Data saving--what to check?

[MoodyBlues]

After having 'unlimited everything' plans through AT&T since the last millennium, I switched to Consumer Cellular early this year. At first I had a 'phone call only, pay per call' plan. I just added a '250MB/unlimited text' package.

I've gone through obvious settings to make sure they're 'Wi-Fi only' (like auto-uploading photos). But I could use some guidance on what/where else to check.

My objective is to disallow any background/hidden data usage, only allowing actions (like web browsing) that I initiate myself.

I've stepped through system settings and some Google settings. What other things should I check? What might sneak up on me and use data silently?

PS for those who don't know: I'm in my house 99% of the time (no, not on house arrest!), and don't get useable signals indoors. Therefore, I have a landline that I use for calls, and keep my Android devices in airplane mode, using my Wi-Fi network for online stuff. So the only time I use my smartphone as a phone is when I go somewhere.

ETA: It's a Moto Z² Force Edition running Oreo 8.0.0.

 

[lvt]

Android Pie also has a Network Management page where you can explicitly allow or forbid an app from using your data.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Android Pie also has a Network Management page where you can explicitly allow or forbid an app from using your data.

View attachment 144434

Thanks...but bad me! I forgot to say I'm running Oreo.

 

[lvt]

Thanks...but bad me! I forgot to say I'm running Oreo.

What phone are you using btw?

 

[MoodyBlues]

What phone are you using btw?

I added it to my OP last night after realizing my faux pas: Moto Z² Force Edition, Oreo 8.0.0

 

[GameTheory]

I think one of the most effective ways is to disable auto sync while on your data plan. Actually disable it before switching to data and enable it after you're back on airplane mode/wifi. I think there's widgets on the play store that let you just click a button to enable/disable auto sync.

You can also set a very low warning in data usage. Maybe like 1mb or less.

There's most likely apps in the store that make managing data a breeze that should provide automation and one-click actions.

You seem to be doing all the right moves already. Airplane mode/wifi is probably the best and saves you a ton of battery since cell radios are off.

 

[lvt]

I added it to my OP last night after realizing my faux pas: Moto Z² Force Edition, Oreo 8.0.0

It seems that Verizon has a Pie update for their Z2 Force, not sure about other carriers.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It seems that Verizon has a Pie update for their Z2 Force, not sure about other carriers.

No, I posted about it in the Moto Z² Force board--only Verizons will get updated to Pie. And that contradicted an earlier statement from Motorola. Oh well!

 

[lvt]

No, I posted about it in the Moto Z² Force board--only Verizons will get updated to Pie. And that contradicted an earlier statement from Motorola. Oh well!

It's unfair.

Verizon subscribers will benefit a lot from Pie. According to my own observation, Pie is way lighter on system resources than the previous versions and it has tons of very useful settings specially developed for network and battery usages.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It's unfair.

Verizon subscribers will benefit a lot from Pie. According to my own observation, Pie is way lighter on system resources than the previous versions and it has tons of very useful settings specially developed for network and battery usages.

It is unfair, but I'm taking it in stride. But keep things in perspective! You're talking to a Linux [only] user, whose computers are running Kubuntu versions ranging from 6.10 to 14.04--the latest release being 19.04.

And, oh, did I mention my Android 5.1 phone I still use?

It would be nice to have the stuff you mentioned, but I'm fine with what I've got. I really love this phone (Z² Force), and for my purposes its performance gets no complaints from me. Since I tend to keep things a long time, I'll be using this for the foreseeable future!

By the way, when I actually left the house yesterday, I got to see where I needed improvement in fine-tuning things, so as not to unexpectedly use data. Overall, I'd say it was a success, but there's always room for improvement.