How to limit Google Pixel XL Data Usage using Project Fi

ThatCyberSecurityGuy never worried about data because my Wal-Mart T-Mobile and AT&T unlimited data plans with down throttling (slower speeds) when I went over a certain limit. Plus with my VERY OLD Samsung Galaxy S2 phone I never used much data, if any. Project Fi does not give you unlimited data and charges $10 per gigabyte. When you sign up you pick how much data you think you will need and only pay for what you use. Since I had learned about my Pixel XL phone a lot of data questions popped into my head. For example, the Maps app that Google provides is unbelievable. I have never used GPS as my wife's car GPS has placed us in the middle of nowhere more than once. I'm old and I tell my family that unlike them, I can read a map!

I already talked about this in a previous blog entry but began to wonder how much data apps like Maps, Netflix VR, and such use? What if using my GPS was costing me $10 or $20 per 2,000 miles of use? Does texting uses data? When I turn my phone into a hotspot how much data does checking my email use? Can I use my phone as an encrypted hotspot connected to a questionable hotspot and use their Wi-Fi, and so on. I'm finding that I only use a few megabytes of data a month. I'm sure your kid could chew up much more than that so be careful.

Another question I had is when is data being used when the phone is connected to Wi-Fi? Does the phone automatically connect to password configured hotspots and so on?

1. The phone does automatically connect to password protected hotspots once configured. I have been shocked when I check and see it automatically connected. We have to compare this to my wife's Samsung Galaxy X4 where I had to manually connect it.
2. According to Project Fi technical support, when you turn the phone into a hotspot for your Internet devices, those devices will use data even if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi. The idea was to have an encrypted Pixel Wi-Fi hotspot use and unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspot saving data.
3. Does the phone use data streaming video? The answer is no as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. However, before you sit down to watch a movie using Netflix VR in your hotel room it is wise to turn “Cellular Data” off just in case the Wi-Fi your phone is connected to goes down. We will talk about data limits soon but if you blow out your set data limit you can’t use your phone for things that need data for the rest of the month unless you want to PAY for it.

First off, Maps does use data but not much. After a 1,800 mile trip using the Maps app most of the way for day my data bill was only about $5.00 along with whatever else used data on the phone.

Reduce and manage Google Pixel XL cellular data usage

The Google Pixel XL phone offers up "data saver mode" to keep those massive bills away.

1. Swipe down on the status bar to get to the settings icon upper right.
2. Scroll down and under Wireless & networks tap on Data usage.
3. Tap Data Saver and turn it On. This will prevent some apps from sending or receiving data in the background.

Set up a data usage limit before you get hammered!

The default data usage limit on the Google Pixel XL phone is set to 50 GB and was not even turned on! Google is not your friend in some respects because if you had an errant child or just thought you were connected to Wi-Fi, and were not, (streaming video, playing games, or using apps) outside of Wi-Fi you could rack up a massive bill real quick! You must adjust this setting to a much lower amount that you are willing to pay. Google should set this limit by default to 1 GB and suggest that you adjust it upwards as necessary.

This reminds me of the IRS who say you are responsible for your taxes even when you pay someone else to do them for you, which make no sense. You can set a limit to automatically turn off cellular data for your device when your device has used a certain amount of cellular data. Note: Many features on your device may not work correctly when cellular data is turned off.

To set a Google Pixel XL phone data usage limit:

Open your device's Settings app and Tap Data usage and then Cellular data usage.

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps arrow at the bottom.
2. Tap on the Settings shortcut.
3. Scroll down to under Wireless & networks and tap Data usage.
4. Tap on the gear below and next to Cellular data usage on the top of the phone screen.
5. Turn on Set data warning by sliding the blue dot to the right.
6. Tap on Data warning; enter the amount you can tolerate and tap on SET. Note: To switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), tap the Down arrow Down Arrow.
7. Turn on Set data limit by sliding the blue dot to the right.
8. Tap on Data limit; enter the amount you can tolerate and tap on SET.

Google says that when you reach your limit and your data automatically turns off:

• You'll get a notification on your device.
• To turn cellular data back on, follow the steps above and switch off Set data limit.
• Data will add to your Google Pixel XL bill so you also need to disable Data roaming. This is especially important for your child or employee's phones that are connected to your Project Fi plan. You must emphasize to them that this feature is NEVER to be enabled. Open up Settings -> … More -> Cellular networks -> Data roaming, Connect to data services when roaming -> slide left to OFF.

(See: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7055392 and https://support.google.com/fi/answer/2819524?hl=en)