Android how to use cell data to download apps

Data usage, especially on a mobile data plan, is something you might want to keep a close eye on. Thankfully, Android allows you to prevent this. Android makes it pretty easy to keep tabs on your data usage. You can even set up alerts to stop your smartphone or tablet from going over your limits. Another handy trick is to block specific apps from using mobile data in the background altogether.

The app will no longer be able to use mobile data in the background. It will still be able to use data when you open it, though. Browse All iPhone Articles Browse All Mac Articles Do I need one? Browse All Android Articles Browse All Smart Home Articles Customize the Taskbar in Windows Browse All Microsoft Office Articles What Is svchost. Browse All Privacy and Security Articles Browse All Linux Articles Browse All Buying Guides.

Best iPhone 13 Pro Case. Best Bluetooth Headphones for Switch. Best Roku TV. Best Apple Watch. Best iPad Cases. Best Portable Monitors. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: June 19, Open the Settings app. You can find this in your App Drawer or on your Home screen. The icon looks like a gear. Tap the "Data usage" option.

This should be located towards the top of the menu. Older versions of Android may have a "Mobile Networks" option instead. Tap the "Mobile data" slider. This will toggle your mobile data ON. On older versions of Android, check the "Data enabled" box. Note: Your plan will need to support mobile data in order for you to enable it. You will also need a cellular signal in order to use your mobile data connection. Check that you have a data connection. Next to your reception bars in the Notification bar, you may be able to see either "3G" or "4G".

Note that not all devices display this when you have a data connection, so the best way to test is to open your web browser and try to visit a website. Make sure that Airplane Mode is disabled. Airplane Mode will turn off your mobile data connection. You can toggle Airplane Mode from the Settings menu, or by pressing and holding the Power button and tapping the Airplane Mode button.

Check to see if you're roaming. Most devices will disable data by default if you are roaming outside of your network. This is because roaming data is typically much more expensive than in-network data.

If you need your data connection while you're roaming, you can enable it. Open the Settings app and select "Data usage.

Check the "Data roaming" box. Ensure you haven't exceed your carrier limit for data. Depending on your mobile plan, you may have a hard limit for data per billing cycle. If you exceed this limit you may be throttled or cut off completely from your mobile data connection.

Show 8 more comments. Active Oldest Votes. Scroll down to item "Media" and tap it. Scroll down and see if "Limit background data" is checked. If so, uncheck This was the cause in my case, because for the Play Store app the same setting was not active.

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