12 Ways to Maximize Limited Cellular Data on Android

Once you get used to broadband and Wi-Fi being available everywhere you go, relying solely on a mobile data connection, even if it’s 4G LTE, can be quite confusing. Because as we know, mobile data is quite expensive. Damn, yes, but also, very expensive.

Browse while preserving data | shutter

And if you keep using it the same way you use Wi-Fi, you’ll burn through your 1-5 GB data cap within a few days. Now, you will need to stop using the internet altogether or pay exorbitant fees to provide data again.

Here’s how you can try and save yourself from all that.

What We Won’t Do

I know what you’re thinking. The answer is simple, just don’t use the internet. Have you seen. Because like food and shelter, you NEED to use the internet – for whatever reason.

So we will not stop using the internet. We also won’t go crazy and disable things like push notifications and email syncing. We also need those things to survive.

So instead, we’ll focus on things we don’t really need or things we can compress. But if you’re really desperate, there’s a way to disable background data usage, which we’ll talk about at the bottom of the page. Also, I’m sure you already know this, but if possible, limit app and file downloads until you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. I’ve talked about some special apps below, download them when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Monitor your data usage

Once you have Wi-Fi around, download a powerful data monitoring app like Data Status. It will be really helpful to see how much data you have consumed in the past hour or day. You can also set restrictions and limits.

If you just want the basics, built-in Android Use data feature will also work fine.

2. Configure Application Specific Data Settings

If you’re using apps like Dropbox or Google Photos that automatically back up and sync new photos or files, you’ll need to disable each app’s 3G data features. Do the same for other apps you can think of.

3. Use Offline Maps

Look ghost, no internet!

Google Maps can be a huge data killer. Before you leave, cache the portion of the map you want to use offline, or download a dedicated offline map app like Maps.me.

4. Use Firefox with Ad Blocker

You may not know it, but the ads and trackers behind them take up quite a bit of your bandwidth. Sometimes, simply using an ad blocker can save up to 50% of your data when you browse the top sites.

But Chrome doesn’t allow extensions or ad blockers. A workaround is to install Firefox and download the Adblock Plus plugin. Or you can just use Adblock Plus’ own browser (essentially a locked version of Firefox).

For rooted users: Only rooted users can block all ads on Android. If you’re one of them, here’s how to do it.

5. Use Pocket to read content offline

If you plan to use Firefox to browse the web, you should know that it comes with a built-in Reading List. This is where you can save articles to read later (tap menu and select the icon that looks like a book with + up there). These articles are saved offline, so you won’t use up bandwidth every time you try to read them.

If you’re looking for a dedicated option, check out Pocket. No matter where you are in Android, just long press on the link or use Share menu to send articles to Pocket. It will then be downloaded for offline use.

Use YouTube offline: If you’re in one of the supported countries, you can download YouTube videos and watch them offline for up to 48 hours.

6. Disable app updates on data connection

The Play Store is smart and doesn’t download content when you’re on a data connection. However, open the sidebar in the Play Store, tap Setting -> Auto-update apps and make sure Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only chosen. You can also choose to turn off automatic updates completely.

7. Use Opera Max (Or Other Data Savers)

We recently wrote about Opera Max. It’s a secure VPN from the guys behind the Opera browser. After you have it installed, a lot of web traffic will first be routed through their servers where it will be compressed. In the end you will probably save half the bandwidth.

We’ve covered other apps and browsers that can do this (Chrome is a prime example), but Opera does it at the OS-wide level. Even if you’re using YouTube, Opera still plays videos at the lowest possible quality by default. Opera Max doesn’t work when you’re downloading something, visiting an HTTPS site, or when you’re tethering.

8. Maybe, Just Maybe, Don’t Use Facebook and Instagram

Facebook and Instagram really are bandwidth hogs. If possible, just don’t use these apps when you’re on a limited 3G connection. If you need to access Facebook, use a website or app like Metal. For Instagram, you just need to open the app when you want to post something and quickly exit the app (remove the app from Recently menu).

9. For Twitterrati

Twitter is a list of messages with only 140 characters so that should be fine right? Wrong. The official Twitter app is filled with images and now, autoplays videos and ads. We need to disable all of that. Tap the three-dot menu icon and select Setting -> General settings. Now, disable Image preview. Make sure that links open in Twitter’s own browser will remove formatting and most images. From the bottom, tap autoplay video and choose Never play videos automatically.

10. Disable Images in Gmail

If you receive a lot of newsletters, Gmail can be filled with image-heavy emails. To disable them, show the sidebar and select Setting and then the email in question. Scroll down, tap Image and choose Ask before showing.

11. Be careful when tethering

Speaking of tethering, you’ll need to be really careful about what you do on your laptop. Before you know it, you’ll be accessing news sites that weigh 10-15 images and 100MB from your data plan is exhausted.

So, take the same measures on the desktop when tethering. Use an ad blocker, disable images if you want. Also, make sure that updates aren’t automatically downloaded for your operating system or any apps, and that things like Dropbox aren’t running in the background.

12. Desperate? Turn off background data

So you’ve done all of this but it’s still not enough? There is an easy way to turn off background data. Go Setting -> Use data and click menu button. Now choose Restrict background data and press ALRIGHT. You can also do this on a per-app basis. Just choose an app from Use data list to get to the option.

Now apps that are using data to update themselves in the background (like your email client or Facebook) will no longer have that access. Yes, you will need to manually open the app to check for new content. Like I said, only do this if you’re really desperate.

You can also go to Setting -> account -> Google and turn on sync for stuff you don’t want. If you are using a Samsung phone, you will see a Sync toggle right in the notification drawer.

How is life in the frugal land?

Personally, I find it very difficult to survive only on a 3G connection. Especially when I need to work by tethering. But my days of worrying about mobile data are coming to an end. How about you? Share your data war stories in the comments section below.

Categories: How to
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