Let's take a look at how to curb unnecessary data usage.
1. Video Streaming Apps / Sites:
Streaming of videos, especially with high resolution will cause high data usage. The higher the quality of video, higher will be the data consumption. Read 'Manage data used for video streaming' in Helpful tips to learn how to set preferred video resolution and control data usage
2. Video streaming on Facebook
When you are watching livestreams on Facebook for long duration, data consumption is higher. Facebook videos which auto play while scrolling through the timeline also contribute to data usage
3. Video downloads on WhatsApp
Multiple video downloads on WhatsApp consume high amount of data usage. If your WhatsApp setting allows auto-download of videos, this could consume even higher data.
Tip: Open WhatsApp and click on Settings (Top Right hand corner). Select Data Usage option and choose the type of content for auto-download.
4. Cloud / Online Backup
Applications such as Dropbox, Google Photos, Google Drive, iCloud allow automatic schedules for backing up and syncing your data such as photos, videos and music to cloud. Recheck the settings to ensure only critical information is updated, as this could quickly use your data quota.
5. Tethering / Wi-Fi hotspot
A. When you make your mobile a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect other devices, the amount of data used completely depends on the type of content accessed by those consumption devices.
Tip: Ensure you have a complex Wi-Fi password to prevent unauthorised access.
B. When you make your device a Wi-Fi hotspot & the other connected devices connect to your device over Wi-Fi; the Wi-Fi related Auto update setting comes into effect in the connected devices. Most devices have settings which enable auto update of Apps & perform online backup whenever connected to Wi-Fi.
Tip: Change settings which allow 'auto update on Wi-Fi' on connected devices and choose to update only when needed.
6. App updates
heck your Mobile Playstore / Appstore settings. If "Auto-Update Apps" option is enabled on Mobile data, the apps get updated automatically whenever there is a new version available. Certain Apps consume as high as 150MB for updates.
In Android, go to Playstore, Settings and set Auto update preference.
In Apple devices, go to Settings, iTunes & App stores to set auto download preference.
Tip: Set option as 'Do not Auto-update Apps', so that you update Apps Manually as per your need
7. System updates
Android or iOS device software updates consume high data consumption. It is recommend to perform these updates when you have sufficient data balance
8. Audio Streaming
While Data used through audio streaming is much lower than video streaming, regular audio streaming on Apps such as JioSaavn, Gaana, Hungama, etc for longer duration will consume high data
You can control and adjust data usage during streaming services by making few minor quality settings. High resolution videos will require higher amount of data usage for streaming. These steps vary depending on the App. Here are the steps for few popular Apps:
1. JioCinema – Open JioCinema app and tap on Settings. Tap on “Data Usage” and select the video quality
2. YouTube – While playing the video, tapicon. Then tap
and select video quality
3. Netflix – Access Account settings from Netflix App and select Playback settings. Select your desired data usage settings and save the preferred option
4. Hotstar – While playing a video on Hotstar app, click on ‘settings’ and select the video quality
Video Streaming with higher resolution will consume higher amount of data. Below is the estimated data used depending on the quality of the video. However, this could vary for each application or website such as Jio Cinema, YouTube, Netflix, Hotstar etc. and it is recommended to refer respective video stream Application or Website for exact resolution & data consumption details.
1. Low – Basic video quality, upto 0.3 GB per hour
2. Medium – Standard video quality, upto 0.7GB per hour
3. High – Standard video quality, upto 1GB per hour
4. HD – High definition quality, upto 3GB per hour
5. Ultra HD – Upto 7GB per hour
6. Auto – Video quality is automatically adjusted basis the data speed. Thus when you are on a 4G network, you will experience the best video quality supported by the App and thus the data consumption will be high
Even when you are not actively using your smart phone, apps may still be consuming data in the background. These apps are constantly checking their servers through the internet for updates and notifications.
The Data usage section in Android Settings lets you view the amount of data used by each specific app. If you notice an app using more background mobile data than you’d like it to, you can restrict it from accessing the Internet.
- Step 1
Open Settings and tap Data usage.
- Step 2
Scroll down to view a list of your Android apps sorted by data usage. Tap an app to check out detailed usage statistics. This is where you can restrict background data for individual apps.
- Step 3
Tap the app(s) you don’t want to connect to mobile data and select Restrict app background data
In Apple devices, you can set your preference to turn cellular data on or off for all apps or individual apps
- Step 1
Go to Settings
- Step 2
Tap Cellular or Mobile Data to view details and set preference
You can view the amount of data used by each app in your smart phone for selected date range. The Data usage section in Android Settings lets you view the amount of data used by each specific app.
- Step 1
Open Settings and tap Data usage.
- Step 2
Select date range and view the total data used for the given period
- Step 3
Scroll down to view list of App sorted by data usage
In Apple devices, you can check how much data you are using and how to turn cellular data on or off for all apps or individual apps.
- Step 1
Go to Settings,
- Step 2
Tap Cellular or Mobile Data to view these details.
- Step 3
To view data usage for individual System Services, scroll to the bottom of the settings/mobile data screen and tap System Services.
Your Internet plan, data quota and balance can be viewed by accessing MyJio App.
Open MyJio App to view your Active plan, validity and Data balance on the landing page. Click on 'View details' in My Account to view Current & upcoming plans along with Benefits, balance and validity.
Download MyJio App from www.jio.com/en-in/apps/my-jio