Android OS high data usage - General Questions and Answers

I've got a very annoying data problem here: Sony Xperia S, Android 2.3.7 (Build .75), 500MB dataplan and the OS takes 300 of that! I already took some precautions like turning of the backup, I've logged out of Facebook and removed my Hotmail app. And I installed JuiceDefender Plus which handles my connections, but no results whatsoever: Android OS still uses 5-10MB/day...
Any help would be very, very welcome.

An application like Juice Defender won't help you lower data plan usage because its first aim is to prevent battery depletion while meeting certain conditions (like screen turned off, for example.)
This means that when you turn on the screen and Juice Defender restores mobile data, Android does broadcast a message (android.net.conn.CONNECTIVITY_CHANGE) to all registered listeners, that let them know when they can use the network again.
As a example, think of an email client that will access its configured POP/IMAP servers when it can. No matter how long the screen was off (and thus mobile data disabled by Juice Defender,) it will always download the same amount of data when your device is put back on line (luckily for you I would say in the case of an email client because if it were not the case, that would mean you're losing mails...)
When it comes to data accounting, Android simplifies things a bit too much, and you end with not very insightful labels like "Android OS." This may indicate that the Google apps framework (a standard package shared among different applications) is the one using your data plan.
I wrote an app that accounts data used by process rather than package, and let you know the associated packages with each process and also showing real-time network usage graphics along with many other real-time data to workaround those kind of limitations (as I don't want to make publicity -- even if it's free -- PM me if you're interested and I'll point you to it.)
cheers

kraayj said:
I've got a very annoying data problem here: Sony Xperia S, Android 2.3.7 (Build .75), 500MB dataplan and the OS takes 300 of that! I already took some precautions like turning of the backup, I've logged out of Facebook and removed my Hotmail app. And I installed JuiceDefender Plus which handles my connections, but no results whatsoever: Android OS still uses 5-10MB/day...
Any help would be very, very welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I faced the same problem, issue was somewhat with auto backup of data, sync of app data & people details in google account,
BUT the main culprit in my case was uTorrent application.
Even though there was no torrent added to it, i didn't even opened it,
it was using 1GB data daily on WiFi and in data usage it was coming under Android OS usage. I uninstalled it, everything went back to normal.
So try to look for such apps which eat up your data in background, it may not be an error of android OS as such.
Hope this helps, Press THANKS if it did help you
Enjoy

Related

Apps to help conserve bandwidth on a limited data plan

I activated the AT&T $15 for 250MB plan on my Tab. I've got the AT&T widget that displays exactly how much data I've used so far, and it goes fast.
Are there any good apps for managing data usage people recommend?
In particular, I like to sync things like Google Reader/GMail/Google Voice. However, it'd be great if there were a way to set non-essentials like Google Reader to sync only on wifi, while having GMail and Google Voice continue to sync whether on cellular data or wifi.
Due to the Android OS architecture you cannot set up I/O resource access on a per-application basis unless the app has the feature built in. That means, you can not control from an app how other apps access resources.
This happens because all apps run in their own containers that can access the system through the permission system. This helps isolate apps and prevent other apps from interfering with their environment. Access is one-way: from the app to the system. The system or other apps cannot enter another app environment.
Thus, as long as Google Reader does not provide the feature to sync only over WIFI, then you cannot block it in any other way except disabling your data.
C.
after switching to opera mini, my bandwidth consumption declined by about 30%
you may want to give it a try
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.opera.mini.android&feature=search_result
turruso said:
after switching to opera mini, my bandwidth consumption declined by about 30%
you may want to give it a try
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.opera.mini.android&feature=search_result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect suggestion turruso!
@manekineko: if you also browse the Net a lot using your device, you might give Opera a chance. Using the Opera Turbo feature will help you save a lot on your plan because they compress pages before transferring them to your phone.
Perhaps you are looking for something like traffic counter (from the market) it monitors cell, wifi, call and SMS and let you set limits to those.
Also calculate billing and monitors the installed apps data in and out
P
PBL1 said:
Perhaps you are looking for something like traffic counter (from the market) it monitors cell, wifi, call and SMS and let you set limits to those.
Also calculate billing and monitors the installed apps data in and out
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the official AT&T traffic monitor for now, and I've been happy enough with it, so I'm mainly looking for ways to keep my data usage low when out and about.
I know what you want! (maybe) Its called DroidWall. Its a firewall controlling which apps and services uses what type of connection (3g or wifi). Ive been using it, and drastically reduced consumption of data plan by more than half.
zagitariuz said:
I know what you want! (maybe) Its called DroidWall. Its a firewall controlling which apps and services uses what type of connection (3g or wifi). Ive been using it, and drastically reduced consumption of data plan by more than half.
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Click to collapse
That's a great suggestion! Only thing that keeps it from being completely perfect is it'd be nice if there were a way I could only prevent background data from an app on 3G, but allow it still for when I'm directly opening the app myself, like when I'm browsing Google Reader.
cheatman said:
Perfect suggestion turruso!
@manekineko: if you also browse the Net a lot using your device, you might give Opera a chance. Using the Opera Turbo feature will help you save a lot on your plan because they compress pages before transferring them to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll second Opera with Opera Turbo. If I'm on wifi I use Dolphin HD and when I'm not I use Opera. It's cut down on my data use more than I expected.

