s internet is slow.

This mode turns off your phone’s wireless capabilities, including mobile data and Wi-Fi connection. Turning Airplane Mode on and off can sometimes improve your internet speed.

Activating Airplane Mode on iOS

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or down from the top-right of the screen on iPhone 13).
• Open the Control Center.
• Tap the airplane icon to enable Airplane Mode.
• Tap the airplane icon again to disable Airplane Mode.

Activating Airplane Mode on Android

• Swipe down from the top of the screen to access Quick Settings.
• Tap the airplane icon to activate Airplane Mode.
• Tap the airplane icon again to deactivate Airplane Mode.

3. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings returns your phone’s internet configurations to their default states, allowing it to start fresh.

This can resolve issues slowing down your data speeds. After the reset, you may need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and other saved information.

Resetting Network Settings on iOS

• Open Settings.
• Tap General.
• Scroll down and select Reset.
• Tap Reset Network Settings.
• Enter your passcode when prompted.
• Confirm by selecting Reset Network Settings.

Resetting Network Settings on Android

The steps may vary depending on your phone model. Here are instructions for a Google Pixel:

• Open Settings.
• Tap System (it may be called General Management on other devices).
• Select Advanced.
• Tap Reset options (or Reset network settings).
• Select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
• Tap Reset settings at the bottom of the screen and confirm.

By following these steps, you can address some common issues causing slow internet speeds on your mobile device.

4. Find the Top Mobile Data-Draining Apps

Even when not actively used, some apps can continue to consume data, slowing down your mobile connection.

These apps run in the background, using system resources, storage space, and bandwidth. Here’s how to identify the apps that are draining your data.

How to Find Data-Draining Apps on iOS

• Open Settings and Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data):
• Access the Cellular Data settings within the Settings app.
• View Data Usage:
• Scroll down to the Cellular Data (or Mobile Data) section.
• Here, you’ll see the total mobile data used in the current period and the data usage for each app.
• To stop an app from using mobile data, toggle the switch next to it.

Reset Statistics:

• Scroll down to see when your current period began.
• To start fresh, tap Reset Statistics and confirm.

This allows you to begin a new period at the start of your billing cycle, helping you track app data usage more accurately.

How to Find Data-Draining Apps on Android?

The steps for identifying data-draining apps on Android may vary by device. Generally, you can access this information through the Settings app.

• Open Settings and Tap Connections & Sharing:
• Navigate to Data Usage.
• View Top Data-Draining Apps:
• Scroll down to see your top data-draining apps.
• Select an app to view detailed usage and force stop it if necessary.

You can stop using these apps when using a data connection. However, many apps run in the background even when you’re not actively using them.

5. Turn Off Inactive Background Apps and Programs

After identifying data-draining apps, the next step is to prevent them from running in the background.

Turning off these apps can save your phone’s data, battery life, and other resources, ultimately speeding up your connection.

How to Disable Background Apps on iOS

• Open Settings and Go to General:
• Navigate to Settings > General.
• Select Background App Refresh.
• Configure Individual Apps:
• Toggle the switch next to each app to turn Background App Refresh on or off.
• A green switch indicates that Background App Refresh is enabled, while a gray switch means it’s disabled.

Disable Background App Refresh for All Apps:

• Tap Background App Refresh again.
• Choose whether you want to allow apps to refresh on Wi-Fi & Mobile Data, Wi-Fi Only, or Off.

How to Disable Background Apps on Android?

Most modern Android phones are optimized to minimize background app activity. However, some apps may still run in the background, draining resources.

• Open Settings and Select the Problematic App:
• Navigate to Settings > Apps.
• Select the app you want to manage.

6. Pause Resource-Draining Apps the Easy Way

While manually adjusting settings for each resource-draining app can be effective, a dedicated cleaning tool can streamline the process.

These apps or software can stop apps from draining your phone’s data, storage, and battery life with minimal effort.

Identify Data-Draining Apps:

• Under the Drainers section, the apps consume the most data, storage, and battery.
• Tap Data to view data-draining apps. (Note: The app may need to run for a few days to gather accurate usage stats.)

