8 tips to reduce your costs
The word Android in this article refers to all phones using Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as OS tho many of the settings may still be available in older versions of the OS as well. The Settings for iPhone are tested on iOS5.1. Turn off automatic E-mail Synchronization (Push)
Most phones are set to automatically check for and download new e-mails and calendar events as they pop into your inbox. But do you really need to receive them 24/7?iPhone: Open Settings – > Email ->Retrieve new Data ->Turn off Push, and select Manual
Android: Open Settings -> Accounts/Synchronization ->Choose an account (repeat if several) -> uncheck any Synchronization settings.
2. Turn off Push for every application
iPhone: Open Settings – > Notifications ->Turn off all notificationsAndroid: Open Settings -> Accounts/Synchronization ->Turn off Synchronization
3. Turn off before you close
4. Roaming
Using internet on your providers net, might not be all that expensive. Here, in Norway most people have some sort of data-usage plan in their account. But in other countries (and especially if you go abroad or connect to a different carrier) this may be very expensive. According to my research, using Roaming Services in the USA may cost you as much as $25 pr. MB which needless to say, will become very expensive.iPhone: Open Settings -> General -> Network -> Turn off Roaming
Android: Open Settings -> More ->Mobile Network ->Turn off Roaming
You may also turn off national roaming to avoid using internet on other carriers than your provider.
5. Only use internet or mobile data, when you need to
Data-Usage isn’t just about internet. Messages containing pictures, sound, video etc. (MMS – Multimedia Messages) may also use a lot of MB to download. You may want to control when and where you receive MMS.iPhone: Open Settings -> General -> Network -> Turn off MobileData
Android: Open Settings -> Data Usage ->Turn off MobileData
Windows Mobile: Settings -> mobile network -> change Date roaming options to “don’t roam”
NOTE! Turning off MobileData does not prevent your phone from downloading MMS via WiFi networks.
6. Use your brains
If your account does not include a data-plan. Make sure you avoid Internet dependent functionality when you are not connected to a Wireless Network (WiFi).7. Deactivate Purchase Functionality for apps
The other day I read a story about a father who let his kid play games on his iPhone. He had downloaded a free game, where the object was to collect berries to reach new levels or get items enhancing the game. When running low on “Berries”, the children could get more berries by clicking a button. What they didn’t know was that each time they clicked the button, the purchase was registered using the VISA card registered in their father’s iPhone Store Account. Making a short story shorter, they managed to buy berries for about $2000 before their father got wind of it.iPhone: Open Settings -> General -> Restrictions ->Turn off In App Purchase
Android: Open “Google Play” -> Open the Menu -> Settings ->Check “Use personal Code for Purchase”. On “Google Play” you are not required to register your creditcard to create an account. If you haven’t done that, this option will not be available.
8. Keep Track of and control Background Data Traffic for each APP
Open Settings -> Data Usage
Scroll down the page to show each installed App and their use of data (both in and out).
Click on an App that use too much data traffic. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Check the option to limit background data use to WiFi only.
Now it’s your turn…
Should you have any useful tips of your own, don’t hesitate to share them with us in the comments below.
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© Windows Guides, 2012. Rich Robinson | Reduce Your Phone Bill by Controlling Data Usage [How to]
© Windows Guides, 2012. Rich Robinson | Reduce Your Phone Bill by Controlling Data Usage [How to]