If you, like so many others, have fallen in love with "Pokemon Go," an augmented reality game that lets you catch Pokemon in the real world, you may have noticed an increase in your phone's data usage lately. But if you've been wondering how to reduce data usage while playing "Pokemon Go," good news: Luckily for all you Pokemon trainers out there, you have a couple of solid options to choose from when it comes to cutting down on the amount of data the game eats up. The sad fact is that most apps that rely heavily on GPS tend to be a little more data hoggish than others — but if you take a few preventative measures, at least you can keep everything in line. You can even combin these tricks together for maximum data reduction, because your wallet and your cell phone plan will definitely thank you for it.
While the "Pokemon Go" app itself is free to download and play, how much data it uses is pretty much all on you — how often you play it, where you play it, and so on. But no matter what your phone plan is, it's always a good idea to plan ahead and double check the fine print so you don't end up with a whopping bill and extra fees tacked on at the end of the month. Even if you share your plan with others, such as parents or your significant other, it's good to check in and see if anyone suspects they may have eaten up most of the shared data. Better safe than sorry, am I right?
At the end of the day, "Pokemon Go" is all about having fun, meeting new people, and getting out to explore your neighborhood. In my opinion, it's the perfect blend of '90s kid nostalgia and advanced technology to keep anyone's attention occupied for an afternoon walking around. That said, there's no harm in cutting down on your data and saving yourself some cash. Check out the following tips for ways you can reduce your data usage while playing "Pokemon Go," and remember to have fun out there!
1. Connect To WiFi Whenever You Can
This one seems obvious, but it's easy to forget to search for open WiFi networks when you're used to your phone using data. After all, data may feel immediately convenient in the moment, but it can definitely add up over time. Connecting to WiFi allows you to catch Pokemon as well as keep up with your other mobile internet habits without using up that precious data.
2. Turn Off Push Notifications
You know those notifications that pop up on your phone alerting you that you have another spam email or that someone "liked" a comment of yours from months ago on Facebook? They're nice in that you immediately know what's up, but they can also be a huge drain on your data. Going into your settings and turning push notifications "off" is a great way to nip that in the bud. It's also a good way to save your phone's battery.
3. Turn Off Background Applications
Making sure that your background applications are turned off is an easy way to cut down on your data usage. Especially since "Pokemon Go" relies on your location services, you want to make sure other apps that rely on your location aren't also running needlessly in the background.
4. Download Local Maps
Some "Pokemon Go" users report that simply downloading local maps before they embark on their journeys is perfectly effective and helps cut down their data usage. Many users suggest using maps from Google Maps, as that's apparently the source for "Pokemon Go's" maps.
5. Avoid Streaming Media
For many people, playing "Pokemon Go" is extra fun because they get to interact with others and share their experiences. Plenty of people livestream playing "Pokemon Go," while others chat about their highs and lows on social media, like Facebook and YouTube, while they're out hunting. Either way, broadcasting or following these streams can lead to a big step up in your data usage, so it's best to leave them for when you're connected to WiFi. Remember, even when things are live, it doesn't mean you can't catch up with them later.
So, there you have it, Pokemon trainers! Have fun out there and remember to cut down on your data usage when you can. Your wallets will thank you at the end of the month.
Images: Giphy (5)
