Once users enable this mode, it will
block background data usage; it sends a signal to apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible.
A quick note before we continue: as we talk about
restricting background data usage, we want to make it very clear that these restrictions only apply to your mobile data usage; even if you heavily restrict an application it will still function normally when you are on Wi - Fi.
The option to
limit background data usage, which was confusingly absent from ICS - based Galaxy S3 firmware, is now available in the Jelly Bean update.
Android now automatically detects when one Jelly Bean device is tethered to another's WiFi hotspot, and intelligently enables or
disables background data usage on the SSID.
The thing is, it downloads a new image every 30 seconds or so, which can actually result in a lot
of background data usage — upwards of 15 GB in many cases — which is bad for users on metered home internet connections.
Within the Data Saver menu users can whitelist any of their installed apps to
allow background data usage even when Data Saver is turned on.
As users, we'll be more willing to whitelist an app if it can
limit background data usage to just essential services like direct messages.
The app has a kill button that allows you to stop
all background data usage and limited data use to just a single app that's on your screen, and also allows you to limit data use by specific apps or have an on - screen message appear letting you know exactly how much data you're using while posting that Facebook message.
You can restrict
the background data usage by networked apps from using mobile data as well as Wi - Fi.
It lets you view your data use and gives you the power to control
your background data usage.
More importantly, there's a big button at the top of the app that lets you stop
all background data usage, so only the app that's actively onscreen can use mobile data.
This feature will block
background data usage, but also notifies apps that are using data in the foreground to keep things to a minimum.
Sony's excellent power - saving options are included too, including Stamina mode, which can save battery life by cutting down on
background data usage.