Remote working is has become a norm in today's times. However, it can put pressure on your home wireless network, especially if it’s capped.

It’s even costlier to use mobile data, as this runs out much faster when working online all the time. So, while wireless connectivity such as fibre, LTE or ADSL is more cost-effective, there may be a reduction in speed due to more people working remotely.

You can put measures in place to reduce your data usage, so that you limit the amount you use while working remotely.

If you’re using mobile data, plan your day so that you work offline most of the time, and then only go online when you absolutely need to, such as to check emails or access documentation. Some mobile providers have nighttime data offerings, so you could opt to work then to keep your data costs low. This data usage tool will give you a sense as to what you can do with a certain amount of data.  

It is worthwhile noting, that these data saving measures may not work when using the UCT VPN. We therefore recommend that you only connect to the VPN when necessary. For example, if you need to work on SAP, set time aside to do everything in one go, instead of staying logged on for long periods. Alternatively, if you need to download content from the network drives use NetStorage instead.

Reduce data usage in Windows

There are several steps you can take to reduce your computer's data usage.

1. Check data usage:

Check cumulative data usage in Settings:

 

    1. Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
    2. In the right-hand section, click Data Usage.
    3. You’ll see a summary of your data usage for a specific period (with the default being the last 30 days). If you're connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, it will show the total data used. You can click on the network name to see further details.

Check real-time data usage in Task Manager:

This method will show your current data usage, including sent and received data rates in real time. This may help you better identify any applications or processes that may be utilising high volumes of bandwidth.

    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
    2. Go to the Processes tab.
    3. Click the heading block in the Network column to sort processes by highest or lowest usage.
2. Set a data limit:

Setting a data limit will help to prevent Windows from using too much bandwidth when connected using limited bandwidth connections. When the limit is reached, Windows will try to conserve data.

  1. Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
  2. Select Data usage in the top right-hand corner.
  3. To enter a data limit for the current network, click Enter limit, set up your limit, then click Save.
3. Limit updates:

Pausing Windows updates and using a metered connection can help to conserve data by avoiding automatic downloads and reducing data usage.  With downloads over a metered connection disabled, as is the default, only critical severity Windows security updates will download. When using limited bandwidth, we recommend using a metered connection and pausing Windows updates.

However, to ensure your computer is kept up to date, please ensure that you check for updates when connected to a network that does not have bandwidth limitations. 

Windows 11
  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Click the drop-down arrow next to Pause for 1 week to select the duration to pause automatic updates.
  3. Once you have re-connected to a network without bandwidth limitations, remember to cancel this setting.  Alternatively, you can choose to extend the duration of paused updates while using a metered connections.
Windows 10
  1. Go to Settings > Updates & Security.
  2. Click the Pause updates selection or Advanced options to configure the duration to pause automatic updates.
  3. Once you have re-connected to a network without bandwidth limitations, remember to cancel this setting.  Alternatively, you can choose to extend the duration of paused updates while using a metered connections.
Download updates over metered connections:
  1. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update. If you're on Windows 10, go to Settings > Updates & Security.
  2. Click Advanced Options then select Download updates over metered connections.  You can toggle the setting to either On or Off.  By default, metered connections are set to Off to help reduce data usage, but you can set it to On to download updates.
4. Set up metered connections:

Set up a metered network connection if you want to reduce the amount of data used by apps and services on that network. This type of connection will try to control and reduce data usage on the network by restricting background data usage for apps and updates. As a result, some apps might work differently. In addition, some Windows updates won't be installed automatically.

While cellular data network connections are set as metered by default, you must manually set Wi-Fi and Ethernet network connections to metered.

Follow these instructions to set up a metered connection.

5. Turn off background apps:

Many apps run in the background, performing actions and using up data even when you're not actively using them. These are commonly called background apps. You can decide which apps will run in the background, and which won't.

To make changes to background apps, follow Microsoft's instructions for either Windows 11 or Windows 10.

You can also check Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) for any unnecessary apps using data in the background. Right-click on the the relevant process then click End Task.

 

 

Reduce data usage on a Mac

There are several steps you can take to reduce your Mac's data usage.

1. Check data usage:

Open the the built-in Activity Monitor app by clicking Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. In the Network tab, view the data sent and received by each app.

