Many Safaricom users have recently raised concerns over the faster depletion of Data bundles, especially the 1GB package.
“My data B-Live doesn’t last, but that’s not the problem, the speeds drop like crazy. I can’t use the bundle now. You have my 25 bob, and I can’t utilize the bundle I paid for. May God bless me so that I will never be under you again,” said Mufasa on X.
In its response, Safaricom has clarified how data may be used without the user’s knowledge.
Safaricom has stated that several activities, including background activity by applications and automatic updates.
“Your phone might be using your data without you knowing,” Said Safaricom
Background Apps Can Quietly Consume Your Data
According to Safaricom, Applications installed on smartphones can continue communicating with the internet when users are not actively using them.
This can include refreshing content, synchronizing information, backing up files, and checking for updates.
Social media applications can also preload images and videos, while cloud-storage and photo-backup services may upload files automatically.
Messaging applications can download media depending on the user’s settings.
Safaricom explained that data consumption is based on the volume of content accessed by a device, including activity taking place in the background.
This means that simply putting your phone aside does not necessarily mean that mobile data consumption has stopped.
Android devices allow users to view data consumption by individual applications and can be restricted.
How to Restrict Background Data on Android and iPhone
Safaricom has recommended restricting background data for applications that are not actively used.
For Android users, users can
- Go to Settings
- Apps
- Select an App
- Mobile Data/Data Usage
- Switch off Background Data
Users can first check which applications are consuming the most data before restricting them. This is useful for identifying apps that continue consuming data when they are not being actively used.
For iPhone users
- Go to Settings
- General
- Background App Refresh
Users can choose which applications are allowed to refresh in the background or turn off the feature altogether.
Restricting background activity can reduce unnecessary consumption, although some applications may not refresh content or perform certain functions until they are opened.
Other data-saving measures can therefore be applied selectively rather than switching off background access for every application.
Update Apps Over Wi-Fi and Reduce Heavy Usage
When applications are configured to update using mobile data, a large update can consume a significant portion of a bundle without the user deliberately downloading anything.
Safaricom recommends setting applications to update when connected to Wi-Fi instead.
Users should also pay attention to video streaming. Video platforms and social media applications can consume high amounts of data, particularly when content is streamed at high quality.
Reducing video quality and turning off autoplay can help users stretch their bundles further.
Automatic media downloads on messaging applications can also contribute to consumption. Turning off automatic downloads for videos and large files gives users greater control over what is downloaded using mobile data.
Users who frequently share their connection through a hotspot should also check connected devices. Computers and other phones may begin downloading software, application, or system updates once connected, consuming a large amount of the host phone’s bundle.
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