Top 6 ways to keep data usage low this festive season
6 ways to keep data usage low this festive season.
The festive season is here and our priorities have shifted from work deadlines to taking selfies, uploading videos on social media. With so many apps running all at once on our smartphones, it’s easy for us to lose track of what’s using what. In addition to downloading Apps that can monitor your data usage, you can buy bundles and access offers from telecom operators.
Vodacom has compiled a list of tips to make sure your summer fun goes uninterrupted by excessive data usage.
1. Disable autoplay in Instagram, Twitter and Facebook settings: You’ll notice that videos and GIFs start playing as soon as they come up on your feed. Disabling this function in your settings will not only bring down your data usage, but will also lessen the clutter of multiple videos playing all at once.
2. Disable sync: Don’t be a workaholic – to help you resist the temptation of checking your emails and being labeled “antisocial”, we suggest you disable sync (you can do so in your accounts settings). By taking this courageous leap, you’ll restrict your phone from going online every few minutes to see if there are any new emails you need to be aware of.
3. Turn off automatic updates: Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for encouraging you to keep your apps up-to-date, as this ensures they run efficiently. Due to the massive size of some apps, make sure that you have enough data before running an update so that you don’t go out-of-bundle.
4. When in Rome, do as the roam-ens do: There’s nothing better than being abroad on a much-needed holiday. One thing you could do without, is a mammoth phone bill the size of your luggage list when you return. To avoid getting the wind taken out of your sails – jump onto Vodacom’s Travel Saver roaming plan by dialing 082 111. You can thank us later… or when you return.
5. Keep those apps in check: Our smartphones have become so self-conscious of how data-heavy they can be, that they allow us to monitor and control individual app data usage. By going to “data usage” in your settings, you will be able to view a list of apps and the amount of data they’ve used thus far. Great way to cut back on all that posting, #Justsaying.
6. *Tongue-in-cheek moment* buy data bundles: Whether you subscribe to a recurring monthly bundle, get a set amount from your contract or opt to buy when you need to, bundles are the way to go. Out-of-bundle rates can cost you a couple of selfie photos and some likes, so make sure to never find yourself in a situation where you’ve run out of data and are paying out-of-bundle rates.
Edited by Fundisiwe Maseko
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