Reduce & manage mobile data usage (2024)

Data usage is how muchdata your phoneuploads or downloads using mobiledata. To make sure that you're not using too much data onyour data plan, you can check and changeyour data usage.

Important:Some of these steps work only on Android 8.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Use less data withdata saver mode

On Android 7.0 and up, to help automatically use less mobile data on a limited data plan, learn to usedata saver mode.

Learn how to use Data Saver with a step-by-step guide.

Check your mobile data usage

If you're on a Pixel device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettings app.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (1)SIMs.
  3. At the top you'll see how much total data you use.
  4. To see graphs and details,tap App data usage.
    • To pick atimeperiod, tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (2).
    • To see how much data eachappuses, look below the graph.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettings app.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (3)Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap SettingsReduce & manage mobile data usage (4).
  4. At the top you'll see how much total data you use.
  5. To see graphs and details,tap App data usage.
    • To pick atimeperiod, tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (5).
    • To see how much data eachappuses, look below the graph.

Set mobile data usage warning orlimit

Set warningto get alerts about your data use

If you're on a Pixel device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (6)SIMs.
  3. Tap Data warning & limit. If needed, first turn on Set data warning.
  4. Tap Data warning.
  5. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (7).
  6. Tap Set.

When your usage reaches the level you picked, you'll get a notification.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (8)Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap SettingsReduce & manage mobile data usage (9).
  4. Tap Data warning & limit. If needed, first turn on Set data warning.
  5. Tap Data warning.
  6. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (10).
  7. Tap Set.

When your usage reaches the level you picked, you'll get a notification.

Set limit& automatically turn off mobile data

Important: Some features won't work when mobile data is turned off.

If you're on a Pixel device:

To set a data usage limit:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (11)SIMs.
  3. Tap Data warning & limit.
  4. If it's not already on, turn on Set data limit. Read the on-screen message and tapOk.
  5. Tap Data limit.
  6. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (12).
  7. Tap Set.

If you're on an Android device:

To set a data usage limit:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (13)Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap SettingsReduce & manage mobile data usage (14).
  4. Tap Data warning & limit.
  5. If it's not already on, turn on Set data limit. Read the on-screen message and tapOk.
  6. Tap Data limit.
  7. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrowReduce & manage mobile data usage (15).
  8. Tap Set.

When you reach yourlimit and your data automatically turns off:

  • You'll get a notification.
  • To turn mobile data back on, follow the steps above and turn offSet data limit.

Change your settings to save data

Turn mobile data on or off

If you're on a Pixel device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (16)SIMs.
  3. TurnMobile data on or off.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone'sSettingsapp.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (17)Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap SettingsReduce & manage mobile data usage (18).
  4. TurnMobile data on or off.

Tip:You can conserve data by turning off mobile data access. If you do this, you’ll only be able to use data when you connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Turn auto-sync on or off

To use less data, turn off auto-sync. If you do this, you’ll need to sync your apps manually. Learn how to off auto-sync and sync manually.

Allow or restrict background data usage by app

You can control how apps use data on your phone.Learn how to change app permissions.

Use less data with data saver mode (Android 7.0 & up)

Tohelpuse lessmobile data on a limited data plan, learn to usedata saver mode.

Turn data roaming on or off

Important:

  • Users ofGoogle Fi on Pixel and Android devicesdon't need to turn onRoamingto roam domestically.
  • Data roaming may be the only way to connect to the internet in some places. Some carriers charge extra for data roaming.

If you're on a Pixel device:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (19)SIMs.
  3. TurnRoaming on or off.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internetReduce & manage mobile data usage (20)Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap SettingsReduce & manage mobile data usage (21).
  4. TurnRoaming on or off.

Troubleshoot mobile data usage settings

Important:Your phonemeasures the data usage shownin your phone’s Settings app. Some carriers measure usage differently. We recommend checking with your carrierfor its measurements and your plan limits.

If you see only Wi-Fi settings

  1. Check that you have a SIM card inserted in your device.
  2. Check that you have mobile data.

If your phone has more than one SIM

Check that you've assigned mobile data usage to one SIM. Learn how to assign activities to SIMs.

