Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (2024)

Mobile Phones > Android

Avoid excess data usage charges on your smartphone or tablet

Bradley Mitchell

Writer

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Illinois

An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking.

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Updated on July 28, 2021

Reviewed by

Jerrick Leger

Reviewed byJerrick Leger

Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.

lifewire's editorial guidelines

Android

Switching from iOS

Data Usage

What We Like

Clean user interface.
Align the app to your service contract.
Notification system for overage risk.

What We Don't Like

No recent updates.
Device requirements for the Android app.
Manufacturer contact information is unclear.

The Data Usage app is easy to installand uses theme colors that change to reflect current usage status. The app includes all the essential features of a data-monitoring system, including the ability to track over time periods that match your billing cycle. It monitors mobile data and Wi-Fi in real time and lets you set usage alerts. Data Usage can help you set daily quotas and predictwhen you'll go over your limits.

A Pro in-app upgrade for iOS includes additionaloptions for custom usage counters.

The iOS app is $0.99 and requires iOS 9.0 or later. It works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The Android app requirements vary by device.

Download For:

iOS

Android

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DataMan

Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (4)

What We Like

Easy-to-visualize alerts about potential overages.
Hour-by-hour grid helps you visualize usage patterns.
App for watchOS.

What We Don't Like

App instructions are sometimes confusing.
A blend of simplicity and in-depth reporting makes for a mixed metaphor of an app.

The DataMan app for iOS devices reports usage only for a device's cellular communication and also for Wi-Fi connections.

It tracks cellular and Wi-Fi in real time and has a "smart forecast" feature that predicts if you'll stay within your data cap. DataMan has a handy widget for checking your usage at a glance, and the app alerts you before you reach your data cap.

DataMan is $0.99 and is available only for iOS. A Pro subscription is available with more functionality as a $0.99 in-app purchase. The app is compatible with iOS 14.4 or later.

Download For:

iOS

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My Data Manager VPN Security

Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (5)

What We Like

Good reports and detailed, if boring, user interface.
Checks account-level, not only device-level, usage.

What We Don't Like

Embedded VPN on a free product is a warning sign for potential data and privacy risks.
User complaints in the App Store about the VPN.

Take control of your data with the free My Data Manager app on your mobile device. Use the app every day to track how much data you use and receive alerts before you fly past your data limit.

The free iOS version of the app is called My Data Manager VPN Security and says it "secures your internet traffic with VPN technology, encrypts your unprotected data, and tracks how much data you use per app." The Android version sticks to monitoring data usage.

Usage-monitoring features of both apps include the ability to monitor mobile, roaming, and Wi-Fi connections. It supports custom usage alarms to avoid overage charges and offers shared and family plans with tracking across all members' devices.

The free app is compatible with iOS 13 and later and Android 6.0 and later.

Download For:

iOS

Android

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myAT&T

Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (6)

What We Like

Works with AT&T to assess usage against the carrier's own stats and account-level information.
Looks at the whole account, not just the device, to assess overages.
Combines entire AT&T portfolio, including DSL and DirecTV.

What We Don't Like

Recent user complaints say the app is significantly inaccurate.
Clunky card-based app design.

AT&T subscribers can use the myAT&T app to stay on top of their accounts, view official data usage reports, and perform other account administration functions. Information for allaccounts is available on the main screen of the app.

Use the app to monitor your usage, manage your wireless account, view billing details, pay your bill, upgrade your phone or plan, and make changes to your plan.

The free app is compatible with iOS 11.4 and Android 7.0 and up.

Text myATTto556699from any device, and the company sends a link to download the app.

Download For:

iOS

Android

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My Verizon

Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (7)

What We Like

Clean, crisp design.
Account-level view into your Verizon relationship.
For a carrier-designed app, it gets good ratings.

What We Don't Like

Limited usage reporting.
Emphasis on upsells.

Verizon Wireless subscribers can use the free My Verizonapp to check official data usage against plan limits. It works best with recent or unlimited plans.

