topic Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically in Mobile Apps & Services

Turning off Data for each app specifically

ElectroVenom — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:20:33 GMT

I want to completely disable some apps from using my mobile data, why is there no way to do this without work-arounds. The only thing you can do is disable background usage per app. Which is not a solution to my problem at all.

Imagine this, you're watching netflix and suddenly your wifi stops working, this causes you to stream using mobile data, and burn out your entire plan. If you could disable mobile data completely for netflix this would've made it impossible for this to happen.

The only solutions I have found for this problem is either external apps that work using a vpn, or using bixby routines to disable mobile data on certain apps. Why is this feature not on samsung phones natively, Iphones have it, other Androids have it. Why doesn't Samsung, makes me not want to buy a Samsung phone in the future.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

karlosslim — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:47:45 GMT

I had same issue and more and most of the issues were solved when I took bixby off as it seemed to take over the phone hope this helps

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

ElectroVenom — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:49:55 GMT

Bixby has nothing to do with this, it's just samsung missing a very essential feature, now I have to use a third party app or a workaround which I don't want to have to do, I don't understand why samsung hasn't added this feature already.

Re: Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

karlosslim — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:55:33 GMT

What third party app would you suggest

Re: Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

ElectroVenom — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:00:02 GMT

I use netguard right now, it's just unacceptable that this functionality isn't in the os by default. I don't want to use netguard, but I have to because Samsung is just missing such a rudimentary feature.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

JAMES4578 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:21:27 GMT

A bit more about Netguard here, though personally have not tried it myself yet. personally have not found much of a wifi problem with streaming services but appreciate it could be an issue. https://shustechs.com/block-internet-android-netguard/

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

AndrewL — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:42:25 GMT

@ElectroVenom: What I'd recommend is heading to Settings > Connections > Data Usage > Data Saver > On. Now, head to Settings > Apps > Netflix (as an example) > Mobile Data > Allow Background Data Usage > Off. You could also head to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Tap the 3 dots in the top right > Advanced > Switch To Mobile Data > Off, to avoid any unnecessary data usage. I hope this helps.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

ElectroVenom — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:51:19 GMT

This is not a solution at all, this only disables background usage, it is unacceptable that I can't turn off mobile data for each app individually without a work around or third party apps, nearly every other android distro has this and apple also had this. I'm just confused why such a basic feature isn't included in the samsung android distribution.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Shazzkid — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:35:33 GMT

I use an app called Netguard, it sets up a vpn and uses that as a firewall to restricts apps abilities to access data, both via wifi and cellular data, you can toggle them individually. There is many more featured on it, it is free and open source, and i swear by it, been using it for years.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

ElectroVenom — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:52:05 GMT

I use netguard aswell, I just think that it's unacceptable that such a basic feature isn't in the os

Re: Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Shazzkid — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:56:04 GMT

Yh its shame it isn't integrated, but a lot of the apps like Netguard, i have seen slowly made redundant and integrated into the OS, so i imagine it's only a matter of time.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

AndrooUK — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 13:51:00 GMT

This is to stop users from easily disabling ads on apps that they don't need or want the internet for, without having to use flight mode.

If you turn off wifi and mobile data for an app, it will stop showing any externally provided adverts, as it won't be able to fetch them from the servers, or bill the advertising company correctly.

Google, phone manufacturers, and app developers showing adverts, don't want to cut out any advertising revenue (Google is mostly advertising revenue), so they are never going to provide a simple way to completely disable data usage for specific apps and not others.

Any other excuses given by Samsung, Google, or advertising reliant app developers aren't true, or aren't the whole truth.

Jailbreaking will allow for the OS to perform this function, and possibly some third party apps if they can do creative things in the background to workaround the restrictions from Google.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

WeCsg — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 03:36:45 GMT

I had to switch to Samsung because Google does not work on my Huawei phone. On my old Huawei, I can disable mobile data and even choose to disable roaming for specific app. This allows me to use mobile data when I'm in my home country and disable the app completely when overseas unless I'm on WIFI.

Huawei is such a good phone it is really sad to see US punish a company for surpassing its own technology company. This type of anti-competitive behaviour is bad for user.

I really hope companies like Apple and Samsung can really do better instead of being complacent; choosing to attack rather than innovate.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Adi0 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 16:54:08 GMT

Yeah there's only an option to make " Mobile data only apps " and not Wi-Fi only apps.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Adi0 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 16:54:32 GMT

We should all send feedback through Samsung Members.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Srhegade — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:09:08 GMT

Samsung phone doesn't have many good features compared to MI or other brand phones.

Samsung phone doesn't have proper call recording option(doesn't record WiFi-Call) and some settings options are not good i.e. Data Restrict option for apps, I'm also using NetGuard apl to restrict Data for some apps

If Samusng team is really viewing our feedbacks, please try to provide these features in upcoming smartphones!

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

AndrewL — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:36:07 GMT

@Srhegade: While our mobile devices do not feature a native call recording option, it is possible to restrict mobile data usage via the Data Saver option. With this in mind, please head to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver, and toggle this option on to prevent apps from using mobile data in the background. To set any exceptions, tap on 'Allowed to use data while Data saver is on', and toggle on any apps from here.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

Gindi4711 — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 21:48:27 GMT

I know this thread is old, but has someone already found a solution?

I dont care about data usage, but for some apps like 3rd party keyboard apps allowing them to connect to the internet is completely unacceptable from a security standpoint.

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

007craft — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:42:17 GMT

People are not asking for restricting background data usage in an app . They are asking to restrict FOREGROUND data usage in an app. So when the app is open, it cannot use data . Usefully for when you are watching a streaming app and either lose your wifi while you are watching or start watching while you forget/are unaware that wifi is off and blow through all your data. It's a feature availabl3 in stock android that Samsung has specifically removed for One UI

Re: Turning off Data for each app specifically

PraveenPrem — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 09:32:37 GMT

Just in case someone else also stumble on this post looking for how to turn off mobile data, its now possible through Setting > Connections > Data usage >Allowed networks for apps