The end of the month is looming and you receive those dreaded notifications that you’ve almost used up your data allowance… again.
Now you’re faced with either trying to ration the last precious gigabyte until your plan resets, buy an extra data pack… or suffer the expensive consequence of extra data charges.
Most of us have been there. Around half of Australians (that’s 46%!) are almost maxing out their mobile data each month.
With web browsing, hours of scrolling through social stories, and streaming videos and music, making your data last until the end of the month can feel like a major challenge.
But here’s the thing. No matter how frugal you are, your apps will keep running in the background, scoffing data without you even realising.
The good news is you can take back control of your data in a few easy steps. All you need to do is restrict background data on your phone to cut off any sneaky data usage.
Read on to find out how background data works, how to restrict background data on your Android or iPhone, plus some extra tips to save your mobile data pack and money.
What is background data?
Background data is the data an app consumes when you’re not actively doing anything with the app.
Mobile apps use data in the background to keep content updated and provide you with real-time updates, such as social media notifications.
The problem is if an app can't connect to a Wi-Fi network, it will use your mobile data plan to do these updates. As a result, background data usage can burn through your monthly data plan even when you’re not actively using the apps.
Most apps use data, but some devour background data more than others. The biggest culprits? Social media and
streaming apps, like YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitch, Instagram and Spotify.
For example, Spotify uses background data to load the next songs on your playlist, so you can keep streaming your favourite tunes without the annoying buffering.
The other type of data usage is foreground data. Unlike background data, foreground data is consumed when you’re actively using an app, like when you’re streaming a video on YouTube or posting on TikTok.
Why should you restrict background data?
When you restrict background data, it means you are preventing an app from running in the background when it's not actively in use. It doesn’t disable the app or stop it from working properly when you want to use it.
Restricting background data limits an app’s ability to refresh when not in use. So, instead of opening the app and immediately seeing the latest content, you’ll need to wait a moment for the freshest content to load.
The biggest benefit of restricting background data is how much data you’ll save. Think of data saved as money saved – if you have a fixed monthly data plan, you won’t need to worry about excess data charges because apps have burnt through your data.
Background data usage can also drain your battery. If you always need to charge your battery, this could be one of the reasons why. So by restricting background data, you can save your battery life too.
How do you restrict background data on your mobile device?
There are two ways to restrict background data on iPhone and Android devices:
Depending on your device, follow these quick steps:
How to restrict background data on Android devices
One way to restrict background data on Android is with the Data Saver mode. This stops all apps from using background data when the apps are not actively being used.
Note: The process can be slightly different depending on the Android device.
To restrict background data on an individual app basis, follow these steps:
Step 3. Choose which app you want to restrict background data, tap on the app and disable Background data.
How to restrict background data on iOS devices
iOS devices give you a few different options to restrict background data:
Wi-Fi & Mobile Data allows apps to refresh data in the background when you’re connected to either mobile data or Wi-Fi.
What are the benefits of restricting background data on your mobile device?
It's easy to restrict background data and scale down your mobile data usage. Chances are, you won't notice the difference in your day-to-day use. You will, however, notice the difference on your mobile plan.
Here are three top benefits to restricting background data:
Help you take control of your mobile plan and budget: By restricting your mobile data, you can get through the end of the month without paying overcharges or suffering bill shock.
How to monitor your data usage to stay within your monthly limit
Even when restricting background data, it’s worth keeping on top of your data each month. By monitoring your mobile data, you can work out whether you’re on the right phone plan, and make a more informed decision about
which plan might be better for you.
Most telcos offer an app that allows you to monitor your phone’s data usage and other account details.
For example, the Circles Life app lets you keep track of your monthly data usage.I f you really need more data, you can add on a data boost at the tap of a button.
Tips for reducing your overall data usage, even with unrestricted background data
Whether at home, work, or uni, make the most of Wi-Fi so you don’t have to use your mobile plan data. If your home has unlimited data, you can do this guilt-free!
While you’re on Wi-Fi, download your favourite playlists to avoid streaming with mobile data while you’re on the go. A little planning goes a long way!
Videos are the worst culprits for draining data, but it’s even more annoying when you didn’t ask to see the videos in the first place. The good news is it’s easy to turn off autoplay, but you do need to go into the individual apps.
In the Facebook Android app, go to Settings & Privacy → Settings → Media.
Here, you’ll find controls to keep videos from playing on their own (and while you're there you can reduce the size of images and videos too).
On YouTube, go to Autoplay and disable Autoplay next video.
FAQs about restricting background data
Foreground data is used when you directly interact with your apps, while background data is used by apps even when they’re closed and not being used.
The purpose of background data is to keep your app content updated, so when you open an app, the newest content is ready for you.
Almost all apps are using background data, but the biggest culprits are social media apps, streaming apps, and any other apps that want to keep you updated.
The most data-hungry apps are social media apps like Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, because they are designed to give you instant content updates, notifications, video autoplay, and ads.
When you restrict background data, you will typically stop getting push notifications from your apps. However, on iOS, if you have chosen to restrict background data to Wi-Fi only, you will get push notifications when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, but not on mobile data.
If you’re in the market for a new mobile plan that’s going to give you more bang for your buck and tons of data, check out our
Circles Life mobile plans today.
Switch to Australia’s Most Trusted Mobile Plan Provider
50GB
For the first 6 months**
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
10GB
For the first 1 month*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB
100GB
For the first 6 months*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
160GB
For the first 6 months*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
**Offer ends 29/04/2024 at 15:00 AEDT. All for use in Australia. Personal use only and not a broadband replacement. Plans auto renew every month. Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB. Data will not expire while plan remains the same, but may be lost if plan is upgraded or downgraded. On selected plans only. T&Cs apply, refer to our Critical Information Summaries and General Terms.
*Offer ends 01/05/2024 at 15:00 AEDT. All for use in Australia. Personal use only and not a broadband replacement. Plans auto renew every month. Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB. Data will not expire while plan remains the same, but may be lost if plan is upgraded or downgraded. On selected plans only. T&Cs apply, refer to our Critical Information Summaries and General Terms.
Switch to Australia’s Most Trusted Mobile Plan Provider
50GB
For the first 6 months**
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
10GB
For the first 1 month*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB
100GB
For the first 6 months*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
160GB
For the first 6 months*
- eSIM now available
- No-lock in contracts
- Free delivery and fast setup
- Unlimited calls and text
- Now with Data Rollover
Data rollover lets you carry over any unused data at the end of the month, over to your next month.
**Offer ends 29/04/2024 at 15:00 AEDT. All for use in Australia. Personal use only and not a broadband replacement. Plans auto renew every month. Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB. Data will not expire while plan remains the same, but may be lost if plan is upgraded or downgraded. On selected plans only. T&Cs apply, refer to our Critical Information Summaries and General Terms.
*Offer ends 01/05/2024 at 15:00 AEDT. All for use in Australia. Personal use only and not a broadband replacement. Plans auto renew every month. Roll over your unused base data monthly and build up to a massive 500GB. Data will not expire while plan remains the same, but may be lost if plan is upgraded or downgraded. On selected plans only. T&Cs apply, refer to our Critical Information Summaries and General Terms.
