djinncoyote (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
djinncoyote) wrote2019-07-12 12:26 am
djinncoyote) wrote2019-07-12 12:26 am
Minimizing data usage on Android Nougat (7.1.1)
As I have a limited data plan (250 MB per month) on my phone, I try to minimize unnecessary/unwanted data usage.
In the past, I kept data turned off except when I wanted to look something up, as otherwise Google Play (and other processes that I couldn't control) would eat up a lot of data, simply checking for available app updates and such.
But now it's possible to prevent Google Play from using cellular data (so that it will only check for updates when connected to WiFi), and I can keep data turned on all the time.
These are my settings:
- Data Saver is always turned ON.
- Settings / Apps / [Gear icon / Settings ] / Special Access / Unrestricted Data Access
(or: Settings / Data Usage / Data Saver / Unrestricted data access)
On this screen, I've turned unrestricted data OFF for all apps except for: Carrier Services, Messages, and Motorola Notifications.
- I have multiple browsers installed. The following 2 let me disable Javascript and images by default (though I can override that if necessary), and I mainly use them when I'm not connected to a WiFi network.
Naked Browser
Yuzu Browser (see here for info on using & customizing Yuzu)
In my Firefox settings, under Data Saver, I've selected to Show Images "Only over Wi-Fi". I've also selected various other settings to minimize the browser's data usage, and I use the uMatrix add-on to limit 3rd party Javascript. This is the browser I mostly use when connected to WiFi.
I don't use Chrome much, but it also has a "Data Saver" option in its settings.
- I try to limit actions which will use a lot of data (such as downloading or updating apps, general internet browsing, and watching videos) to when I'm connected to WiFi.
- I generally don't use apps like Google Drive & Photos for uploading data to the cloud. If you do, make sure that they are configured only to do it while on WiFi (turn off unrestricted data access for them).
In the past, I kept data turned off except when I wanted to look something up, as otherwise Google Play (and other processes that I couldn't control) would eat up a lot of data, simply checking for available app updates and such.
But now it's possible to prevent Google Play from using cellular data (so that it will only check for updates when connected to WiFi), and I can keep data turned on all the time.
These are my settings:
- Data Saver is always turned ON.
- Settings / Apps / [Gear icon / Settings ] / Special Access / Unrestricted Data Access
(or: Settings / Data Usage / Data Saver / Unrestricted data access)
On this screen, I've turned unrestricted data OFF for all apps except for: Carrier Services, Messages, and Motorola Notifications.
- I have multiple browsers installed. The following 2 let me disable Javascript and images by default (though I can override that if necessary), and I mainly use them when I'm not connected to a WiFi network.
Naked Browser
Yuzu Browser (see here for info on using & customizing Yuzu)
In my Firefox settings, under Data Saver, I've selected to Show Images "Only over Wi-Fi". I've also selected various other settings to minimize the browser's data usage, and I use the uMatrix add-on to limit 3rd party Javascript. This is the browser I mostly use when connected to WiFi.
I don't use Chrome much, but it also has a "Data Saver" option in its settings.
- I try to limit actions which will use a lot of data (such as downloading or updating apps, general internet browsing, and watching videos) to when I'm connected to WiFi.
- I generally don't use apps like Google Drive & Photos for uploading data to the cloud. If you do, make sure that they are configured only to do it while on WiFi (turn off unrestricted data access for them).