Control the ability of your apps to use background data from your wireless carrier on your Samsung Galaxy S8 or Note8 with these settings.
Option 1 – Data Saver
The Data Saver feature will prevent some apps from using data in the background.
- From the Home screen, swipe up your app list and open “Settings“.
- Tap “Connections“.
- Select “Data usage“.
- Select “Data saver“.
- Turn “Data Saver” to “On” or “Off” as desired.
Option 2 – Enable/Disable Background Data for Specific Apps
- From the Home screen, swipe up your app list and open “Settings“.
- Tap “Apps“.
- Scroll down and select the app you wish to change the setting for.
- Choose “Mobile data“.
- Select “Data usage“.
- Set “Allow background data usage” to “On” or “Off” as desired.
- Scroll down and toggle “Restrict background data” to “On” or “Off” as desired.
If background data is turned off (restricted) using either of the above methods, apps will still be able to use a Wi-Fi connection in the background.
lee says
I would like to add… My Note-8, with Android 9, keeps turning ‘ON’ mobile data in the background regardless of anything I set.
I’ve gone through all the apps, and turning off their options for using mobile data.
I’ve turned off mobile data countless times, and within a day or two, it magically comes back on.
I’ve even set the battery power saving option to block mobile data if X megabytes are used. Still comes on.
The phone can be at home with wi-fi enabled, and will still do this ???
I only wish someone knew the answer. It cost me money when it uses data.
thanks, and good luck.
GK says
GALAXY S8 Plus:
If app keeps disconnecting when your screen turns off go into developer settings and select “never go to sleep” your screen will dim, but not totally turn off.
You can also set it so that the app runs in the background when on battery..that helps too.
Mike says
Cant you prevent apps from using data completely? Like not just in the background?
Tara Lei Royer says
I am going to the States and dc not want roaming charges. Someone said to turn off background apps, whatever that means. How do I do this?
Sandras says
@Brian try playing around with the notifications setting for the app (but sfter that leave it at “notifications allowed” option) and then in settings go to apps section select the app with the problem and allow “background activity” for the app.
Make sure that your phone’s power mode is at “Optimised” or “high performance” and not the other power saving modes.
It worked for me
Brian says
I did everything this page said and my apps keeps closing when I turn my screen off. I have a Galaxy S8+.