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: You're using a custom Android version. If these steps don't work for you, check with your device manufacturer.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's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (1) SIMs.
  3. At the top you'll find how much total data you use.
  4. To get graphs and details, tap App data usage.
    • To pick a time period, tap the Down arrow Reduce & manage mobile data usage (2).
    • To know how much data each app uses, look below the graph.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (3) Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap Settings Reduce & manage mobile data usage (4).
  4. At the top you'll find how much total data you use.
  5. To get graphs and details, tap App data usage.
    • To pick a time period, tap the Down arrow Reduce & manage mobile data usage (5).
    • To know how much data each app uses, 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's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & 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 arrow Reduce & 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's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (8) Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap Settings Reduce & 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 arrow Reduce & 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's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & 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 tap Ok.
  5. Tap Data limit.
  6. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrow Reduce & 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's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (13) Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap Settings Reduce & 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 tap Ok.
  6. Tap Data limit.
  7. Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrow Reduce & 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 & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (19) SIMs.
  3. Turn Roaming on or off.

If you're on an Android device:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet Reduce & manage mobile data usage (20) Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap Settings Reduce & manage mobile data usage (21).
  4. Turn Roaming 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 only get 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

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

If you're on an Android device:
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet. Internet.
  3. Next to your carrier, tap Settings .
  4. Tap Data warning & limit.
  5. If it's not already on, turn on Set data limit. Read the on-screen message and tap Ok.
  6. Tap Data limit.
  7. Enter a number. ...
  8. Tap Set.

How can I free up mobile data usage? ›

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

Why is my phone using up so much data? ›

With your entire family under one roof, you're each relying on technology to keep you connected and entertained in different ways. From using video chat apps for school and work, playing video games, and streaming movies and shows on your smart TV, all of these things can add up to big time data usage.

What uses most data on a phone? ›

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)
  • Streaming music (30MB per hour)
  • Downloading movies and large data files.
May 20, 2024

What is draining my data so fast? ›

Background Apps, Location Services, and Automatic Updates

Since these updates and data syncing happens in the background, this could result in mobile data usage even when you are not actively using your phone. This can lead to a significant drain on your data allowance without you even realizing it.

Why is my data usage suddenly so high? ›

What causes high data usage on a mobile phone? Streaming movies, music, and games is one of the main causes of high data usage on your smartphone, alongside downloading and uploading files, and updating apps. Another big contributor is video calling on apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Zoom.

Why is my phone using data when data is off? ›

Please go to settings > data usage > unrestricted data usage and check whether any apps are given permission to use data even when data connection is off. Usually the play services has that permission by default. Go to developer options and see if 'Cellular Data Always Active' option is enabled or Disabled....

What happens when data usage is full? ›

A home internet provider usually won't charge extra if you use more than your allowed amount of data. Instead, the system will automatically slow down your internet, so it can only be used for basic things like web pages or reading text. Some internet providers call this shaping your connection.

What apps reduce data usage? ›

6 Must Have Apps To Reduce Your Data Consumption
  • Opera Mini. Opera Mini is a web browser that shrinks the downloaded size of web pages by up to 90% without reducing the quality of your browsing experience. ...
  • Opera Max. ...
  • Data Compress. ...
  • Maps.me. ...
  • WiFi Finder Free. ...
  • NetGuard.

How do I clear high data usage? ›

How to reduce the data usage in mobile? Steps for turning off background data refresh.
  1. Go to Settings and then tap on Connections>Data usage.
  2. Find Mobile data usage and tap on it.
  3. Choose an app from the list or a data usage graph. ...
  4. Follow the above 3 steps for other apps you wish to restrict background data consumption.
Mar 16, 2023

Does using Wi-Fi use data? ›

Nope. When you connect to a Wi-Fi server, you're conserving data. Since we're in the golden age of the internet, most homes, workplaces, stores and coffee shops have their own Wi-Fi networks you can connect to. This is why most people don't need as much data on their phone plan as they may think.

What happens when you turn off your mobile data? ›

If you choose to turn off mobile data your phone will no longer be able to access the internet, perform app updates, download media or make video calls. You'll need to connect to Wi-Fi in order to use the internet on your phone.

What's the difference between mobile data and cellular data? ›

Mobile data (also called “wireless” or “cellular” data) is how you get online when you're not on a wired or Wi-Fi connection. While some mobile users have unlimited monthly data plans, others will have finite amounts of data each month, or even pay for blocks of data as they go.

Why am I being charged for data when using Wi-Fi? ›

You may have enabled Wi-Fi+ so that your phone switches to mobile data if the Wi-Fi network lags. If you have enabled Wi-Fi+, your phone will simultaneously connect to both Wi-Fi and mobile networks, and switch to the one with better stability.

Why is my phone running out of data so fast? ›

Some apps continue to consume data in the background even when you're not actively using them. Processes such as syncing, updating, or refreshing content led to unexpected data usage. Review App permissions and adjust app settings to control the quality of content they download and reduce data usage.

How do I stop my phone from using data in the background? ›

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver. Toggle on Use Data Saver to stop all apps from using background data when those apps aren't in use. You can also tap Unrestricted data to allow up to three apps to use background data even when Data Saver mode is on.

Does my phone use data when I'm not using it? ›

If you leave your mobile data on, some applications running in the background may continue to consume your data allowance even if you're not actively using them.

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