Do you use mobile data while connected to Wi-Fi? It’s complicated.

You're not supposed to use mobile data while connected to a Wi-Fi network, but it can still happen in some cases.

Jun 20, 2025 - 12:06
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Do you use mobile data while connected to Wi-Fi? It’s complicated.
Mobile data usage
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

When it comes to smartphones, the common sentiment is that your Wi-Fi network will always take precedence over your mobile connection. In other words, those with data caps generally don’t have to worry about mobile data being consumed during lengthy Wi-Fi sessions. But is this always true? Generally, yes, but the situation is slightly more complicated than you might think. There are indeed a few reasons your phone could end up using mobile data even when connected to Wi-Fi.

It’s likely not a bug, but a feature

Recently, I noticed my free Helium line was using data faster than expected, considering I rarely used it and consistently had my Wi-Fi turned on. Upon investigation, I realized my mistake was twofold. First, I’d accidentally set Helium as my primary mobile data line instead of my Verizon account. This explained part of the issue, but not the sudden spike in mobile data usage when connected to my home network.