Data usage is entirely dependent on your device's settings and your usage habits.
If you notice that your eSIM’s data is being consumed too quickly, this guide can help you optimize your device’s data usage.
How to check your data usage
You can check which apps are using the most data on your device — this is usually done in the device’s settings.
How to check and limit data usage on iOS devices
You can check your data usage on iOS devices — you can also turn off data usage for specific apps from your settings.
- Go to Settings > Cellular.
- Scroll to the section labeled “Cellular Data for…” your active eSIM.
- Check which apps are using lots of data.
- Turn off data for apps, as needed.
How to check data usage on Samsung devices
You can check your data usage on Samsung devices from your settings.
- Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage.
- Scroll to your active eSIM and tap select Mobile data usage
How to check data usage on other Android devices
You can check your data usage on Android devices from your settings.
- Go to SETTINGS and tap NETWORK & INTERNET.
- Tap SIMs and select your active eSIM.
- Scroll down until you see APP DATA USAGE and tap on it.
Steps may vary depending on your device model.
How to reduce data usage
The following practices can help you save data and make your eSIM last longer.
- Turn off data when you’re not using your device. Turn on cellular data only when you need to be online. Turning it off at other times prevents unnecessary background data usage.
- Avoid hotspotting. Sharing data via a hotspot consumes your mobile data plan. If you've shared your connection, this could be the reason for high data usage.
- Limit data-heavy activities. Streaming videos, casting presentations, or printing documents using mobile data can quickly deplete your plan. Opt for Wi-Fi networks for these activities whenever possible.
- Use a browser with data compression. Browsers like Google Chrome and Opera Mini can compress content before sending it to your phone, reducing data consumption by up to 50% and 90%, respectively.
- Download content offline. For apps like Google Maps, Netflix, or YouTube, use the option to download maps, movies, or music while on a Wi-Fi network. This way, you can access them offline without using your mobile data.
- Turn off account sync. Automatic account sync for apps like Google or Facebook can consume data unnecessarily. Turn off this feature for apps that you don't need to sync constantly.
How to reduce data usage on iOS devices
- Turn off Wi-Fi Assist. This feature automatically switches to cellular data when your Wi-Fi connection is weak. While convenient, it can lead to unexpected data usage. To turn it off:
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Scroll down and turn off Wi-Fi Assist.
- Turn off automatic app updates. App and system updates can consume a large amount of data. Configure your device to download updates only via Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > Apps > App Store and turn off the Cellular Data option for Automatic Downloads.
- Adjust iCloud Drive settings. If your iCloud Drive is set to use mobile data, it can consume a lot of data to sync files. To turn this off:
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Scroll down and turn off the iCloud Drive option.
- Turn off Mobile Data for photo sync apps. Apps like iCloud Photos or Google Photos can automatically sync your photos and videos, consuming a lot of data. To turn off data usage for these apps:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Tap on the desired app's icon (e.g., iCloud or Photos).
- Turn off the Mobile Data option for that app.
How to reduce data usage on Android devices
- Turn off background data usage. Many apps continue to use data in the background to send notifications, fetch updates, or sync information. Disabling this can save a lot of data.
- Turn off automatic app updates. Just as with iOS, automatic app updates via mobile data consume a lot.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Go to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps.
- Select Over Wi-Fi only.
- Set a data usage limit. Android allows you to set a data limit. Once your usage reaches this limit, mobile data will be automatically turned off, preventing further charges.
- In Settings > Data usage, you can configure a data usage warning and a data limit.
We hope these tips help you better manage your data usage. If you need any more help, our support team is here for you. We’re available 24/7 and happy to help.