Oct 17, 2022
Use Less Data. Here’s How!
You love your mobile phone. You don’t go anywhere without it and you love all it allows you to do. Video chat with your kids or grandkids. Browse Facebook. Shop Amazon. Stream your favorite shows. Listen to your favorite music. And never, ever miss your preferred podcasts. (True crime anyone?)
But all of these activities, done on your cellular network, can blow through your data pretty quickly particularly if you don’t have an unlimited data plan. And we all know what happens when you run through your data – you get a surprise bill. And that kind of surprise is no fun at all.
That’s where this post comes in. We’ve got 10 easy ways to help you conserve your mobile data usage. Ready? Let’s go.
1.When You’re Home, Be on Your Wi-Fi
If you’re reading this on your phone in your home, it’s most likely that you are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network. But if you’re not sure, or you’re sure you are not connected to it, turn it on now. Right now. Here’s how:
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Go into Settings. You’ll see options like Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular, etc. Click on Wi-Fi. Then select the name of your network. When you’re done, tap Settings again and return to its main menu. If Cellular or Bluetooth are on, turn them off. Now that you are on your home’s Wi-Fi network, you don’t need them hiking up your data usage and having them on will drain the battery in your phone.
Connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi network can significantly reduce the amount of cellular data you use. And once you’ve connected to it as described above, whenever you’re home your device will recognize your Wi-Fi network and connect to it.
If you’re at home watching Netflix on your phone or FaceTiming with friends, even if you’re just browsing social media, being on your Wi-Fi network will save you on data usage.
2.When You’re on Wi-Fi in an Airport or Coffee Shop, Be Careful
When you’re watching your data usage, it’s crucial to be on Wi-Fi when you can. And your home Wi-Fi is the safest. But, should you find yourself in the airport or a coffee shop or somewhere there’s Wi-Fi you can access, go ahead – but be careful. These are public Wi-Fi networks and sometimes other users can see your information. It’s fine to browse social media, and read articles, etc., but stay away from anything that requires you to provide personal information. Even banking apps are best left unopened until you’re home.
3.Turn on Data Saver or Low Data Mode
When you’re not connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network, you’re using your mobile data. To save on data usage, you can disable background app functions like background data refresh and data syncs by turning on the mobile Data Saver if you use an Android phone, or Low Data Mode if you use an iPhone. It is easy to do and you’ll be glad you learned how to do it!
On iPhone, select your plan and do the following:
LTE/4G Cellular
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular
Tap Cellular Data Options, then turn on Low Data Mode.
5G Cellular
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular.
Tap Cellular Data Options, select Data Mode, then turn on Low Data Mode.
Dual SIM
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
Tap one of your numbers.
Turn on Low Data Mode.
On Android:
Open Settings.
Go to SIM card and Mobile Data tab.
Tap Data Usage option.
Go to Data Saving option.
Turn on Data Saving.
4.Stop Your Apps from “Refreshing” Themselves
If you’re not on Wi-Fi and you don’t turn on your data saver or enable low data mode, your apps will keep working in the background collecting information and refreshing themselves while using your data. It's called Background App Refresh and to prevent it, do the following:
On iPhone:
Go to Settings. Tap general. Tap Background App Refresh. Here, you can choose to have this feature off, available only when you’re on Wi-Fi, cellular data connections or available when you’re on Wi-Fi and cellular data. (Not recommended when you’re trying to use less data!) You can also toggle this on or off for each individual app on your phone.
On Android:
Open Settings. Tap Data Usage. Here you’ll be able to see which apps are using the most data. Decide which app or apps you’d like to restrict, and tap on it.
5.Control How Your Apps Are Updated
When your apps decide it’s time for an update, be sure they’re doing so while you’re on Wi-Fi. Otherwise, they might decide to do so over a cellular network. Eeek! To make sure your apps update only when you’re on Wi-Fi, do the following:
On iPhone:
Go to Settings.
Tap App Store.
Turn on or turn off App Updates.
On Android:
Go to the Play Store. Tap Menu, then Settings, then Auto-update apps. Select “Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only.”
6.Disable Cellular Data for Certain Apps
If you know which of your apps eat up most of your data, it’s wise to get in and disable them from using a cellular network. And if you don’t which apps are using most of your data, it’s easy enough to find out and then disable them from using a cellular network. Here’s how:
On iPhone:
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular. Then scroll down to see which apps are using cellular data and toggle them on or off. You’ll also be able to see which of your apps use the most cellular data usage, and toggle those off.
On Android:
Open Settings. Tap Wireless & Networks, then Data Usage, then Network Access. Uncheck those apps you want not to use cellular data.
7.Disable Wi-Fi Assist / Smart Network Switch
Both iPhone and Android phones have programs built in to help enhance your Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If the program senses a slow or spotty connection, it will jump in to help by accessing your cellular data. Unfortunately, this results in using up a lot of data. To turn this off, do the following:
On iPhone:
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular or Settings, then Mobile Data. Next, scroll down and toggle the slider for Wi-Fi Assist.