Related resources

  • Use less mobile data with data saver mode
  • Change mobilenetwork settings
  • Connect to Wi-Fi networks

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members Contact us Tell us more and we’ll help you get there

Get to know Fi

Learn why Fi is a different kind of phone plan and how to get the most out of your Google Fi service. Get step-by-step guides and instructional videos on how to sign up, transfer your number, create a group plan, switch your price plan, etc.

Reduce & manage mobile data usage (2024)

FAQs

Reduce & manage mobile data usage? ›

Open the Settings app and head to Connections. Choose Data usage > Billing cycle > Data warning. Set the data limit. Either choose to give you alerts or simply switch off your mobile data when the limit is reached.

How can I reduce my mobile data usage? ›

Open the Settings app and head to Connections. Choose Data usage > Billing cycle > Data warning. Set the data limit. Either choose to give you alerts or simply switch off your mobile data when the limit is reached.

How do I stop using so much data on my phone? ›

Follow these five tips for managing your data usage so you won't get caught off guard:
  1. Adjust your Wi-Fi settings. Check your settings so you'll automatically connect to a secure Wi-Fi network when you arrive at home or the office. ...
  2. Use Wi-Fi for big files. ...
  3. Manage your notifications. ...
  4. Shut off your apps. ...
  5. Set up usage alerts.
Feb 14, 2023

What causes high mobile data usage? ›

Activities that use a lot of data

High definition video streaming (900MB per hour) Video conferencing, like FaceTime® and Skype® (480MB per hour) Standard-definition video streaming (240MB per hour) Online interactive gaming (60MB per hour)

Why is my data being used so quickly? ›

Many apps continue to run in the background even when you're not using them. This can drain your data quickly, especially if you have a lot of apps installed. To check which apps are using data in the background, go to your phone's settings and look for a section called "Data usage" or "Mobile data usage".

What uses the most data on cell phone? ›

Streaming services, playing online games, using apps, sharing files, and sending files in a hidden mode – all require fuel. Instagram will take about 6MB of data per hour of active use, while mobile games tend to range from 10MB to over 100MB per hour of gameplay.

What is draining my data? ›

Restrict background processes

A lot of apps will quietly run in the background, which can drain your battery and burn lots of mobile data. Consider deleting apps that do this regularly, or (on Android) use some advanced options in Developer Mode to limit background processes.

Should I leave mobile data on all the time? ›

But when it's turned off, you will conserve your monthly data allotment. It seems obvious, but turning it off when there's Wi-Fi available is the best way you can cut down on your usage. Leaving it on all the time can lead to more fees from your carrier (not us though).

Is my data being used when I'm not on my phone? ›

Mobile data is used in the background by some apps. If you keep it turned on, it will still be consuming your allowance even if you're not actively doing anything on your phone.

Should data saver be on or off? ›

Android Data Saver is a feature that optimises data usage. This setting is ideal when you want to restrict your mobile data usage while roaming or when you are about to reach your usage limit.

What happens when you turn off your mobile data? ›

Turning cellular data off reduces your phone's battery usage by preventing your phone's constant attempts to connect to a mobile network to receive messages in your social media and email apps. It also stops background data usage from mobile apps that can drain your battery.

What happens if you use too much mobile data? ›

Using too much data on mobile

On a mobile data plan, using more than your allowance each month usually attracts a surcharge, or your provider may slow down your data connection. Your provider may automatically give you the extra data as a top-up and charge you for it as you use it.

How can I make my data last longer? ›

How to activate Data Saver on an Android phone? Settings > Network and Internet > Data usage > Data saver > Toggle On. How to activate Data Saver on IOS? Settings > Wi-Fi > click Wi-Fi connected to > Toggle Low Data Mode.

How do you tell if your data has been turned off? ›

Android
  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Look for a section called Network & internet, Connections, or similar.
  3. Look for an option labeled Mobile data, Cellular data, or Data usage.
  4. Tap this option to show the status of your mobile data connection, usually displayed as a toggle switch that can turn on or off.
Sep 19, 2023

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