How to Restrict Background Data for Apps on Android

Most Android apps which refresh/update data in the background while you are not entirely using that app or have put your phone to sleep use your wifi or mobile data which result in usage of your mobile data package and as well drain your battery.

This is why Google brought up the option of data usage in Android 4.0 which shows you which apps and how much data has been used over mobile network and Wi-Fi. It also gives you a quick summary of which apps use how much data when in the foreground and when in the background over which network.

If you think apps are using a lot of background data, restrict them from using any. How? Follow the very simple steps below.

• Go to Settings > Data usage.
• Tap the 3 dots icon at the top right.
• Check “Restrict background data” box.

Apps should not use any data in the background now. Some services like Gmail and other Google sync services might still use data, but to stop them, you will have to disable Accounts sync. Check out our extensive guide of battery saving tips on Android phones.