What is Mobile data and how does it work?

Open up a world of possibilities on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone with mobile data. Whether it's playing the latest epic game, streaming a binge worthy Netflix series, navigating using Google Maps or catching up with your friends via video chat, mobile data keeps us connected to what matters most. But what is data? How does mobile data work? And how much data do you need? We take a look at all your frequently asked questions and give you the low-down on everything you need to know.

What is mobile data?

Mobile data, sometimes referred to as cellular data, is the internet connectivity delivered to your mobile devices wirelessly. If you're using the internet on your phone, and it’s not connected to Wi-Fi, you’re using mobile data. All the information is sent and received by your smartphone via a wireless 3G, 4G or even 5G connection. With 98% of the UK covered by 3G, 4G and 5G, getting online with your phone has never been easier.

Mobile data is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). There are 1000 MB in 1 GB of data, and most phone contracts will offer a minimum of 1GB. Your mobile data allowance can be part of either a SIM only, pay-as-you-go or pay monthly smartphone deal. You’ll be allocated data within the plan you choose but if you exceed this limit you’ll face extra charges.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and mobile data?

In terms of function both Wi-Fi and mobile data enable you to browse the internet, stream media, send emails and have video calls on your phone. The key difference is that your phones are receiving the signal from a wireless router when connected to Wi-Fi. You will have a contract with your Wi-Fi provider which will be paid separately to your phone and you will be connected to Wi-Fi if you are within the range of the router. Ultimately it enables you to send and receive data at no additional charge on your phone contract.

When you use mobile data you are using wireless 3G, 4G or 5G connection. The amount you are charged for using this data will vary depending on the mobile data plan you have with your phone network provider. The advantage of using mobile data is that you can access the internet anywhere, anytime*. So if you want to access emails, check social media or enjoy books and music on your commute you’ll need mobile data.

*Within the range of a mobile network signal

What uses data on a mobile phone?

Anything that uses the internet to send and receive information uses mobile data. It is highly likely that your favourite apps whether it be social media, games, or streaming applications use data (MB & GB) but the amount can vary greatly. For example, social media apps use about 50MB of data per hour whilst gaming apps can use up to 300 MB per hour. If you're looking to stream the latest Netflix series you can expect to use up to a whopping 7.2 GB when streaming in 4K.

Should mobile data be on or off?

Whether you choose to keep mobile data on or off depends on your phone contract and data allowances. If you leave your mobile data on, some applications running in the background may continue to consume your data allowance even if you’re not actively using them.

With many Galaxy phones available with Unlimited Data contracts there’s no need to worry about your data usage. Samsung also provides plenty of tools to help you manage your mobile data, set limits and control which apps are allowed to use your data allowance. However, if your phone contract limits the amount of data you can use each month there may be times when you wish to turn it off.

To turn off mobile data follow our quick guide below:
1. Open Settings
2. Tap Connections
3. Tap Data Usage
4. Tap the switch to deactivate mobile data

What happens when you turn off your mobile data?

If you choose to turn off mobile data your phone will no longer be able to access the internet, perform app updates, download media or make video calls. You’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi in order to use the internet on your phone.

You can find out how to enable and disable your mobile data on our Samsung Galaxy support page.

How many hours does it take to use 1GB of data?

1GB of mobile data would enable you to spend approximately 20-30 minutes each day checking emails, updating social media and browsing the web. If you’re looking to stream music and watch your favourite programmes on the go you’re probably going to need to increase your data allowance.

Wondering how much data streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix or Spotify use? Check out our handy quick guide to help you plan your mobile data needs:

Table
Usage	Mobile data used
Google Maps	5MB per hour
Social Media	50MB per hour
Internet Browsing	50MB per hour
Online Gaming	70+MB per hour
Music Streaming	100MB per hour
High Definition Film	4GB per hour
4K Film	7GB per hour

How much mobile data do I need?

The mobile data usage for smartphone owners is averaging around 2GB - 5GB per month. As the amount of data required for different applications and activities vary greatly, how much data you need will depend heavily on your phone’s usage.

We have calculated the activities you can enjoy with different data allowances in the table below to help you decide how many GB of data you need on your mobile.

Table
Mobile data allowance	Activities
1GB	10 hours of internet browsing, social media use and checking emails per month OR 10 hours of music streaming OR 1-2 hours of standard quality TV/film per month
4GB	40 hours of internet and social media browsing OR 40 hours of music streaming OR 4-6 hours of standard quality TV/film per month
12GB	120 hours of updating social media, emailing and internet browsing OR 120 hours of music streaming OR 16-20 hours of standard quality TV/film per month
30GB	300 hours of web browsing, social media and emailing OR 300 hours of music streaming OR 50+ hours of standard quality TV/film per month OR 10+ hours of high definition TV/film per month

*The figures are for a guide only and data usage will vary between apps and content.

Why is my mobile data not working?

It’s only when you lose connectivity that you realise just how much you use your phone and how frustrating it is when you can’t get on the internet. The first thing you may want to do is to go to Settings and make sure your mobile data is still switched on. If your mobile data is still not working check out our quick guide below to get it connected again.

1. Connection problems
Sometimes a simple connection glitch can cause your mobile data not to work. If this is the case, you can easily reset your mobile data connection by turning it off and on again.
1. Open Quick Settings by pulling down the top of your screen
2. Select Settings
3. Tap Connections
4. Select Data usage
5. Select Mobile data to turn it off and on again

2. Software Updates and reboot
Make sure your phone is updated with the latest software and then giving it a good old reboot is sometimes all it takes to get everything back up and running smoothly.

3. Check your data plan
Some network providers will stop you from using more data if you have reached your data limit - in this case you need to purchase more to start using it once again or wait until your next bill date. Alternatively if you are late paying your monthly bill your data provider may have a hold on your account which stops your mobile data from working.

4. Turn airplane mode on and off
Airplane mode can be a great way to perform a mini reset on your phone’s internet connections. You can find Airplane mode by follow the below steps:
1. Open Quick Settings
2. Tab Settings
3. Tab Network & internet
4. Tab Airplane mode to turn it on or off

5. Remove and reinsert your SIM card
Sometimes SIM cards can get dirty, damaged or move which can prevent your phone from connecting properly. Try removing and reinserting your SIM card to get your mobile data working again.

6. Factory Reset
If all else fails try performing a factory reset. Be aware though this will delete everything on your phone and should only be used as a last resort. Follow our How do I perform a factory reset on my mobile device to implement a full reset of your Galaxy device.

You can visit How to troubleshoot mobile data issues for more information.

Samsung AE Support

Still having problems? Samsung has a dedicated troubleshooting and repair service to help diagnose any issues you may have with your Galaxy device to get you back connected in no time.