Force Stop Data-Draining Apps:

• Select any data-draining apps you don’t want running in the background.
• Tap Force Stop. You can do the same for apps that are hogging storage resources or draining your battery.

7. Install an Ad Blocker

Ad blockers enhance your internet experience by stopping intrusive ads from appearing and distracting you.

Additionally, websites load faster when they don’t have to load ads alongside your viewing content.

Installing Ad Blockers on iOS and Android

Before installing any third-party software, consult professional or user reviews. Alternatively, switch to a web browser with built-in ad-blocking capabilities.

8. Clear the Cache on Your Mobile Browser

A full browser cache might not directly slow down your internet speed, but it can affect your device’s overall performance, making everything, including your data speeds, seem slower.

Clearing out your browser cache can give your device a fresh start and help improve performance.

How to Clear Your Browser Cache

• Clearing Cache in Safari on iOS
• Open Settings:
• Tap the Settings app on your iOS device.
• Select Safari:
• Scroll down and tap Safari.

Clear History and Website Data:

• Scroll down to Clear History and Website Data.
• Tap this option, then tap Clear History and Data to confirm.
• Restart Safari:
• Close Safari and reopen it to ensure the cache is cleared.

Clearing Cache in Chrome on Android

• Open Chrome:
• Launch the Chrome browser app on your Android device.
• Access Settings:
• Tap the three dots (menu icon) in the top right corner.
• Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
• Go to Privacy:
• Scroll down and tap Privacy.
• Clear Browsing Data:
• Tap Clear Browsing Data.
• Ensure Cached images and files are selected. You can also choose browsing history, cookies, and site data to clear them.
• Choose the time range. To clear the entire cache, select All Time.
• Tap Clear data to confirm.

Restart Chrome:

• Close Chrome and reopen it to ensure the cache is cleared.
• Clearing your browser cache can improve your device’s performance, speeding up your mobile data experience.

9. Enter Your Browser’s Reader Mode

Reader mode simplifies website layouts for faster loading and easier reading.

Activate Reader Mode on iOS

• Tap the AA icon next to the address bar.
• Select Show Reader View.
• Chrome on Android:
• Enable Simplified View:

In Chrome settings, go to Accessibility.

• Check Simplified view for web pages.
• Use Reader Mode:
• Tap Show simplified view when prompted while opening an article.

10. Connect to Wi-Fi

If your mobile data is consistently slow, try switching to Wi-Fi. However, ensure the Wi-Fi network is secure, especially when using public networks.

Public Wi-Fi can expose your data to potential threats. For added security, use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.

11. Scan for Malware

Slow internet could indicate malware on your device, compromising your security. Scan your phone with a trusted cybersecurity tool to detect and remove malware.

This helps safeguard your device and ensures optimal internet speeds.

12. Contact Your Network Provider

Contacting your network provider is advisable if you’re experiencing persistent slow internet speeds.

They can troubleshoot the issue and provide assistance to improve your connection. They may also offer insights into network upgrades or maintenance affecting your internet speed.

Conclusion

Slow mobile data speeds can be frustrating, but you can significantly improve your internet connection with the right strategies.By troubleshooting common issues such as poor network settings, background app usage, and browser cache buildup, you can boost your data speed and enhance your overall mobile experience.

Moreover, leveraging tools and ad blockers can further optimize your device’s performance.

Remember to stay vigilant against malware and consider switching to Talk Home Mobile for seamless connectivity without data caps. With these tips and solutions, you can enjoy faster and more reliable mobile internet wherever you go.

FAQs

What is the speed of cellular data?

Modern LTE devices can achieve real-world speeds exceeding 100 Mbps under optimal conditions.

Flagship devices have theoretical maximum speeds exceeding 1000 Mbps, which are typically achieved only in ideal laboratory conditions. For practical purposes, a reasonable expectation for good LTE speeds on today’s cellular networks is between 20-30 Mbps.

What is the Fastest Mobile Network in the UK?

As of 2023, EE was recognized for providing the fastest mobile download speeds in the United Kingdom.

EE offers impressive connectivity with an average download speed of around 48 megabits per second (Mbps).

Besides, Talk Home Mobile, powered by EE, provides unparalleled connectivity and speed.