Avoid Costly Overages: Master Data Usage Tracking on Android Devices

Check data usage to see which apps are the biggest offenders

By
Jon Fisher
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Jon Fisher
Editor
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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Published on March 19, 2025
Cloud with data usage indicator

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What to Know

  • Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage and tap any app for usage info.
  • Or, try a third-party app, like My Data Manager.
  • To prevent apps from using data in the background, enable Data usage > Data saver.

This article explains how to check data usage on an Android device and recommends some ways you can cut back to save data and battery life.

Instructions in this article apply to smartphones running Android 7 or newer.

How to Check Data Usage on Android

Follow these steps to find our how much data your apps are using on mobile connections and on Wi-Fi.

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Tap Connections.

  3. Tap Data usage.

    Tap Billing cycle and data warning on this screen to set the date when your plan resets the monthly billing cycle. This can give you more useful reporting based on your specific billing cycle.

  4. Tap Mobile data usage or Wi-Fi data usage, depending on what you want to check.

    Settings, Connections, and Data Usage screens on Samsung Galaxy phone

  5. The top of the screen displays your data usage for the current month (as determined by your billing cycle). Tap the date to see previous periods.

  6. Scroll down and tap any app to find out how much data it uses. This is also where you can control background data usage for each app.

    Data usage stats on Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Beware of unsecured Wi-Fi networks, such as those at coffee shops and other public locations where your privacy could be compromised. If you're used to using a laptop on public Wi-Fi, consider an alternative like turning your phone into a hotspot.

Third-Party Apps for Tracking Data Usage

Some apps, such as My Data Manager, provide additional ways to check data usage for mobile and Wi-Fi networks. This one lets you set up limits and alerts and tracks data usage in shared or family plans across multiple devices.

Tips for Reducing Data Usage

If your plan has a data limit, upgrading isn't the only way to control overages and save battery. Here are a few strategies for using less data:

  • Most carriers offer shared plans, so team up with your partner, a trusted friend, or family members to save some money.
  • Stop apps from sending or receiving data if they're running in the background. Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver. Tap the toggle to turn on Data saver.
  • Use Wi-Fi rather than mobile data when possible, like when you're at home or work.
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