My data is going faster than expected

Phones love doing big jobs in the background the moment they get a connection.

The usual culprits

• Photo backup: iCloud Photos, Google Photos.
• App updates and system updates.
• Video: autoplay on social apps, streaming in HD.
• Background App Refresh.
• Hotspot: a laptop on your hotspot can use gigabytes. More.
• Offline map downloads.

Save data

iPhone

1. Settings → Mobile Service → kimsim → Data Mode → Low Data Mode.
2. Settings → General → Background App Refresh → off, or Wi-Fi only.
3. Settings → Mobile Service: scroll down and switch off mobile data for apps you don't need.

Android Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver → on. (Samsung: Connections → Data usage → Data saver.)

Save big downloads and backups for Wi-Fi.

Check what's left

My eSIMs shows it. The network reports usage with a 2 to 3 hour delay, so leave a little room. More. Running low? Top up.