Mobile Data Usage - Optimising your device

Mobile Data Usage - Optimising your device

Advice for Minimising Your Usage of Mobile Network Data:

  1. Use a secure Wi-Fi connection where available.
  2. Disable automatic downloads/updates in the App Store/Google Play Store.
  3. Turn off any other types of automatic updates in the settings and configure software updates to only occur when connected to Wi-Fi.
  4. Disable Wi-Fi Assist in settings. Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches the phone to use mobile data or Wi-Fi based on what has a better signal.
  5. Turn off mobile data for any apps that are not currently in use. We also recommend double-checking that your current plan aligns with your usage needs.

What is background data?

Background data is when your phone or apps use your mobile data, even when you're not actively using them. If an app can't connect to Wi-Fi, it uses your mobile data to update things in the background. This can use up a good amount of your monthly data plan.  On the other hand, foreground data is the data used when you're actually doing something on an app, like scrolling through Facebook, browsing websites or sending an email.

Most phones have the ability within 'Settings' to restrict or disable background data for your phone or some/all of your installed apps.

The apps that use up a lot of mobile data are usually the ones you use frequently. For many people, these include Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Snapchat, Spotify, Twitter, and YouTube. If you use any of these apps often, consider adjusting their settings to lower the amount of data they use.

Additional Tips

If you use any of the below apps, consider these settings to minimise your mobile data network consumption.
  1. Facebook: Stop autoplaying videos
  2. Twitter: Stop autoplaying videos
  3. Instagram: Stop preloading videos and photos
  4. Snapchat: Enable Travel Mode
  5. YouTube: Change Wi-Fi-only settings (Play High Definition (HD) on Wi-Fi only)
  6. Netflix: Set video quality
  7. Spotify: Make albums available offline

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