Why does Android use so much data??

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm on wireless at home most of the time and same at school.

Sometimes I stare at my phone and the data indicator on HSDPA is just solid for a few minutes.

I'm not even sure what the hell is sucking up my data. I sync Facebook, Twitter and Gmail.

Now I realize ICS will have data control, but it seems like Android uses more data than iOS in general. While ICS adds limits for apps, I still don't get why so much data is pulled.

I can't even get away with 200mb data plan even with ZERO music streaming.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Perhaps you use the phone more? I assume you were formerly an iPhone user.. is it the 'new phone' syndrome of using it more because its a new toy? Seems without hard numbers though that you are just speculating.. any hard data on data usage since moving to android? I wouldn't use the data indicator as a reliable gauge.

Whatever it is, its ABSOLUTELY NOT the mind control software built into Android.. don't even THINK of blaming that because its DEFINITELY NOT.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I'm on wireless at home most of the time and same at school.

Sometimes I stare at my phone and the data indicator on HSDPA is just solid for a few minutes.

I'm not even sure what the hell is sucking up my data. I sync Facebook, Twitter and Gmail.

Now I realize ICS will have data control, but it seems like Android uses more data than iOS in general. While ICS adds limits for apps, I still don't get why so much data is pulled.

I can't even get away with 200mb data plan even with ZERO music streaming.

I have wifi at work and home also and use significantly less than 200mb of data a month. I have 2 email accounts as well as G+ synced with the phone.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I don't even usually use much more than 500mb even when I do stream a few videos in a month. When I don't do that, it barely uses any real data at all (email uses so little).

 

[alent1234]

Carrier iq

 

[Pliablemoose]

Carrier iq

LOL, I was thinking the same thing...

 

[Puddle Jumper]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing...

Unlikely.

 

[WelshBloke]

You have any network enabled widgets open?

Go to your accounts and sync options and check whats syncing. Under the options for Google it may be syncing your picassa albums if you have them linked to your Google acount.

 

[aroundincircles]

Check your apps for AP Mobile (Associated Press). A lot of people have problems with that updating constantly. I'm on AT&T, and it came preloaded with my SGSII. I can't uninstall it, and force stop only works for a short time before I have to manually go in and do it again. Also check for other apps that auto refresh.

The AT&T rep told me that some apps do update via 3/4G even if you're on WiFi. I argued up and down with them saying that if I'm paying for a data plan, I should be the one who decides how it is used, not a renegade app. They said it is "just the nature of smartphones." I don't buy it.

AG

 

[Pliablemoose]

Unlikely.

I know

You have to admit though, data caps and them burning data collecting info about your customers is genius...

 

[Red Storm]

I can't even get away with 200mb data plan even with ZERO music streaming.

Shens. For a few months I was back to my original Droid, and I didn't stream music or tether or do much of anything on it except chat on Gtalk and check Gmail and an Exchange account (probably 20 emails a day). I used on average ~85MB a month for 3 months.

 

[Bateluer]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing...

Could be Carrier IQ, could be other apps installed on the phone by the user, carrier, or manufacturer. Without knowing what phone the OP has and whats installed on it . . .

 

[zerogear]

120mb so far this month, most of the time was just light websurfing or idle. I have international SGS2 (also flashed to CM7), no CIQ, so I have no idea how much bandwidth that thing takes.

 

[snikt]

I'm on the 200MB a month plan. I'm about to start my new month in a couple of days and I've only used 75MB. Not sure what's going on with your phone; intl. SGS2 for me.

When I'm at work I have access to any PC if I need Internet access because I work in IT. I have unlimited data on my BB from work. When at home I'm on wi-fi.

 

[Binky]

Try this:
My Data Manager Free
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm&hl=en

I use my phone mostly for work and personal email, with limited browser or other use. I use 300-400mb per month. The 200mb plan is a joke.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What phone is it? HTC has there own embedded app that sends usage stats.

 

[mammador]

it could be background apps using data. In most Android versions, apps can use data even if not selected or loaded at the time. I only use my Android phone on wifi, or buy a specific time of mobile data (1 day or a week). I find with background apps, it sucks up my credit.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Am glad I still have unl data plan. I been pulling nearly 20gig/month listening to stuff on Soundcloud.

 

[lothar]

I'm on wireless at home most of the time and same at school.

Sometimes I stare at my phone and the data indicator on HSDPA is just solid for a few minutes.

I'm not even sure what the hell is sucking up my data. I sync Facebook, Twitter and Gmail.

Now I realize ICS will have data control, but it seems like Android uses more data than iOS in general. While ICS adds limits for apps, I still don't get why so much data is pulled.

I can't even get away with 200mb data plan even with ZERO music streaming.

I use a prepaid plan and monitor my data use daily, weekly, and monthly using 3G watchdog.
I call shens on your entire statements.

You probably have malware on your phone, or it's a stupid app you(or the manufacturer) installed or something.

 

[mammador]

I use a prepaid plan and monitor my data use daily, weekly, and monthly using 3G watchdog.
I call shens on your entire statements.

You probably have malware on your phone, or it's a stupid app you(or the manufacturer) installed or something.

Some Android apps require a constant network (whether 3/4G or wifi) connection to download items. I think if one has a prepaid Android phone, then just use wifi.

 

[lothar]

Some Android apps require a constant network (whether 3/4G or wifi) connection to download items. I think if one has a prepaid Android phone, then just use wifi.

Pulse is one of them. I know because I use it.

 

[jhansman]

I went over my 200MB limit once (streaming music all night; router failed and the connection switched to data) and paid for it. Now I use 3G Watchdog Pro and have it set to shut down 3G access if I get within 10MB of my limit, which I never do. If I can't get it via wireless, I do without.