Consumers with limited data plans must vigilantly monitor their monthly usage to avoid costly one-off additions. Depleting data means being cut off from essential services like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and email outside Wi-Fi zones.
A recent report by TRG Datacenters reveals a surge in data consumption, with the average mobile user now devouring over 11GB monthly, marking a 40% spike from two years ago. Unsurprisingly, data-hungry apps, particularly those streaming video content, are the main culprits.
TRG Datacenters has identified the top 10 data-draining apps, with YouTube taking the lead, closely followed by Twitch, Snapchat, TikTok, and Netflix. Notably, many apps, including YouTube, continue to consume data in the background even when not actively used.
According to TRG Datacenters, over 90% of YouTube’s data usage occurs in the background. Disabling background data usage in app settings can help conserve data and prevent unexpected depletion.
The list of top data-consuming apps includes YouTube, Twitch, Snapchat, TikTok, Threads, Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and Pinterest. For instance, streaming high-quality YouTube videos for less than 2 hours could exhaust a 1GB data plan.
Highlighting the issue, a spokesperson from TRG Datacenters emphasized that background data consumption poses a hidden threat to mobile data plans. Popular apps continuously sync content, update feeds, and preload videos in the background, leading users to inadvertently exceed their data limits.
Both Android and iPhone devices offer tools to monitor data usage and identify data-intensive apps. Understanding and managing data consumption can prevent unnecessary expenses on additional data packages.