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Be #DataWyze

Check what uses your data and be #DataWyze

These days’, apps and smart devices consume a lot more data than before and there are various factors that cause this. Sometimes our smart devices and installed apps use a significant amount of data without us noticing for example downloading data in the background. If we can understand why and how this happens, we will be in a much better position to adjust our device settings and remain in control of our mobile data.

Android

iOS

Restrict background data

There are many apps on your smart device that, without you knowing, will transfer mobile data in the background, even when the app is not in use. Background mobile data is one the main reasons your data usage is high. One way of reducing your mobile data usage is by restricting background data on your smart device.

Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Data usage’ > ‘Cellular data usage’ > Tap to disable the ‘Background data’ option.

If you wish to keep background data on, you can choose to disable it for your preferred apps only. Simply locate the app you want, then tap the switch to disable Background Data usage.

Disable auto-app updates

For the sake of convenience, you may have automatic updates enabled on your Android device, however one of the downsides is the high data costs incurred. You can prevent your smart device from automatically downloading app updates.

Set apps to update over WiFi only

Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘Play store’ > ‘Menu’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Auto-update apps’ > and select ‘Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only’.

Require authentication for app purchases

You can prevent accidental purchases from the Play Store on your cellphone or tablet by turning on the authentication option. This means that certain information, such as a password, must be entered on your device in order to make a purchase.

Enable password or authentication for app purchases

Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘Play Store’ > ‘Menu’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Require authentication for purchases’ and tap ‘For all purchases through Google Play on this device’.

Install the Datally app

Tired of manually monitoring your data usage? There’s an app for that.

Datally is a free app, for Android OS, which will help you track, monitor and control app data usage on your device. Not only does it allow you to locate nearby WiFi networks, but you also get a real-time view of your data usage, allowing you to block a particular app, while still enjoying the apps you want. Datally also gives you an understanding of your data usage, usage history, data usage trends over a certain period as well as per-app usage. Managing and saving on data has never been easier.

Datally is available for download from the Play Store, for Android 5.0 and above.

Setup Datally

Download and install Datally on your Android device.

Go to Datally > ‘Set up Data saver’ > tap ‘ALLOW’ to allow connection, and follow the prompts.

Locate WiFi networks

From the landing page, tap ‘Find Wi-Fi’. Available WiFi networks will now be displayed.

Restrict background data

Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Background App Refresh’ > and disable the ‘Background App Refresh’ switch.

If you wish to keep Background App Refresh on, you can enable it for your preferred apps only.

Disable auto-app updates

For the sake of convenience, you may have automatic updates enabled on your device, however one of the downsides is the high data costs incurred. You can prevent your smart device from automatically downloading app updates.

Disable Automatic App Updates for iTunes

Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘iTunes & App store’ > and disable the ‘Updates’ switch.

Require authentication for app purchases

There’s a good chance that some Apple users have had unauthorised apps, movies and even music bought without their consent. Well, Apple has a smart feature dedicated to preventing unauthorised app purchases from the iTunes and App Store.

Enable password or authentication for app purchases

Go to ‘Settings’ > [your name] > ‘iTunes & App store’ > ‘Password Settings’ and tap your preferred option.

Android

iOS

Disable Smart Network Switch

Smart Network Switch is an Android feature that allows your smart device to automatically switch between WiFi and cellular networks to maintain a stable Internet connection. If the WiFi signal that you’re connected to is weak, Smart Network Switch will switch to your cellular data, resulting in high data usage.

Disable Smart Network Switch

Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘WiFi’ > ‘Menu’ > ‘Advanced’ > and tap ‘Smart network switch’.

If presented with the ‘Smart network switch’ prompt, tap ‘OK’ to continue.

Set data warnings

To ensure that you’re not using too much data on your data plan, Android allows you to not only track your data usage, but to also disable your data connection when you’ve reached your limit.

Set a data usage warning or limit

Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Data usage’ > ‘Settings’ > Tap the ‘Data limit’ switch to enable > Tap and adjust the ‘Data limit’ and tap ‘Set’.

Disable data roaming

When you’re travelling outside our Vodacom network coverage, data roaming allows your device to use data services on other carriers’ networks. This can result in additional data usage.

Go to ‘Apps’> ‘Settings’> ‘Connections’ > ‘Mobile networks’ and disable the ‘Data roaming’ option.

Disable WiFi hotspot

You may want to turn off your WiFi if you are not using it, or if all your other devices are connecting to the internet using Ethernet or other available hotspots. No matter the reason, let’s walk you through how to disable your WiFi/personal hotspot.

Go to ‘Apps’> ‘Settings’> ‘Connections’ > ‘Mobile hotspot and tethering’ and disable the ‘Mobile hotspot’ option.

