With smartphones becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s crucial to know which apps are consuming more data in the background. Many of these apps keep running even when not in use, and you might not be aware of the data they’re consuming. Here, we will go through ten such apps that guzzle data in the background without warning.
Facebook: The Social Media Giant
Facebook is notorious for consuming data in the background. Even if you’re not actively using it, Facebook automatically refreshes to show you the latest updates, consuming a significant amount of data. Turning off the background data can save you a lot.
Moreover, Facebook’s auto-play video feature also uses a large amount of data. You can control this by changing the settings to play videos only when connected to Wi-Fi. CNET also recommends reducing the quality of the videos to lower data usage.
Instagram: A Picture-Heavy App
As a visually focused social media platform, Instagram is another major data consumer. The app automatically loads images and videos, leading to a high data usage. This is particularly true when you’re scrolling through your feed or exploring new content.
Like Facebook, you can adjust Instagram’s settings to limit its background data usage. Also, consider using Wi-Fi whenever possible to avoid consuming your cellular data.
Snapchat: The Quick Video Sharing Platform
Snapchat, with its focus on short, auto-deleting videos, is a major culprit for data usage. The app constantly refreshes in the background to load new snaps or stories. It also uses data for features like Snap Map and location services.
If you’re on a limited data plan, you might want to consider using Snapchat sparingly or only when Wi-Fi is available. Also, disable background data for Snapchat when not in use.
Spotify: The Streaming Music Service
Spotify, a popular music streaming app, can use a considerable amount of data, especially if you’re streaming in high quality. If you’re not careful, you could quickly burn through your data allowance.
One way to mitigate this is by downloading your favorite playlists or albums when connected to Wi-Fi. This way, you can listen to them offline without using any data.
Netflix: The Video Streaming Giant
Netflix is a data guzzler, especially when streaming in high definition. Watching a single movie can consume several gigabytes of data. And if Netflix is left to run in the background, it can continue using data without you realizing it.
You can control Netflix’s data usage in the app’s settings. Opt for lower video quality or download movies and TV shows when connected to Wi-Fi for offline viewing.
YouTube: The Video Content Mogul
YouTube, with its vast library of videos, can quickly eat up your data if you’re not careful. The app can keep running in the background, especially if you have YouTube Premium, which allows background play.
Consider changing the video quality settings or downloading videos when connected to Wi-Fi for viewing later without using data. You can also disable autoplay to prevent the app from automatically playing the next video.
Google Maps: Your GPS Companion
Google Maps, while incredibly useful for navigation, uses a significant amount of data. The app needs to constantly update maps and traffic information, which can use up your data quickly.
To save data, you can download maps for offline use when connected to Wi-Fi. This way, you can navigate without using any data. Also, consider turning off the traffic layer when not necessary.
Tinder: The Dating App
Tinder, with its swipe-based interface, can consume a lot of data as it constantly loads new user profiles. This data usage is amplified by the app’s location services and chat functionality.
If you’re on a limited data plan, consider using Tinder sparingly when on cellular data. Also, disable background data for the app when it’s not in use.
Twitter: The Trending Information Source
Twitter, with its constant stream of short messages and embedded media, can use up data quickly. Like other social media apps, Twitter automatically refreshes in the background to show you the latest tweets.
Consider changing the settings to reduce the quality of images and videos, and turn off auto-play videos. You can also limit Twitter’s background data usage to save data. Quora has a great discussion on managing background data for apps like Twitter.
Being aware of these data-hungry apps is the first step towards better managing your data usage. By changing a few settings and habits, you can significantly reduce data consumption, saving your data for when you really need it. Remember, every bit of data saved is money in your pocket.