Monitoring our data usage is very essential and quite helpful to maximize the use of each byte and each adds value. Many times we are worried that the data we subscribe for usually no longer lasts as it does previously. Don’t forget watching videos online, streaming music online e.g. on Spotify or Google Play, and downloading videos in HD (High definition) format, to mention a few, can contribute in no small way in consuming your data faster.
So here’s how you can monitor, set limits and make use of your device’s inherent settings to effectively manage your data. The first step to take is to determine your data usage over time, second, keep your data use in check and set effective data management step.
CHECKING YOUR DATA USAGE
Simply navigate to Settings and tap Wireless & Networks and then select Data Usage. If you scroll through, you will see data usage by app i.e. data sent through your cellular data connection and not WiFi. If you wish to see all you have used via WiFi, simply click on the menu button and select Show WiFi usage. Furthermore, you can set data warning through this pane by simply adjusting the slider bar to your desired data limit, and you will get a warning to inform you that you’re about to exceed the set limit once you have consumed up to that limit level.
Another method is also to use the Set mobile data limit option by enabling it and then using the slider to stipulate the desired data limit so that once you reach the limit, your mobile data will be automatically disabled on your device.
HANDLING YOUR DATA USE EFFECTIVELY
While using a mobile device, there are two kinds of data consumption, the background data consumption and user-driven data consumption. Streaming music or movies online can be classified as user-driven data consumption; therefore to reduce user-driven data consumption, you need to reduce your download and streaming activities. While the aspect most people are ignorant about is the background data. Whether you’re aware or not, it’s important to keep it in check. Activities that can consume data behind-the-scene include, automatic application update, email application’s inbox regular update, automatic download of media shared on some social networking apps etc.
DATA MANAGEMENT
To curb this, you need to know the exact apps that consume your data the most. Follow the aforementioned steps, through Settings to Wireless & Networks and tap Data Usage. Here, you can see individual apps to see a comprehensive assessment, and now know which apps to tackle squarely.
On Mobile devices running the newer android versions, the Android 7.0 Nougat and newer, there’s an inherent new feature called Data Saver which primarily allows you to limit background data used by apps. It also allows you to make a preferential selection of apps that you would wish to grant limitless access. You can do this navigating to Settings menu through Wireless & Networks and tap the Data Usage. You would see the Data Saver option below the Cellular Usage segment. Toggle it on and this will bring out a new icon on your status bar left of your other data icons (such as WiFi, Bluetooth etc). When this is turned on, note that background data access will be restricted for all apps. To edit this, tap the Unrestricted data access box, this will bring a list of all installed applications on your device. Simply toggle your preferred apps which you would wish to have limitless access to data in the background. Once again this only applies once you’re using data, all apps will be unrestricted while on WiFi connection. I hope this would be very valuable to you, Cheers!