Verizon Data Package - How do I keep from going over???

[curlyjbs]

Just got my 1st android phone and besides the fact that I have no idea how to use it....Im terrified that when I finally do know how I'm going to go over on the data package. What are your tips and tricks? What about apps? (what Im really saying is what the heck are apps and do I need a million of them like the kids do LOL)

I cant believe I'm intimidated by a phone!

~C

 

[janey99]

My DS has an iphone with Verizon that requires a data plan. He controls his use a couple of ways (and I am a tech-idiot, so I can only describe them to you in broad terms!) -

He has the phone set to first access the wireless internet in our house, then if that is not available, try any wireless in range, and only after that does it access the data plan.

Also, Verizon sends you IMs when you are at a certain point in your usage, so you can slow down if you need to. I believe the IMs come at 75% and 90% usage for the month.

In his first month, DS only used 1 MG of his 2 MG plan. He's 13. He finds cr@p to download like it's going out of style. If he didn't go over his plan, I'm sure the average adult with a modicum of self control will be just fine!

Jane

 

[lisaross]

how much do u pay for the data plan? I pay 29.99 and i thought it was unlimited? i have an iphone...

Just got my 1st android phone and besides the fact that I have no idea how to use it....Im terrified that when I finally do know how I'm going to go over on the data package. What are your tips and tricks? What about apps? (what Im really saying is what the heck are apps and do I need a million of them like the kids do LOL)

I cant believe I'm intimidated by a phone!

~C

 

[birdiegirl9800]

Verizon doesn't offer an unlimited data plan anymore--unless you were "grandfathered" in (meaning you had one before the cutoff date, in which case they allow you to renew it as unlimited at the same contract price). I have the 2 MB data plan, and I made sure to keep the little verizon app that shows your data useage pinned to my home screen.

 

[lisaross]

What was the cutoff date? what are the prices now?

Verizon doesn't offer an unlimited data plan anymore--unless you were "grandfathered" in (meaning you had one before the cutoff date, in which case they allow you to renew it as unlimited at the same contract price). I have the 2 MB data plan, and I made sure to keep the little verizon app that shows your data useage pinned to my home screen.

 

[mrodgers]

I traded our Tracfones over Christmas in for AT&T prepaid. I am very limited as it is $25 for 500mb of data. As long as I put $5 on it, the unused data rolls over.

I've used 6.7mb since December 27th. I am on wireless at home and at work, but don't go a whole lot of places other than home and work...

- You can turn the data off and only turn on when you actually want to use it.

- You can set the phone to only sync when on wireless.

- You can choose to only download apps when you are on wireless.

- You can choose that you don't have to facebook every second of the day (I don't have a facebook account, so it never uses data.)

I have the app 3D Watchdog to monitor my data usage. I am on schedule to have used 11.56mb of data for the month. I don't turn the data off and most of the data usage is Google Maps to locate me when I'm not on the wireless. I can't turn that off unless I turn data completely off. Unless you are constantly on Facebook, streaming Youtube, Pandora, or iHeart Radio, or on the net, you can get away with not using very much data.

Compared to my limited pre-paid, the norm of 2gb of data may as well be called unlimited.

I will have roughly 490mb left to roll over and add 10 mb for $5. Texts will cost me another $5. So, I have $20/month for 2 phones that does everything everyone elses phones do, but I don't pay a car payment amount to have them. By the time I use up the 500mb plus the additional 10mb going on per month, it will be 6 months or more that I will then have to put another $25 on to boost it back up.

 

[curlyjbs]

I took advantage of "double data" - a verizon special. Normally $30 gets you 2gb but instead I got 4gb. My one dd was grandfathered into the unlimited. The other has the 2gb package for $30.

Verizon went to the "tier" package system this past summer i believe. 2gb for $30, 5gb for $50 etc.

