How to limit mobile data usage and save money

Since mobile data is expensive, it’s natural to worry about going over your monthly usage limit. Here are some effective strategies I’ve put in place to keep data usage under control and avoid high bills, all without compromising on connectivity or convenience.

1 Turn off mobile data for unwanted apps

I have dozens of apps and games installed on my phone, but not all of them require constant internet access. Many applications, especially social media and streaming services, use data in the background to update content, send notifications, or refresh resources. This constant data usage can add up quickly, even when I’m not actively using the app.

Disabling mobile data access for unnecessary apps helps me avoid excessive data usage. On my iPhone I can go to Settings > Mobile to monitor data usage for individual apps and turn off mobile data access for those I don’t need to be online all the time.

Android users can either disable background data or use a third-party app to prevent unwanted apps from using mobile data.

2 Use data saver mode if possible

The phone’s built-in data saver mode also helps me keep my data usage under control. When turned on, data saver mode limits apps from using mobile data in the background and pauses tasks like syncing apps and other data-intensive activities when I’m not connected to Wi-Fi.

For example, enabling data saver mode prevents my email or social media apps from constantly refreshing, which significantly reduces data usage over time.

On my iPhone I can go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular data options > Data mode and select Low data mode. On Android, you can enable the same by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Data saver.

3 Disable autoplay videos

By default, most social media and streaming apps play videos automatically. However, I’ve noticed that even though these apps stream videos at lower resolutions, they can quickly drain your mobile data.

Fortunately, apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and others offer the option to turn off autoplay in the settings. For example, you can disable autoplay on Facebook by going to Settings > Media > Autoplay and picking Only on Wi-Fi. This way I’m not wasting data on videos I might not even watch, which helps me reduce my monthly data usage.

4 Limit automatic uploads, downloads and updates

One of the biggest changes I made to reduce my mobile data usage was to limit automatic uploads, downloads and updates. I realized that my phone is constantly using mobile data for tasks that can be done over Wi-Fi. For example, the App Store automatically updated my apps using cellular data, and Google Drive was set to upload my photos in the background without me noticing.

To fix this, I disabled automatic app updates and turned off automatic photo uploads to cloud services when I’m not connected to Wi-Fi. This simple change has made a huge difference in my data usage so I no longer have to worry about updating apps or files or uploading them and using up my monthly mobile data allowance.

5 Store music, maps and movies offline

Activities such as streaming content and using maps for navigation typically consume a lot of data. That’s why I make it a point to download my favorite playlists, albums and podcasts over Wi-Fi so I can enjoy them anytime without using mobile data. I downloaded the city map offline using Google Maps for navigation.

Likewise, I download episodes in advance on apps like Netflix or Prime Video when I’m connected to Wi-Fi when it comes to watching shows or movies on the go. This ensures that I’m always entertained, even in weak signal areas, and helps me avoid unexpected data charges.

6 Switch from 5G to 4G or 3G

5G makes apps, websites and media load almost instantly, but it also means they use more data. Fortunately, disabling 5G on both Android and iPhone is easy, and with a few taps I can switch to a slower network to save data.

I find that even if I switch back to 4G it makes little difference for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging and checking email and my data lasts much longer. For even more savings, I occasionally switch to 3G when I’m just doing basic tasks or not using my phone much.

7 Disable Wi-Fi Assist

Another thing I did to control my cellular data usage was to disable Wi-Fi Assist (on iPhone) or Smart Wi-Fi (on Android). While these features help by automatically switching to cellular data when the Wi-Fi signal is weak, I’ve realized that they quietly consume data in the background, especially in areas of my home with spotty Wi-Fi.

To disable it, I have to go to Settings > Mobile to turn off Wi-Fi Assist option on my iPhone. If you have an Android device, you can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet > Network Preferences and disable Automatically switch to mobile data choice.

This ensures that my phone stays on Wi-Fi even when the signal isn’t perfect, which has been a big help in reducing my mobile data usage.

8 Set data usage alerts

Finally, to make sure I never exceed my data allowance and avoid the stress of unexpected charges, I set a monthly data limit that matches my mobile plan. This way I get notified when I reach certain limits like 75 percent and 90 percent of my data limit. These alerts not only keep me informed, but also allow me to make adjustments before the deadline is reached.

I use my carrier’s app to set up these notifications, but Android users can do the same by going to Settings > Connection > Data usage > Billing cycle and data alerts and setting up alerts and data usage limits.

Making small adjustments to my habits and using the features available on my phone helped me take control of my mobile data usage. Whether it’s switching to 4G, activating data saver mode or downloading media for offline use, each change contributes to an overall reduction in mobile data usage. If you also find it difficult to manage your mobile data, I encourage you to try these tips – you’ll probably notice a difference in your next phone bill.