How to limit app usage to Wi-Fi only?

[lutece]

How do i limit mobile data usage by app. I would like to prevent apps from using mobile data, limiting them to Wi-Fi only. Is there an app to do this easily?

I see how to prevent apps from using background mobile data, but how can I limit access at the app level?

 

[B. Diddy]

If wi-fi is on and there's a good connection, apps should use wi-fi preferentially over mobile data in the first place. Are you not seeing that?

I moved this from the Android Apps forum to the General Help forum, since the former is intended more for discussion about specific apps.

 

[mustang7757]

You can turn on mobile data saver or long press the app you choose and then tap info scroll to mobile data and wifi to turn toggle off or on

 

[lutece]

Yes, wi-fi is the preferred connection for the apps, but when I am not connected to wi-fi as when driving, the app obviously goes to the mobile connection. I am trying to limit apps to only wi-fi and don’t see an obvious way to do so. This is especially necessary when faced with limited mobile data, be in in the US with my AT&T plan, or when traveling outside the US with a purchased SIM card with some specified data limit. I am expanding below with the other response. Thanks for your help, any advice is very welcome.

 

[lutece]

Mustang7757, thanks for your help, much appreciated. I am using data saver, I am trying to limit mobile data usage at the app level. I did as you suggested and pressed the i icon for the app, which then opens a further choice of options. I went to mobile data usage and all I really see is how to limit background data usage, which I understand. But, I don’t see any choice for either mobile or wi-fi. Sorry to be slow here, but am I missing something. I don’t understand why with Android there isn’t an easy way to restrict app connections to mobile data and force wi-fi only. Any thoughts?

Again, sorry if I am missing something here.

 

[mustang7757]

Mustang7757, thanks for your help, much appreciated. I am using data saver, I am trying to limit mobile data usage at the app level. I did as you suggested and pressed the i icon for the app, which then opens a further choice of options. I went to mobile data usage and all I really see is how to limit background data usage, which I understand. But, I don’t see any choice for either mobile or wi-fi. Sorry to be slow here, but am I missing something. I don’t understand why with Android there isn’t an easy way to restrict app connections to mobile data and force wi-fi only. Any thoughts?

Again, sorry if I am missing something here.

Looks like just app background for app info .
Data saver probably be best bet other then turning mobile data off

 

[B. Diddy]

You can also turn on Airplane Mode (to turn off the cell radio), and then turn on wi-fi, which will ensure the phone only uses wi-fi. But of course, this will be the case of all apps, not just a specific app.

 

[stevenjb2020]

You may need a firewall. Perhaps NetGuard (Play Store) can help.

 

[Thomas_George]

For my phone, there is an option for every app to enable or disable its mobile data & WLAN usage.

 

[B. Diddy]

View attachment 336044

For my phone, there is an option for every app to enable or disable its mobile data & WLAN usage.

Which phone is that?

 

[lutece]

George, that’s exactly what I want, what phone are you using please?

 

[lutece]

Stevenjb2020, you are correct. I in fact, do use NetGuard. It is essentially a VPN as I can either use it or NordVN, but not both. I normally use NordVPN and have found it to be pretty good at the user level. Thanks for that input.

But, I find it amazing that there isn’t an option with Android to limit data to wi-fi at the app level. This isn’t a difficult issue to understand, somehow implementation may be a larger problem than one would think. Thanks for your input.

 

[Thomas_George]

George, that’s exactly what I want, what phone are you using please?

Which phone is that?

Huawei Mate 8. An old mobile phone model.

 

[lutece]

Thanks George. Sorry I don't seem to have that capability with Samsung Galaxy.