How to Check Data Usage on Personal Android Device

Internet connectivity is one of the most paramount human necessities. We need the internet for more than just chatting and having direct social media engagement, like checking news feeds. Now, most home appliances are connected through the IoT.

The Internet of Things is how you can carry most of the equipment in your house on your phone, car, or system. Apart from the IoT, an internet connection is needed for meeting needs outside the home, like file transfer, banking, remote service requests, etc. Seeing that the list is endless, it may not be a surprise if you exhaust your data quickly.

In this article, we are considering how you can check your data usage to pinpoint what is using up the most data on your device.

How to Check Data Usage on Android

Your data usage information is just a few clicks away. We have identified three primary ways for you to access this information. Follow through to pick the one best suited for you.

1Find Data Usage in Setting

Android phones come with a data usage feature that keeps track of how much data you are using. While many users may need to be made aware of this feature, we will show you below how to navigate your way to data usage on your Android phone.

Steps for Google Pixel and Most Android Devices

• Open the phone's Settings app.
• Click on Network & Internet.
• Tap on SIMs, Internet, or data usage.
• You should see your total data usage already or tap on Settings.
• Click on App data usage for more details like graphs and specific app data usage.

You can set the range you want for the graph by using the arrow pointing down. And you can check under the graph to see the specific data usage of your apps.

Steps for Samsung Mobile

• Open the phone's Settings app.
• Click on Connections.
• Tap on data usage.
• You should already see your total data usage.
• Click on Mobile data usage for more details like graphs and specific app data usage.

You can set the range you want for the graph by using the arrow pointing down. And you can check under the graph to see the specific data usage of your apps.

Steps for OnePlus/OPPO/Realme Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on the Mobile network.
• Tap on Data usage. You should see your total data usage for the month already.

Steps for Xiaomi Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on the Connection & sharing option.
• Tap on Data usage.

You should see your total data usage for today, or change the time frame using the up and down arrow.

2Check Data Usage from Wireless Carrier

Secondly, you can check your data usage through your carrier. Some carriers allow you to get your data by speaking with their customer care representative or via chat. Some others have a web or mobile app feature where you can access your data usage. This section will check seven of the most renowned wireless carriers and how they allow you to limit your data usage.

Xfinity

If you are an Xfinity home internet or cable subscriber, you can check your data usage on their website or mobile app. To use the website, log in to your account on the website. Then, select Monthly Data Usage under Your Plan. To use the app, launch the app and click on the internet. Navigate to Your Data Usage.

AT&T

This network provider allows subscribers to dial a code showing their data usage. Once you dial the code, you will get a message with the breakdown of your data usage and other details like data overage, following billing data, and data usage of different numbers on your family plan account. The code to use for AT&T is *3282#. (The code is equivalent to *DATA# on a telephone or contact keypad.) AT&T also allows subscribers to use their app to get data usage info.

Verizon

Verizon subscribers can also use a code to get a text message with the breakdown of their data usage. The code is #3282. If you wait after dialing the code, the code will also activate a verbal dictation of the message. Likewise, you can use the Verizon app to check your data usage and set data usage limits and alerts.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile automatically notifies subscribers once they have used 80% and 100% of their data. However, you can check your data usage anytime using #932#. (The code is equivalent to #WEB# on a telephone or contact keypad.) Additionally, you can check your data usage on the app.

Sprint

By simply dialing *4, you will get a verbal dictation of your data usage and other carrier info. However, you can follow the voice prompt to request your data usage as a text. You can also log in to the My Sprint website or download the app to get your data usage details.

Cricket

To check your data usage on Cricket, you have to log in to your account on the internet or download the myCricket app.

Boost Mobile

You can check your Boost Mobile data usage by login into your Boost Mobile Account or downloading the My Boost Mobile app.

3Remotely See Your Child's Data Usage of Android

Thirdly, you can use a third-party monitoring app to stay abreast of the data usage on any Android device. In this article, we recommend using AirDroid Parental Control. This app is reliable and easy to use. By linking it to any Android device, you can track everything happening on that device. It is a good fit for you if you have a child and want to know their data usage.

• Open AirDroid Parental Control and tap “Today 's Event.”

  

• Choose the period you want to check from the top: Daily or Weekly.

  

• Scroll down and you will see Cellular Data Usage.

  

The app can also help you to track child 's phone location, manage screen time and app usage, block inappropriate content and website, monitor kid 's live screen and phone surroundings, etc. Don 't hesitate to download today. You will have 3 days free trial for full features.

What Activities Use the Most Mobile Data?

To know the activities that use the most mobile data on your device, you can check the specific app usage of your device. However, a few actions can take a lot of data.

• Livestreaming a video, show, or sport
• Playing games online
• Downloading software and video
• Updating your gadgets

How to Set Data Limits and Get Alerts on Android

If you find it challenging to stay within your data budget, consider setting a data limit for your device. This section considers how to do so for different devices.

Steps for Google Pixel and Most Android Devices

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Network & Internet.
• Tap on the Settings button next to your carrier.
• Select Data warning & limit.
• Turn on the Set data limit and confirm the choice by clicking Ok.
• Click on Data limit and set the limit you want.
• Complete the process by clicking Set.

Steps for Samsung Mobile

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Connections.
• Tap on Data usage.
• Click on Billing cycle and data warning.
• Set when you want the cycle to start, whether you want a warning, the warning limit, and finally, the data limit.

Steps for OnePlus/OPPO/Realme Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Tap on Data usage.
• Click on the Billing cycle.
• Select Data Limit.
• Set a limit and tap OK.

Steps for Xiaomi Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on the Connection & sharing option.
• Tap on Data usage.
• Open the Data plan option.
• Set the Monthly data limit.
• Complete the process by clicking OK.

How to Restrict App Data Usage in the Background of Android

Most apps run on data even when they are not actively in use. Hence, these app request background data use. You can reduce apps using your data in the background by following the steps below.

Steps for Google Pixel and Most Android Devices

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Apps.
• Select an app.
• Select the Data Usage option.
• Turn off Background Data.

Steps for Samsung Mobile

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Connections.
• Tap on Data usage.
• Click on Data saver and turn it on.
• Set the apps that can still use data during this mode by clicking on Allow app while Data saver on.

Steps for OnePlus/OPPO/Realme Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Wi-Fi & internet.
• Tap on Cellular data usage.
• Select the Carrier and click App usage.
• Turn off Background data.

How to Turn off App Data Usage on Android

If you feel an app data usage is excessive or unnecessary, you can turn it off. Here is how to turn it off on your Android device.

Steps for Google Pixel and Most Android Devices

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Network & Internet.
• Tap on App data usage.
• Click on an app.
• Turn off the Background data and click OK.

Steps for Samsung Mobile

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Apps.
• Select an app.
• Click on Mobile data.
• Turn off Allow background data usage.

Steps for OnePlus/OPPO/Realme Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Wi-Fi & Network.
• Tap on Data usage.
• Select Cellular Data Usage.
• Click on an app.
• Turn off the Background data usage.

Steps for Xiaomi Phones

• Open the phone Settings app.
• Click on Apps.
• Tap on Manage Apps.
• Click on an app.
• Select Restrict data usage.
• Unclick Mobile data and select OK.

Final Words

As important as data usage is for every smartphone user, only a few people know how to monitor their data usage. In this article, we have discussed how to see and manage your data usage. You can see it through your Android settings feature – Data Usage.

Alternatively, you can use your carrier's app, website, or data usage code. Lastly, we introduce AirDroid Parental Control as a viable method for monitoring your child's app usage. After identifying what may consume your data the fastest, you can turn off any such app or set a data limit.