---
title: "How to check your data usage and remaining balance"
description: "Text BAL to 179 to see how much data you've used, what's left and your banked data, plus the usage alerts we send as you get close to your limit."
url: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/help/mobile/check-data-usage-remaining-balance"
canonical: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/help/mobile/check-data-usage-remaining-balance"
updated: "2026-10-04"
---

# How to check your data usage and remaining balance

Text BAL to 179 to see how much data you've used, what's left and your banked data, plus the usage alerts we send as you get close to your limit.

The quickest way to check how much data you've used is by SMS, straight from your phone.

1. **Text BAL to 179** - Send a text message containing the word BAL to 179 from your Lightning IP mobile. It's free to send.
2. **Check the reply** - You'll receive an SMS showing how much of your plan's data you've used this billing period, along with your data bank balance.

## Using your phone's own usage tracker

Your phone's built-in data tracker is useful as a rough guide, but it may not exactly match our records, as it measures usage slightly differently. Setting its usage cycle to reset on the 28th of each month lines it up with your mobile billing period.

## Usage alerts

We'll also let you know as you use your data - you'll receive alerts when you've used 50%, 85% and 100% of your plan's included data.

Viewing your data usage in My Account is coming in a future update. For now, texting BAL to 179 is the most accurate way to check your balance.