How Do I Manage My Monthly Mobile Data Usage with At&t?

If you have a mobile account with AT&T and you constantly run over your data limit before the end of the month then you are in luck. There are several ways you can manage your monthly AT&T mobile data usage and keep yourself under your limit until a new month starts.

Use WiFi

You should connect using a wireless device whenever possible. If you don't, your device will default to using cellular data, which will more quickly get you to your monthly limit.

Get Quick Data Usage Updates by Text

Get into the habit of periodically texting *DATA# (for English) or *DATO# (for Spanish) to get a brief update about your remaining data. Doing so will keep you aware of how much data you are using and how you need to parcel it out to last you through the month.

Check Your Data Usage Online

Of course, a quick text message doesn't provide you with a lot of detail. You should sometimes check your data usage online to get a fuller picture.

1. Go to AT&T's home page.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Go to Usage.
4. Select the period you want to view.
5. Choose the type of service you have.
6. Select Download.
7. Select Excel or CSV for the format you want the data in.

This report will give you a more detailed look at your data use. You can use it to identify problem behaviors you need to change.

Change Settings

You can save a lot of data just by changing a few settings. Disable email and push notifications and automatic updates for your apps. Turn off your GPS unless you need it. Disable the automatic video play feature on apps like Facebook.

Uninstall Any Unneeded Apps

Go through your mobile device and uninstall any apps you don't need. Many of them constantly look for updates and refresh information. You may be surprised how much data you save this way.

Changing Your Internet Habits

If you figure out how you are using the most data every month, you can figure out what changes you need to make to your Internet habits. Just use this chart:

• Browsing: between 50 and 500 KB every minute
• 1 download: between 1 and 7 MB
• Streaming audio: between 0.5 and 1 MB every minute
• 1 social media post including attached picture: between 100 and 350 KB
• Sending 1 email with an attachment: between 100 and 300 KB
• Sending 1 email, no attachment: between 15 and 35 KB
• Watching SD video: 4 MB every minute
• Watching HD video : between 8 and 10 MB every minute

Keep track of the time you spend doing these activities for a day or two. Then all you have to do is determine which online habit is using up the most data, and cut back on that habit.

If you need help, get in contact with AT&T. It has a variety of customer service options including phone, email, live chat, and help desk.

Keywords

managing AT&T data, reducing AT&T data use