Smartphones are now an essential part of almost every aspect of daily life, from communication to online transactions. As a result, many people keep their phone’s mobile data switched on at all times, even when they don’t need it. This habit, however, can quietly increase data usage, drain the battery faster and sometimes put extra strain on the phone.
Background data usage
Even when a phone’s screen is off, many apps do not shut down completely. Social media, email, news, weather and shopping apps can continue exchanging information with servers in the background. As a result, mobile data gets used while new messages, notifications and other updates come through, meaning a data plan can be consumed to some extent even when the user isn’t directly browsing the internet.
The battery can drain faster
When mobile data is on, the phone has to maintain its connection to the network. In areas with weak signal in particular, the phone may use comparatively more power to hold that connection. Combined with multiple apps staying active in the background, this puts extra strain on the battery.
The phone can heat up
With mobile data on and several apps working in the background, the processor and network modem can face a heavier workload. Running this way for long stretches can make the phone heat up somewhat. However, the idea that simply keeping mobile data on will damage a phone’s internal components is not accurate.
Data plans can run out faster
Various background processes — automatic sync, cloud backup, app updates and video-content preloading — can consume mobile data. How much this adds up to depends on a phone’s apps and settings. Keeping data on unnecessarily therefore raises the likelihood that a monthly data plan will run out faster than expected.
Notification overload
When an internet connection is active, notifications keep arriving regularly from various apps. Having more apps on the phone can increase this further. Repeated sounds, vibrations or the screen lighting up can disrupt focus, and can also become a source of annoyance during sleep at night.
How to manage it
The simplest solution is to turn mobile data off when the phone isn’t in use, and switch it back on as needed. Those who prefer to keep data on at all times can use a phone’s Data Saver or Background Data Restriction features.
Phone settings can also be checked to see which apps are using the most mobile data. Depending on need, limiting background data for specific apps, turning off automatic updates for unnecessary apps and controlling background activity can all help save data and battery.
In short, keeping mobile data on at all times will not, by itself, ruin an expensive smartphone. But the habit of leaving data on unnecessarily can increase unneeded battery and data use. Using a phone’s settings mindfully can go a long way toward reducing this extra cost and strain on the battery.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report