Before you start
- An Android phone or iPhone
Method 1 Android
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Step 1: Find the heavy users
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > App data usage (Samsung: Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage).
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Step 2: Turn on Data Saver
Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver. Most apps stop using data in the background.
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Step 3: Block per app
Tap an app > turn off Background data (Samsung: Allow background data usage).
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Step 4: Allow exceptions
In Data Saver, add messaging apps to Unrestricted data so they keep notifying you.
Method 2 iPhone
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Step 1: Check usage
Settings > Cellular lists apps by data use. Turn off cellular data for apps that shouldn’t use it.
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Step 2: Low Data Mode
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode > Low Data Mode. It pauses background tasks and automatic updates.
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Step 3: Background App Refresh
Settings > General > Background App Refresh: choose Wi-Fi and switch off apps that don’t need it.
Method 3 Common data hogs to adjust
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Step 1: App updates
Play Store: Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps > Over Wi-Fi only. iPhone: Settings > App Store, turn off App Downloads under Cellular Data.
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Step 2: Photo backup
Google Photos and iCloud Photos: back up over Wi-Fi only.
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Step 3: Video apps
Use Data Saver in YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Netflix.
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Step 4: WhatsApp
Settings > Storage and data > Media auto-download: choose Wi-Fi only.
Troubleshooting
Notifications arrive late
Restricted apps can’t sync in the background. Allow unrestricted data for apps you need in real time.
Data usage still high
Check for hotspot use and system services. Streaming video is usually the biggest single use.
Frequently asked questions
Does background data use much?
It can: social media, cloud sync and auto-play can use hundreds of MB a day.
Does Wi-Fi Assist use data on iPhone?
Yes, it switches to mobile data when Wi-Fi is weak. Turn it off at the bottom of Settings > Cellular if needed.
Summary
Find the heaviest apps in your data usage settings, then use Data Saver and per-app background data on Android, or Low Data Mode and Background App Refresh on iPhone. Keep updates and backups on Wi-Fi.
