Cloud storage services, like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and so on, exist to make our lives easier. There is nothing as comforting as knowing that your photos, videos, documents, music and all the other data on your smartphone are safely stored away somewhere on the cloud. However, cloud services can be a big culprit when it comes to data use. Often, your phone is set by default to backup every photo you take or receive, every message or email to the cloud, so make sure you're aware of how your phone is backing up your data to manage it effectively.

Sure, having an up-to-date backup is reassuring. But rest even easier by altering the following settings on your cloud storage apps to optimise data usage:

Google Drive

Transfering files

Android: Launch Google drive > Navigate to Settings (top left) > Settings > select preferred setting.
iOS: Launch Google drive > Navigate to Settings (top left) > Settings > Photos > make sure Auto Backup is switched ON > select preferred setting.

How to update Google Drive on wi-fi only

Dropbox

Updating Dropbox

Android: Launch Dropbox > Navigate to Settings (top left) > Settings > How to update > select preferred setting

Camera Uploads

iOS: Launch Dropbox > Navigate to Settings (top left) when on the Recents page > Camera Uploads > select preferred setting

Note: The Use Cellular Data setting is only available when Camera Uploads is turned ON

Download Offline Files

iOS: Launch Dropbox > Navigate to Settings (top left) when on the Recents page > Offline Files > select preferred setting

Disable Background App Refresh

How ro disable background app refresh on Dropbox

Samsung Cloud

Sync Samsung Cloud

Navigate to Settings > Cloud and accounts > Samsung Cloud > Settings (top right) > Settings > Sync using Wi-Fi only > select preferred setting

iCloud

Updating Files

Navigate to Settings > Cellular > select preferred setting. This may prevent iCloud Drive from transferring documents and data over mobile data.

How to prevent iCloud using mobile data

Be #Datawyze with Vodacom

We know that it can be difficult to work out exactly how much data you’re going to need, or how much data you are currently using. Try out this data calculator to understand how much data your most popular apps use.

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