On Android:
Open Settings. Tap Connections, then Wi-Fi. Tap the three dots that appear, tap Advanced, then toggle the slider for “Switch to Mobile Data.”
8.Use Wi-Fi to Backup Photos and Videos
Backing up your photos and videos is important. After all, they’re our memories! But because we don’t want our data allotment to become a memory it’s best to make sure the only times backups occur is when you’re on Wi-Fi. To do so:
On iPhone:
Go to Settings. Scroll to Photos, then Cellular Data. Toggle Cellular Data “off.”
On Android:
Open Google Photos. Tap the Account icon. Scroll to Settings, Backup & Sync, then Cell Data Usage. Select “None.”
9.Keep An Eye On Your Data Usage - iPhone
If you’re always on top of how much data you’re using, there’s less opportunity to be surprised by overages. Once or twice a month, check in and see how you’re doing. To see how much cellular data you’ve used on your iPhone, do the following:
Go to Settings. Tap Cellular then scroll to Cellular Data.
10.Keep An Eye on Your Data Usage - Android
With Android, you can avoid surprises by limiting your background data usage to a certain amount. Here’s how:
Open Settings. Go to Network & Internet, then Data Usage, and Data Warning & Limit. Here you can reduce data usage and set the amount of data you want to use for the month.
Now that you’re super smart about cutting your data usage, make another smart move: Get FREE wireless with Life Wireless
Now that you know many of the tricks and tips to get more out of your smartphone, why not make another smart decision. Let’s get you going with free cellular service from Life Wireless.
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s 100% real.
Life Wireless offers government subsidized free cellular service through the Affordable Connectivity Program to qualifying individuals and families. And, if you’re unemployed or participate in a government benefit program such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, or WIC, you already qualify for this Federally funded free cellular service. As a participant, you receive the following, free, each month: Unlimited talk, text and data, and a free smartphone or you can bring your own.
Even if you’re paying just $20 a month for cell service, wouldn’t you rather have that $240 to spend on groceries, gas, or paying down debts? Of course you would. All it takes is just a few minutes to complete the application. Do so now, and you could be cutting your monthly cell phone bill to nothing in no time.
Plus, if you’re approved for Life Wireless/Lifeline Assistance Program and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you get two sources of free talk, text, and unlimited data that you can split between two phones. That means free cell service for you and free cell service for someone you love. If your child has been asking for a cell phone, this is a terrific opportunity to provide him or her with talk, text, unlimited data and the ability to stay in touch with you!
Of course you don’t have to split the service between two phones, you can keep it all on one. But it’s a wonderful option if your spouse, child or relative needs a phone – and who doesn’t? – but has been unable to get one due to the expense.
Whichever option you choose – to keep the data on one phone or split it between two – Life Wireless will make sure you receive the free talk, text, and unlimited data to help you stay connected.
Option 1: Combine Your Data
Activate Lifeline and ACP on the same device and receive unlimited talk, text, and data, plus 5GB of mobile hotspot.
Option 2: Split Your Data
Split your data between two phones or supported devices and you’ll have one device with ACP’s free talk, text, and 6GB of data and a second device with Lifeline’s talk, text, and 4.5GB of data (6GB of data in California).
Fast facts about Life Wireless
Yes, you can add more minutes and data!
You can purchase additional minutes or data one of the following ways:
- Go to www.LifeWireless.com and click "Add Minutes/Data"
- If you have a smart phone, go to your MyLifeWireless app and click "Add Minutes".
- Call Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620, or by dialing 611 on your Life Wireless phone.
- You can also go to any Moneygram location and use Receive Code: 7924
Yes, you can track your minutes!
Your minutes replenish each month on your anniversary date before end of the day. For example if you signed up and received your minutes on the 12th of the month, your minutes will replenish every month on the 12th of the month.
You can check your account balance the following ways:
- Go to www.LifeWireless.com and click "My Account"
- Go to your MyLifeWireless app on your phone, and click "Check Balance"
- Call Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620, or by dialing 611 on your Life Wireless phone.
Yes, you can keep your current phone number!
If your application is approved, you have the option to keep your current phone number.
Once you receive your Life Wireless phone in the mail, call Life Wireless Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620 and a representative will assist you in keeping your current number. Make sure that you don't call from your Lifeline phone and have your account number and password from your previous carrier handy.
What our customers are saying:
"Life Wireless has been great. I have used it so many times for appointments and finding the proper care providers for my needs as well as for my family's needs. Thank you so much Life Wireless!"
Rebecca L., KY
“Without this phone I would be lost. It has helped me stay in contact with my daughter’s specialist. I schedule her appointments and they can call back if there are any complications with her results. Thank you, Life Wireless.” Amanda Z., PA
“I've been looking for apartments, doctor’s offices, and school phone numbers, and my data provided has been a tremendous help in gaining access to this information. I'm very grateful for this service.” Maria R. AZ
Don’t wait. Get FREE wireless service now!
Posted 1 year ago