On more recent versions of the operating system, all the way up until 2021's Android 12 release, you'll open that same Network & Internet section and then tap 'Mobile network' followed by 'App data usage.'.

On older Android versions, you'll want to open up the Network & Internet section, then tap a line labeled 'Data usage' and select 'Mobile data usage' on the screen that appears.

The specific steps you'll take from there can vary considerably based on what company made your phone and what version of Android it's running. You have to understand a problem before you can fix it, so start by heading into your system settings. Just follow the steps below, starting small and ending with the nuclear-level Android Data Saver option, and watch your wallet - or your company's appreciation - grow larger. The good news is that it's relatively easy to save data on Android without seeing much meaningful impact on your day-to-day experience.

In the former case, reducing your Android data usage could let you move to a cheaper level of service - while in the latter, every megabyte you save will directly lower your monthly bill. These days, mobile data is money - and if you don't optimize your phone to handle it intelligently, you're throwing dollars down the drain.Īfter all, whether you have a plan with a monthly data cap or a setup where you're billed for the data you use, you're essentially paying for all the virtual info you transmit over your carrier's network.

How to get rid of data usage