Set Metered WiFi Connection Android – Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Why Set a Metered WiFi Connection on Android?

Setting a metered WiFi connection on your Android device is crucial if you are using a network with limited data, as it helps you control and manage your data usage more effectively. This feature ensures that your device treats the WiFi network similarly to a mobile data connection, preventing unnecessary background data usage.

Steps to Set a Metered WiFi Connection

To set a WiFi network as metered on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings App

   • Start by opening the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Navigate to WiFi Settings

   • Tap on Network & Internet or Connections, depending on your device.
   • Select Internet or Wi-Fi to access your WiFi settings.

3. Select the WiFi Network

• Tap on the WiFi network you are currently connected to. This will open the network details page.

4. Access Advanced Settings

   • On the network details page, look for the Network usage or Advanced option. Tap on it to reveal additional settings.

5. Mark as Metered

   • Select Treat as metered. This option will ensure that your device treats the WiFi network as a metered connection, restricting background data usage.

Understanding Metered WiFi Connections

When you mark a WiFi network as metered, your device will handle it similarly to a mobile data connection. Here are some key points to understand:

• Background Data Restriction: Apps will not perform large downloads or updates in the background without your permission, helping you avoid excessive data usage.
• Critical Updates: Occasionally, critical security updates may still be installed to keep your device secure, even on a metered connection.
• App Behavior: Individual apps may still use data, but you can further restrict their background data usage by adjusting their settings.

Restricting Background Data Usage on Apps

To further control data usage, you can restrict background data for individual apps:

1. Open Settings App

   • Go back to the Settings app.

2. Access App Settings

   • Tap on Application Manager or Apps.
   • Select App info and choose the app you want to manage.

3. Adjust Data Usage Settings

• Tap on Data usage and turn off Background data and Unrestricted data usage. This will limit the app's ability to use data in the background.

Additional Tips for Saving Data

Here are some additional tips to help you save data on a metered WiFi connection:

• Use Mobile Data Wisely: If possible, use mobile data for tasks that require less data, and reserve WiFi for more data-intensive activities.
• Adjust App Settings: Many apps, especially social media and streaming services, have settings to reduce data usage. For example, you can disable auto-playing videos or reduce video quality.
• Monitor Data Usage: Regularly check your data usage in the Settings app to identify which apps are using the most data and adjust their settings accordingly.

Advanced Network Settings

For more advanced control over your network settings, you can explore additional options:

• Automatic Connections: Enable or disable automatic connections to saved networks.
• Network Preferences: Adjust settings such as turning on WiFi automatically near saved networks or receiving notifications for high-quality open networks.
• Proxy Settings: Configure proxy settings if needed for your network.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively manage your data usage on a metered WiFi connection, ensuring you stay within your data limits and avoid unexpected charges.