topic Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled in XPERIA archive

background data drained by android system even when disabled

vlohj — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:14:40 GMT

Hi all

I am using Z3 compact and I opted to restrict my background data use. However I found that the Android system keeps draining my mobile data (around 600 mb in a week but my data plan is only 1gb per month) anyways to resolve the issue ?

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:19:44 GMT

Which app is using up most of your data? my guess is that you probably have play store to auto update apps or under google plus you are auto uploading your pictures/videos or perhaps you are syncing multiple accounts/services (email, facebook, music)

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

Dark_Xperian — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:55:37 GMT

@vlohl,

Out of curiousity, do you mean you have the following setting on:

Settings > Data Usage > (Overflow Menu?) Menu > Restrict background data

While in the above Data Usage... you can tap on the apps that use the most data and check Restrict background data (Turn it on for each app.).

Let us know if this helps.

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

vlohj — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:39:14 GMT

Hello,

Yes, the following setting has been activated for a long time:

Settings > Data Usage > (Overflow Menu?) Menu > Restrict background data

Apps draining most data&colon;

1. Android OS (Background: 681 Mb, Foreground: 0 Mb)

2. Facebook (Background: 2.12 Mb, Foreground: 289 Mb)

3. Chrome (Background: 128 kb, Foreground: 148Mb)

I wonder why the Android OS can still drain so much background data even under such setting.

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:46:47 GMT

@vlohj check my suggestions

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

vlohj — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:43:07 GMT

@uliwooly

I have switched off the 'auto sync' option when using mobile data. YesSo does it mean that Google plus updates my photos

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

vlohj — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 04:10:39 GMT

And I m not very sure about the play store auto updates. The fact is that when I deactivate my background data, I cant even manually download an app using play store, so I doubt whether it will automaticall update the apps when background data is deactivated.

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

Uliwooly — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:07:19 GMT

Open the play store > settings > auto update should be off

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

vlohj — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:34:15 GMT

Thanks. Auto update off, background data disabled, but still draining mobile data. I am suspecting auto phone back up.... But I hv used up my data for this month to even test it......... Even if its really the phone backup which causes this issue, I would highly recommend Sony to fix it, as it doesnt allow users to choose whether to backup using wifi or mobild data, very tricky, un-userfriendly

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

Uliwooly — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:41:48 GMT

That's a google issue not Sony, as Google is in charge of Android, Google + etc

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

N3wbb13 — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:08:30 GMT

Ullwooly, I'm afraid I have to disagree. I moved to Xperia Z3 from a Samsung S5 Duos. Back on it I could completely disable mobile data access by turning it off. No other configuration was required. No need to disable autoupdate or other services. This is most likely a Z3 issue that I'm also experiencing.

Anyyone figured out how to actually block mobile data access? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

cnlo0416 — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:40:47 GMT

I would seriously urge Sony to solve this problem.

Even when background data and auto- back-up disabled, the Android OS is still draining my mobile data. The most creepy thing is that this Android OS only takes up my mobile data, and it doesnt take up any of my WIFI data!

My data plan only have 1GB per month but in one week's time it already takes up 500MB of my mobile data quota. I wonder if it is possible to charge Sony for my extra data charge?

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

SergioPL1 — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 22:05:24 GMT

I would look at Sony about charging for mobile transfer but you must have some app or setting that causes serious data transfers.

Background data download may be shown in usage graph for downloads from Play Store. Everything what is downloaded when App is not visible is background data.

I'm sure that your phone will not download anything if you globally switch mobile transfer - that's the purpouse of that feature.

But you need to dig deeper to your phone settings. I got about 2 - 3 MB of background data from Android OS / month. Google+ counts in its own position. The same applies for Chrome.

Maybe try your phone in safe mode for a day or two?

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

cnlo0416 — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 00:42:00 GMT

the background data has been recorded by the default android setup function.

Of course (and fortunately) switching off mobile data doesnt result in any data transfe. But what's the point of using smart phone if not using mobile data ?

When backgRound data is disabled, no apps can auto update from Play Store I am pretty sure, as I cant even open Play Store to download anything until 'restrict background data' is disabled (this is another feature I am unhappy about! But lets tackle this separately)

The creepiest thing about Android OS mobile data record is that.... Even when background data is restricted, 100% of the mobile data used by Android OS is background data instead of foreground data.

I am not very sure what you mean by safe mode ?

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

SergioPL1 — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 20:53:44 GMT

Check in Play Store if you have auto updates without wifi (or over mobile data transfer) enabled. This might be the cause.

Safe mode is special mode with only manufacturers app enabled. Take a look there:

/t5/FAQ/How-to-boot-your-phone-into-safe-mode/td-p/348008

Re: background data drained by android system even when disabled

cnlo0416 — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 23:30:14 GMT

No auto updates (except wifi) in play store.

I will try the safe mode