How to turn on Data saver on a Samsung Galaxy

By · 2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, Connections, Data usage, tap Data saver and switch on Turn on now. Apps then cannot use mobile data in the background, except the ones you add under Apps that can always use data.

Device
Android
Shown on
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
App
Settings
Path
Settings › Connections › Data usage › Data saver
Real screenshots
5 of 6 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

  1. 1Settings2Connections3Data usage

    Open Data usage

    Settings, Connections, Data usage. The top shows how much mobile data you have used this cycle.

  2. Android screenshot: Tap Data saver

    Tap Data saver

    The line underneath shows whether it is on. Ours was off.

  3. Android screenshot: Know what it does

    Know what it does

    Samsung's text on the page: it prevents apps from using data in the background, and shows a Data saver icon in the status bar while on.

  4. Android screenshot: Switch on Turn on now

    Switch on Turn on now

    Data saver stays on until you switch it off again.

  5. Android screenshot: Let some apps keep using data

    Let some apps keep using data

    Apps that can always use data lets chosen apps, such as a messenger, keep working in the background while Data saver is on.

  6. Android screenshot: Set a data warning

    Set a data warning

    Back on Data usage, Billing cycle and data warning sets the day your plan restarts and warns you before you reach a limit.

About this guide

Data saver stops apps using mobile data in the background, which helps when your plan has a small allowance. On a Galaxy it sits on the Data usage page, next to your usage and the data warning.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

Good to know

Mobile data usage on the same page shows which apps used the most data this cycle.

Stop app updates using mobile data too: how to make Google Play update apps only on Wi-Fi.

No mobile data at all? Samsung Galaxy mobile data not working? 7 fixes.

In short: Settings, Connections, Data usage, Data saver, Turn on now. Add exceptions under Apps that can always use data.

Sources

Links checked on 4 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.