If you have ever had a message from your mobile network saying you are close to your data limit — or worse, been charged extra for going over it — you will know how frustrating it is. The good news is that a few simple settings changes can make a big difference without affecting how you use your phone day to day.
First: Check What Is Using Your Data
Before you cut anything, find out what is actually eating your data. Both iPhones and Android phones can show you exactly which apps are using the most.
- iPhone: Go to Settings, then Mobile Data (or Cellular). Scroll down to see a list of apps with how much data each has used. Any surprises there are your first target.
- Android: Go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then Data Usage. You will see a breakdown by app.
Turn On Low Data Mode
- iPhone: Go to Settings, Mobile Data, Mobile Data Options, and turn on Low Data Mode. This tells apps and the operating system to use data more carefully — pausing background downloads and reducing the quality of some automatic updates.
- Android: Go to Settings, Network & Internet, Data Saver. Turning this on restricts background data for all apps at once.
Stop Apps Updating in the Background
Many apps silently check for new content or updates even when you are not using them. This background activity adds up.
- iPhone: Go to Settings, General, Background App Refresh. You can turn it off entirely or set it to only run over Wi-Fi.
- Android: In your mobile data settings, look for “Restrict background data” options per app, or use Data Saver mode to handle it globally.
Set Video and Music Apps to Use Less Data
Streaming video and music are the biggest data users on most phones. Fortunately, most apps let you reduce quality when on mobile data.
- YouTube: Tap your profile photo, then Settings, then Video Quality Preferences, and set Mobile Data quality to a lower option like 480p.
- Spotify and other music apps: Look in Settings for a “Data saver” or “Download over Wi-Fi only” option. This stops it downloading your offline playlists when you are on mobile data.
- Netflix: In the app, go to Account settings and adjust the data usage per screen to a lower setting.
Download Things at Home Over Wi-Fi
If you know you will want to watch a film or listen to music on the go, download it before you leave home while you are connected to Wi-Fi. Watching a downloaded video uses no data at all, whereas streaming uses data every minute.
Most video and music apps have a download button — look for a down-arrow icon. It is one of the most effective habits for staying within your data limit without feeling like you are missing out.
With a few small changes, you can easily halve your monthly data use — and stop worrying about that top-up charge at the end of the month.