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In recent months, Nigerians have had to adjust to a sharp increase in the cost of telecommunications services. Many are particularly struggling with the rise in data tariffs, as access to the internet has become a necessary condition for getting informed and entertained. Not surprisingly, millions of people are thinking about how to reduce data consumption on their mobile phones.

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A lot of people immediately think about paying less for data or limiting the time they spend streaming videos. While these approaches may work, they often translate to a reduction in leisure and leave the individual feeling dissatisfied. In this article, we’ll suggest other ways to shrink data consumption that won’t necessarily affect you in this way. Read on to find out more.

Turn off Background Data

Even when they aren’t actively being used, some apps may still be running in the “background”. When there are a number of them doing this and they run frequently enough, they will gulp a significant amount of data. You can keep this from happening by turning off background data in your phone’s settings. Putting your device on battery saver mode achieves similar results.

Delete Apps You Don’t Use

You probably don’t use every app on your phone often. Some are essential and prove their utility daily. Others are called upon once in a while. At least a few just sit on your screen, taking up space and nibbling away at your data. If you’re concerned that your phone has become a data guzzler, it’s time to delete apps you seldom use.

Install an Ad Blocker

When online adverts load, they consume data. This is especially true for video ads. Install an ad blocker to prevent content of this kind from loading on your phone. This could save you a surprising amount of data (and money).

Download Larger Files over WiFi

Instead of streaming audio or video over the internet, you could download them to your device when you have access to WiFi. This ensures that you don’t utilize your mobile data when watching or listening to content. It also means that you don’t have to go back to the original source if you need to watch or listen again. In the case of YouTube videos and movie streaming platforms, you can fully preload content with WiFi and watch them afterwards.

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Adjust Video Resolutions

Video quality isn’t always the biggest source of satisfaction derivable from online media. In some cases—certain podcasts, for example –you can afford to manually reduce video resolution. Sometimes, video resolutions of 240p or 360p are just enough.

Turn off Data When Not in Use

Leaving data switched on when you aren’t using it is really just wasting data, because there’s data consumption happening even then. Make sure to turn off mobile data if you don’t need it or aren’t doing anything with it.

Manually Download Non-Text Media

A smart way to curb data consumption is to set your messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) so that they don’t download pictures, audio or video unless you do so manually. This lets you decide what’s worth downloading beforehand. It’s a great way to save data.

Share Lower Resolution Images

Sharing content gulps data too. Larger file sizes will demand more data to share, and will take up space on your phone. Saving data could therefore also involve reducing the resolution of images before you share them.

Don’t Load Desktop Versions of Websites

Avoid using the desktop versions of websites on your phone. Those tend to drain more data than versions of websites adapted to mobile devices. Your browser should have a provision in its settings for disabling the loading of desktop versions.

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Final Words

We have shown you how to reduce data consumption on your mobile phone. If the recent rise in data tariffs is a major concern for you, the tips we’ve talked about here should help you save data and keep your spending on it at a manageable level.

Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com

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This article was first published on 7th April 2025
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ikenna-nwachukwu

Ikenna Nwachukwu holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He loves to look at the world through multiple lenses- economic, political, religious and philosophical- and to write about what he observes in a witty, yet reflective style.