The #Samsung #Galaxy #S9 is the latest flagship phone released early this year by the South Korean company. This is a powerful mobile device that comes with several outstanding features. This phone sports a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor combined with 4GB of RAM, and a 12MP rear camera that has a variable aperture setting. Although this is a solid performing phone there are instances when issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Galaxy S9 Google Photos backup keeps on using mobile data issue.
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How To Fix Samsung Galaxy S9 Google Photos Backup Keeps On Using Mobile Data
Problem: I have a S9 Hardware Version Rev. 1.1 running on the latest Android security patch update . I got the phone in April 2018 and had no problem until recently when I got a text alert that my phone had used 4.5GB of data (in a period of a couple of hours). Apparently due to my entire google photos account being backed up to my google drive account (apparently due to a Google Photos change in backup via wi-fi only). Since then I have kept my mobile data turned off. Then again yesterday I was again alerted and it appears that something in the Android update or Google Photos App keeps turning the option of backup via mobile data ON despite my intentionally/repeatedly turning the option off. Any suggestions ? Thanks
Solution: Before performing the troubleshooting steps listed below it is best to make sure that the phone is running on the latest software version. If an update is available then make sure to download and install it in your phone.
Make sure that the Google Photos App is updated
An outdated Google Photos app could cause certain issues to occur as it could have some bugs not present in the latest version. To make sure that the app you have on your phone is running on the latest version just open the Google Play Store then go to the My Apps section. From here you will find the apps that have updates available. Update the app accordingly.
Clear the cache and data of the Google Photos app
There are cases when the cached data of the app can get corrupted and when this happens certain issues can arise. To eliminate the possibility of a corrupt app data causing the problem you should clear the cache and data of the Google Photos app.
- From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
- Tap Settings > Apps.
- Tap the desired application in the default list.
- To display preinstalled apps, tap Menu > Show system apps.
- Tap Storage > CLEAR CACHE > CLEAR DATA > DELETE
Setup Google Photos To Backup Over Wi-Fi Only
In order to save your mobile data allowance you should set the app to backup photos and videos over Wi-Fi only. Go to Google Photos settings and ensure the backup via cellular data is disabled.
Check if the problem occurs in Safe Mode
There are instances when an app you downloaded can cause this particular problem. To check if this is the case you will have to start the phone in Safe Mode as only the pre-installed apps are allowed to run in this mode.
- Turn the phone off.
- Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen appearing on the screen.
- When SAMSUNG appears on the screen, release the Power key.
- Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
- Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
- When Safe mode appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume down key.
If the problem does not occur in this mode then it could be caused by a downloaded app. Find out what app this is and uninstall it.
Wipe the cache partition of the phone
Sometimes the cached data that the phone stores in its partition can become corrupted. Once this happens certain issues can occur on the device. To eliminate the possibility of this issue causing the problem you should wipe the cache partition of the phone.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the Android logo displays, release all three keys.
- An ‘Installing system update’ message will show for 30 – 60 seconds before the Android system recovery menu options appear.
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
- Press Power key to select.
- Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
- When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
Perform a factory reset
One last troubleshooting step to consider is a factory reset. This will revert the phone back to its original factory condition. Make sure to backup your phone data before performing this step.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
- Press Power button to select.
- Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
- Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
- When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.