This may help you better identify any applications or processes that may be utilising high volumes of bandwidth.

2. Disable background processes:

Some apps automatically download data in the background, which can lead to increased mobile data usage. To disable background processes on macOS, change these settings:

Manage background processes

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Click General > Login Items.
  3. Scroll down to the Allow in the Background section.
  4. Toggle off the processes or apps you don't want to run in the background.

Use Activity Monitor to close unnecessary processes

  1. Click Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
  2. Look for any unnecessary processes, select them, then click the X button to quit them.

Close applications using Force Quit

  1. Click the Apple menu and select Force Quit.
  2. Choose the application you want to close and click Force Quit.

Limit apps

  1. Go to System Settings > Notifications > Notifications Settings.
  2. Review which apps are allowed to send notifications. Limit apps that use cellular data in the background.

Adjust app preferences

Go to the settings of your apps like Mail, Photos, iCloud, etc., and adjust or disable automatic data syncing or downloading. For example, iCloud syncing can lead to increased data usage as it transfers data between devices. You can manage this by limiting syncing to Wi-Fi only, or turning off syncing for specific apps or features. Consider using Wi-Fi for syncing instead of cellular data. For more information, visit the Apple support website: Change which apps sync and store data with iCloud.

3. Enable Content Caching:

Content Caching allows your device to save downloaded content.

  1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing.
  2. In the Sharing window’s left-hand column, select Content Caching.
4. Disable and manage updates:

Disabling automatic updates helps you to reduce data costs.

  1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Click the info button next to Automatic Updates.
    • To disable your Mac downloading updates without asking, turn off Download new updates when available.
    • To disable your Mac from installing macOS updates automatically, turn off Install macOS updates.
    • To disable automatic installation of App Store updates, turn off Install application updates from the App Store.

 Important: If you disabled automatic updates, once you're connected to Wi-Fi again, remember to manually check for updates.

For more information on available settings in macOS, refer to the Apple support website: Software Update settings on Mac.

5. Disable and manage App Store updates:

Use App Store settings to change how App Store updates your apps, download in-app content and large downloads, and control the sound on preview videos.

  1. Open the App Store app on your Mac, then click App Store > Settings.
  2. Turn off automatic configuration setting checkboxes.
  3. To prevent videos from automatically starting, clear the Video Autoplay box.

 Important: If you disabled automatic updates, once you're connected to Wi-Fi again, remember to manually check for App Store updates: In the App Store app on your Mac, click Updates in the sidebar, then update all apps, or the apps you want to update.

For more information, refer to the Apple support website: Change settings in App Store on Mac.

 

Reduce data usage on mobile devices

You can also manage data usage on your mobile devices:

 

Useful data saving tips

If you experience ongoing connectivity issues while remote working and learning and you have already implemented our tips below, please contact your home Internet Service Provider (ISP).

  • If you’re using a wireless network, monitor which devices connect to your router so that you can determine which ones are draining your connectivity. Your ISP should be able to assist you with checking this information,
  • Make sure your Wi-Fi router has a password to control who has access.
  • Reduce the number of tabs you have open in your browser. The more activity, the more data you use.
  • Adapt your mobile device’s web browser settings so that you use the least amount of data.
  • Download content instead of streaming online.
  • When on YouTube or other video sharing or streaming sites, select a lower quality to reduce the amount of data you use.
  • Turn off auto play in apps that contain videos (e.g. YouTube).
  • When using applications such as Microsoft Teams for video calling, opt to only use audio by default, and video only when necessary.
  • Disable location or GPS related apps as they constantly run in the background to determine your whereabouts.
  • Set your mobile device to only receive updates when connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Disable or uninstall unnecessary applications that could use up your data while accessing online learning resources.
  • Opt out of automatic media downloads (e.g. WhatsApp).
  • Monitor what is happening in the background of your device to reduce unnecessary data usage.
  • If you need to send images, reduce the quality to use less data.
  • Regularly check your data usage to manage it more effectively.
  • Where applicable, enable data saver mode.
  • Turn off your mobile data when you don't need it.
  • Consider using an ad blocker to limit pop up ads from appearing while you're online.
  • Rather work on documents offline, instead of using your mobile data to work on cloud apps all the time.