How to manage and reduce mobile data usage in Android

posted by Nick T. / Jul 20, 2014, 3:55 AM

How to manage and reduce mobile data usage in Android

Mobile data – we just can't get enough of it. Too bad that few of us get to enjoy mobile gigabytes on an all-you-can-eat basis, and being throttled or charged for an allowance extension isn't a pleasant experience. Yet there's a whole bunch of tricks you can do to save your mobile megs. In fact, you don't need to be an expert to trim down the mobile data consumed by your Android smartphone.

With this post we're giving you 11 helpful tips on reducing mobile data consumption – methods from compressing web pages you open to shutting down data entirely when it isn't needed. The effectiveness of these methods may vary, depending on what you use your megabytes for, but you may mix and match for greater savings. Of course, if you have any data saving tips of yours, do not hesitate to share them with us in the comments below.

How to manage and reduce your mobile data use

Enable data compression in Chrome

Try Opera Mini

Try Opera MAX

View more + 7 images

Restrict background data for "hungry" apps

How to manage and reduce your mobile data use

Yes, we know that flipping the switch is the most obvious solution to saving up data, but it is, without a doubt, the most effective one. Simply, turn off your 3G/4G connection whenever you don't need it. Most manufacturer UIs should have a toggle button for this setting in their notification panels. The downside to this approach, however, is that you won't be getting email updates and social network messages.

Options

24 Comments

1. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

Most of the people who has smartphone do not know this, but I'll be guessing everyone here in PA knew these. Good info though.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:01 AM 4

2. Federated

Posts: 263; Member since: Mar 06, 2010

I have unlimited 4G LTE data/month. About 30-65mbps. Netflix on HD night and day. ;)

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:05 AM 0

5. RandomUsername

Posts: 808; Member since: Oct 29, 2013

How much do you pay for it?

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:42 AM 0

7. Federated

$70.00. No throttling.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:55 AM 0

11. Arte-8800

Posts: 4562; Member since: Mar 13, 2014

On verizon?

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 6:32 AM 0

19. cezarepc

Posts: 718; Member since: Nov 23, 2012

You can look for somebody you know who have a grand fathered plan and want to transfer to another network. Offer to take over their dues and viola, you have unli data at a low low price.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 2:52 PM 0

12. Arte-8800

I get 40gb 4G, unlimited, €50

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 6:34 AM 0

3. kanagadeepan

Posts: 1207; Member since: Jan 24, 2012

I have 8GB FREE 3G data allowance each month and I follow these steps already to use upto 7.8GB max every month and avoid overage charges...

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:25 AM 0

4. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

Onavo Extend is a good alternative to Opera Max. I saved about 50% of my data usage using it.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:40 AM 0

6. GreekGeek

Posts: 1276; Member since: Mar 22, 2014

All you have to do is disable the image loading option in Opera mini, trust me, 100 mb will last you ''several days'' of browsing

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 4:53 AM 3

8. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

I swear I was going to post the exact same. Opera mini rocks and the switching "load images" off works like a charm. +1

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 5:00 AM 0

9. GreekGeek

I have a monthly cap of 2.5 gigs and I never ran into trouble with this option turned on...Viber, txt Plus eats most of my bandwidth

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 5:17 AM 0

10. renjithr712

Posts: 3; Member since: Oct 10, 2012

Nice article :)

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 5:53 AM 1

13. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

Unlimited FTW

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 6:35 AM 1

14. ErenJaeger

Posts: 119; Member since: Apr 22, 2014

Useful article, but most PA viewers are addicted to cellphones so they might brag they knew all of it. I like articles that help whether or not I already know them

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 8:17 AM 2

15. bucky

Posts: 3771; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

In Canada, our plans are $80+ a month with unlimited minutes and 2gb of data :(. Absolute robbery because only 3 main companies control everything and won't let anyone else in.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 8:46 AM 0

17. JunitoNH

Posts: 1946; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

Is ok partner the US is moving towards the same model. Once Sprint acquires Tmoile, is all over, especially for T users. Having said that, if you like magenta, get locked now, and grandfather in, prices will be adjusted. I have never gone over my 3gb. Always near wifi, especially with the expansion xfinity, life is less complicated.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 9:27 AM 0

18. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

Isn't life with Robellus sweet, err expensive. Who you with Bucky, I'm on Telus portion of the evil empire?

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 10:41 AM 0

20. bucky

I'm actually with fido in a very old plan back when the first iPhone 3G came to canada. $80 everything unlimited with 6gb of data. I guess I should be thankful for that. Just moving into my first place so I'm hoping a package deal with bell in oakville will make it cheaper for me. Just nailed a very nice job too and I think the company starts paying my phone bills.

posted on Jul 20, 2014, 7:02 PM 0

16. lammaz

Posts: 1; Member since: Jul 20, 2014

Seems we're better off here in Baltics as since my first smartphone i've never had to worry about data usage. TBH it's a bit strange and unfair to overpay and worry about data consumption - different worlds though. For exactly 30€ I have unlimited 4G data with rates 50/20 (really unlimited aka no "fair amount" restriction) For 20€ you can have unlimited 4G with rates up to 20/8* *reasonable usage amount is 50GB from which data speed is restricted to 1Mbit. Love my operator :)