Turning off Wi-Fi on an iPhone 6 can save battery, stop the phone from joining weak networks, or help when troubleshooting a connection. The Settings switch turns Wi-Fi fully off, while the Control Center button behaves a little differently on newer iOS versions. The iPhone 6 can run up to iOS 12.
Quick Answer
Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and turn off the Wi-Fi switch. Your phone will use cellular data until you turn it back on.
How to Turn Off Wi-Fi on an iPhone 6
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Wi-Fi near the top.
- Tap the Wi-Fi switch so it turns grey.
- Check that the Wi-Fi icon at the top of the screen is gone.
- To turn it back on, tap the same switch.
Settings Switch vs Control Center
| Method | What happens |
|---|---|
| Settings, Wi-Fi switch | Wi-Fi is fully off until you turn it on |
| Control Center Wi-Fi button (iOS 11 and later) | Disconnects from networks until the next day or until you leave the area |
| Airplane Mode | Turns off all radios; Wi-Fi can be re-enabled separately |
| Forget This Network | Stops joining one specific network |
Abroad, you may want Wi-Fi on instead; read how to prefer Wi-Fi while roaming.
Troubleshooting
- Wi-Fi turns itself back on: you probably used Control Center, which only disconnects temporarily on iOS 11 and later. Use Settings instead.
- Cellular data is running out: turn Wi-Fi back on at home, or check which apps use the most data in Settings, Cellular.
- To share your connection instead, see how to share your iPhone internet connection.
- To reduce data use, read how Low Data Mode works on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Wi-Fi save battery?
A little, especially where the phone keeps searching for networks. The bigger savings usually come from screen brightness and background apps.
Will I still get texts and calls?
Yes. Calls and SMS use the cellular network. iMessage and apps switch to cellular data.
Why does Control Center only disconnect Wi-Fi?
From iOS 11, Apple kept Wi-Fi available for features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot, so the button just disconnects.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Turn off the switch.
- Use Settings rather than Control Center to turn it fully off.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.