Reduce Data Usage on Your Android Phone
If you own a smartphone, including one of the many kinds of lifeline phones on the market, there are several effective, simple ways to cut down on the amount of data you use. Not only will these techniques allow you to save money, but you’ll also be able to indirectly improve your device’s speed. When you compress data, for example, your phone automatically has more available memory to work with and can run all of its other programs faster than before.
Here are the best ways to limit the amount of data you use on a regular basis. Every technique might not work for your particular phone or system, but most device owners will be able to use most of the techniques:
- Go “lite” when possible: There are apps that use very little data but perform nearly as well as the ones you have now. Search for them online and begin using them as soon as possible. One example is Facebook Lite, which consumes about 30 percent of the data as its popular counterpart. This approach works whether you use lifeline phones or any other type of Android device.
- Set limits: Go to your Android settings and place a self-imposed limit on your data usage. This is a direct, immediate way to stop you when you reach a certain point. The big disadvantage here is that you might run out of data at an inconvenient time. Plus, setting the limit won’t really change your usage habits; it simply puts up a barrier so you can’t use any amount beyond the specified setting.
- Compress data if you use Chrome: If your preferred browser is Google Chrome, there’s a convenient setting you can tweak in order to compress all the data and instantly reduce your usage levels. This method won’t cause you to change your habits, but it will free up room for you to use more data than you are currently using.
- Update apps in Wi-Fi: Go into settings and disable the auto-update function on apps. This will prevent them from updating at will. Then, turn on “use Wi-Fi to auto-update the apps” so you’ll not have to be using precious data for all those updates. The more apps you have, the more apt you are to use lots of data just by updating.
- Keep an eye on streaming: Who doesn’t love streaming services? The problem, however, is that these wonderful services really eat up large chunks of data. If you find videos or songs you want to save or listen to on a streaming site, consider enjoying it on your PC at home instead. That way, you’ll still get the fun factor but won’t be wasting all that data.
- Use cached maps:If you use Google maps regularly, simply begin using the program offline after you’ve located the particular map you need. You’ll still be able to navigate through the maps and even use GPS for directions. What you won’t be doing is gobbling up tons of data by leaving the map function online.
Know Where You Stand with Your Carrier
Even before you set out to reduce data usage, it’s a good idea to check with your phone carrier and see what their policies are for exceeding specific amounts of usage. Some companies, for example, will let you continue to use as much as you need but will add surcharges to your bill. Others simply cut you off when you reach your limit, and you’ll possibly find yourself without any data availability when you reach the threshold.
The main thing to remember, if you want to know how to reduce data usage on Android, is that you should always know where you stand in terms of your carrier’s data policy and your current level of usage on any given day. Just as you check your home’s utility bills each month to monitor how much energy you regularly use, it’s important to know your phone habits in terms of data usage
