Tip 1: Turn off apps running in the background
Some apps might be running without your knowledge, open in the background and consuming data. Depending on your device’s operating system, you can check to see which apps are running, and turn off whatever you’re not using.
• For iPhone, press the Home button twice. Press down on the app you’d like to close until a red circle with a minus sign appears. Tap this sign to close the app.
• For Android, press and hold the Home button, or select Settings > Application Menu. Select the app you want to disable, and press Force Stop
• For Windows Phone, hold down the Back button. To close an app, click it and then select Quit.
• For BlackBerry, hold down or swipe up from the BlackBerry button or symbol. Scroll to the app you’d like to close, and select Exit/Close or select the “X” at the bottom right corner of the app you want to close.
Tip 2: Defer software and app updates for Wi-Fi
Software and apps require updates. But rather than allowing updates to happen wherever you are, automatically, set your smartphone so that the updating only occurs when you’re connected to the internet over Wi-Fi. To do this, most devices will have a setting for how and when updates occur.
• For Android: On your device go to Play Store and tap Settings. Make sure that Auto Update Apps is checked (if you prefer), but most importantly, check the Update Over Wi-Fi Only box.
• For iOS: Apps will not update automatically, you have to do this when updates are available. However, just make sure that before you update, your iOS device is connected to Wi-Fi and you’ll be golden.
• For BlackBerry: Same as iOS, updates must be done manually. Just make sure you connect to a Wi-Fi network before updating.
• Windows Phone: The Store tile will show that there are updates to your apps. As with iOS and BlackBerry, jus make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi before updating.
Tip 3: Adjust frequency of updates
Similar to Tip 2, you can adjust the frequency of app and software updates; as well, you can also set quality settings that affect file size (for example, when downloading or uploading photos). Easy ways to cut back on automatic data usage include:
• Disable the ability of cloud storage or online photo albums from automatically backing up your files.
• Disable subscribed podcasts and other web feeds from automatically downloading new files and episodes.
• Prohibit social media apps from automatically checking for new updates and posts from your contacts and friends.
Tip 4: Track your usage
It goes without saying, but the easiest way to manage your data usage is to track it. Rogers allows you to do this with its simple, free Rogers My Account app. With it you can view how much data you have used and how much you have remaining for that month (note: data usage records are delayed for 48 hours).
Download the Rogers My Account app from your OS’s app store or, for additional options, you can also sign up for a My Rogers account on rogers.com/myrogers to monitor your usage online.
In addition to the free My Account app, your smartphone may come equipped with some great data tracking tools as well. Check your device’s settings menus for native tracking features. Many Android devices, for example, will show data usage for individual apps and allow you to see data used between dates you can set.