Save data?

[Big Tee]

Hi, I'm on a very limited data plan and need to conserve as much data as possible. What pre installed factory apps I can uninstall or force stop to save data? Actually the only apps I need are my Watch dog and call blocker.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kate]

Every phone has different apps so it's hard to give a list. On many phones you can disable preinstalled apps so they wont run or use data, but you must root to uninstall preinstalled apps:
1. Go to your phones Settings menu.
2. Tap Apps (or Applications).
3. Go to the All tab, you might need to swipe right/left to get to it.
4. Scroll down to the app you want to disable and tap it.
5. If Force Stop can be chosen tap it first, then tap Disable.

Be careful as disabling some system apps could cause your phone to not function correctly.


To save on data:
Some apps use background data, which means they use data when you're not using the app. You can disable background data on an app by app basis so they wont use your mobile data when you're not using them. Some phones might not have this option though.

1. Go to your phones Settings menu.
2. Tap Data Usage
3. Scroll down to the app and tap it.
4. Scroll down and tap to check Restrict Background Data.

For some apps you wont get some updates/notifications after after doing this when you're not using that app. Also I believe that only shows apps that have already used data so with a brand new phone there might not be many apps listed yet.

Or you can disable all background data > Settings > Data Usage > Menu > Restrict Background Data. If Restrict Background Data is turned on here you wont have the option to disable it for each app as described above. There is also an option to turn off Auto Sync Data.

 

[Hadron]

In addition to those suggestions, you can simply turn mobile data off when you don't want to use it (I suggest this because in your post you don't mention anything that obviously needs a constant data connection amongst your essentials).

 

[Big Tee]

In addition to those suggestions, you can simply turn mobile data off when you don't want to use it (I suggest this because in your post you don't mention anything that obviously needs a constant data connection amongst your essentials).

Yes that is what I'm doing now but can't use my call blocker which I really need. Thanks

 

[Big Tee]

Every phone has different apps so it's hard to give a list. On many phones you can disable preinstalled apps so they wont run or use data, but you must root to uninstall preinstalled apps:
1. Go to your phones Settings menu.
2. Tap Apps (or Applications).
3. Go to the All tab, you might need to swipe right/left to get to it.
4. Scroll down to the app you want to disable and tap it.
5. If Force Stop can be chosen tap it first, then tap Disable.

Be careful as disabling some system apps could cause your phone to not function correctly.


To save on data:
Some apps use background data, which means they use data when you're not using the app. You can disable background data on an app by app basis so they wont use your mobile data when you're not using them. Some phones might not have this option though.

1. Go to your phones Settings menu.
2. Tap Data Usage
3. Scroll down to the app and tap it.
4. Scroll down and tap to check Restrict Background Data.

For some apps you wont get some updates/notifications after after doing this when you're not using that app. Also I believe that only shows apps that have already used data so with a brand new phone there might not be many apps listed yet.

Or you can disable all background data > Settings > Data Usage > Menu > Restrict Background Data. If Restrict Background Data is turned on here you wont have the option to disable it for each app as described above. There is also an option to turn off Auto Sync Data.

I have Verizon Moto G. I just noticed with my apps disabled, including my call blocker which in a must have, they appear to be running under the "running" category. Yes I know that if i stop an app it could cause trouble. There are so many to list, like Google Play services, Google Play games, Google Keyboard, Translate, com.qualcomm, etc.

So rather than list all the apps, can you tell me which ones would be safe to disable/remove?

Thanks for your help!

 

[kate]

I have Verizon Moto G. I just noticed with my apps disabled, including my call blocker which in a must have, they appear to be running under the "running" category.

If an app is disabled it shouldn't be running, you shouldn't even be able to see it's icon.

There are so many to list, like Google Play services, Google Play games, Google Keyboard, Translate, com.qualcomm, etc.

Don't disable Google Play, or the com.android com.qualcomm system stuff, but you can usually safely disable apps like

Google Books
Google Games
Google Movies
Google Music
Google Newsstand
Live Wallpapers

Some Verizon apps might be safe to disable, others might be needed.

 

[Hadron]

There are so many to list, like Google Play services, Google Play games, Google Keyboard, Translate, com.qualcomm, etc.

So rather than list all the apps, can you tell me which ones would be safe to disable/remove?

The problems with this request is:

a) there are a lot of apps which are safe to disable/remove, so what you are asking is for us to write a long list rather than you doing it

and

b) the list of apps installed depends on the device, software version & carrier, so we don't know all of the apps that come pre-installed on your device.

So I don't think there's any way we can give a comprehensive list. At best a few suggestions as @kate has done.

Can you not find a call blocker which doesn't require a continuous data connection? I'm not sure why that would be needed for the functionality, unless it relies on online list of spam numbers. (I have very few blocked numbers, and just use my phone app's blacklist for this, so have never used a dedicated call blocker app).

 

[Big Tee]

The problems with this request is:

a) there are a lot of apps which are safe to disable/remove, so what you are asking is for us to write a long list rather than you doing it

and

b) the list of apps installed depends on the device, software version & carrier, so we don't know all of the apps that come pre-installed on your device.

So I don't think there's any way we can give a comprehensive list. At best a few suggestions as @kate has done.

Can you not find a call blocker which doesn't require a continuous data connection? I'm not sure why that would be needed for the functionality, unless it relies on online list of spam numbers. (I have very few blocked numbers, and just use my phone app's blacklist for this, so have never used a dedicated call blocker app).

Hadron (A) I already stated "there are too many to list"! No I am Not asking "so what you are asking is for us to write a long list rather than you doing it" But to the contrary, "which ones would be safe to disable/remove?"

(B) Already stated Verizon Moto G. Yes Kate has already help me tremendously! I have Automatic Call Recorder and don't know of any that do not require data, but that would be nice! Lol

 

[Big Tee]

If an app is disabled it shouldn't be running, you shouldn't even be able to see it's icon.


Don't disable Google Play, or the com.android com.qualcomm system stuff, but you can usually safely disable apps like

Google Books
Google Games
Google Movies
Google Music
Google Newsstand
Live Wallpapers

Some Verizon apps might be safe to disable, others might be needed.

Thank you Kate for all you help!! You've answered all my questions! When I go to "running apps" even with data turned off, I see the MB/KB and below it I see like a clock running eg. 54:13. So this must mean it is a kind of timer but the app is not actually running. So my bad. Lol. Thanks again for all your help, you've been fantastic!

 

[svim]

For those Verizon branded apps or other system processes you can't disable or remove, you can still block their WiFi and cellular access by installing a firewall app. Droidwall is a really good one but it does require a rooted phone, NoRoot Firewall is functionally similar, and as the name conveys, doesn't require root. Either allow you to allow/block individual apps from having WiFi and/or mobile data access.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.greyshirts.firewall

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode.droidwall.free&hl=en

 

[Hadron]

Hadron (A) I already stated "there are too many to list"! No I am Not asking "so what you are asking is for us to write a long list rather than you doing it" But to the contrary, "which ones would be safe to disable/remove?"

My point was that there is a very long list of stuff you can disable or remove