Twelve ways to save data while travelling
Set these once before you fly and they save data for the whole trip.
Quick answer
- Turning off photo backup and video autoplay saves the most.
- Download offline maps before leaving your accommodation each day.
Set before you fly
- Disable automatic cloud backup for photos and video
- Disable app auto-updates on mobile data
- Turn off autoplay video in every social app
- Download the music and podcasts you plan to hear
- Download offline maps for every city on the itinerary
During the trip
- Keep the system data saver on
- Set streaming quality to low on mobile data
- Upload photos when back on accommodation Wi-Fi
- Disable background refresh for apps you do not need
- Message instead of video calling when it is not necessary
- Check your remaining data every couple of days
- Switch the eSIM line off when the accommodation Wi-Fi is good
Why these settings matter more than simply buying a bigger plan
Many people solve a data shortage by simply buying a bigger plan each time, without ever checking what is actually draining it so fast. Buying more headroom treats the symptom, not the cause, while the right settings take only a few minutes yet keep paying off for the whole trip.
The two lists above cover what to do before flying and during the trip. What follows explains why each one works, and where people commonly slip up without realising it.
What actually drains data without anyone noticing
Most of the data that vanishes without anyone noticing does not come from actively using an app, but from background processes: automatic cloud photo backup, quiet app updates, and autoplay video in a social feed that gets scrolled past without ever meaning to watch it.
These processes keep running in the background even after the screen is off. Without switching them off from the start, other data-saving habits during the day may barely make a dent.
The phone's data counter and the operator's own meter do not always match
The data counter shown on the phone is the operating system's own estimate, not a figure measured directly from the operator's side. The two numbers can differ slightly at all times, and in some cases enough to create the false impression that more data remains than actually does.
For a more reliable figure, checking through whatever channel the provider offers for tracking usage directly is more dependable than relying on the phone's own counter alone.
Checking data usage accurately during the trip
- 1iOS: open the system counterGo to Settings > Cellular and scroll down to see each app's usage since the last reset period.
- 2iOS: reset the counter to match the trip's start dateScroll to the bottom and reset the statistics, so the figures shown start counting from day one of the trip.
- 3Android: open data usage settingsGo to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage, and set the date range to match the trip.
- 4Cross-check against the provider's own channelIf the provider offers a separate way to check usage, compare the two figures periodically for a more reliable picture.
What the system's data saver mode actually does
The data saver mode built into the operating system works by restricting how freely background apps can use data. Whatever is open and in active use keeps working normally, while other apps not currently on screen have their background connections limited.
One side effect worth knowing is that some notifications may arrive a little later, since that app is no longer connecting in the background constantly. It is usually a fair trade for a trip where saving as much data as possible is the priority.
Extra care when sharing a hotspot with another device
A device connected through a hotspot, a laptop especially, tends to use data more heavily than a phone, because desktop operating systems commonly leave automatic updates and cloud file syncing switched on by default, settings that may not have been disabled the way they were on the phone.
Before sharing a hotspot with a laptop for work, its automatic updates and cloud file syncing are worth switching off too, not only the settings on the phone doing the sharing.
When it is not worth cutting data too far
Saving data is worthwhile, but a few situations make cutting it too far riskier than it is worth: turning off real-time maps while walking through an unfamiliar city at night, for instance, or refusing to spend data on a ride-hailing app once public transport has already stopped running for the day.
In situations tied to safety or finding the way back to accommodation, using whatever data is needed matters more than squeezing out maximum savings. It is worth deciding upfront that saving data should never come at the cost of safety.
App categories that quietly drain data, and the setting that helps
| App category | What quietly drains data | The setting that helps |
|---|---|---|
| Social media apps | Autoplay video while scrolling the feed | Disable autoplay in that app's own settings |
| Photo and file backup apps | Backing up to the cloud the instant a photo is taken | Disable auto-backup, enable it only when on Wi-Fi |
| OS and app store apps | Updating apps in the background without a prompt | Disable auto-updates on mobile data, allow them on Wi-Fi only |
| Music and video streaming apps | Defaulting to high-quality downloads | Set quality to low while on mobile data |
Common mistakes and how to fix them
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming swiping an app closed stops its background data use | Some apps keep refreshing in the background regardless | Switch off background refresh directly in settings |
| Trying to download offline maps once Wi-Fi is already gone | The download fails or covers an incomplete area | Download in advance while Wi-Fi at home or the hotel is still available |
| Assuming clearing an app's cache reduces future data use | Cache is unrelated to data use; clearing it does not actually save data | Adjust the settings that actually control data use instead, such as disabling auto-backup or autoplay |
If maximum saving still is not enough, what next
If every step above has been followed and data still runs out faster than expected, it may be time to step back and check whether the chosen plan actually matches real usage, rather than something more settings can fix.
The site's data calculator tool can estimate a more suitable allowance for the next trip faster than guessing, and if it is still unclear, the team can advise via LINE at https://lin.ee/skDPoNx or email at esimonline.asia@gmail.com.
If only three things can be done, start with these
- Disable automatic cloud backup for photos and video
- Turn off autoplay video in every social media app
- Download offline maps in advance while Wi-Fi is still available
FAQ
Does swiping an app closed help save data?+
Only partly. Some apps keep refreshing in the background even after being swiped away. Switching off background refresh for that app directly in settings gives a more reliable result.
Why do the phone's data counter and the operator's meter not match?+
The phone's counter is the operating system's own estimate, not a figure measured directly by the operator. The two can always differ by some margin. For a reliable figure, checking the operator's own channel is the better reference.
Does the system's data saver mode have any downsides?+
The main side effect is that some notifications may arrive a little later, since apps not currently on screen have their background connections limited. It is usually a fair trade when the goal is maximum data saving.
When should offline maps be downloaded?+
Download them in advance while Wi-Fi or a good signal is still available, such as at home or the accommodation, not at the moment they are actually needed, since there may not be enough signal by then.
If everything has been tried and data still is not enough, what next?+
Try the data calculator tool to estimate a more suitable allowance for the next trip, and if still unsure, ask the team via LINE at https://lin.ee/skDPoNx or email at esimonline.asia@gmail.com for further advice.
Does sharing a hotspot with a laptop really use more data than a phone?+
Usually yes, because desktop operating systems commonly leave automatic updates and cloud file syncing on by default. Disable both on the laptop before sharing a hotspot with it, not only the settings on the phone.