Disable WiFi Assist

WiFi Assist is a feature that allows your iOS device to use cellular data to support a weak WiFi signal. This in turn will result in a tremendous amount of data being used if you’re connected to a poor wireless network.

Disable WiFi Assist

Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Mobile Data’ and disable ‘WiFi Assist’.

Set app data limits and restrictions

Within iOS on your iPhone or iPad, you are able to check how much data you have used. One of the most useful aspects of this feature is that you can disable specific apps from using cellular data. This way, if you are about to reach your data limit and you still want to use your data, you can just turn off the apps that are using too much data.

Disable mobile data usage for apps

Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Mobile Data’ and tap to disable mobile data for your preferred app

Disable data roaming

When you’re travelling outside our Vodacom network coverage, data roaming allows your device to use data services on other carriers’ networks. This can result in additional data usage.

Go to ‘Settings’> ‘Cellular’ > ‘Cellular Data Options’ and disable the ‘Data roaming’ option.

Disable WiFi hotspot

Go to ‘General’ > ‘Mobile Data’ > ‘Personal Hotspot’ and disable the ‘Personal hotspot’ option.

Android

iOS

Reduce content quality

Streaming high-quality music over mobile data can quickly add to your mobile data usage. Disabling high quality streaming on your smart device is the best option if you wish to listen to music using data, but don’t want the higher file size. It’s also a good idea to download music or podcasts before playing them instead of streaming over your mobile data. Another tip for cellular data conservation on Android is to use WiFi hotspots for your on-the-go browsing.

Disable high-quality streaming

Go to YouTube and tap on a video to begin the playback. Tap ‘Menu’ > ‘Gear’ and select your preferred quality. Example: 480p.

Compress your data

If you’re worried about your data usage going over the limit, you have the option of using an Internet browser which compresses data. This means you can load lighter versions of web pages, resulting in a significant reduction of in your data usage. Downloading and using a browser such as Opera mini, which uses a data compression method, will ensure your browsing experience is not only fast, but also less data-intensive. Opera Mini has an added feature which shows you how much data is being used during browsing.

Reduce content quality

The Internet is a great place to stream music, videos and movies. However, to do this and much more, your device will need data. The higher the quality, the larger the file, which means the more data is needed to stream it. Apple has created an option to disable high quality content streaming. Another tip for cellular data conservation on iOS is to use WiFi hotspots for your on-the-go browsing.

Disable high-quality streaming

Go to ‘Settings’> ‘Music’ and disable ‘High Quality on Cellular’.

Compress your data

Edit social media app settings

Social media apps such as Facebook and Twitter are constantly introducing new features. One of these features is the Auto-play functionality which automatically starts playing videos when you scroll over them. Stopping your social media websites from auto-playing will prevent your device from quickly using up your data and save you from paying huge data costs.

Facebook: Disable the Auto-play feature

Open your Facebook app > tap ‘Settings’ and disable the ‘Videos play automatically’ option.

Instagram: Disable the Auto-play feature

Go to your Instagram app > tap ‘Profile’ > tap ‘Settings’ > tap Cellular Data Use > tap the ‘Use Less Data’ option.

WhatsApp: Edit data usage settings

Go to your WhatsApp > tap the ‘Menu’ icon > tap ‘Settings’ > tap ‘Data usage’ > select your preferred ‘Media auto-download’ options.

You can also edit your WhatsApp WiFi calling settings.

Under the Data usage section, go to ‘Call settings’ section > tap the ‘Low data usage’ checkbox

Twitter: Edit data usage settings

Open your Twitter app > tap your twitter profile picture > tap ‘Settings and privacy’ > tap ‘Data usage’ > and select your preferred ‘Video auto-play’ options.

Android

iOS

Edit cloud services settings

We may not realise that our mobile devices are automatically synchronising data on our devices to the Google cloud service. Fortunately, there are settings that can be altered to save you mobile data usage costs.

Transfer files over WiFi only

Go to Google drive > ‘Menu’ > ‘Settings’ and enable the ‘Transfer files only over Wi-Fi’ option.

Edit cloud services settings

To save on your mobile data bill, transfer documents and data only when connected to a WiFi network.

Disable iCloud drive from using mobile data

Go to ‘Settings’ > [your name] > Scroll to the bottom of the menu and tap ‘Sign Out’.

How much data are my apps using?

We know that it can be difficult to work out exactly how much data you’re going to need, or how much data you are currently using. Try out this tool to understand how much data your most popular apps use.

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Let's help you manage your data

Smart devices are amazing and you can do anything on them from banking to video calling, and even checking out the weather. With all the cool and wonderful apps we use, also comes data usage. Let’s find out how you can manage and control your data on SA’s Best Network.

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