How to use less mobile data on your first smartphone

If your first smartphone is burning through data too quickly, start with three changes: turn on Data Saver or Low Data Mode, stop app updates on mobile data, and change WhatsApp auto-downloads to Wi-Fi only. For many South African users, that is enough to make a small monthly bundle last much longer.

This matters because many starter phone deals still include only 1GB or 1.5GB of data. For example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 is available from R4,999, and one tracked Vodacom deal includes 1GB data at R349 per month over 36 months. The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G starts from R5,788, with tracked deals including 1GB or 1.5GB data depending on the network and term.

Turn on your phone's built-in data-saving mode first

Your phone already has a setting that tells apps to use less mobile data in the background. On Android it is usually called Data Saver. On iPhone it is called Low Data Mode.

How to turn on Data Saver on Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet or Connections.
3. Tap Data usage.
4. Turn on Data Saver.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, the path is usually Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver. If your phone uses different wording, use the search bar in Settings and search for Data Saver.

How to turn on Low Data Mode on iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Mobile Service or Cellular.
3. Tap your SIM or number if your iPhone shows more than one line.
4. Turn on Low Data Mode.

This will not stop all data use. It helps by cutting background syncing and other silent activity that can drain your bundle while the phone is in your pocket.

Stop app updates, backups and background data on mobile data

A lot of wasted data happens when you are not actively using the phone. App stores, photo backup apps and social apps can all use mobile data in the background.

Set app updates to Wi-Fi only

On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps and choose Over Wi-Fi only. On iPhone, go to Settings > App Store and switch off automatic downloads over mobile data.

Restrict background data for heavy apps

If TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube are using too much data, restrict them one by one.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select the app.
4. Tap Mobile data or Data usage.
5. Switch off Background data if your phone offers that option.

On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down to the app, and switch off Cellular Data for apps you only want to use on Wi-Fi.

Pause cloud photo backups on mobile data

Google Photos, iCloud Photos and OneDrive can quietly upload photos and videos over mobile data. Set them to back up on Wi-Fi only. This is one of the biggest savings if you take lots of photos or videos.

If you are still choosing a device, our guide to the best first smartphone picks in South Africa for 2026 can help you pick something simple and affordable.

Fix WhatsApp before group chats eat your bundle

For many first-time smartphone buyers, WhatsApp is the app that uses the most data without warning. Family, school, church and work groups often send photos and videos all day.

Turn off automatic media downloads

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three dots on Android, or Settings on iPhone.
3. Go to Storage and data.
4. Under Media auto-download, set photos, audio, videos and documents to Wi-Fi only, or switch off the items you do not need.

This stops surprise downloads when somebody sends a large video to a group.

Use less data for WhatsApp calls

1. In WhatsApp, open Settings.
2. Tap Storage and data.
3. Turn on Use less data for calls.

Call quality can drop a bit on weak signal, but it is usually a good trade-off if you make a lot of WhatsApp voice calls on mobile data.

Choose lower photo upload quality if you send many pictures

Inside Storage and data, check whether your version of WhatsApp offers photo upload quality options. If it does, choose the standard option instead of the highest quality when you do not need full detail.

Use low-data habits that work in real life

Settings help, but your daily habits matter just as much. If you save the heavy tasks for Wi-Fi, your mobile bundle lasts much longer.

• Download apps, podcasts and offline maps on Wi-Fi.
• Do app updates and system updates on Wi-Fi.
• Watch YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels and other video apps mostly on Wi-Fi.
• Download music playlists instead of streaming every trip.
• Use text, voice notes or voice calls before video calls.
• Use your banking app normally, but avoid updating it on mobile data.

Worked example with a small South African bundle

Example: You are on a Vodacom phone deal with 1GB data per month. Your WhatsApp groups auto-download videos, the Play Store updates apps on mobile data, and Google Photos backs up every picture you take. That 1GB can disappear quickly.

Example: If you change all three to Wi-Fi only, your mobile data is then left mainly for messages, maps, browsing and banking. That is a much better fit for a small monthly bundle.

Check which apps are actually using your data

Do not guess which app is the problem. Your phone can show you exactly where the data is going.

How to check data use on Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Connections or Network & internet.
3. Tap Data usage.
4. Open Mobile data usage.

You should see a list of apps ranked by data use. Tap the worst one and restrict background data if needed.

How to check data use on iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Mobile Service or Cellular.
3. Scroll down to the app list.

You will see how much data each app has used. Switch off cellular access for apps you only want to use on Wi-Fi.

If you are not sure your phone will work well on your network, read how to check if your first smartphone will work well on Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C or Rain.

Set warnings early and know when to be stricter

A data warning helps you catch a problem before you run out. This is especially useful if you are on prepaid or a small contract bundle.

Set a data warning on Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Data usage.
3. Set a data warning and, if your phone supports it, a data limit.

If your bundle is 1GB, set the warning before you reach that point so you still have time to change your habits.

What iPhone users should do instead

iPhone does not always offer the same simple system-wide data cap, so you may need to rely more on your network app or regular checks in Settings > Cellular. That is a good idea if you use Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C or Rain.

Who should use the strictest settings

• Be strict if you have a 1GB or 1.5GB monthly bundle, rely on prepaid top-ups, or do not have regular Wi-Fi.
• Be moderate if you have home, work or campus Wi-Fi most days.
• Do not switch off everything if you need instant cloud backup for work or family reasons. In that case, restrict social and video apps first.

If you are shopping around, our latest phone contract deals page is useful for comparing current offers. Right now, the cheapest tracked phone deal on our site is R169 per month on Vodacom, while the cheapest tracked deals are R219 on Telkom and Cell C, R249 on MTN and R595 on Rain.

A more expensive phone does not automatically use less data. A budget phone with the right settings can be just as efficient as a flagship. If you want to compare models and prices, see our phone comparisons.

Frequently asked questions