Data usage on Nokia 635

A question about : Data usage on Nokia 635

Hi All,

Please bear with me, I am technologically challenged.

I have a new phone (Nokia Lumia 635) and it's a big step up from my old phone, on which I never used the data allowance as it didn't connect to t'internet.

I've had my phone for two days and it's used 43 MB of data, despite my being connected to my own broadband connection whenever it's been on.

I rang Tesco Mobile today and was told that this is quite normal and that the data is being used up as the phone updates itself. By this calculation, it'll have used up half my data allowance by the end of the month without me doing anything!

What I'm asking, I guess, is: is this normal? Does a phone really eat up data just by updating itself? Perhaps it's because it's a new phone and is just 'settling in' (really, technology is not my bag....).

Any information, hints, tips, valium, gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Best answers:

• This is going to be the blind leading the blind as I got my first smartphone last week (moto-g)
  On my phone if I switch to wi-fi I also have to switch mobile data off. Two seperate actions. Is your's the same perhaps?
  There could/should be a way to set your phone so that apps and stuff only update when you are on a wi-fi connection not mobile data - so check that out as well. All I suggest for that is finding the full user guide online and reading carefully.
• Turn Data OFF unless required .
  WiFI on go to Play Store and let it update apps .
• As above, except it'll be the Windows Store not the Play Store (for the Nokia Lumia 635).
• I have a slightly different Nokia, so yours may be different... but on mine, if I look in Settings, (System rather than Application) there is something called Data Sense.
  On mine, I can use this to switch off background data and also tell it what my monthly data allowance is, and have it adjust data usage accordingly.
  Also you can use it to keep track of how much data you're using.
  With any luck you have it too...?
• Thanks everyone for your responses, it's appreciated.
  Javesinger, yes, I have 'Data Sense' too. I haven't yet set a limit in the phone, though my tariff limit is 1GB. I've pinned this to my home screen so I can keep an eye on my usage. I went into 'wifi' today, turned off Wifi networking, and 'Wifi Sense' and still managed to connect to the internet somehow and use 2MB of data! Is this even possible??
  I can't find the 'background' information in the Data sense part, though I did see it yesterday SOMEWHERE so will have a scrabble about later.
  Tizerbelle, congratulations on your new smartphone I think mine must be different as I don't seem to have that option, to turn off mobile data. Just a case of getting to know it, I think...
• Think I may have found out how to turn off mobile data. Adjusted settings and will hope for the best
• I have a 520 so it may be a bit different but try,
  settings
  mobile + sim
  turn off data connection
  and 'don't roam' on data roaming options
  also
  settings
  data sense
  restrict background data usage when roaming
• Here is an article on Data Sense:
  https://www.windowscentral.com/data-s...ndows-phone-81
  Also one on WiFi Sense.
  https://www.windowscentral.com/wi-fi-...ndows-phone-81
  Another thing worth a look on the Settings screen is the Battery Saver.
  The Data Sense app and Battery Saver have the feature that, by swiping the screen to the side, you can see which applications are using the most data/power respectively.
  For Data Sense, rather than messing with too many settings, I suggest you tell it you only have a small allowance (250MB, say) and let it restrict usage automatically.
• As for your question 'is it normal?', absolutely it is, especially on a brand new phone where the first job is to sync all the contacts, update the OS, update all the apps. In fact 43MB is nothing compared with what my phone will chew through, I've got warnings at 2GB which I smash every month. My worst month ever was 65GB, that represented some pretty serious video watching , some tethering, and a game that was over 1GB itself! That was a particularly heavy month though, usually more like 8GB
• Go to - Store - Settings -(then make sure) 'Only get updates over WiFi' is on.
  Check your Data sense - Usage.....See what downloaded what over the last two days. It will tell you how much data and how much WiFi was used by each app.
  Turning off data makes having a smart phone a bit pointless IMO. I doubt you will use your 1GB of data with normal day to day usage, unless you are going to watch video etc on the daily commute.
• (Android phone but same principle applies) ... I use an on-screen widget that lets me easily turn on/off data, wifi, GPS, bluetooth etc. as I require. This prevents issues like the OP reports, plus helps to extend battery life.
  If I'm in (and will be staying in for some time, like at home) a wifi zone then I'll turn off data, otherwise I'll turn On data and Off wifi. Bluetooth is only on when I'm in the car.
• The phone should use WiFi when connected and Data when not. Turning it on and off when you get in seems a pointless exercise.....
• Habit - it takes no time at all to switch settings. And I don't leave wifi on permanently (just in case) as that drains battery - when it's on it is constantly looking for wifi networks; when it's off it isn't.
  Knowing data is turned off means data allowance can't be used unwittingly.
• Red*Dragonfly - thanks, yes, seems to be the same on the 635 so have turned data connection off.
  Jivesinger, very useful articles which helped, thank you. Keeping them for reference! Have restricted my usage too.
  Bod - I agree, takes seconds to switch off the data and it's worth it to know it's not sneaking off while I'm not looking....
  Paddyrg - I consider myself to have had a lucky escape at only 43mb then....
  Thanks all!
• A lot will depend on your phone and the apps that you have running stuff in the background.
  Again, it will also depend on your usage as to how long your battery lasts. Heavy video and camera usage are the main culprits.
  I think people get hung up over their batteries, even when they are not heavy users.
  Same applies to data...
  However, if you are in a routine that suits you, great, that's the best routine, whatever it may be...