How to save internet data bandwidth (mb) on your smartphone

Are you on a low-budget mobile internet data plan?

Do you lack access to Wi-Fi connection in your area?

Or is your mobile phone data consumption thinning out your wallet?


A lot of new users of Android complain bitterly about how much data their new Android device consumes. The truth is, a lot of smartphone funtionalities these days depend heavily on internet connectivity.

Imagine holding a Samsung Galaxy S5 or an iPhone without internet, more than 70% of the apps installed would either not work at all or have limited features/functions.

This doesn't mean you should not have control over the amount of internet data (or 'mb' as it's popularly referred to in Nigeria) used up by your phone.

There are thousands of apps out there that can help you monitor your internet data consumption (even the Android System offers that), but to trully be in control requires a little extra effort.

The following tips will certainly help you cut data consumption on your smart-device

1. Auto-Update

Set Google Playstore to update apps automatically only over Wi-Fi connections, then you can go ahead to update the important apps manually over mobile internet connection. Be informed, not all updates are for you (some updates are for some guy in some place that needs to communicate with his buddies in his local language) or necessary.

2. Get used to Sharing

Android apps can be shared in legal ways, so its better to learn to share app with friends than downloading. This way, you and your buddies get to save a lot of precious data.

3. Keep'em backed-up

It's very important to have a backup of all the apps installed on your smartphone, remember to update your backup every time you update your apps. Having an up-to-date backup of your entire smart-device is easy, save a soul, backup your Phone today.
When your apps are backed-up, you wouldn't need to download the same again in the event of...

4. Auto-Sync

This might offer only a little in the way of saving your internet data, but it helps. Turn off Auto-sync and disable background data (don't be lazy, check your mails manually), this also saves your battery.

5. Peer-to-peer

If you love exchanging data over P2P connections, then you might have to discontinue usage or stop the P2P app from running in the background every time you are not sharing.

6. VPNs

Staying connected to VPN servers require constant exchange of packets (to and fro), you need to disconnect from VPNs when anonymity or whateverelse you use VPN for is not important.

7. Cut Installations

There are lots of tempting apps out there in the Apps Stores and on the internet, but not all are data or battery friendly. SOme of these apps literarily live on your internet data and your battery, so don't go about downloading every app you see.

8. Disable Data connection

Turn off mobile data when not in use.

9. Browser Choice

In very critical situations, the browser you use may be very important in your quest to reduce your device's data consumption. Try Opera mobile browser out, it saves a lot of 'mb'.