How do you keep your mobile data usage down?

Retrogamer

I just found this little tip recently.

If you're using an Android device and Google Chrome for browsing, it now has a feature within the browser settings to compress the data. This means the data is compressed before it's sent to the device and allows you to view the same webpages without using as much data.

It's worth noting though, that images on webpages will be at a reduced quality when using this feature.

Baby_Angel

Senseicads wrote: »

I use Three who provide me with all you can eat data. This really is the only way forward.

I had all-you-can-eat data from Three for 2 years on contract. Other than the one month (where there was no home broadband and I went slightly over), I was never above 1 GB per month. Currently I have the 1 GB per month data contract and hasn't changed the way I use the data. I have used about 56 MB of data this month and have 7 days left to use the rest (roughly 960 MB!!!). DH has the same data contract and pays about £10 per month. All catch up TV programmes I watch, I do on wi-fi. I do surf a lot of websites or email on the go. Don't use any social media otherwise. Occasionally skype, but it doesn't use much. Three also allows to upgrade to a higher package within the contract. So I opted for a lower one to upgrade if necessary. Though I don't think I need it.

duracell13

Few tips:

1. Download catch up tv from iPlayer or 4od to watch on the move.
2. If you know you're going to have poor signal (ie on a train journey) just turn 3G off.
3. Make the most of free wifi at train stations/airports/shopping centres.

marich

Given that just about any place that is anyplace is handing out wi-fi then just find that spot and use it !

There's plenty of spots out there and they all tell you where they are , so why moan about charges when you can hook in for free most of the time ?

SteveHenshaw

marich wrote: »

Given that just about any place that is anyplace is handing out wi-fi then just find that spot and use it !

There's plenty of spots out there and they all tell you where they are , so why moan about charges when you can hook in for free most of the time ?

Public wi-fi isn't that secure.

TheFlyingGerbil

If you turn on your phone's battery saver mode it should turn off background data which is all the data your apps send that you don't ask them to. It still receives texts and email notifications and anything you choose to do (e.g. download an email attachment/browse the web) will still work so it doesn't hamper your experience and also has the advantage of making your battery last longer.

cinereus

Simplest way is to route everything through a compression/image-stripping proxy.

Also, use RSS over websites, etc.

wongataa

Android, from at least Jellybean, has a built in data counter in which you can set warning and limits. When you reach the limit data is turned off.

splitinfinity

Credit is due where it is due, some of these may have already been mentioned, but here are my tips:

1. Data usage settings (at least in android) - you can set a limit, where it automatically turns data off, so you do not get charged. You can also set warnings on your phone when you reach a certian limit. Pretty smart stuff.
On that note, the android data usage graph also gives a breakdown by app - so you can see whats hogging your data/time/money - then you can reduce or remove it.

2. Data backup - do you really need to sync all those selfies? To google/iTunes/dropbox/box etc - turn it off, or if its critical and must really be backed up - set it to use wifi (check in your settings).

3. Background syncing - Not all apps need background syncing, turn them off - email and whatsapp maybe, but surely not that freebie game? Do you need push notifications for your facebook, twitter, instagram, or even whatsapp? For me - if its ultra important you can SMS or call, and I will respond, I only check my facebook once a week, so if you send me a critical "my car has broken down" message on facebook, you can wait a week in the cold.
Also, some apps have an auto-download/auto-play setting (whatsapp/facebook certainly do) - turn that setting on - you click on the video/image to start download/playing - so if your friends send you annoying 15MB video of a silent scene with a screaming doll at the end (yeah... those videos) - it wont use your data unless you choose to.

4. Uninstall apps - what food you eat and what movie you watch or what restaurant you are at - is not important enough that I be interrupted every few minutes with push notifications. Uninstall the apps that cause you to waste away your life staring at a screen being envious of everyones lifes and holiday snaps. If you want updates, do it around your schedule (sunday evening perhaps), do not let a social network and a phone app dictate how you spend your time.

5. Uninstall more apps - lets be clear, apps are useless without data (perhaps other than the calculator) most apps need data, even games (data hogs), twitter and the other 350 apps on your phone, need data - sometimes in the background. Just uninstall most of them, then take a walk in the park or read a book - no data connection needed and its time well spend pondering on the mysteries of the universe and the answer to life.

6. Scheduling apps like tasker, can turn data off and wifi on at set times. 6pm turn on wifi (because you know you will be home then) 11pm turn off data and wifi, because your in bed - spend time with your loved one or a book or catch up on some news or an insightful documentary or do your tax returns.

7. Web services - some apps are rubbish - constant updates, bugs etc - just use the website on your phones web browser, all modern sites have a mobile optimized site. Needs less memory, needs less data and probably less ads or chance of malicious activity. And you can close your browser and not worry about it until the next time you log on.

8. Combine this with the compression that some browsers have hidden in the settings = more savings on the amount on data used.

9. Streaming - some apps allow you to download music/videos - do so over wifi - invest in a cheap SD card, then listen/watch content from there. Reduce the need to watch silly vines and ice bucket challenge videos and funny voice dubbed videos - with a 1000 "lol" comments - no one is really "Laughing Out Loud", they are just are happy that they spent 2 minutes of their lives in a very non constructive manner. Lets be honest, you wont remember it 2 days from now and you really cannot explain why your university/work assignment is 3 days late.

10. Check for a better tariff - if your paying £10~15 extra for data/minutes per month - just pay extra now and escape the evil clutches of the phone company for a better tariff.

So to summarise, firstly, change your consumerist lifestyle - people have lived 1000's of years without having to consume GB's of data per month - we even sent men to the moon (or did we?) with a few MB of onboard memory - and the astronauts probably took less pictures of themselves and their food than most people do in a day. Secondly, reduce the clutter in your life, instant updates, watching unnecessary videos/music/images. And finally use the settings on your phone to compress, use wifi and set limits on data usage. Simples.

dollypeeps

Wish I'd seen these tips earlier!
We have constantly monitored DS usage for the past 2 weeks on Vodafone by using the balance enquiry/ text facility.
The balance has stated this week that he has been within his data. He has also turned off 3G but yet when we check the bill, it states that his number has exceeded the data allowance 3/12//2014 but balance enquiry says otherwise. I'm totally at a loss.