Namatai Tuwe asks:
Hi,
I am on a Three mobile contract and recently got a Sony Xperia Arc S. My problem is that I get 500MB of mobile Internet data but it doesnt last at all. Three days ago I had 500MB but now I have only got 342MB left and I dont know why it is moving so fast.
I have tried to disable data traffic but it’s still the same and I dont use that many applications either, just a few games.
So, how can I reduce mobile data usage?
Thank you!
Browser: Chrome 22
System: Windows
Tagged: android tips, bandwidth monitor, internet bandwidth, mobile internet, mobile tips
System: Windows
Tagged: android tips, bandwidth monitor, internet bandwidth, mobile internet, mobile tips
19 Answers -
Anay Chaubal
October 24, 2012disabling mobile data WILL STOP the net usage. in case it is still being used up, then three are screwing withcha! The games, if freely downloaded from the play store, will use data bytes to download advts.
1) ask three customer support why data bytes are still being used up even though ur data is turned off. before this, ensure that data is turned off, and that you do not see the little ‘e’ or ‘h’ with the reciprocating arrows. alternatively, the arrows may appear within the network bars, dunno how it looks on ur phone, but ensure that data connection is absolutely off, and then ask three if the data usage still shows.
2) in case you do use only limited internet on your phone, switch to a 2G network, from settings >> wireless and networks >> mobile networks >> network mode >> GSM only. This will make the data connection connect through a slower gprs / edge network. which will effectively consume lesser bytes per hour. this is a workaround in case step one above fails.
Thank you
October 24, 2012NamZ Holmez
October 24, 2012Disable all Auto-Syncoptions and the Background data
I will try that thanks
October 24, 2012Zayebisty Mariusz
October 24, 2012Use apps and games without ads. This reduce usage of internet and battery
Thank you!
October 24, 2012Prashant Mohta
October 24, 2012turn off data when you are not using it , and dont let your games keep running in background , because that will let them use your data
ahmed fouad
October 24, 2012yes paied software (no -add)
and stop net traffic if you do not use
Douglas Mutay
October 24, 2012There are many settings and certain applications in Android which may be use you mobile data. It is difficult to catch hold of the culprits in your mobile manually but you can use an application called Onavo for Android which is an expert in capturing the data usage and might help you to deactivate those running in the background and are silently eating into your data bandwidth.
You can get it at http://www.onavo.com/android.
This application will allows you to restrict the internet usage by individual applications with Wi-fi. The application will be stopped from making any internet connection if you are NOT using Wi-fi saving you from unsolicited data transfer from mobile network.
You should also check all these applications like Gmail, Yahoo mail, etc. they are always taking the liberty to update themselves anytime they need by doing regular background data sync. You should configure manually their sync setting or simply disable them to work while on Mobile data and only work while using Wi-Fi to save data usage.
It’s the same for application updates that are high data consuming activities. Make sure that you get the updates when you are on Wi-Fi to save costs. Hope that will help!
Thank you very much!!
October 24, 2012Saurabh Banwaskar
October 24, 2012Don’t Use softwares with ads and disable SYNC option if it is not important for you to check mail updates daily !!!!
Alex Perkins
October 24, 2012See about 3G Watchdog, its a neat little app that shows your usage and can stop you going over and also can give you an alert when you hit a specified usage.
Loreson San Juan
October 24, 2012try using 3G watchdog.
Thank you
October 24, 2012Harshal Warkhede
October 24, 2012Try unchecking location sharing (from Location and Security) as it uses internet data to send location information in the background.
David Lee
October 25, 2012Go to Settings > Accounts. In all accounts listed, select Sync and uncheck any services that you don’t use on your Android device (i.e. the default browser if you use a third party one).
Also turn off notifications so that the apps are not periodically checking in the background. It will mean that you have to manually check for missed texts, email, etc.
Lastly, a great deal of widgets will actively use data as these are “always on.” If you do not need instant availability, get rid of the widget and manually check by opening the app.
susendeep dutta
October 25, 2012Besides others suggestion,you could also reduce your data usage by using Firefox browser with adblock plus addon.This blocks ads and hence reduces your data consumption.
ha14
October 25, 2012Turn Off GPRS EDGE, Disable 2G Mobile Internet on Android Phones
http://fixlife.in/27/turn-off-gprs-edge-disable-2g-mobile-internet-on-android-phones
Optimize data usage
http://support.google.com/android/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1638168
DroidWall
http://code.google.com/p/droidwall/
a firewall for data usage. You can put the apps you will allow to update via your cell phone network on a whitelist, the others will only update via wifi. You need root access.
Onavo
http://www.onavo.com/
http://am22tech.com/s/22/Blogs/post/2011/10/13/Data-usage-Android.aspx
mohit kumar
October 26, 2012Simply disable the internet on your mobile before you go to sleep.
shaurya gupta
October 26, 2012Just disable auto syncing in every app…delete free apps with ads….and of course disable data transfer.
Kannon Y
October 28, 2012I spent a lot of time figuring out different ways to minimize data usage while using a prepaid plan.
Clearly, the best way is to disable 3G, but two questions that arise are: how can you tell if 3G is working or not? And how do we quickly enable and disable data, in case you plan on using it for emergencies only, as I do.
To answer the first question, look at the top bar of your cell phone. The symbol differs across phones, but generally there’s some kind of symbol representing the availability of a 3G connection. You will know whether or not your data is turned on by the absence of this icon.
To answer the second question, you will want a quick method of toggling your WiFi AND 3G data connections. Turning on and off 3G is very difficult to do unless you have a widget or shortcut. There aren’t any that I really like, but this particular app does the job alright.
And here’s a good app for quickly turning on and off WiFi. This is a particularly helpful app, because if you accidentally leave WiFi turned on, it will constantly search for an available network. If not are available, your battery will suffer tremendously.
Patrick Jackson
October 29, 20121. Use Opera Mini.
2. Stream videos on less quality.
3. Don’t indulge much in HD gaming!
Tony Gonzaga
November 2, 2012Try turning off auto sync of your Google account.
Michael Hanko
November 2, 2012You can also use your WiFi when at home and/or work to reduce data usage as anything downloaded over WiFi will not count towards your data plan. So wait until you get home to download those big videos and apps!