tips

Mobile data: Reduce data usage and save on your phone bill

Jesse Simms • March 8, 2021

Ting Mobile tips to reduce your data usage and save money

There are many different ways to reduce data usage without having to limit yourself or switch up your smartphone routine. At Ting Mobile, we offer plans with data options that range from add-as-needed to unlimited. For those that don’t need an unlimited plan and want to save big; if your habits result in less data use, you’ll spend less on your monthly bill.

There are simple steps we can take to save mobile data. We all know that the more you connect to Wi-Fi, the less mobile data you use. But making this a firm habit saves you more data than you might think, allowing you to choose a cheaper data plan.

Did you know there are data saving toggles and features in popular apps (including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) that help you cut your data use? There are also controls built right into your smartphone operating system to do the same.

Comprehensive guides

Check out some of our longer-form articles that will teach you everything you need to know about smartphone mobile data use.

From the basics to the bonus features, the guides below have it all.

Do more with your smartphone without paying more for data

Five simple tips to save money on smartphone mobile data

Understanding your mobile data usage

Want to reduce data usage but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.

Learn where data is typically used on your smartphone and find out how to handle apps that may drain your data plan without having to sacrifice your smartphone experience.

How many megabytes are in a gig? Understanding mobile data usage

Control which Android apps use background mobile data

Control which iOS apps use cellular data

Take control of how your apps use data with NetGuard

What is mobile data and how much do I need?

What can you do with 1 GB of data

Reduce and manage data usage

There are controls built right into your smartphone operating system that will help you reduce mobile data usage. Here are some general apps and settings within Android and iOS smartphones that will lower your cellular data usage.

Block ads while browsing to lower data usage

Disable Wi-Fi Assist to save your mobile data

Make the most of Wi-Fi

When you connect to Wi-Fi at home, work, school or a cafe, you don’t use any data. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of Wi-Fi and saving even more.

Wi-Fi Analyzer finds the best connection

Automatically connect to Wi-Fi at home and work

Free Wi-Fi calling with Google Hangouts

Unplug from your phone

While phones can be powerful tools that make our lives better, they can also feel like a bit of a burden sometimes. Why not unplug from your phone a bit? This is a sure-fire way to limit your data use. If you rarely use data and truly could do without it, you can even consider going with a flip or feature phone for texting and calling only.

How to unplug: it starts with your phone

Going grayscale to use your phone more mindfully

Lower mobile data use in popular apps

Most popular apps include a built-in data-saving toggle or feature. There’s no need to stop using an app entirely, just take a look through the icons below and find the apps you recognize to reduce mobile data usage.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Google Maps are just a few of the apps listed below.