Although many data plans are promoted as “unlimited,” most contain a cut-off point beyond which your data stream will significantly degrade. If you don’t want to pay the extra fees that “unlimited” plans require, it’s even more crucial that you don’t go over your maximum data allocation, or you’ll face steep fines. In any case, it is prudent to check your data flow not only to ensure that you do not exceed your restrictions but also to determine whether you need to reconsider your current data plan.
Limiting data usage is not difficult to perform with tools included in current versions of Android or third-party software. Here are a few ideas. (Please keep in mind that these instructions may differ from your phone based on the brand, model, and OS version.)
Important: Some of these processes are only available on Android 8.0 and above.
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Different ways to monitor and limit data usage Android
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#1. Check your mobile data usage
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Click on Data Usage.
- At the top you’ll see how much total data you use.
- To see graphs and details of apps using most data, tap Mobile data usage.
- To pick a time period, tap the Down arrow.
- To see how much data each app uses, look below the graph.
#2. Set mobile data usage warning or limit
On the same page, you can toggle Set data limit. This will turn off your mobile data completely when it hits whatever limit you set.
Set a warning to get alerts about your data use
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Click on Data Usage.
- Tap Billing cycle and data warning. If needed, first turn on Set data warning.
- Tap Data warning.
- Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrow.
- Tap Set.
When your usage reaches the level you picked, you’ll get a notification.
Set limit & automatically turn off mobile data
Important: Some features won’t work when mobile data is turned off.
To set a data usage limit:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Click on Data Usage.
- Tap Billing cycle and data warning.
- If it’s not already on, turn on Set data limit.
- Tap Data limit.
- Enter a number. To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrow.
- Tap Set.
- With this, you can monitor and limit data usage Android.
When you reach your limit, and your data automatically turns off:
- You’ll get a notification.
- To turn mobile data back on, follow the steps above and turn off the Set data limit.
#3. Use Data Saver Mode
Unless you have an older version of Android (before to 8.0), your phone should have Data Saver mode. This kicks in when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi and prevents applications and services that aren’t actively utilized from streaming data in the background. It can slow things down a little, but if you’re worried about exceeding your monthly data limit, it might be useful. Data saver mode helps you monitor and limit data usage Android continuously with no stress or effort, just a click of the on button.
It’s very easy to turn Data Saver mode on and off.
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Click on Data Usage.
- Tap on Data saver to turn it on.
There may be specific apps that you want to allow to use background data, even when Data Saver mode is on. For example, you may want to get Twitter notifications no matter where you are.
- On the Data saver page, tap on Allow app while Data saver on
- Scroll down to any apps that you want to enable for background data use even when Data Saver mode is on. Toggle them on.
#4. Limit Data Usage on Specific Apps
Data Saver mode is useful, but it may also be annoying if it restricts apps too much. Instead of turning it on and selecting which applications should not be limited, you may choose which apps use the most data and limit them alone.
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Click on Data Usage.
- At the top, you’ll see how much total data you use.
- Tap Mobile data usage.
You’ll get a list of all the applications that have consumed data in the previous month, as well as how much they have used. Tap on an app to determine if it is using background data. You’ll see how much data the app has used; you can also turn off background data use and determine if it should still have unrestricted data usage if Data Saver is enabled.