If you’re on the road a lot, you’re likely using a lot of data, and this can cost you redundant fees if you’re not careful. by Mobile data consumption survey in 2013 In a study conducted by JDSU, iPhone 5s users (and iPhone users in general) use the most data compared to any other smartphone or tablet.
The survey examined the data usage habits of more than one million mobile subscribers across Europe using more than 150 different mobile devices in a 24-hour period and found that owners of Apple’s flagship smartphones consume more data than anyone else. Using too much data can cost subscribers at the end of the month, whether it’s in redundancy charges or the need to upgrade their data plan to account for more data.
This got us thinking. Aren’t there ways to reduce your monthly data usage on the go without sacrificing a ton? There really is. Let’s take a look at some simple tricks you can apply to save yourself the embarrassment of excess fees.
connect to wifi
One of the most effortless methods of saving valuable data, whether at home, at work or in a cafe, is to hop on a WiFi network. You can watch any YouTube video you want without having to worry about using up your allocated amount of data. However, if you don’t have a WiFi network around, there are a few settings you can change to at least reduce the damage to your data plan.
Turn off Cellular Access for Certain Apps
Most likely, most of your apps need access to the internet to download data and other information to be up to date and provide a better user experience. But that requires the app to get into your data share and go crazy, and if it’s an app like Netflix or Spotify, the damage can be pretty bad.
However, you can easily disable such apps from connecting to the internet if you have a data connection. Open the app, tap on it and then go to the section titled. You will see a list of apps you have installed and from there you can disable any app from accessing the internet while on a 3G or LTE connection.
Personally, I’ve disabled data collection apps including the App Store, Netflix, Spotify, Downcast, and even FaceTime (because video chat too much if you are not on WiFi).
Disable Background App Refresh
On smartphones, apps can be automatically refreshed with new information even when they are not open and in use. This new information still needs to be downloaded, and if you don’t have a WiFi connection, used data can be collected quickly depending on how many of your apps are refreshing in the background.
However, you can disable this feature in certain apps. Just open the app and go to . To disable Background App Refresh completely, you can flip the home switch or disable it only in certain apps. Disabling this feature also saves battery life, so it’s a win-win situation.
Disable Data Usage in Cloud and Photo Apps
While you can disable certain apps from using cellular data, it’s also a good idea to disable the feature inside the app if it provides such a setting. In many cloud storage apps and photo apps you will find a setting that allows you to upload files only over a WiFi connection or use a data connection if WiFi is not available.
It’s always safe to only allow uploads over WiFi, that way you won’t face any surprise redundancy charges the next time a notification is posted.