How do you keep your mobile data usage down?

Former_MSE_Joanne

Lots of people complain they are constantly going over their data allowance but are locked into a contract so can't increase it. We want to tap Moneysavers' collective knowledge on ways to keep your data use down and avoid being hit with hefty excess data charges. Do you restrict your handset surfing to locations where you have wi-fi access? Do you use special apps that claim to be able to compress pages so you use less data?

CockneyBrum

Google Chrome and Opera on Android both have data compression features built-in, but you might have to turn them on for it to work. Also be aware that Chrome sends your data via Google for compression, which no doubt gives them even more data to sell on!

d123

MSE_Joanne wrote: »

Lots of people complain they are constantly going over their data allowance but are locked into a contract so can't increase it. We want to tap Moneysavers' collective knowledge on ways to keep your data use down and avoid being hit with hefty excess data charges. Do you restrict your handset surfing to locations where you have wi-fi access? Do you use special apps that claim to be able to compress pages so you use less data?

Just have a data allowance big enough for every use, there are contracts and PAYG with large allowances, even some Unlimited/all you can eat price plans and PAYG add ons. Think Giffgaff, Lyca, Three, Virgin etc

dw1

d123 wrote: »

Just have a data allowance big enough for every use, there are contracts and PAYG with large allowances, even some Unlimited/all you can eat price plans and PAYG add ons. Think Giffgaff, Lyca, Three, Virgin etc

The whole point of the thread is for people who are trapped in their contract... but good point about PAYG sim cards - you could get one with a cheap data add-on and swap it in before any data-intensive activities, far better than the absurd charges some operators make for going over data limits (Vodafone for example charge a downright criminal £6.50!!!). If your phone's network locked you could even get one from your own provider, they can't stop you.

TheLitterMan

I have a PAYG Android phone, so only switch on mobile data when I want it (even though it only cost 1p per Mb with Three).

I have installed the free "Data ON-OFF" app from the Play store, and have placed the button to switch mobile data on and off in a prime position on my home screen.

The button itself becomes clearly illuminated when I have mobile data switched on.

redux

dw1 wrote: »

The whole point of the thread is for people who are trapped in their contract... but good point about PAYG sim cards - you could get one with a cheap data add-on and swap it in before any data-intensive activities, far better than the absurd charges some operators make for going over data limits (Vodafone for example charge a downright criminal £6.50!!!). If your phone's network locked you could even get one from your own provider, they can't stop you.

The other SIM could be in a 3g modem on a different network, saving swapping SIMs in the phone, and also having better network coverage in some places where the other isn't as good. Or else have a dual SIM phone.

But even before that the piece of advice I'd stress is switch off all automatic application updates, and just do those manually when in wifi coverage.

I've seen over 150 MB of data used on a 3g modem log in half an hour, and the iPhone owners didn't even know anything was happening, and despite my request at the start for them to switch off auto-updates. Fortunately I could add another bundle for a few Euros, but they hadn't known that, and not all brands allow this within the same month.

As well as the data compression in Opera as mentioned above, images may be turned off if not needed, and then some pages only use a few kilobytes.

forgotmyname

Dont stream videos and music, Wait until you get home to post your daily life on facebook.

I signed upto facebook years ago. I stopped using it when someone posted they were in the supermarket and buying a tin of beans.
Err people want to know that why? And why are you sad enough to want to post that.

I signed out and never used it again.

I still get the emails saying a lot has changed since i last used it and i have 000's of notifications.

Too much junk that you dont really need on the move.

glenrothes

dw1 wrote: »

Vodafone for example charge a downright criminal £6.50!!!.

Vodafone, and maybe o2, have a My Vodafone App, free, which lets you track how much of your data you have used each month.

You can also register on their website to be able to see past bills in detail and current usage.

Turning your mobile data off on the handset, particularly when abroad, makes sure nothing is updating or syncing in the background using data that you are not aware of.

Turning settings off that auto load videos, facebook app being a big one, helps to minimise usage to just what you are actively wanting.

Quiet_Spark

glenrothes wrote: »

Turning your mobile data off on the handset, particularly when abroad, makes sure nothing is updating or syncing in the background using data that you are not aware of.

All I have done is set the above to do it when on Wi-Fi only, other than that I have mobile data permanently switched on.
My current data usage this month is 37MB and my bill arrives in 4 days. Even with intense usage (intense for me anyway) I have never exceeded 90MB in any one month period.

SteveHenshaw

Don't O2 have a system where if you go over your allowance the data is throttled? There are no excess charges other than if you buy a bolt on?

ballyblack

I have installed the free "Data ON-OFF" app from the Play store,

Yes I had this on my phone also, found it very handy. However when I upgraded from Android 'Kitkat' to 'Lollipop' none of them will work now!

Anybody know why ?