10 Best Ways to Reduce Data UsagePo

10 Best Ways to Reduce Data Usage

Pokemon Go will require a Strong Wi-Fi or network connection to play. Unless you have an Unlimited Data Plan or expect to play only in areas where Wi-Fi is available, you will need a Data Plan to play Pokemon Go. Your phone will also need to meet certain requirements.

Pokemon Go can average anywhere from 2MB - 8MB+ of data per hour, dependent on a variety of gameplay factors (Eg. Battling, Capturing, Walking).

Based on this information, if half of a 2GB data plan is allocated to playing Pokemon Go, users can reasonably expect to play four to six hours per day without an any issue. If Pokemon Go is played for more than six hours per day, an upgraded data plan may be needed.

New to Pokémon Go? Check out the Pokémon Go Beginner's Guide.

The main purpose of this article is to enable users to enjoy Pokemon Go without having to constantly monitor Data usage. Every Pokemon Go Trainer should be able to travel the world freely without fear of exceeding data limits. Fortunately, there are many ways Data usage can be reduced or limited.

Best Ways to Reduce Data Usage

#1. Download Applications and Updates only Using Wi-Fi
Before downloading any Apps or Software Updates, ensure that your mobile device is signed on to a WiFi network. The average download size of a gaming application is 50MB (Approximately 2.5% of a 2GB plan). While one App download does not need like much, multiple App downloads and updates can really put a dent into your data.

On iPhones, the best way to ensure Apps only update on Wi-Fi is to turn off the Wi-Fi assist feature. When a Wi-Fi signal is low the “Wi-Fi Assist” switches to using Mobile Data. To turn off Wi-Fi assist first go to Settings and then select Cellular. Then simply scroll to the bottom of the list and turn off Wi-Fi Assist.

If you have an Android, go to settings and under the General list, choose “Update Apps automatically only through Wi-Fi”. This will ensure your phone does not use mobile data for automatic updates.

Alternatively you can go the Google Play Store App, select the Menu Icon, then choose Auto-update Apps. Then simply select auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only. Again, this will ensure that updates will only occur when connected to Wi-Fi.




#2. Play Only in Areas where Wi-Fi is Available
If you do not have a mobile data plan or if your data allotment has already been met for the month, play in Wi-Fi zones as a last resort. If your signal is strong enough, you may be able to play Pokemon Go around your house.

If local Wi-Fi is not sufficient, common areas that provide free public Wi-Fi include Universities, Cafes, Coffee Shops, Airports, Hotels, Libraries, Subway Stations and Restaurants. You can also search on Google for “Wi-Fi Near Me” or download the WiFi finder app from the Google play store. Unless you live in a very rural area, Wi-Fi will be relatively easy to find.



#3. Set a Data Limit
Users will have different data needs and limits. Every individual should know how many GB he or she can use each month and then set a daily or weekly target to ensure this limit is not exceeded. For example, if a user has a 4GB monthly limit he or she should set a 1GB per week limit. Once that 1GB has been used, mobile data should not be used until the beginning of the second week.

To stay on track, data usage can be checked once or twice a week. Even better, a mobile data limit can be setup. This will automatically disable the mobile data connection once a certain amount of usage has been reached. For those who often exceed their limit, this is a great tool to use.

Set Data Limit on Android
For Android users, setting your data limit is simple and easy. Go to Settings, and under Wireless & Networks select Data Usage. Next, select the Data Usage Date Cycle drop down. This will allow you to select the date range of the data use (Should be the same period your billing cycle starts and ends).

After doing this, turn on "Mobile Data", "Limit Mobile Data Usage" and "Alert Me About Data" Usage".

The next step is to set the data usage limit. Drag the orange line to a data level you would like to be warned at (Example: One week into monthly cycle = 1GB limit). As soon as you hit the 1GB limit you will be notified. You can also touch the line and it will give you the pop up box option to Set the Data Usage Limit to a specific number. After choosing your limit in the pop up box press “Set”.

Once the limit is set you will receive an automatic notification as soon as the set data usage limit is reached.


Set Data Limit on iPhone
For iPhone users, you will have to rely on your cellular provider if you need notifications when data limits are reached. Many cellular providers offer free Apps that will send alerts when 75% or 100% of data has been reached. Apps can also be bought from the App store or if an iPhone has been jailbroken, Jailbroken Apps may also be an option.

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