To make sure that you're not using too much data on your data plan, you can check and change your data usage. iPhone and Android phones allows you to reduce the amount of data they consume when they are not actively being used. Additionally, check the settings inside each app on your phone. Make sure photos, videos, and other large files are only backed up automatically when there’s a Wi-Fi connection available.
Tips to reduce data usage on iPhone
- Turn mobile data off for specific apps and reduce data usage for maps, social media apps, email, video streaming and more. Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data and scroll down to Use Mobile Data For. Choose which applications get access to mobile data and which ones don’t.
- Disable auto-downloads for media files in the instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). Open WhatsApp or other instant messaging app. Go to Settings > Storage and Data. Look in the Settings option related to the auto-downloading feature and select Wi-Fi or Never for Auto-download.
- Turn auto-updating off for App Store or at least set automatic updates to only run over Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Use Cellular Data - Disable Use Cellular Data.
- Disable Wi-Fi Assist. Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data. Then scroll down and tap the slider for Wi-Fi Assist.
- Turn cellular data off for iCloud Drive syncing. Go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive. Then scroll down and turn Use Cellular Data off.
- Disable background app refresh. Go to Settings > Background app refresh, and turn it off altogether, or allow it for certain applications. This setting prevents apps from sending and receiving data in the background using international data roaming.
Tips to reduce data usage on Android
UI elements or location of menus may differ for some devices.
- Turn auto-updating off for your Play Store or at least set automatic updates to only run over Wi-Fi. Disable App Updates over Cellular. Go to Apps > Play Store > Settings > Auto-update Apps > Set Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only.
- Disable auto-downloads for media files in the instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). Open WhatsApp or other instant messaging app. Go to Settings > Storage and Data. Look in the Settings option related to the auto-downloading feature and select Wi-Fi or Never for Auto-download.
- Disable Background data. Go to Settings > Data Usage > Background Data. Turn it off entirely or for some apps.
- Enable Data Saver mode. Go to Settings > Connections > Data Usage. Tap on Data Saver to access Data Saver settings.
- Disable Auto Sync of Accounts. Go to Settings > Accounts > ... > Disable auto sync.
- Disable Smart network switch (). This option allows you to stay connected when you have a poor Wi-Fi connection. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Advanced. Disable Smart network switch.