#How to Stop Android Apps from Using Background Mobile Data

Data usage, especially on a mobile data plan, is something you might want to keep a close eye on. It’s very annoying if apps you don’t open often are eating through data caps in the background. Thankfully, Android allows you to prevent this.

Android makes it pretty easy to keep tabs on your data usage. You can even set up alerts to stop your smartphone or tablet from going over your limits. Another handy trick is to block specific apps from using mobile data in the background altogether.

RELATED: How to Track Your Data Usage on Android

Note: This is specifically for restricting mobile data. It will not stop the app from connecting to Wi-Fi in the background.

To get started, swipe down from the top of your device’s screen (once or twice, depending on your phone or tablet’s manufacturer) and tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

Next, select “Apps & Notifications.”

Tap “See All [Number] Apps” for the full list of installed apps.

Find the app from the list that you want to restrict background data usage for.

Next, select “Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.”

Toggle off the switch for “Background Data.”

That’s it! The app will no longer be able to use mobile data in the background. It will still be able to use data when you open it, though. For apps that you don’t use very often, this is a nice way to ensure that they don’t eat into your data allowance.