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TechGuide
This is how you keep your data usage under control
Especially if you have a limited plan and don’t want to pay extra.
12.04pm, 1 Apr 2015
23.5k
43
NOBODY EVER WANTS to go over their data limit.
With some data plans being rather small and others pushing the unlimited angle when they’re really not, it’s good to keep tabs on how much data you use per month and whether the plan you have suits your needs.
How easy it is to keep tabs depends on the device you have. Android and Windows Phone users already have a data usage tracker built in – Data Usage or Data Sense depending on which OS you’re using – allowing you to set limits and warns you when you’re approaching it.
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Android
Android
What limit you place and when the warning happens is up to you, but it’s a handy method if you’re regularly going over your data cap and need a way of curbing it.
If you’re an iPhone user, you can only check how much data you’re used over a given period. This is more a rough estimate than anything else and you would have to reset the stats every month if you want accurate results.
iOS
iOS
If you want something similar to Data Usage or Data Sense, you could use an app like My Data Manager to keep tabs on your usage and ensure you don’t go over your allowance.
There is one advantage to iPhone and that’s how easy it is to limit which apps have access to mobile data. This is particularly useful when you’re close to reaching your limit and you want to prioritise the important apps instead of ones that may look for updates like the App Store.
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It’s a funny thing that the amount of data Vodafone says I use and the data usage app says I use are always very different.
One guess which one is higher ??
It’s always funny how vodafone have an advert on this story even they ate a complete rip off company. I called them the other day to ask if I could avail of the new deal for €55 which offers unlimited calls and texts, 100 international minutes and 5g data. I pay €55 for unlimited calls, texts with 3g of data. I told them I am with them over 10 years but they said “sorry sir its for new customers only” that makes sense right, give the new customer 2g extra for the same price as the old reliable fool pays. Not anymore, all my friends are leaving them, as will I be upon termination of that contract. Jokeaphone.
I’m in the same boat as you. I just upgraded to the s5 and my old iPhone never used more than 2gb. New phone burns the full 3gb in 3 weeks and they won’t let me avail of that offer. Shafting old customers
@ gonzo doyle dont get the 55€ with 35€ you can have 100 free mins of texts and calls and hust get 100 Mins worldwide for 4.99€ any Vodafone store will do it.
20 quid top up for unlimited data, unlimited weekends unlimited texts and unlimited calls to own network and 20 quid to spend on international and midweek other network calls! What’s not to love?
Paying about €50 a month for an O2/3 package that gives me 500 minutes and 500 texts, If I use 100 of each a month I’m doing well, 400 mins/texts are unused. Was considering dumping iPhone entirely but might just go pay as you go now.
With Vodafone, pay 30 eur a month (Red package, pay as you go) and get unlimited calls and texts to any network, 100 minutes of international calls and 3GB of data. This also ties in with a subscription pack I have with them so get an extra 500 Mb of data as well. Perfect for me anyway!
@alan are you sure you get free calls and texts with Vodafone…??i know with my supposed upgrade to fibre broadband unfortunately with same company thought I had so many calls free in landline….not so….my bill went from 45 to 54 to 52…(no calls made in landline).they must think they have free reign to my bank account…oh im still waiting for call back frm them….must be two weeks now….roll on end of contract
My voda price plan gives me a 5gb data allowance per month. Yet somehow I always get a warning saying I’m reaching/have reach my usage limit and will be charged for going over.
I almost always use wifi and rarely need to use my data. Don’t download and rarely stream through data so it boggles my mind how the hell I’m supposedly using so much!
Think you have it the wrong way around, it’s not because we’re poor, it’s because were not stupid enough to blindly hand over hundreds of extra euros for something that my more realisticly priced phone can match in nearly every area,if not all areas.
I pay £12.90 a month with Three for unlimited data, 200 mins and Ultd texts. It’s brilliant. Cant believe these companies who offer 1GB 2GB plans. Especially now that 4G is out and streaming is becoming more and more popular. You’d use 2GB in minutes.
It is Joe sorry. The SIM only deals here are ridiculously cheap although I heard anyone wanting to avail of my tarriff will have to pay £15 from now on. Still a good deal!!
Listen up all you iPhone users out there ….if Android and iPhone were in a fight Android would eat it for breakfast and sh!t Apple pie………have a nice day ….
Oh and here’s a crude tip.
If data usage is really crucial, fill your phone with music. You’ll get a warning about the amount of storage space if an app decides to go downloady…
I’m with VF constantly busting 2gb of data and bills are allways x3 times above the agreed monthly.
Found a free app called opera mini and it keeps the data usage to a minimum , makes a big difference to the bill.
3 for me next term.
Never, ever get one of those Meteor mobile internet ubs fobs. I got one with a plan of €10 per month for 20gigs. One particular month I must have watched a youtube video too many and used 26 gigs. Guess what my bill was?
€146. That’s right. That extra 6 gigs cost me €136. Unbelievable!
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