It starts with a text at 7 a.m. Then, by the third cup of coffee, you’re uploading a massive batch of weekend photos. Lunch is spent reading stock forecasts on a tablet. Dinner is interrupted by a quest for the latest episode of Hell on Wheels.
Devices aren’t just tools. They are constant. And they are hungry.
We expect to burn through data when playing graphically intense games. Fruit Ninja (paid version) and Grand Theft Auto III sip about 25 MB each. That’s 2.5 percent of a standard 1 GB monthly plan. Hill Climb Racing is a different beast. It guzzles 100 MB. That’s 10 percent of that same plan.
But games are obvious drains. The real culprit is stealthier.
A March 2013 study by Actix, a mobile network analytics firm, found that 70 percent of data sessions on mobile networks are triggered by apps. These apps check for updates or push alerts automatically. Facebook. Twitter. Messaging services. They are the biggest offenders in this category of “chatty apps.”
Mobile ads are another drain. They average 1 percent of a typical smartphone data plan. This number is rising. Media-rich ads use 10 times the data of static ads.
So how do you know what’s left?
Whether you are burning through a cellular allowance or hitting a hard cap from your Internet carrier, you need to gauge the numbers. You should also check your available memory.
How Much Data Do You Have on Your Computer?
There are 2.4 billion Internet users globally. In the U.S., nearly eight out of ten people use the Internet regularly. The content they access is shared, tagged, and increasingly multimedia-heavy.
In 2007, video uploads to YouTube were negligible. By 2013, users were uploading 100 hours of video every minute.
You might not be uploading LOLCat videos, but you still need to track data usage on your computer. Monthly Internet data usage includes everything you send, receive, stream, download, or upload. This includes images, movies, photos, and files.
Exceed your monthly allowance and extra charges apply.
Plans vary. A middle-of-the-road plan typically caps usage at 150 GB per month.
That sounds like a lot. It is enough to download about 40,000 MP3s. Or transfer 35,000 12-megapixel images.
Consider the average household. In 2011, they used about 26 GB per month. Estimates suggested household rates would average about 84 GB a month by 2016. Well under the 150 GB cap.
Most providers let you view usage on their websites. Some offer email or text notifications when you approach thresholds. You can set these alerts in your account settings.
Alternatively, install a bandwidth monitor. Most are free downloads. Monitors exist for Windows, Mac, and Linux. They calculate daily, weekly, and monthly usage.
- Windows: Networx
- Mac: iStat Pro
- Linux: BandwidthD
Mac’s OS X includes a built-in tool called Activity Monitor. It lives in the utilities folder. It doesn’t show raw bandwidth numbers, but it offers a real-time look at total data consumption.
Keep in mind. These monitors only track the specific computer they are installed on. If you have multiple devices, you need multiple monitors.
Conduct a Memory Audit
While auditing data, check your memory. This is often called RAM.
PC users have a straightforward path. Right-click the My Computer icon. Select Properties. Open the system window. The General tab shows installed memory.
To see how much is in use, right-click the taskbar. Select Task Manager. Click the Performance tab.
Mac users have a different route. Click the apple icon in the upper left corner. Select About This Mac. This shows installed RAM.
To see usage, go to the utilities folder inside Applications. Open Activity Monitor. Click the System Memory button.
How Much Data Do You Use on Your Mobile Devices?
The next wave of connected tech is already here. We are looking at a boom in wearable mobile devices. Think Google Glass. Think Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch. These gadgets will eat data for breakfast. If you don’t track your consumption now, you will get hit hard. The habit starts today.
Carriers know this is coming. That’s why most offer alerts. You can log into your account to set thresholds. AT&T sends an email when you are close to the limit. Their message also reminds you that overages cost $20 per extra 300 MB. This pricing structure has been in place since at least October 2013. You can check usage on other devices by dialing *DATA#. Or download the carrier app. Verizon and Sprint have similar tools. Your monthly bill also tells the story. But you don’t have to wait for the bill.
Check your phone directly
Your device knows how much data it pulls. You just need to look.
For iPhone and iPad:
Go to Settings, then General, then Usage. You will see sending and receiving stats. Reset these numbers monthly. Or weekly if you want tighter control. The screen also shows which apps are memory hogs.
For Android:
Navigate to Settings, then Wireless & Networks, then Data Usage. You can see total usage. You can also set warnings and hard limits. This prevents surprise overages.
Third-party apps offer another layer of defense. Tools like 3G Watchdog, My Data Manager, and Onavo Count monitor traffic. They let you set custom warnings.
There is also a simple behavioral fix. Hop onto WiFi networks. Don’t rely solely on your carrier’s cellular network. This lets you play Candy Crush or watch Snapchat videos without costing precious data charges.
Smartphone Data FAQ
How many GBs does the average household use per month?
Latest stats from 2020 put the average household at 344 GB per month. That is a lot of data.
Is 50 GB enough for one month?
If you only work from home with limited usage, 50 GB should suffice. But streaming video eats bandwidth. A three-hour movie consumes significantly more data than browsing.
How do you know how much data you have left?
Check your phone settings. Your sim card service provider also tracks this. You can view weekly or monthly usage directly on the device.
How many hours does it take to use 1 GB of data?
If you surf the internet 24/7, 1 GB lasts about 12 hours. You can watch a two-hour movie. Or listen to 200 songs. Heavy usage drains it fast.
Should cellular data be on or off?
Android users might burn through data quickly if cellular is always on. Turn it off when not in use. iOS allows more granular control. You can turn data on for specific apps. Keep it off for the rest.
We are entering an era where every device on your wrist or face is connected. The data bills will reflect that.
