Most iPhone and iPad buyers acquire their devices with a data plan for which it is important to monitor the data consumption so as to avoid unexpected costs beyond the monthly rate. There are some apps out there that allow users to do that on their iPhone, iPad and iPod. Follow the link to have more information on the app, to download and install it.
Onavo not only monitors your data usage, but also allows you to use less data by having it compressed. Once you install the app, it seamlessly connect to Onavo’s cloud, and shrinks the data used such that you use less for the same job. However, this works only for data and not streaming video and VoIP.Also, it is optimized for travelers and works best for data you use abroad. The interface is very nice with colors to differentiate between usage types and graphical reports. Note that it currently only supports AT&T in the US, but that is bound to be updated. The app is free.More »
This app keeps track of your bandwidth consumption from your 3G and Wi-Fi connection. It gives you a nice management system for dealing with what comes over your monthly limit, with four levels of usage thresholds. An interesting feature with DataMana is the Geotag, which gives you information on where you used your data, with a map in the interface. However, these two features, along with some others, are only available in the paid version. On the downside, DataMan does not offer 4G and LTE monitoring, but this is not present in other apps either.More »
‘Data Usage’ (couldn’t they find something else as name?) runs in the background for monitoring 3G and Wi-Fi data consumption. It works with any phone carrier in the world, and also has a predicting module for daily data usage. The statistics is quite interesting within a nice interface, that includes tabular data details as well as graphs. There is a ‘progress’ bar that changes color depending on the extent of data use. It has a feature that allows you to evenly spread your data consumption so as not to end with little or no data at the end of the month. This app costs $1.More »
Many carriers that offer data plans have data usage monitors on the web sites. You can login there and check your data consumption. It often comes in the form of a query or report. You can use that information in complement with the iOS native data usage feature.
1. Onavo
Onavo not only monitors your data usage, but also allows you to use less data by having it compressed. Once you install the app, it seamlessly connect to Onavo’s cloud, and shrinks the data used such that you use less for the same job. However, this works only for data and not streaming video and VoIP.Also, it is optimized for travelers and works best for data you use abroad. The interface is very nice with colors to differentiate between usage types and graphical reports. Note that it currently only supports AT&T in the US, but that is bound to be updated. The app is free.More »
2. DataMan
This app keeps track of your bandwidth consumption from your 3G and Wi-Fi connection. It gives you a nice management system for dealing with what comes over your monthly limit, with four levels of usage thresholds. An interesting feature with DataMana is the Geotag, which gives you information on where you used your data, with a map in the interface. However, these two features, along with some others, are only available in the paid version. On the downside, DataMan does not offer 4G and LTE monitoring, but this is not present in other apps either.More »
3. My Data Usage Pro
This app does the monitoring with the limit in mind, and informs you of the percentage reach, more like a guard. There is no need to login to any network and there is no need for the app to work in the background like others, thus saving battery charge. It also has an AI module that learns your usage pattern and suggests how best you can use your precious data every day. The user interface is simple without much detail, but nice and intuitive. The app is quite bulky, maybe because of its advanced algorithms and additional ‘intelligence’. My Data Usage Pro app costs $1.More »4. Data Usage
‘Data Usage’ (couldn’t they find something else as name?) runs in the background for monitoring 3G and Wi-Fi data consumption. It works with any phone carrier in the world, and also has a predicting module for daily data usage. The statistics is quite interesting within a nice interface, that includes tabular data details as well as graphs. There is a ‘progress’ bar that changes color depending on the extent of data use. It has a feature that allows you to evenly spread your data consumption so as not to end with little or no data at the end of the month. This app costs $1.More »
5. iOS Native Data Usage Feature
If you don’t want to install any app for monitoring your data and if accuracy is not important, you could use the existing data usage information feature that is found on your iOS device. To access it, go to Settings > General > Usage. There, you get very basic information on the dates and the amount of data sent and received. Don’t rely on it if you want to be on the alert as it does not give the precision that third-party apps give. There might be differences between what it reads and what your carrier reads. Every month or every time you want to start another cycle, just tap on ‘Reset Statistics’.6. Your Carrier’s Web Site
Many carriers that offer data plans have data usage monitors on the web sites. You can login there and check your data consumption. It often comes in the form of a query or report. You can use that information in complement with the iOS native data usage feature.