Data usage

I'm checking the data usage on my Moto G since updating to Android 4.4.4, and I'm surprised at the amount of background mobile data usage while doing nothing. The two big background data users are Android OS and Google [Play] Services (the name changes back and forth). Android OS uses about 20 Kbytes/hr, but with occasional bursts of 200 Kbytes or more in a short time. I've read that it can shoot up to hundreds of Mbytes if Android is allowed to do OS updates over the air, but mine is up to date as far as I know. Google Services uses about 10 Kbytes/hr when sync is disabled for all components for all Google accounts, but turn on any one of them (like Gmail or Calendar) and it jumps to 70 Kbytes/hr even though there are no changes to sync. Multiply by the number of Google accounts on the phone. I see a lot of questions about this, but no real answers. Some people claim much lower data usage with other phones and Android versions, but don't seem to have any different settings. Is there anything special about Android 4.4.4 on the Moto G? Has anyone found a way to see what's going on inside the background data usage by Android OS and Google Services?
DJames1 said:
I'm checking the data usage on my Moto G since updating to Android 4.4.4, and I'm surprised at the amount of background mobile data usage while doing nothing. The two big background data users are Android OS and Google [Play] Services (the name changes back and forth). Android OS uses about 20 Kbytes/hr, but with occasional bursts of 200 Kbytes or more in a short time. I've read that it can shoot up to hundreds of Mbytes if Android is allowed to do OS updates over the air, but mine is up to date as far as I know. Google Services uses about 10 Kbytes/hr when sync is disabled for all components for all Google accounts, but turn on any one of them (like Gmail or Calendar) and it jumps to 70 Kbytes/hr even though there are no changes to sync. Multiply by the number of Google accounts on the phone. I see a lot of questions about this, but no real answers. Some people claim much lower data usage with other phones and Android versions, but don't seem to have any different settings. Is there anything special about Android 4.4.4 on the Moto G? Has anyone found a way to see what's going on inside the background data usage by Android OS and Google Services?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems the culprit is the notification system, including the checking for updates. Most of the services are internet based because they're stored on Google servers, that's why the data consumpion is so high for those processes.
I've got into the habit of turning off mobile data any time I don't need to use it. It can be a bit annoying but there's just no way of knowing if data is being used up while I'm unaware so it's the best way of avoiding surprises.

Data saver/background data restriction not fully working (Honor x6)

Hello fellas,
as the title says, i'm enabling the data saver feature for ALL the apps (both installed and system apps) with no exception .. yet, every now and then the screen lock data usage notification mentions that an amount of mobile data has been used by some apps (facebook, whatsapp, system apps ..)
is this a common bug on the honor 6x/emui5 or is there something else i'm missing here ??
My model number : BLN-L21
Build number : BLN-L21C432B365
Emui version : 5.0.1
Hi, i keep data saver always on for habit and i didn't noticed a traffic of mobile data while it is activated. But i know also that those damned social apps are a true pain for phones. I don't have neither one so i can't confirm that, but maybe someone else who has Facebook or others could provide a feedback about. Have you took in consideration the idea of using socials via web browser? When i still had my Facebook account 2 years ago, i used to do everything by my browser because in this way, i was able to avoid useless and heavyweight, crappy client apps
RedSkull23 said:
Hi, i keep data saver always on for habit and i didn't noticed a traffic of mobile data while it is activated. But i know also that those damned social apps are a true pain for phones. I don't have neither one so i can't confirm that, but maybe someone else who has Facebook or others could provide a feedback about. Have you took in consideration the idea of using socials via web browser? When i still had my Facebook account 2 years ago, i used to do everything by my browser because in this way, i was able to avoid useless and heavyweight, crappy client apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thank you for your feedback,
Well the thing is, not only social media apps that consume background data but many other apps including games and system apps, maybe not with same amount but they still do, and what mostly concerned about is how come such a bug can even occur in our phone ..
if you are using honor 6x with thae latest emui i suggest you turn on the "locked screen data usage reminder" from (settings -» mobile data -» then the settings icon up right) and see if you are gonna get leaked data ..
Then we can know for sure from where the problem is coming from
I'm looking forward to reading your feedback ..
I tested by disabling or restricting the same and still saw the traffic as bytes on status bar.
But when data turned off, didn't see any bytes consumed. Evem when opened Facebook, it shows 34-35KB data transfer rate but not updated or refreshed means data is not consume and it was only trying to send the data (upload speed) but none received (download data).

