Data usage

[javissdaviss]

Hi there,
I'm new to the android platform, and the HTC One M8 is my first ever android handset.
I've only got 1GB of mobile data on my pay monthly price plan (it's the most i can afford), and i'm quite worried about using too much and incurring HUGE charges from my provider.
I'm trying to limit the amount of data usage that occurs that i'm not aware of.
The settings are all still a bit confusing to me at the moment!
Does restricting background data or restricting their background refresh to longer intervals on facebook or twitter etc. mean that i won't receive notifications as and when they happen? For example, if i have my background refresh (noth sure what the setting is actually called on the app) setting set to every 2hrs, will i only receive all of my notifications every 2 hours and push notifications? or will they still come through in real-time?
Any advice on reducing data usage, preferably whilst keeping real-time push notifications?

 

[mruno]

You are correct, putting your background refresh to two hours will delay your notifications for data based apps.
Check out this article on how to save data: 11 ways to trick Android into using less data - CNET
Set a mobile data limit: How to set a data usage limit on Android phone or tablet - PC Advisor

 

[swerver32]

Notifications won't break your data plan. Streaming audio, or worse, video, will. Notifications, facebook, email, internet browsing, etc. are peanuts compared to streaming.

 

[swerver32]

Check system > data usage, it will show you how much is being used and give you a list of apps with their usage so you can identify any problem apps.

 

[SolApathy]

Notifications won't break your data plan. Streaming audio, or worse, video, will. Notifications, facebook, email, internet browsing, etc. are peanuts compared to streaming.

It's not the notifications, It's the data that downloaded that triggered the notification, like that email with a large attachment, or MMS spam, Whatsapp, images or video downloads, etc.


Streaming definitely impacts it a lot more, especially on a limited plan with 1GB. It's a light snack for netflix or youtube.

 

[mucanan]

I'm also new to android and the htc one m8 is my first android phone.

my main issue is data usage. with the iphone 4 i barely used more than 10mb per day, but with the htc i can't seem to use less than 20mb.

it's not that i'm using more internet, but i think that the same apps in android use more data.

for example, there are some apps (mailbox, pocket, easy taxi) that i normally used with the iphone and didn't consume much internet (less than 1mb with light tuse), but with the m8 they consume at least 2mb with the same light use.

can anyone help me figure out what's going on?

thanks

 

[mruno]

This fairly long winded article should help you: How to Minimize Your Android Data Usage and Avoid Overage Charges

 

[nstg8r]

One thing I learned the hard way; don't use Speedtest.net (app or website) to test your data speeds unless it's on WiFi. When I first got my phone after switching to Verizon from Sprint, I tested the 4G a couple times in a few different places just to compare. I was at 70% of my data usage for the month (1GB) just from that.