How to limit your data use and save money on your phone bill

A lot of people these days are looking to cut back on their spending. If you’re doing the same, one place you might look is your mobile plan. If you’re not a heavy data user, you could save by choosing a metered rather than unlimited data plan. Over the course of a year, you could cut your bill by hundreds of dollars.

What’s a metered data plan? It’s a plan that gives you a set amount of data per month. Here at CREDO, we have metered plans from 1GB per month to 15GB per month. Choosing one of these could save you money. That’s why we offer them—and why many other carriers don’t. Because they’d rather have you on an unlimited-data plan.

Which is fine, if you use a lot of data. Then an unlimited plan is a good choice. That’s why we have a high-value unlimited-data plan ourselves. But if you don’t use a lot of data each month, you might be better off with a metered plan.

The first step in deciding is to learn how much data you use. Many people meet their needs with just 3GB or 5GB a month. To see how much you use, check your bill. If you can’t find your data usage there (some carriers go out of their way to hide it) you can check your phone.

On an Android, open Settings, tap Network & internet > Data usage. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then tap Cellular or Mobile data. Scroll down to Current period.

So it’s decided: a metered plan might be good for you. But it won’t be good if you exceed the cap on your plan and you get charged overage fees. To avoid this, you can limit your data usage. Here’s how to do it.

Use WiFi when you can

Some of your favorite phone activities can burn a lot of data. Like to watch videos? Streaming standard-definition video uses up to 1 GB an hour, high-definition uses up to 2.5 GB an hour and ultra-high-definition up to 10 GB an hour.

If you’re on a metered data plan, you’ll quickly exceed your limit. So connect to WiFi whenever you can, whether you’re at home or away, at a friend’s house or the cafe. You’ll save a lot of cellular data this way.

Update and download only when you’re on WiFi

When your phone asks you to update or download using cellular data, say no. Wait till you’re connected to WiFi. Ignore those prompts to update to a new OS or new version of an app.

Turn off Smart Network Switch or WiFi Assist

Android and Apple devices will automatically use data to improve your WiFi connection. On an Android, this function is called Smart Network Switch, on an iPhone it’s called WiFi Assist. If your WiFi signal is weak, these functions will boost it by using cellular data.

To save data, turn them off. On your Android, go to Settings > Connections > WiFi. Tap the three dots, then tap Advanced. You’ll see a slider for Switch to mobile data. Slide it off. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular. Scroll down and you’ll see a slider for WiFi Assist. Slide it off.

Turn off autoplay

Video apps like YouTube will automatically play the next video—and use data to do it—unless you turn off the autoplay option. At YouTube, this is under Settings. Navigate there and slide off Autoplay next video. Now your phone won’t continuously play videos while it’s in your pocket.

Limit background data use

Apps constantly update and refresh themselves even when they’re not running on your screen, using your data to update your social media feed, sync your emails and more.

You can disable background data usage by apps individually. Or you can do it more easily with Data Saver Mode (Android) or Low Data Mode (iPhone and iPad, iOS 13 and later). When turned on, these modes will ensure that apps and services running in the background can only use WiFi data, while currently active apps and services can use mobile data.

On your Android, open Settings. Tap Network & internet > Data Saver. Slide it off. The process for enabling Low Data Mode on your iPhone depends on the type of network you’re connected to. If you’re on LTE/4G, go to Settings, tap Cellular, tap Cellular data options, then slide on Low Data Mode. If you’re on 5G, go to Settings, tap Cellular, tap Cellular data options, select Data mode, then slide on Low Data Mode.

Set warnings and limits

You can set your phone to warn you when you’re approaching your monthly allotment of data. You can also set your phone to limit your data use and stay below your allotment.

On your Android, open Settings, then tap Network & internet > Internet. Tap Settings next to your provider’s name, then tap Data warning & limit. To set a warning, turn on Set data warning, then tap Data warning and enter a number. You’ll get a notification when you reach that number. To set a limit, turn on Set data limit. When you get an onscreen message, tap OK. Tap Data limit, enter a number, then tap Set.

Apple devices don’t offer these options but they may be available via your carrier.

Switch to CREDO Mobile

We have a variety of plans to suit you, from 1GB per month up to unlimited data, with rates that meet your needs. The average CREDO Mobile customer uses less than 5GB per month. Many people can save hundreds of dollars per year, switching to a metered plan with CREDO Mobile.

Switch today and you’ll get all you want in a mobile service: the nation’s top-rated network, competitive plans, great deals on new phones and friendly, responsive customer service.

You’ll also get an easy, effective way to support positive change, just by using your phone. Because whenever you do, you’ll raise vital donations for nonprofit groups like Friends of the Earth, Social Security Works and Reproductive Freedom for All.

To date, we’ve given over $95 million to these and many other nonprofits dedicated to making our world a better place. These donations cost our customers nothing extra. But they mean everything to the groups that rely on us.

Ready to switch? Join CREDO Mobile today.