How to use Data Saver on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Network and Internet › Data Saver: Use Data Saver

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Data Saver

   Open Settings and tap Network and Internet. Data Saver is in the list; ours said Off.

   Done

2. 

   Turn on Use Data Saver

   Turn on Use Data Saver at the top.

   Done

3. 

   Look for the icon

   With it on, ours showed the Data Saver icon, a circle with a plus, next to Wi-Fi at the top of the home screen.

   Done

4. 

   Know what it does

   The page says Data Saver prevents some apps from sending or receiving data in the background. An app you are using can still get data, but less often, so images may not show until you tap them.

   Done

5. 

   Open Unrestricted mobile data

   Tap Unrestricted mobile data. Ours said 1 app allowed to use unrestricted data when Data Saver is on.

   Done

6. 

   Allow an app

   Each app has a switch: Android Auto, Calculator, Calendar, Camera, Chrome and more. Turn it on for an app that must keep using mobile data in the background. The ones on our first screen were all off.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Data Saver row? Google says some of these steps only work on Android 8.0 and up. Other brands differ: on our Redmi Note 15 Pro with HyperOS 3, Settings had no Data saver row at all. Source: Use less mobile data with Data Saver
• Looking for Unrestricted data? That is Google's name for it. On our Pixel the row was called Unrestricted mobile data, on the Data Saver page. Source: Use less mobile data with Data Saver

If this does not work

• An app stopped updating in the background? Data Saver may be holding it back. Turn on its switch under Unrestricted mobile data. Source: Use less mobile data with Data Saver
• Images don't load in an app? The Data Saver page says an app you are using may get data less often, so images may not show until you tap them. Tap the image, or allow that app under Unrestricted mobile data.
• Apps still sync on Wi-Fi? That is how it works. Google says that with Data Saver on, most apps and services get background data only over Wi-Fi. It saves mobile data, not Wi-Fi. Source: Use less mobile data with Data Saver

About this guide

Data Saver helps on a small data plan. It is different from a data warning and limit, which warn you or stop data at an amount.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Ours had no SIM. We turned Data Saver on for two screenshots and then off again.

Good to know

Google says a notice also appears at the top of the Settings app while Data Saver is on, and that you can add Data Saver to Quick Settings.

Want a hard cap instead? See how to set a data warning and limit on a Google Pixel. No mobile data at all? See Pixel mobile data not working.

Sharing your data with a laptop uses a lot of it: how to turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot.

In short: Settings, Network and Internet, Data Saver: Use Data Saver. Unrestricted mobile data for apps that need it.