HOW TO MINIMIZE DATA USAGE ON YOUR ANDROID DEVICE

Now, in this hard economic times., some of us are having a hard time satisfying the need for data on their android devices.

WHY DOES MY ANDROID DEVICE USE SO MUCH DATA?

You see, an android device require a constant supply of data by default. This data is mostly used to sync information as well as ensure your android apps are up to date.
There's a lot more in the syncing part, but let's leave it at that.

HOW DO I MINIMIZE DATA USAGE ON MY ANDROID DEVICE?

There are two ways to minimize data usage on  that android phone, phablet or tablet.

METHOD 1

This method is the easiest, but i'd not call it the best.

This is all you have to do:

1. Open up your phone settings and click on the data usage option.
2. Just below the graph, You'll see a number of applications listed in the order of how much data has the app has used. You can click on an app to disable background data for that single app. however, you cannot disable background data for system applications.
3. Still in the data usage menu, once you click the options button on your phone you'll see a Restrict background data option. It is normally  not ticked by default so you'll have to tick the box just beside it. And that's it.

Your data usage problems will decrease by roughly 30%.

WARNING!
Disabling background data denies applications network access  as long the app is not running in the foreground. In simpler terms, you will have to launch an application for it to access the internet.
This means apps like Facebook, Whatsapp, Gmail among many others will only show notifications of unread events ONLY when you open the app.

Also, for users on Android 4.0 and above, you will get a persistent notification on your status bar asking you to enable background data.

METHOD 2

This method is a bit complicated but its the best and foolproof.

Prerequisites

1. Rooted android device.
2. Firewall app. Droidwall is my personal favorite, but there are many other  firewall applications  in the Google Play store that serve the same purpose.

Procedure

1. Install the firewall app on your device and launch. once you launch the app, You will get a pop prompting you to grant Super User permissions to the firewall app.
2. Within the app, you will see two columns, one for wi-fi connection and another for mobile data connection. On the wi-fi connection, select all apps you'd want to access the internet  via wi fi connection. Do the same for the mobile data connection.
3. Now press the options button on your phone select the firewall disabled options. You might get a Super User request. Grant it and wait for the firewall app to save the rules.

Voila!! Your data guzzling woes are dead and gone for GOOD!

Warning,
Select your apps wisely.

NB
For those without root access, you can give NoRoot Firewall a try.
I have not tried it myself so I cannot guarantee its functionability.

In case of any problem send an email to ndrdhelp@gmail.com  stating the problem.