To check your data usage on Android, open Settings. On a Google Pixel, go to Network & internet > SIMs. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Connections > Data usage. You'll see how much mobile data you've used in the current cycle, and which apps used it. On a SimOptions travel eSIM, you can also check your remaining data balance on our Check Usage & Top Up page or in the SimOptions app. This guide shows you each step, plus how to set a data warning, turn Data Saver on or off, and stop single apps from eating your data.
How to check your data usage on Android
Menu names change a little between brands and Android versions. Here are the paths from Google's and Samsung's own help pages.
Google Pixel and stock Android
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet > SIMs. Your total mobile data use is at the top.
- Tap App data usage to see a graph. Tap the down arrow to pick a time period.
- Look below the graph to see how much data each app used.
Source: Google: Reduce and manage mobile data usage.
Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections > Data usage.
- Tap Mobile data usage to see your usage over time and which apps use the most data.
Samsung says the screens can vary by carrier, software version and model (Samsung: Manage data usage on your Galaxy phone).
Other Android phones
On Xiaomi, OnePlus, Motorola and other brands, the menu can sit under Mobile network, SIM cards or Connections. The fastest way: open Settings, tap the search bar and type data usage.
Using an iPhone too? Here's how to check your data usage on iPhone.
How to check your SimOptions eSIM balance
Your phone counts the data it has used. It doesn't know how much is left on your plan. To check the data balance of a SimOptions eSIM, use one of these two ways.
On the SimOptions website
- Go to the Check Usage & Top Up page.
- Enter the email you used to order and your order ID. You'll find the order ID in your order confirmation email.
- Check your eSIM usage. If you're running low, you can buy a top-up on the same page.
In the SimOptions app
The SimOptions app on Google Play shows your data usage and remaining validity. You can also top up compatible eSIMs in the app, with no new QR code. More about it in our guide to the SimOptions eSIM app.
Can't find your order ID, or the balance looks wrong? Check the eSIM FAQs or contact our support team.
Heading abroad soon? These prepaid travel eSIMs give you a set amount of data, so you always know your budget. You can track what's left and top up if you need more.
Data-only eSIMs · Europe, the USA and India · See all destinations
How to check data usage on a travel eSIM
With a travel eSIM, your phone has two lines: your home SIM and the travel eSIM. A few things help you read the numbers right.
- Check the right line. If your phone shows more than one SIM in the data usage screen, pick the travel eSIM. Make sure it's also the line set for mobile data. See how to set up and manage a dual eSIM.
- Match the cycle to your trip. Your phone counts per cycle, usually per month. On Samsung, set Start billing cycle on to the day your eSIM started. On Pixel, pick the matching time period in App data usage.
- Trust your provider's number. Google says carriers may measure data differently from your phone, so check your plan's own balance too. For a SimOptions eSIM, that's the Check Usage & Top Up page or the app.
- Keep data roaming off on your home line. That way only the travel eSIM uses data abroad. More in the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
Traveling around Asia, for example to India or Pakistan? One regional eSIM covers 26 countries in the region, so you don't have to swap plans at each border.
How to set a data warning and data limit
A data warning sends you a notification when you reach an amount you choose. A data limit turns mobile data off when you reach it. Both use your phone's own count, not your carrier's.
On Google Pixel
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Data warning & limit.
- Turn on Set data warning, then tap Data warning and enter an amount.
- For a hard stop, turn on Set data limit, then tap Data limit and enter an amount.
When you hit the limit, mobile data turns off and you get a notification. To turn it back on, go to the same screen and turn off Set data limit (Google).
On Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Billing cycle and data warning.
- Set Start billing cycle on to the first day of your plan.
- Turn on Set data warning and enter the Data warning amount.
- Turn on Limit mobile data usage (on some carriers it's called Set data limit) and enter the Data limit.
Tip for travel eSIMs: set the limit a little below your plan's data, so you have time to top up before you run out.
How to turn off Data Saver on Android
Data Saver stops most apps from using mobile data in the background. Apps you have open can still use data. It's handy on a small plan, but it can stop messages or emails from arriving until you open the app.
On Google Pixel
- Open Settings and tap Network & internet > Data Saver.
- Turn Data Saver off (or on).
When Data Saver is on, you'll see its icon in the status bar (Google: Use less mobile data with Data Saver).
On Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver.
- Turn the Turn on now switch off (or on).
Keep Data Saver on, but let some apps through
- Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver > Unrestricted data and turn on the apps you want, like WhatsApp or Maps.
- Samsung: in Data saver, tap Allowed to use data while Data saver is on and pick your apps.
How to see and limit data use by app
The app list in your data usage screen shows which apps use the most data. Video, social media and cloud backup apps are often near the top. Here's what you can do about it.
Turn off background data for one app
- Samsung: go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage, tap the app and turn off Allow background data usage.
- Pixel: open Settings > Apps, tap the app, then Mobile data & Wi-Fi, and turn off Background data. The exact labels can differ by Android version.
The app still uses mobile data while you have it open.
Turn off mobile data for one app, like WhatsApp
On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Allowed networks for apps, tap the app and choose Wi-Fi only. The app then only goes online on Wi-Fi. If you want to keep WhatsApp working on the road, use Data Saver with WhatsApp allowed instead.
Save data without changing settings
- Download maps, playlists and shows on Wi-Fi before you leave.
- Set app stores and photo backups to update on Wi-Fi only.
- Pick lighter apps. See our list of low data consumption apps.
More ideas in our guide on how to save mobile data.
FAQs
How do I check my SimOptions eSIM balance?
Go to the Check Usage & Top Up page and enter your email and order ID, or open the SimOptions app. Both show your data usage, and you can buy a top-up there if you need more data.
How do I check how much data is left on my SIM card?
Your phone's settings show how much data you've used, not how much is left. For the balance, use your carrier's app or website. Samsung notes that some carriers also offer a text message service for this. For a SimOptions eSIM, use the Check Usage & Top Up page or the app.
Can I check my travel eSIM data usage in my phone settings?
Yes. Open the data usage screen. If your phone lists more than one SIM, pick the travel eSIM. Your phone shows what it has used on that line. Your provider's count can be a bit different, so check your plan's balance too.
Why does my phone show different usage than my carrier?
Your phone and your carrier measure data separately, and their cycles may start on different days. Google recommends checking with your carrier for its measurements and your plan limits.
What does a data warning mean?
It's a notification your phone sends when you reach the data warning amount you set. Nothing is blocked. Only a data limit turns mobile data off.
How do I turn off Data Saver on Android?
On Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver and turn it off. On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver and turn off Turn on now.
How do I stop WhatsApp from using mobile data on Samsung?
Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Allowed networks for apps, tap WhatsApp and choose Wi-Fi only. To only stop it in the background, turn off Allow background data usage for WhatsApp in Mobile data usage.