The My Verizon app offersbasic data-monitoring capabilities as well as additional services such as reviewing and managing your plan, viewing and paying your bill, getting on-demand support, and shopping for new devices and accessories.

The free app is compatible with iOS 11.0 and up and Android 5.0 and higher.

Download For:

iOS

Android

FAQs

What is the app that monitors mobile data usage? ›

Data Monitor is a user-friendly, free and open source app for you to manage your data usage. Data Monitor helps you to accurately measure your daily data traffic, and analyze the data in a way easy to understand.

Show Me More ›

How do I monitor my cell phone data usage? ›

Check your mobile data usage

Open your phone's Settings app. Internet. Next to your carrier, tap Settings . At the top you'll see how much total data you use.

Learn More ›

How to check mobile data usage? ›

Steps for checking data usage

Open the Settings application on your Android smartphone or tablet.
Tap 'Network & Internet', then 'Internet'.
Tap the Settings icon next to your mobile network provider's name.
Your total data usage will be shown at the top of the screen.

More items...

Mar 28, 2024

Explore More ›

Is there an app that monitors cell phone usage? ›

1. StayFree Phone Usage Tracker. StayFree offers a user-friendly app for monitoring phone usage. With insightful analytics and customisable settings, it empowers users to cultivate healthier digital habits and regain control of their screen time.

Discover More Details ›

How do I monitor my daily data usage? ›

Simply go to your device settings, select "Connections," then tap on "Data Usage." Here, you'll find a breakdown of the data usage for each app, displayed alongside a graph showing the total data consumption during the current billing cycle.

Keep Reading ›

How can I monitor my mobile phone usage? ›

How to check total time spent on Android operating system

Go to Settings.
Tap Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
Under Your Digital Wellbeing tools, tap Show Your Data.
Note the first time you open Digital Wellbeing, you'll need to set up your profile.

Jan 19, 2022

Keep Reading ›

How do I monitor my network data usage? ›

One way to monitor internet usage is through your router or modem. Many routers and modems have built-in tools that allow you to see how much data each device on your network uses. To access them, you'll need to log in to your router or modem's web-based interface.

Learn More Now ›

What is draining my mobile data? ›

A lot of apps will quietly run in the background, which can drain your battery and burn lots of mobile data. Consider deleting apps that do this regularly, or (on Android) use some advanced options in Developer Mode to limit background processes.

Read On ›

Why is my phone using so much data all of a sudden? ›

App syncing, updates, notifications, and autoplay

Many apps sync to the cloud, update themselves, and send notifications automatically. These functions, while convenient, can use data in the background. For example, videos often play automatically as you scroll through your newsfeed on social media apps.

See Details ›

Why is my data finished so fast without using? ›

Some apps continue to consume data in the background even when you're not actively using them. Processes such as syncing, updating, or refreshing content led to unexpected data usage. Review App permissions and adjust app settings to control the quality of content they download and reduce data usage.

How do I check my monthly Cellular data usage? ›

To see how much cellular data you've used, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data. If you're using an iPad, you might see Settings > Cellular Data instead. Scroll down to find which apps are using cellular data.

Read On ›

How do I check all time data usage? ›

Android devices. Go to Settings and choose Data usage. Here you can see where you're using the most data and choose to add data alerts.

Find Out More ›

How can I check my daily mobile usage? ›

Open your device's Settings app. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. The chart shows your device use today. For more info, tap the chart.

Get More Info Here ›

How can I see what devices are using my data? ›

See Details ›

How do I show mobile data usage on my screen? ›

Open the Settings app on your Android smartphone. In the Search Settings panel, write Network Speed. Amongst the options that turn up, choose the one that you think seems the most appropriate. After that, go and toggle the switch that activates the data usage notification.

Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage (2024)

Data Usage

DataMan

My Data Manager VPN Security

myAT&T

My Verizon

FAQs

What is the app that monitors mobile data usage? ›

How do I check my monthly Cellular data usage? ›

References