Everyone says I wont come close to the 2gb but I'm still nervous. I want to be able to use the phone to it's fullest capacity. Seems silly to pay and not play if you know what i mean.

 

[bear_mom]

I took advantage of "double data" - a verizon special. Normally $30 gets you 2gb but instead I got 4gb. My one dd was grandfathered into the unlimited. The other has the 2gb package for $30.

Verizon went to the "tier" package system this past summer i believe. 2gb for $30, 5gb for $50 etc.

Everyone says I wont come close to the 2gb but I'm still nervous. I want to be able to use the phone to it's fullest capacity. Seems silly to pay and not play if you know what i mean.

I never use wifi (I have the unlimited data plan) and I use the internet daily: e-mail, searching for stuff on google, looking at my school website (I'm working on my master's degree), checking in on the Dis, etc. and I have never gone over 2 gb.

BUT, I don't stream any movies or videos - other than an occassional youtube video.

Emily

 

[puffkin]

The big data "eaters" are downloading apps, streaming content (you tube, netflix) or uploading pictures. Just using the apps, checking email, texting, etc won't use much data at all. If you are concerned about usage then just try to do the big things when you are on wifi.

I have the unlimited data on ATT (grandfathered in) and my DH just got an iphone and he is on the 200MB plan for $15/mo. He never goes over his usage. He mainly texts, looks up weather, sports scores, reads the news, checks email, etc. We use Wifi in our house since it is faster than the data network.

 

[curlyjbs]

ok so as long as wifi is enabled & available i wont use up data? That's good. We have wifi at the house and I think at work too. I know there's some spots at the mall? Anyone know where else? How do I set the phone to automatically pick up available wifi?

 

[iheartpeterpan]

Verizon has an android widget that you can put on your phone that displays your data usage at all times. They also (for a fee) will send you a text when you are reaching your data limit.

At the 2GB plan, you should be fine, unless you are streaming movies all the time. I use my phone to stream my slingplayer quite a bit, but have never gone over 2GB. If you enable Wifi when you are at home/work - you will really have no problem. 2GB is a TON of data for the average user.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Purchase and download all apps on your computer through iTunes. After the computer has downloaded the app hook the phone up with the usb cable and transfer the app to the phone.

Keep wifi on at all times, especially if you have wifi at home. The phone will check for a wifi connection before switching to 3G. Most places I go anymore have free wifi hotspots. Fast food restaurants and coffee shops are the main ones but even some grocery stores and theaters around me have free wifi now.

Only use apps that require internet when you are connected to wifi. Especially the apps that stream such as Netflix and Pandora.

Ask the employees at the Verizon store if they have any other tips. Most of them have no problem helping you conserve data.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

Purchase and download all apps on your computer through iTunes. After the computer has downloaded the app hook the phone up with the usb cable and transfer the app to the phone.

This won't work, it's an android.
Just use wifi to download your apps rather than 3G/4G and you will not incur any data.

 

[sam_gordon]

ok so as long as wifi is enabled & available i wont use up data? That's good. We have wifi at the house and I think at work too. I know there's some spots at the mall? Anyone know where else? How do I set the phone to automatically pick up available wifi?

I don't think you can set the phone to connect to ANY available WiFi. You can set it to connect automatically to home, work, a certain McDonald's etc. But the first time you connect somewhere you'll need to manually connect. I'm pretty sure about that.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

This won't work, it's an android.
Just use wifi to download your apps rather than 3G/4G and you will not incur any data.

Oops missed that for some reason

 

[DisCookie]

Not all Android phones have wifi, seems silly, but I think they do it for the cell companies to sell data plans and overages.

 

[Eastern]

To get an idea of how much data you might use, there is a data estimator on the Verizon wireless website. You put in how many emails you send, etc, and it tells you the approx. data usage.

 

[Eastern]

They also (for a fee) will send you a text when you are reaching your data limit.

This is free on Verizon. There might be a fee if you want to set data controls rather than receive an alert for usage.