---
title: "Tips to reduce your mobile data usage"
description: "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."
url: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/help/mobile/tips-reduce-mobile-data-usage"
canonical: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/help/mobile/tips-reduce-mobile-data-usage"
updated: "2026-10-04"
---

# 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.

1. **Connect to Wi-Fi when you can** - At home or work, make sure your phone joins Wi-Fi rather than staying on mobile data.
2. **Limit background data** - Turn off automatic app updates and background data for apps that don't need to refresh constantly.
3. **Lower streaming quality** - Reduce video and music streaming quality in each app's settings when you're on mobile data.
4. **Download instead of streaming** - Download music, podcasts or shows over Wi-Fi to play later.
5. **Turn off video autoplay** - Social media apps often play videos automatically, which uses data quickly.
6. **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.