How To Reduce Mobile Data Usage On Android & iPhone

Understanding how to reduce mobile data usage can help you save money each month while ensuring a smooth network connection that fits your needs. In this article, AirTalk Wireless will guide you through practical strategies for managing your data more efficiently. By following these tips, you can monitor your data usage, adjust your mobile device settings, and limit unnecessary data-consuming apps or activities. Keep reading to learn more! 

1. What Causes High Data Usage? 

Your mobile data can quickly disappear without you noticing, due to several hidden reasons. Here are the most common causes you need to keep in mind before looking for solutions on how to reduce mobile data usage: 

1.1. Background apps 

Some apps on your device may run in the background even when you are not using them, such as automatically downloading new content, updating versions, or syncing data. This often happens with apps like games, news, or social media. These background apps not only use up battery power but also consume a large amount of mobile data without you realizing it. 

1.2. Streaming videos and music 

Watching videos or listening to music on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Spotify can use a significant amount of data, especially when you are using high quality (HD).

Notably, if you forget to exit the app or turn off autoplay, the content continues to play in the background, causing data consumption even when you are not using the app. 

1.3. Sending and downloading high-quality photos and videos 

When you send or download photos and videos on apps like Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, especially high-quality content, mobile data usage can increase significantly. This becomes more problematic if you do not adjust the download quality settings properly.

1.4. Messaging apps and file sharing 

Messaging apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram often consume data when sending or receiving multimedia files such as photos, videos, or voice notes, especially if these files are large in size. 

1.5. Browsing data-heavy websites 

Visiting websites with many images, videos, or auto-loading ads is another main reason for high mobile data usage. If you notice slow page load speeds, it’s likely that the website is using more data than you expect. 

1.6. Automatic syncing mode 

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox are often set to automatically back up photos, videos, and documents. This process, if done over mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, can use a lot of data without you realizing.

2. How to Reduce Your Mobile Data Usage: Effective Tips for Android & iPhone Users

If you wondering “How do I stop my phone from using so much data?”, here are some simple guidelines to help you resolve the question of How to reduce mobile data usage.

However, since Android and iOS (iPhone) are two entirely different operating systems, the methods for implementing these solutions will differ to some extent. Let’s explore the useful tips below to learn how to minimize mobile data usage and how to apply them on both Android and iOS platforms. 

2.1. How to reduce mobile data usage on Android 

Monitor data usage by app

Keeping track of how much data each app on your Android device consumes is also known as identifying the “culprit.” By understanding these consumption figures, you can manage which apps are essential to keep, which ones are redundant and can be removed, and which are consuming excessive data and need to be optimized. This allows you to proactively manage your device and prevent excessive data usage beyond your control. 

For Android devices, here are the steps to check your data usage instantly: 

• For Android versions < Android 12: go to Settings > Find Network & Internet > SIM Card & Mobile Network > Then see the amount of data used on each application 
• For newer versions up to Android 12: Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > App Data Usage. 

Disable background data usage

A significant but often unnoticed reason for rapid data depletion comes from background data usage by frequently used apps like Facebook and Skype. These apps can exchange data with their servers even when running in the background.

Identifying which apps are consuming background data can be challenging, so you’ll need to spend some time in your settings to disable this feature for unnecessary apps. On Android devices, follow these 3 steps: 

• Step 1: Open the Apps section in the settings on your mobile device. 
• Step 2: Select the app you wish to adjust from the list. 
• Step 3: In the App Info section, navigate to Mobile Data and disable the Background Data option.

Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible

Using Wi-Fi is an effective way to reduce mobile data consumption. Ensure your device is always connected to Wi-Fi whenever available. To do this, go to Settings > Network & Internet and enable Wi-Fi. When using public Wi-Fi networks, remember to activate a VPN to safeguard your privacy from potential online threats. 

Limit streaming activities 

Streaming videos or music over mobile data can consume significant amounts of data. To save data, consider the following: 

• Store media content locally on your device. 
• Download content while connected to Wi-Fi. 
• Adjust the resolution of streaming videos, opting for lower quality or downloading them via Wi-Fi for offline use.  

This small change can make a big difference in how to reduce mobile data usage. 

Be cautious with automatic updates

While automatic updates are convenient, they can consume unnecessary data. To avoid this, go to the Google Play Store, navigate to Settings, and select Update Apps Over Wi-Fi Only to prevent mobile data from being used for automatic updates. 

Use offline features

Many apps now offer offline modes, allowing you to access content without an internet connection. Explore and enable offline features in apps to minimize data consumption.

2.2. How to reduce mobile data usage iPhone 

Monitor data usage by app

On iPhone devices, you can see detailed data usage: 

• Go to Settings > Cellular, where your current billing period’s data consumption is displayed. 
• Identify apps using the most data and toggle off cellular access for those you rarely use or only need on Wi-Fi. 

Turn off background app refresh

Apps often update content in the background, consuming data without notice. To stop this, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off entirely or disable it for specific apps that don’t need constant updates. 

Disable Wi-Fi assist

Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches to cellular data when your Wi-Fi signal is weak, leading to unexpected data usage. To stop using this feature, go to Settings and turn off Wi-Fi support on your device “Mobile” 

Control iTunes and App Store downloads

To conserve data, prevent automatic downloads over cellular networks. Go to Settings > App Store and toggle off Use Cellular Data. This ensures apps, music, and movies download only when connected to Wi-Fi. 

Download music instead of streaming

Streaming music and podcasts over cellular networks consume a lot of data. Instead, use the download features offered by most apps: 

• For Apple Music: Go to Settings > Music and disable “Use Cellular Data” for streaming. 
• For Podcasts: Turn off “Use Cellular Data” in Settings > Podcasts and download episodes only on Wi-Fi. 

Downloading playlists and episodes while on Wi-Fi ensures you save cellular data for other uses. 

Adjust email fetch settings 

Reduce how often your email app fetches new messages to save data and battery life: Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data and select “Manual” or adjust the fetch schedule to longer intervals. 

Use offline reading modes

Take advantage of offline reading features to save articles for later: In Safari, tap the Share icon and select “Add to Reading List” to download pages for offline access.

2.3 Other useful tips

You might not know that, in addition to actively monitoring and controlling the data usage of each app on your device, there is another way to save on mobile data costs that you should consider when looking for solutions on how to reduce mobile data usage. This is by choosing affordable phone plans and data or internet packages that still offer high quality.

With AirTalk Wireless, not only can you enjoy great deals such as receiving free mobile devices, but you can also get 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile data plans at discounts of up to 70-80% compared to other retail carriers.

This is made possible because AirTalk Wireless is a trusted provider authorized through the Lifeline Program, a government initiative offering exclusive benefits to eligible U.S. residents. 

To explore and choose the best value phone plans and mobile data services, simply: 

• Visit the website: https://airtalkwireless.com/
• Apply for Lifeline and select the data plan that suits your needs.
• Go to the “Top Up” section if you want more data.

>>> Learn how to participate in the Lifeline Program: HERE

Understanding how to reduce mobile data usage can help you save money and optimize your mobile experience. By following the simple tips outlined above, you can significantly lower your data consumption without sacrificing essential features. Explore more solutions and choose the best mobile data plans by visiting AirTalk Wireless now!