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One phone setting that could save you R200/month on data

December 13, 2025 • 5 min read

Mobile data in South Africa is expensive — and most people are losing money every month without even realizing it.

If you use WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, there’s one simple phone setting that could easily save you up to R200 per month on data.

No apps. No hacks. No network change.

Let’s get straight to it.

📱 The Setting: Turn Off Background Data Usage

Many apps continue using your data even when you’re not using them.

They:

  • Auto-play videos

  • Refresh feeds

  • Sync photos

  • Download updates

  • Track activity in the background

All of this eats your data silently.

✅ How to Turn It Off (Android – South Africa)

Most South Africans use Android. Here’s how to fix it in under 60 seconds:

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap Network & Internet

  3. Select Data Usage

  4. Tap App Data Usage

  5. Choose high-data apps like:

    • Facebook

    • Instagram

    • TikTok

    • YouTube

  6. Toggle Background Data → OFF

📉 That’s it. You’ve just stopped data leaks.

🍎 iPhone Users (iOS)

If you’re on iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Tap Cellular

  3. Scroll down to see apps using the most data

  4. Turn OFF mobile data for apps you don’t need on the go

  5. Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh

  6. Set it to Wi-Fi Only or Off

💰 How This Saves You R200+

Here’s how the savings add up:

  • Facebook background video loading: ~500MB/month

  • TikTok auto-refresh: ~700MB/month

  • App updates on mobile data: ~300MB/month

That’s 1.5GB+ wasted monthly.

At South African data prices, that’s R150–R250/month gone.

🔥 Bonus Tip: Disable Auto-Play Videos

This one change alone can cut your data usage by 30–40%.

Facebook & Instagram

  • Settings → Media

  • Turn Auto-Play Videos → Wi-Fi Only

TikTok

  • Settings → Data Saver → ON

📊 Who Should Do This Immediately?

This is especially important if you:

  • Use prepaid data

  • Buy daily or weekly bundles

  • Rely on mobile data (no Wi-Fi)

  • Are unemployed or side-hustling

  • Run Facebook ads or browse social media often

✅ Final Takeaway

You don’t need cheaper data bundles.

You don’t need a new network.

You just need to stop apps from wasting your data in the background.

This one setting can save you R200 every month — money you can use for food, transport, or even starting a side hustle.

🔔 Want More Money-Saving & Side Hustle Tips?

Bookmark za.lineupfor.info and check back daily.

We publish:

  • Data-saving tricks

  • Weekly-pay side hustles

  • Online income guides for South Africans