10 Comprehensive ways to save a lot of mobile data

How many times have you run out of mobile data? Doesn’t it bother you? To be cut off from your favorite episode or a favorite song, and then you must repeat the whole cycle. Login to your carrier’s dashboard, top-up data, and if it doesn’t work, get in touch with their ‘irritating’ customer service again.

Up till now, you have been trying to maximize mobile data usage for the given amount of money you pay every month. But what if you reverse this and actually try to save data instead of paying more. To help you do that, we came up with 10 comprehensive ways to save a lot of mobile data.

1. Disable mobile data

This seems too good to be true, but hey, disabling mobile data helps. And why do you even want to have mobile data turned on all the time? For instance, if you’re near wifi or not simply not using data, why do you even want it turned on? You can disable mobile data and save it.

2. Enable data saver mode

This is probably one of the most effective ways to save mobile data with minimal effort. All you have to do is enable the data saver or low data mode on your cell phone.

Here is how you can enable it:

iPhone

1. Open the iPhone’s Settings app, and select the “Cellular” option.
2. From here, tap on “Cellular Data Options.”
3. Tap on the toggle next to “Low Data Mode” to turn on the feature.

Android

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap Network & internet  Data Saver.
3. Turn Data Saver on or off.
   • In your status bar, when Data Saver is on, you’ll see the Data Saver icon.
   • You’ll also see a notification at the top of your phone’s Settings app.

3. Update apps on wifi only

If you want to keep your cell phone apps up to date, you probably go for the update option. But there is more to it. Do you update on wifi or cellular data? Because often, at times, your app updates take place on cellular data, and you’re unaware of it. So, in that case, set them to WiFi only.

Here is how you can do it on:

iPhone

1. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store. 
2. Toggle off Mobile Data for automatic downloads.

Android

1. Open the Google Play Store app
2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the screen
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Auto-update apps
5. Select Auto-update apps over WiFi only 

4. Download, Download, Download

Leave all things aside. If you can do one thing for sure, that is to download. Whether it`’s your weekend binge-watch or work out jam, make sure you download it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with downloading content. It might take a few minutes of your time but may be worth it when saving data.

5. Use ‘Lite’ browser/websites

We have all been using Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. They do have a lot of features and custom options, but the catch is high data usage. On the other hand, if you don’t want that amount of configuration and customizability. You can totally go for Lite browsers, or just enable Lite mode on Google Chrom or Firefox, that should do the trick.

Websites can be a bit technical. You may stumble upon websites with colors, ads, and advanced UI. But they might be eating up your data plan. Lite websites can be useful in this sense. They are pleasing to navigate and free from all the unwanted stuff. Here is a GitHub of some awesome Lite websites. Similarly, you can use  old.reddit.com instead of reddit.com, or text.npr.org instead of npr.org.

6. Optimize Google Maps

Your Google Maps usage primarily revolves around your home, work, and other areas you visit regularly. With such a pattern, you can always downlaod maps with the same parameters, periodically updating wifi.

7. Get an instant messaging service

If you’re a frequent MMS (Multimedia Message Service), you may not realize but send an MMS uses cellular data. What if you can fulfill the same using instant messaging apps, there are some pretty amazing services out there, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, and Skype, to name a few. If you can get friends and family over an IM platform, it’s totally worth it.

8. Seek free wifi

It’s not like you’re stuck at home all the time. How often do you go to cafes, libraries, or even public parks? While you’re at it, please make the most of it and get free wifi. Also, some ISPs (Internet Service Provider) provide a free wifi service if you’re already using them for home internet. So you don’t have to pay again.

Although free wifi sounds cool, do make sure that you don’t fall for scams or wifi switching apps. You need to keep a look out for reputable sites or service providers to connect to free wifi.

9. Disable background app data

Make a habit of going to your mobile data settings and looking out for apps using most of your data. If it’s something that can be cut down, go for it. You can disable their background data usage, and they shall work fine.

How to disable background app data on:

iPhone

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
3. Toggle it off.

Android

1. From the Home screen, tap the app slider, then open “Settings. “
2. Select “Data usage. “
3. Select “Cellular data usage. “
4. Select the app you want to limit background data on.
5. Toggle  “Background data” to “On” or “Off” as desired

10. Get ad/content blocker

Suppose half of your browsing time is spent in getting rid of Ads. You can get an ad/content blocker to block images, javascript, remote fonts, and not to forget all those annoying ads. Do check out some of the top ad blockers for 2021 here. Use them to not only save data, in fact, but also to save your precious time.

Key takeaway

No matter how many apps or guides you have to save mobile data. At the end of the day, it’s on you. Do you have what it takes to instill self-discipline and regulate your data usage? Because these ways might only work if you want them to work. Just know that the internet is full of content, and you don’t have to consume it all.

By the way, we have a few hacks to help you save battery life too!