The smartphone in your pocket gives you the power to chat, text, take selfies, and do a million other things. But it also burns through your data plan with your wireless carrier faster than you think.
And who likes to pay that extra fee when you go over your limit?
There are, of course, built-in systems on your phone to help you track your mobile data use. But many apps can be even more useful in keeping you on the right side of your monthly data limit.
DataMan Next
$2 for iOS
DataMan Next (right) is an elegant way to monitor your iPhone’s
data-slurping. Its modern design presents information clearly and
swiftly. To begin, you enter basic information like your monthly data
allowance and when your bill is due.The app’s main screen is very simple: In the middle is a big figure showing the percentage of your monthly allowance used, and at the top is a large text alert. When this alert says “safe,” accompanied by a check mark, you are in the clear. This means the app has estimated that, at your current data consumption rate, you will not go over your limit.
There is also a tally of how much total data you have used and how much you have downloaded over Wi-Fi. Best of all, the app’s backdrop changes color to warn you when you are using too much. Green for good becomes red for bad.
You can tweak several settings in DataMan, including the color scheme. I love its minimal design, but some users have reported that the app occasionally seems to lose track a little of how much data has been used.
Free for iOS and Android
An alternative is My Data Manager. It has some of the same
modern, minimalist design ideas as DataMan. But its reports have more
detail, which may suit users who are keen on knowing exactly how they
are using their phones.The app’s main screen has clear graphics and text to tell you how much of your monthly data has been used. A few other screens, accessible with a swipe, show your data consumption habits more visually, with graphs. There’s also a map so you can see where you tend to use mobile data more frequently.
In some places, you may think that you are connected to Wi-Fi networks but, in fact, you are not.
In the Android version, My Data Manager advises you about which apps are using more data. This information may help you adjust your phone use habits — such as checking Facebook a little less frequently.
My Data Manager also has nice features, such as one for setting an alarm to let you know when you have reached your daily budget or a target, like 90 percent of the month’s allowance. It also lets you track data use on shared or family plans so you can tell who has been using the most data.
Free for iOS and Android
Onavo Count is also popular, and it is also modern in design,
with clear displays so it is easy to understand how much of your data
allowance you are using and how you are using it.It works in much the same way as its rivals, although it has a few unusual features, like a report on your “data life,” which shows you if you are spending more of your data budget on categories like music or movies.
This information may prompt you to think about how you use apps like Spotify to stream music on the go. The app also lets you see how your data habits compare to other users’ averages.
Free for Android, $1 for iPhones
Data Usage is another good option. Its complexity is similar to
that of My Data Manager, and it offers some of the same features, such
as tracking shared accounts. But its design is a little more
traditional, relying on plain text and simple visualizations to keep you
advised on your mobile data consumption.Data Usage can be customized to suit your particular needs, and this may appeal to people who want to know how much data they use daily. A few words of caution: This app has not been updated in a while on Android, which could affect how it runs on your particular phone.
Also, individual cellphone networks often have apps available to help you manage how much mobile data you use, so do not forget to search the app stores for apps with the name of your carrier.
I have been stung with high mobile data bills. Perhaps these apps can help you avoid the same problem.
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