{"id":140866,"date":"2015-10-06T19:30:29","date_gmt":"2015-10-06T17:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=140866"},"modified":"2015-10-06T19:32:09","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T17:32:09","slug":"how-to-stop-your-mobile-data-and-airtime-getting-drained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/cellular\/140866-how-to-stop-your-mobile-data-and-airtime-getting-drained.html","title":{"rendered":"How to stop your mobile data and airtime getting drained"},"content":{"rendered":"

The use of mobile data is on the rise<\/a><\/strong> around the world, thanks to more Internet users accessing content from smartphones and tablets.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for these users, mobile data, per GB, remains much more expensive than its fixed-line competitors\u00a0– ADSL and fibre- to-the-home.<\/p>\n

This can lead to a nasty bill shock at the end of the month for contract mobile users who use lots of data, or the depletion of data bundles and airtime for those on prepaid.<\/p>\n

This is amplified\u00a0if mobile data and airtime is being deducted off your account and you are unsure where it is going.<\/p>\n

To stem the flow of data and airtime from your smartphone or tablet, read the pointers below.<\/p>\n

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Turn off\u00a0autoplaying and preloading videos<\/h3>\n

\"Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Facebook and Twitter’s mobile apps are set to allow video autoplaying by default, while Instagram automatically preloads videos by default.<\/p>\n

While this is not a problem while on a Wi-Fi connection, autoplaying videos on a mobile connection can quickly deplete data. To disable autoplaying videos for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (preloading), read below.<\/p>\n

Facebook<\/strong>\u00a0mobile app: Enter the Settings menu. Select Account Settings >>\u00a0Videos and Photos >>\u00a0Autoplay (under Video Settings section) >>\u00a0Never Autoplay Videos.<\/p>\n

Twitter<\/strong> mobile app: Enter your Profile and then the Settings menu. Select Video autoplay >> Never play videos automatically.<\/p>\n

Instagram<\/strong>, by default, preloads videos so they start faster for the user. To disable this, and reduce the amount of mobile data you use, open the Instagram mobile app and select your Profile. Open the Options menu >> Cellular Data Use (under the Settings section) >> Use Less Data.<\/p>\n

\n

Turn off Wi-Fi assistants<\/h3>\n

\"Wi-Fi\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Android and iOS devices give users the option automatically switch between mobile and Wi-Fi networks to ensure an online session is not affected by any drops in\u00a0connectivity.<\/p>\n

If the operating system detects the Wi-Fi connection is patchy, it will automatically switch a user to their cellular data connection – depleting data bundles or airtime while online.<\/p>\n

This smart network selection is called Wi-Fi Assist on Apple iOS 9<\/strong> devices and is enabled by default.<\/p>\n

To turn off Wi-Fi assist, go to Settings >> Cellular >> Wi-Fi Assist (at the bottom of the menu), and disable it.<\/p>\n

On Android<\/strong> devices<\/strong>, the option is called\u00a0Auto network switch, or\u00a0Smart network switch.\u00a0To disable it, go to\u00a0Settings >> Wi-Fi >> Options > Advanced >> Smart network switch \/ Auto network switch.<\/p>\n

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Cancel all Wasp subscriptions<\/h3>\n

\"Dead<\/a><\/p>\n

Should you find your airtime disappearing or amounts being billed to your account that you can\u2019t account for, you may have subscribed to a Wasp.<\/p>\n

Since the end of 2013, South Africa\u2019s mobile network providers require premium content subscription services to go through a double opt-in process – but\u00a0there have been Wasps who trick mobile subscribers<\/strong><\/a> into opting in to a subscription service.<\/p>\n

To see whether you have been subscribed to a Wasp, mobile operators allow users\u00a0to manage content subscriptions through SMS or USSD codes.<\/p>\n