If i download an app does it use data

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information. If you follow me on Facebook , you saw this post recently:. I also got a text from a friend recently, who asked if the reason she went through her data for the month was due to a podcast subscription.

My answer: Probably. The most basic part of all of this comes down to WiFi. These are all apps that require your location to provide accurate information, and that requires data. Here are the most important settings to adjust in your podcast app:. To avoid all scenarios in which you might use data by accident, you need to set your podcast player to download or stream episodes only when your phone is on WiFi. Remember my Facebook post? Each podcast player or app calls this setting something different, but they all have their own version of auto downloading.

Auto downloading means that, when you are subscribed to a podcast, the app will automatically download the latest episode to your device when that episode becomes available. You'll see four options: Automatic, Normal, High and Extreme.

Annoyingly, Spotify doesn't seem to distinguish cellular from Wi-Fi connections, so if you are the cautious type when it comes to data usage, I suggest you choose Normal so that the app doesn't bump you up to a higher-quality and, thus, higher-bandwidth stream when you have a strong four- or five-bar cellular connection.

And if you are often downloading playlists for offline use to save your data allotment, scroll down to the bottom of the Streaming Quality page and tap to turn off the toggle switch for Download Using Cellular.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 27, , and has since been updated to include new information. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Matt Elliott.

March 16, p. Now playing: Watch this: Your social apps are crushing your data plan. Enlarge Image. Ashley at Consumer Cellular says. March 8, at am. Sandy says. June 29, at pm. Jacob at Consumer Cellular says. June 30, at am. Larry says.

Awesome info clearly presented!! Thanks, Larry! Teresita says. November 28, at pm. Why does my phone use data when I am not using it? December 1, at am. Marilyn W says. March 8, at pm. March 9, at pm. David Whitaker says. March 20, at am. Barbara Kintop says. August 15, at pm. August 16, at pm.

Denise says. August 26, at pm. I have a Alcatel flip phone can I get on the web reply to Denise. August 27, at pm. David Gifford says. October 13, at pm. Thanks, Dave reply to David. October 15, at pm. Karen Ellis says. January 29, at am. Nicole at Consumer Cellular says. Betty says. October 27, at am. So as long as I connect to WiFi I am not actually using my data on my plan correct?

October 29, at am. Kim says. November 19, at am. Gary Swenson says. December 25, at pm. December 26, at pm. May 9, at pm. May 11, at am. Dave Butler says. January 7, at am. January 7, at pm. Pat says. February 4, at pm. Pamela Liotta says. February 17, at am. February 18, at pm. Rican says.

March 20, at pm. March 21, at pm. Apps referencing SDKs, including but not limited to Ad Networks, Attribution services, and Analytics, that are found to be engaging in this practice may be rejected from the App Store.

Advertising networks can now measure the effectiveness of advertisement clicks within iOS or iPadOS apps that navigate to a website. This information can be used to understand which advertisements drive conversions such as purchases or signups — while maintaining user privacy.

Learn more about Private Click Measurement. View in English. User Privacy and Data Use The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users to discover apps created by talented developers around the world. Learn more. Examples of tracking include, but are not limited to: Displaying targeted advertisements in your app based on user data collected from apps and websites owned by other companies. Sharing device location data or email lists with a data broker. When the data broker with whom you share data uses the data solely for fraud detection, fraud prevention, or security purposes.

For example, using a data broker solely to prevent credit card fraud. Frequently Asked Questions. Can I gate functionality on agreeing to allow tracking, or incentivize users to agree to allow tracking in the app tracking transparency prompt?

Can I explain to users why I would like permission to track them before I show the tracking permission prompt? If I have not received permission from a user via the tracking permission prompt, can I use an identifier other than the IDFA for example, a hashed email address or hashed phone number to track that user? If a user provides permission for tracking via a separate process on our website, but declines permission in the app tracking transparency prompt, can I track that user across apps and websites owned by other companies?

Can I fingerprint or use signals from the device to try to identify the device or a user? If I share data with a consumer reporting agency to conduct fraud checks, and separately share data with them as part of a credit check or for credit reporting purposes, do I need permission to track? Do I need to use the AppTrackingTransparency framework to get user permission to use third-party deep-linking or deferred deep-linking tools?