Your Android phone becomes a smartphone when you download some useful apps from Google Play Store; and to run these apps, you need constant supply of Internet. Whether you are using mobile data or Wi-Fi network, smartphone apps constantly eat internet. Moreover, there are many apps that use internet even when they are running in the background.
Communication apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Hangouts, Skype etc. need nonstop flow of Internet. But other apps should not be connected to your mobile data unnecessarily. For a limited plan user, it is wise to block Internet access in specific apps on their Android smartphones. This workaround is also helpful for users, who have set a monthly limit on their broadband plans.
There are a few ways to block specific apps from accessing the internet on Android. You can either employ your Android phone’s built-in feature or you can download third-party apps.
Before downloading any third-party app, you should try to block internet access to certain apps with the help of Android phone’s native feature.
How to Restrict Background Data on Android Natively
Setting background data restrictions is quite easy on your Android phone.
Step #1: Launch Settings app on your phone.
Step #2: Tap on Apps.
Step #3: Tap the app for which you wish to block background data.
Step #4: Next, tap on ‘Data usage’ in the App Info screen.
Step #5: Now, you need to enable ‘Restrict app background data’.
Note that the selected app or apps will not use Internet while they are in the background; however, once they are opened on your device, they will start using mobile data or Wi-Fi network.
Secondly, you can set background data restrictions for all apps on your Android phone.
Simply open the Settings → Data usage → tap on three dots → Restrict background data.
You can put a monthly data limit to stay alert about when your mobile data is nearing to get over.
Android N boasts a Data Saver feature that can limit background data on all apps. However, you can disable data restrictions on your choice of apps.
Android’s native feature enables you to block mobile internet access on specific apps; but a few third-party apps can help you block mobile data and Wi-Fi network for some apps.
How to Block Mobile Data & Wi-Fi Network with Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps that can block mobile internet and Wi-Fi network on particular apps; we have shortlisted three best apps for you.
1. Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall
Mobiwol is free and has got all the necessary features you require. Once you download and open the app, you can see home page of this app. Here, you will have all the main options listed directly. Simply open Firewall Rules to locate all the apps on your Android phone, including the default apps. Next to the each app, you can notice mobile network and Wi-Fi icon; tap on both icons to disable respective connections for the app.
Be careful not to block default apps on your Android phone as this can cause many problems related to performance of your device.
Next, head back to the main screen of the app and toggle ‘Firewall Status’ ON. You will be prompted by a VPN Connection request; tap OK to turn on the firewall.
Mobiwol and other similar apps create a VPN connection, which can sort out your Internet connection on your Android phone to stop usage on blocked apps.
To check the effect of Mobiwol, try to open any blocked app and you can notice that they are not connected with internet. Check ‘Connection Logs’ and you will get to know how many apps are using internet connection in the background.
Apart from the above features, Mobiwol allows you to select an option that auto-starts on reboot; accept or block recently installed apps; bring log notifications and its frequency and give tips on the app.
2. NetGuard
NetGuard is a step ahead of Mobiwol as this app allows you to use Wi-Fi and mobile data when screen of your phone is on and block Internet when you are roaming. You can use this app on multiple device users, tethering and more. NetGuard is better than Mobiwol but then users have to pay for its features like log out outgoing traffic, network speed, ability to block addresses and others.
3. NoRoot Firewall
This is a popular firewall app that has got advanced features for all Android users. You can set custom filters and conditions apart from blocking mobile data and Wi-Fi internet for apps. You can set conditions based on IP address, domain name and host address. The interface of this app may look awkward but it is a free app and this is big bait for you.
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