How Does the Data Saver work?

Question

Can someone please explain to me how the Data Saver user interface works? I gather that this function keeps applications from sucking up data over the phone network when it's not necessary.

Do the switches "off" mean that an app will get data via WiFi only? How does this relate to the "Data Saver" on/off switch? Are they (even the ones switched off) only protected from sucking data when Data Saver is on? And if

    an app's Data switch is off
    I'm off WiFi and have data turned on
    Have Data Saver turned on


If I want to use an app that needs data (E-mail, for example) when I'm off WiFi, will I have to find my way back to the switches and turn an app's "Unrestricted Data" switch back on before it will work? Or does opening the app allow it to get data via the phone network? 

It's not clear to me what's on and off and when. 


![User uploaded photo](https://fscl01.fonpit.de/userfiles/3089207/image/forum/Data_Saver-1556549785729.png)

tech4ubox · Answer

Mobile data use is costly and even more so where data plan costs are not affordable by all. Android users need the ability to reduce data use or block it from apps altogether. The Data Saver feature in the Android 7.0 release provides this functionality to the user.

The Data Saver feature can be turned on or off by the user. App developers should use a new API to check if Data Saver mode is on. If it is on, the app developers can handle the situation gracefully by tuning their applications for low- or no-data access.

End users benefit as they will be able to control which apps can access data in the background and which can access data only while in the foreground. This ensures desired background data exchange when Data Saver is on per user control.

Mike Rivers · Answer

I read that article before I asked my question. It explains why the feature exists, but it isn't clear as to how to use it. I just want to know what I'm turning on and off, and exactly how to do it and the extent to which it works. I thought I made that clear in my question. Am I trying to make this too complicated? 

Let me try another example. I'm away from WiFi and I want to want to check to see if an expected e-mail has arrived. I turn on network data and open the e-mail app. Ideally, I want that app, and only that app, to access the network data. I don't want Google Maps to take this opportunity to update my off-line maps, or Amazon to tell me what I should buy next. 

If nearly all the switches in Data Saver are off, does that mean that those "off" apps won't access data any time? Or does it mean that they might access data unless I turn Data Saver on? Also, If I DON'T have Data Saver turned on, will those apps whose switches are on in the Data Saver app list grab data if they get a chance? 

Is there any disadvantage to leaving Data Saver turned on all the time? Will that block me from doing something I want to use data for? Do I have to remember to turn Data Saver off whenever I'm not WiFi-connected and I want to use an app that needs data access?

razerbladelaptop · Answer

Thank you for sharing such detailed specific info. God Bless.

Nisha Joshi · Answer

data saver is the thing to save your extra internet in your phone so here we are talking about the [best data saver apps][1] which help you to save your data in your phone 

1. My Data Manager – Data Usage
2. Data Usage Monitor
3. DataEye | Save Mobile Data
4. GlassWire Data Usage Monitor
5. Data Monitor: Simple Net-Meter
6. InternetGuard Data Saver Firewall
7. Data Saver

  [1]: https://blogs.innovanathinklabs.com/best-data-saver-apps-for-android/

Mike Rivers · Answer

My question of how the user interface works has still not been been answered. It's been a year since I asked the question, so I guess at this point it doesn't really matter. By only turning on network data when I need it, which is usually for just a minute or so at a time, I don't seem to be "losing" any data.