Mobile cellular data is a godsend in today’s modern world because we are always on the go, and we don’t have the luxury of having a Wi-Fi connection wherever we go. When we are on the road or simply in a place with no nearby Wi-Fi connection, our mobile data is there to help us connect to the internet. But the problem is that mobile data tends to be limited, and you may end up paying more if you use it too much. As such, Why Am I Getting High Mobile Data Use Notifications?
You are getting high mobile data use notifications because you are using your data too much. Not everyone can afford an unlimited data plan, and this increased use can happen when you are not using a Wi-Fi connection, even when it is available. At times, background apps you forgot to close can also increase mobile data use even when not using them.
High mobile data use can kill your monthly budget because excess data use is quite expensive. That’s why you need to make sure that you monitor your data use properly and make sure that you are doing all that you can to limit your data use as much as possible.
Why Is My Phone Or Tablet Using So Much Mobile Data?
The mobile smartphone and tablet era has given birth to one of the most fantastic ways to connect to the internet. We can now connect to the internet using the phone’s capacity to receive cellular network signals thanks to mobile cellular data. And this has become quite important in a more modern age where we need to be connected to the internet wherever we are.
Mobile data connection has become a lifesaver in many different instances, especially when we need to contact someone while we are on the road or when we need to send a file immediately, even if there is no nearby Wi-Fi connection. Plenty of people are very reliant on mobile data connections.
However, one of the things that you may have noticed with your smartphone or tablet is that it is receiving high mobile data use notifications from time to time. When this happens, it means that you are nearing the limit of your data plan. As such, what are the underlying causes of this?
Relying On Data Too Much
As great as mobile data may be, the problem with it is that it is too convenient to the point that we may be relying on it too much. Even when we are at home or work or in another place with an available Wi-Fi connection, some of us may still use our mobile data connection.
When you pile up some of the different things that you regularly do when connected to the internet, such as watching YouTube videos or binging on Netflix movies or series, it can eat up your data fast. Today your smartphone will notify you of your high data usage. At this point, you will begin to understand that you are using your data connection too much.
This data use will affect you the most depending on your data plan, of course, but not everyone can afford an unlimited data plan, plus a smartphone payment these days. This reality is especially true wherever you live because, in the United States, data plans can vary greatly depending on your carrier, where you live, and how remote you are.
Please see some of our other interesting articles such as “Mobile Devices From Smartphones to Robots” and “Why Is Python One of the Best Programming Languages for Mobile AI?”
The Cost of Unlimited Data from AT&T and Verizon
AT&T Unlimited Plans with AutoPay & Paperless Billing 1 User Includes Mexico & Canada
| Plan | Unlimited Starter | Unlimited Extra | Unlimited Elite |
| 1 Line | $65+ Taxes & Fees | $75+ Taxes & Fees | $85+ Taxes & Fees |
| Mobile Hotspot | Not Included | 15GB | 40GB |
| Throttling down your data | Throttled down anytime | 50GB/month/Can be throttled down after 50GB | No GB Cap/month/2G off-net data speeds may apply |
Verizon Unlimited Plans with AutoPay Billing 1 User Includes Mexico & Canada
| Plan | Start Unlimited | Play More/Do More Unlimited | Get More Unlimited |
| 1 Line | $70+ Taxes & Fees | $80+ Taxes & Fees | $90+ Taxes & Fees |
| Mobile Hotspot | Not Included | 15GB | 30GB |
| Throttling down your data | Throttled down anytime | 50GB 5G/LTE /month/Throttled down anytime | 50GB 5G/LTE /month/Throttled down anytime |
*Prices as of 9-11-21
Keeping Background Apps Open
“When cellular data is on, apps and services use your cellular connection when Wi-Fi isn’t available.”
Apple Support: Check the cellular data usage on your iPhone and iPad
Having plenty of different background apps open is another thing that will eat up your mobile data even if you are not directly using the internet. Leaving apps open is very common and can happen to people who forget to close their apps properly and just merely push the home button after using the app.
