How do I monitor data usage on my Android?

Learn how to check what applications have used data on your Android device.

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If you have high data usage the first thing to check is if you're connected to WiFi in your home. High data usage can occur if your in-home WiFi is not covering areas where you use your mobile device. See our article "I want to improve my WiFi coverage" to learn more about improving your WiFi coverage in your home.

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Go to Connections and into Data Usage
  3. Select Mobile Data Usage
  4. At the top it will show your usage date range - this may not match your invoice date. Learn how to check your invoice date on our Understanding your Monthly Statement page
  5. If the date does not match your invoice date
    • Select the cog wheel to the right of the date range
    • Select Start Billing Cycle On and set it to your invoice date
    • You may also modify the Set Data Warning and Set Data Limit options depending on your personal preferences
    • Go back to Mobile Data Usage
  6. Your data usage will show the app that has used the most at the top and least as you move lower in the list
    • Apps that are heavy with Images or Videos will use the most data. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are typically heavier data users.
    • If you see an app that you haven’t loaded yourself you can tap on the app name and it will display the Foreground & Background usage. You can turn off background data usage from this place.
      • Foreground - means the app was open on the screen
      • Background - means used data while the app was closed

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Updated on Thu, 20 Jun 2024 by Sean Otway

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