5 mobile data traps to avoid!

It’s not uncommon for us to go over on our monthly data allowance, and most of the time we don’t even question why are we paying so much.

But if your monthly bill is always higher than expected, have a look at these common mobile data traps as listed on The Telegraph. Being aware of these tricks could save you big money in the long run!

Wi – Fi Assist on 1OS 9

If you have recently updated your iPhone to iOs 9 then you may have noticed not only that your bill is higher, but also that your battery life might not last as long. Well this is due to the new wi-fi assistant feature. It is designed to ensure that users have a consistent internet connection, so when the Wi-Fi signal is weak it automatically switches to mobile data.

CLICK HERE to find out how to turn it off.

Automatic video play on social media

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all have automatic video play functions now, but playing the videos automatically can eat into your data, especially on Twitter. You can turn off the autoplay function via the Twitter app by clicking on me, then the cogwheel icon, then settings.

Apps that use more data than you’d think

Even if your apps aren’t active, they could still be updating in the background which you probably didn’t realise uses up lots of data.You can stop this happening by restricting or disabling background data in your settings. If you do this, your apps will update only when you open them. If you’ve got an iPhone, you can check how much data your apps have used (via “settings then “mobile data”).

Data roaming abroad

People can often get confused about the facts surrounding data roaming when abroad. Data charges are capped whilst you’re in the EU, but will still be charged 0.20 euro per MB. When travelling any further then it is important to remember there are no limits.Orange customers using the internet on their phone in New York or Ghana, for example, would be charged £8/MB. Luckily, all providers must cut off users once they’ve spent €50 on data.

Automatically switching from text messages to picture messages

Another thing to be aware of, is that ’emoticons’ can trigger a switch to MMS. We usually have to pay extra for these messages.You should be able to change the settings on your handset to stop an SMS changing into an MMS. EE said the handset should notify the user when the message is converted, and that it was working with manufacturers to resolve the problem on newer devices, or offer updates on existing phones.

CLICK HERE to read the full article over on the Telegraph.