You need to understand, apps that rely on the internet, such as mobile internet browsers, email apps, and social media apps, are always connected to the internet as long as they are open. That means that you will continue to use the internet indefinitely until you close them properly.
So, if you are on mobile data and forgot to close your background apps properly, you will only end up allowing those apps to eat up your mobile data without you even noticing. This exercise will eventually lead to high data use notifications even though you were unaware that your phone’s apps were using your data connection due to the simple mistake of not closing background apps.
Such a case is quite regular among older users who don’t understand that pushing the home button will not close the app, similar to how switching tabs on your computer will not close the previous tab or program.
How To Monitor Mobile and Limit Data Use
If you are always getting high mobile data use notifications on your phone or tablet, it is best that you find a way to properly monitor your data use so that you won’t end up paying more for your data use.
The best way of doing so is to put a mobile data limit on your phone. This process is available on almost any mobile operating system but is easier done on an Android device such as a Samsung or Google phone or tablet.
How To Monitor Mobile Data Use
If you are using an Android device, here is how to see how much data you are using:
- Open Your Android Phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Network & Internet.
- Tap Data Usage.
- Under “Mobile,” you’ll see how much total data you use.
If you are using an Apple device, here is how to see how much data you are using:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Cellular or Settings
- Tap Mobile Data
If you’re using an iPad, you might see Settings:
- Cellular Data instead
You can scroll down to determine which apps are using mobile/cellular data. If you want to stop an app from using cellular data, you can turn data off for that app. When your cellular data is off, apps will only use Wi-Fi for data.
To see your cellular data usage for individual System Services:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Cellular or Settings
- Tap Mobile Data
- Then scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap System Services
You can monitor individual System Services Cellular data but it can’t be turned on or off.
For Apple devices, you can view data usage statistics for an app from a current period. You can also view app data statistics for apps that use data when you are roaming.
How To Limit Mobile Data Use
If you are using an Android device, here is how to set up your data limit:
To set a data usage limit on a Google Pixel:
- Go to Settings and then select Network & Internet
- Tap Network & internet Data usage
- Tap Mobile data usage Settings
- If it’s not already on, turn on Set Data Limit. Read the on-screen message and tap ok
- Tap Data limit
- Enter a number
- Tap Set
To set a data usage limit on a Samsung device:
- Go to Settings
- Connections
- Tap Data Usage
- Tap on the Billing cycle and data warning
- Toggle on Set data limit.
- Tap on Data Limit and type in your new cut-off limit, if you tap on. you will be able to choose between MB to GB. Once complete, select Set to apply changes.
If you are using an Apple device, here is how to set up your data limit:
How to turn on Apple Low Data Mode
LTE/4G Cellular
- Go to Settings and tap Cellular
- Tap Cellular Data Options, then turn on Low Data Mode.
5G Cellular
- Go to Settings and tap Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data Options, select Data Mode, then turn on Low Data Mode.
Dual SIM
- Go to Settings and tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Tap one of your numbers.
- Turn on Low Data Mode.
Wi-Fi
- Go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Info button next to the Wi-Fi network that you’re connected to.
- Turn on Low Data Mode.
Your Low Data Mode preferences for Wi-Fi networks are kept up to date across all your devices through iCloud.
If you want to limit your mobile data use so that you no longer get those high mobile data, use notifications; here are some quick tips:
- Whenever there is an available Wi-Fi connection, use it. Wi-Fi should be the default way for connecting to the internet because most Wi-Fi plans offer you unlimited use even if they may not be as fast as mobile data.
- Make sure that you are closing background apps. Internet browsers and apps such as Facebook and Instagram should be closed if you are not using them because they will continue to eat your mobile data while they are running as background apps.
- Disable “auto-update apps” or make sure that you set the option to automatically update your apps if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network. Apps that are so large may end up eating plenty of gigabytes from your mobile data plan if you allow them to update on any kind of connection automatically.
References:
Reduce & manage mobile data usage – Google Fi Help
How to monitor and limit your data usage on an Android phone
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