Category: Data & Usage · Last updated 5 Oct 2026
Tips to reduce your mobile data usage
Practical ways to make your mobile data last longer, from Wi-Fi and streaming settings to finding the apps that use the most in the background.
A few simple habits can make a real difference to how much mobile data you use each month.
- Connect to Wi-Fi when you can At home or work, make sure your phone joins Wi-Fi rather than staying on mobile data.
- Limit background data Turn off automatic app updates and background data for apps that don't need to refresh constantly.
- Lower streaming quality Reduce video and music streaming quality in each app's settings when you're on mobile data.
- Download instead of streaming Download music, podcasts or shows over Wi-Fi to play later.
- Turn off video autoplay Social media apps often play videos automatically, which uses data quickly.
- Check what's using the most Review your phone's per-app data usage to spot anything unexpectedly high.
Text BAL to 179 to check how much data you've used this billing period.
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- Data & UsageHow to check your data usage and remaining balanceText 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.
- Data & UsageWhat happens when you run out of dataWhat happens when you reach your plan's included data, and your options for the rest of the month.
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