The 5 simple tweaks that kept my data plan under control for more than half a decade
Android Police 2026-07-11 12:30:10
Context: The author, Faith Leroux, an Android Police writer, shares her experience of managing her data plan for over half a decade, having learned the importance of data conservation after encountering high bills from exceeding her limit. With a current 30GB monthly data limit, she employs several strategies to keep her usage in check, including setting data warnings and selectively allowing apps to access mobile data. These practices not only help her stay within her budget but also proved useful during a recent power outage.
Key Facts
- The author pays for 30GB of data a month but previously had much lower data limits, such as 5GB, and set a warning around the halfway mark, typically at 2GB for the 5GB plan, to avoid accidentally exceeding her limit.
- To set a data warning on an Android phone, users can navigate to Settings > Network & Internet, then to SIMs or Data usage, and toggle on "Set data warning" to select a custom value, which will trigger a notification when reached.
- The author selectively allows apps to access her mobile data, choosing "Wi-Fi only" for non-essential apps like social media, while allowing GPS-oriented apps like Google Maps and Pokémon Go to use mobile data.
- On Samsung devices, users can manage app data usage by going to Connections > Data usage, then tapping "Allow networks for apps" to choose which apps can use mobile data, Wi-Fi, or both.
- The author also uses the "Data Saver" mode, which restricts background activity for all apps unless whitelisted, to further conserve data when needed, although she considers it an emergency measure.