Disabled and Data-Blocked Apps still sending data in the background

Long story short, I installed Net Monitor (from Play store) to check data usage on my Moto E4 Plus (Verizon), though the question below is probably not limited to this particular device.
I was surprised to see some of the apps that were sending data somewhere even when they are disabled. For example,
1, Gboard (by Google), this app has been disabled in Settings since the beginning. Why is it still sending data? Worst nightmare is an app collecting keyboard entry log and upload it to where??? Why???
2, Some Apps, such as below, I have disabled their background data usage, but they still show up in Net Monitor.
Astro File Manager (an old version that I love to use),
ML Manager,
Photos (by Google)
Youtube
I am sure I did not use these apps during the time that Net Monitor was running as I was testing the whole concept of Net Monitor.
I can understand some communication apps such as Gmail that uses data because I did not block their background data usage.
Some of the apps in the screenshot are presumably system apps though I am a bit suspicious. Knowing recent cases with One Plus and Blu, and Elliot Anderson:
https://www.androidpit.com/elliot-fs0c131y-alderson-interview
I just wish some experts can help explain or provide some insights, thank you in advance,
BTW, can someone recommend clean Open Source apps that do not abuse permissions and do not send data secretly behind the users? I got a few, but need more. My app sources:
https://www.secuso.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/en/secuso/research/results/privacy-friendly-apps/
https://simplemobiletools.github.io/
https://guardianproject.info/apps/

Family Data Usage App- A Unique Data Monitoring App

Family Data Usage is a feature-rich android app that empowers users to monitor their data consumption effectively. It allows you to track data usage across multiple devices, including mobile phones and Wi-Fi connections. The app's primary purpose is to help individuals and families stay aware of their data consumption and make informed decisions to avoid exceeding their limits.
One of the standout features of Family Data Usage is its ability to add family members to the app. This unique functionality enables users to monitor the data usage and pack validity of their family members' devices. By keeping everyone connected, the app fosters transparency and helps families make informed decisions regarding their data plans. With Family Data Usage, you can effortlessly add your family members and gain insights into their data usage patterns.
The app provides real-time data monitoring, enabling users to keep a close eye on their data usage. With its intuitive interface, you can easily visualize how much data is being consumed by individual apps or specific time periods. Family Data Usage even offers the ability to set custom data reset times, allowing for personalized data analysis and management.
The app provides timely notifications and alerts, reminding users when they are approaching their data limits or when their family members' data packs are about to expire. These notifications are displayed through beautiful and interactive widgets, enhancing the overall user experience
Are you the developer of this app?
Google says this app is not compatible with my Chromebooks. I realise that the app is optimised for a mobile phone but will it still work on Chromebook if I sideload it?
Will it track the data used globally via wifi regardless of whether it's via an Android app, Chrome Browser, or Linux?
I'm asking the question because this app's ability to manage multiple devices is the most useful feature.
Also, is there a backup and restore feature for all the usage data that is collected over time?
Can you provide the APK for sideloading? I didn't find it on APK Mirror or similar (Edit: I do find it on APK Pure)
THANKS
jmh2002 said:
Are you the developer of this app?
Google says this app is not compatible with my Chromebooks. I realise that the app is optimised for a mobile phone but will it still work on Chromebook if I sideload it?
Will it track the data used globally via wifi regardless of whether it's via an Android app, Chrome Browser, or Linux?
I'm asking the question because this app's ability to manage multiple devices is the most useful feature.
Also, is there a backup and restore feature for all the usage data that is collected over time?
Can you provide the APK for sideloading? I didn't find it on APK Mirror or similar (Edit: I do find it on APK Pure)
THANKS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am developer of this app. Currently this app works only in android (sorry for not mentioning ).
You can monitor multiple android devices mobile data and wifi data usage by installing this app and Sigin with your google account. You need to add members in your account from profile section via email address. If they accept request then you can see mobile data and wifi data used by them. I have attached image how it looks like if they accept your request (image with heading see your families plan).
I have attached link of Google playstore in my post (blue in color) but I will attach sideloading apk too.
Thankyou for showing interest.
Thank you for your reply. I understand that Chromebook was not part of your main plan for this app - but Chromebook runs Android, so most apps work even when google says they are not compatible)
When I have time I will sideload the app and make some tests.
In my case, some devices will have the same google account, because they are all owned by me. Hopefully that will work too?
jmh2002 said:
Thank you for your reply. I understand that Chromebook was not part of your main plan for this app - but Chromebook runs Android, so most apps work even when google says they are not compatible)
When I have time I will sideload the app and make some tests.
In my case, some devices will have the same google account, because they are all owned by me. Hopefully that will work too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you SignIn two different device with seperate email address, it will work fine and you can also monitor your device data usage.

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