Managing and controlling your data usage

Managing your data

Keeping control of your data is an important way of staying on top of your costs – and we’ve got a few ways to help you.

Monitoring your data usage

We’ll always let you know when you’re getting close to your monthly data limit, and again when you’ve reached it.

You can keep an eye on your usage as you go using the My Vodafone app or by logging in to My Vodafone – so that you don’t have to worry about receiving these notifications.

It’s also useful to know which apps or features you use most of your mobile data on, so you can adjust the settings or usage. Most smartphones and tablets have an in-built data monitor which will show you where you’re using the most data.

Instructions depend on the make and model of your device but you can use these Apple and Android instructions as a guide:

Apple devices

Go to Settings and choose Mobile data. Then scroll down to Use Mobile Data for: where you can see how much data you use on each application.

Apple device guides

Android devices

Go to Settings and choose Data usage. Here you can see where you’re using the most data and choose to add data alerts.

Android device guides

Manage your app settings

You don’t want to stop using your favourite apps to save on data usage – and, fortunately, you won’t have to.

Here are some examples of popular apps, and how to adjust their settings to manage how much data they use – ideal if you’re running low, or want to avoid it.

If your music is eating up all your data try downloading playlists over WiFi and listening to them in ‘offline mode’. Go to Your library, followed by Settings and Playback to switch to offline.

Streaming quality also affects data usage – so to switch to standard quality and use less data, go to Your library, followed by Settings and Streaming quality. You can also adjust download quality and opt out of Download Using Cellular here.

Use less data to stream your videos by reducing their quality. Go to the menu, then choose Quality and switch to the lowest option available (this may vary on different operating systems). You can also restrict HD streaming to WiFi only connections.

These settings will stay in place on Android, but will need to be adjusted each time you use the Apple app. Android users should go to Settings, then General, then Limit mobile data usage. Apple users can go to Settings, then toggle the Play HD on WiFi only option to On.

Manage device settings

You can adjust the settings in your phone or tablet to use less data.

Switch off automatic updates to update only when you’re on WiFi

If you’re using too much data, switch off automatic updates.

Apple device – go to Settings, then General, then Background App Refresh. Then turn it off. You can still choose to keep it on for certain apps.
Android device – do this on an app-by-app basis. It doesn’t stop your apps refreshing when connected to WiFi. Go to Settings, then Data usage. You can see all the apps using data. Choose an app, then Restrict background data.

Use WiFi when you can

Make use of available WiFi networks and WiFi hotspots when you're out. WiFi Assist on iPhone can use data if it's constantly looking for WiFi networks. So you may want to switch it off and manually connect when you need to.

For auto back-up services like Dropbox or iCloud, choose the WiFi only option.

Switch it off if you don’t need it

Cut down how much you tether your phone or use it as a hotspot.

Turn off features when you don’t need them, like Location.

Turn off mobile data when you’re not using your phone, such as when you’re sleeping.

Other handy hints

Make use of available WiFi networks and WiFi hotspots when you're out and about. It's worth mentioning that WiFi Assist on iPhone can actually use up more data than you'd expect if it's constantly looking for, connecting to, and then disconnecting from WiFi. So you may want to switch it off and just manually connect to WiFi when you need it
For auto back-up services like Dropbox or iCloud, choose the WiFi only option
Limit how often you tether your phone or use it as a hotspot
Turn off features like Location unless you need to use them, to avoid using data
Switch mobile data off altogether when your phone isn't in active use – for example, if you leave it on overnight for your wake-up alarm.