We recently got a question emailed to us by Nancy. Here’s what she had to say:
Dear Kurt,
I want to thank you for what you do. You have no idea how much you help me! I love that you put step-by-step directions. I love my Apple iPhone and MacBook Air but am not super tech savvy. Everything you write about is relevant to me. Last time, it was about seeing the battery % left.
Today for example you showed how to upload the newest software on my iPhone and why to do it. It did ask me a question, “Do you want to use cellular data or WiFi?” I didn’t really know so I just guessed WiFi and it worked. But always your tips are so great and you truly make a positive difference in my life, and I’m sure in so many others too. Thank you! Nancy
This is a great question and one that people seem to ask often, so let’s go over which option is best to use.
When should I be using WiFi?
If you’re in a wifi environment, always use WiFi. When you’re a guest at someone’s house or even in your office building, it’s always best to ask someone what the WiFi password is. Having access to the WiFi where you are will help your phone’s internet move much faster and will save you the trouble of worrying if you’re using up too much data on your phone plan.
MORE: HOW TO SPEED UP YOUR WIFI AND INTERNET CONNECTION
Is it ok to use public WiFi?
Be aware of unsecured WiFi networks or networks with weak passwords in public places. With technology advancing so quickly, many public places will likely offer a public WiFi hotspot where you do not need a password to use it. Yet this also comes with its dangers, as some scammers have gotten quite savvy by using similar names of popular legitimate hotspots hoping that people who aren’t paying close attention will use it. It’s important to only connect to networks that you trust.
How to browse the web privately
To protect yourself from getting hacked by a public WiFi scam, you should consider using a secure VPN service such as ExpressVPN. This type of service protects your privacy and security, especially when you’re traveling. A VPN will allow you to not only safeguard your connection from hackers but will also give you other perks like bypassing censored sites, increasing connection speeds, and more.
Get my review of best VPNs here.
When should I use cellular data?
Cellular data is very useful when you’re on the go and need quick access to the internet. However, if you don’t have an unlimited cellular data plan, you may be charged for any extra usage beyond your plan. Also, if you’re not on 5G, anything you’re trying to download could be much slower. So my advice is only to use cellular data when you have to, and if you find that you’re needing to use public WiFi a lot, again, get a secure VPN service on your device.
Was this helpful? Let us know if you have other concerns about using cellular data vs. WiFi.
MORE: HOW TO SET UP A PERSONAL HOTSPOT SO YOU CAN STAY CONNECTED FROM ANYWHERE
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