Help Does restrict background data break anything?

Android Question · Jul 30, 2016

I've tried searching for the answer, but I keep getting data usage reduction tips.

I simply wish to know, if I run with background data restricted, enabled, 24/7, will any app break? I'm thinking specifically of Google and Android system services.

JAy3001 · Jul 30, 2016

I don't think it will break anything, although apps won't update in the background.. syncing will probably fail a lot if you are restricting Google apps. Notifications will stop coming through for emails/chats quite possibly.

Have a play and find out. You can always turn it back on. Send yourself an email, get someone to message you etc etc and see what happens. See if the syncs are all failing in the Google setting page on your phone...

mikedt · Jul 30, 2016

Apps NOT updating in the background is a good idea I think. No nasty surprises, things like your favourite game is now suddenly plagued with intrusive ads or something, because the dev got greedy.

Somethings you might want to sync and notify you automatically in background.

AZgl1500 · Jul 30, 2016

No, it will NOT break anything.
It just might save your data plan and your Sanity.

I always leave DATA turned OFF.

I use a macro to toggle WiFi to OFF when the screen is off.
A 2nd macro toggles WiFi back ON when the screen is awakened.

The effect? I get a lot of sleep, no notifications to wake me up. My email works just fine thank you, to hell with Facebook ( have notifications on that OFF anyway )

the downside? if you are a nervous nelly who just can't live without knowing when your BFF goes to the bathroom, then it won't work for you.

svim · Jul 30, 2016

mikedt said:
Apps NOT updating in the background is a good idea I think. No nasty surprises, things like your favourite game is now suddenly plagued with intrusive ads or something, because the dev got greedy.

Just playing devil's advocate but when it comes to updating apps, there are 'feature' updates, there are 'bug fix' updates, and there are 'security' updates. Some updates just one of those three, some a combination. Feature updates are optional, bug fixes are sometimes optional, but security patches should not be ignored. Our phones are connected to some network pretty much all the time, either interacting directly with the Internet or via a cellular link to some nearby tower, and the online 'verse is saturated with exploits. Intentionally making your mobile device less safe by ignoring patches is a risky thing to do.

mikedt · Jul 30, 2016

svim said:
Just playing devil's advocate but when it comes to updating apps, there are 'feature' updates, there are 'bug fix' updates, and there are 'security' updates. Some updates just one of those three, some a combination. Feature updates are optional, bug fixes are sometimes optional, but security patches should not be ignored. Our phones are connected to some network pretty much all the time, either interacting directly with the Internet or via a cellular link to some nearby tower, and the online 'verse is saturated with exploits. Intentionally making your mobile device less safe by ignoring patches is a risky thing to do.

Oh yeh, I'm not against updating completely. I favour manual updates myself, when in says there's new versions of apps available, and then can review them and see what they are. Banking apps should definitely be updated for security, and in fact things like that sometimes won't run and connect unless you got the latest versions.

dontpanicbobby · Jul 30, 2016

How do you turn on manual updating mikedt?

svim · Jul 30, 2016

Open up the 'Play Store' app, tap on the three lines icon in the upper right to open up the menu, scroll down to 'Settings', select 'Auto-update apps', choose the option to 'Do not auto-update apps'.

PyroSporker · Jul 31, 2016

Restricting Background Data used to not allow me to download MMS text messages, but that changed with recent versions of Android.

Restricting Background Data on my phone will not allow me to fully access the Play Store application in my app drawer. It launches but stops and notifies that data is restricted. I usually have to turn the restriction off and reboot. I RARELY utilize the store so it does not bother me.

Restricting Background Data prevents me from downloading anything from my phones web browser. A simple toggle off for a download and back on when the download completes is all that is required. I rarely download images or music to my mobile so it doesn't bother me.

I ALWAYS have Background Data Restricted unless I personally toggle it off. It is an essential precaution for me controlling my device rather than letting my device control itself or control me.

Help Does restrict background data break anything?

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