ata usage has been an issue for the longest time in Singapore, with telcos providing measly data bundles for their expensive plans. Fortunately, reasonably affordable solutions to this problem have emerged in recent days, such as Data X2 or even X3 packages, but we can only sign up for them when re-contracting. For the rest of us stuck with our old puny data bundles, Uber Driver app data usage would definitely become a concern. In fact, Google Maps is also quite demanding in its data usage. Not to worry, I'll share some tips on how we can reduce our data usage by up to half!
Now before I sound like a politician, the short answer to the question: Uber-ing uses approximately 20MB of data every hour. This is divided into 10MB for the Uber Driver app, and 10MB for Google Maps, for navigation.
So how can we reduce our data usage?
Fortunately, Google Maps allows a feature known as Offline Areas. It stores a snapshot of the map in your phone, so that no more data is required when navigating. Even better, navigation results are faster to appear since you are no longer dependent on your 4G connection to get the navigation instructions. Of course, there's no free lunch, and the snapshot of the map will take about 80MB of storage in your phone. Nonetheless, for all the benefits mentioned above, I think it is a small price to pay. And since you save almost 10MB/hr, your data usage will be slashed almost half! I say "almost" because some data will probably be used to fetch traffic updates, etc.
I've attached a quick guide below on how to use Offline Areas. It's for Android (sorry iPhone users!) but it should be similar in both platforms.
This tip can of course be extended to when you want to go for road trips overseas and don't want to buy data.
Drive safe!
EDIT: I tried this out yesterday. Data usage is indeed slashed by almost half. However, the savings are shared by Uber Driver and Google Maps. This could be because Uber Driver also relies on Google Maps. Nonetheless, IT WORKS!
Now that your worries about data usage have been addressed, are you ready to sign up and give it a try yourself? Check out my step-by-step guide and start earning some pocket money in your free time!
Now before I sound like a politician, the short answer to the question: Uber-ing uses approximately 20MB of data every hour. This is divided into 10MB for the Uber Driver app, and 10MB for Google Maps, for navigation.
So how can we reduce our data usage?
Fortunately, Google Maps allows a feature known as Offline Areas. It stores a snapshot of the map in your phone, so that no more data is required when navigating. Even better, navigation results are faster to appear since you are no longer dependent on your 4G connection to get the navigation instructions. Of course, there's no free lunch, and the snapshot of the map will take about 80MB of storage in your phone. Nonetheless, for all the benefits mentioned above, I think it is a small price to pay. And since you save almost 10MB/hr, your data usage will be slashed almost half! I say "almost" because some data will probably be used to fetch traffic updates, etc.
I've attached a quick guide below on how to use Offline Areas. It's for Android (sorry iPhone users!) but it should be similar in both platforms.
This tip can of course be extended to when you want to go for road trips overseas and don't want to buy data.
Drive safe!
EDIT: I tried this out yesterday. Data usage is indeed slashed by almost half. However, the savings are shared by Uber Driver and Google Maps. This could be because Uber Driver also relies on Google Maps. Nonetheless, IT WORKS!
Now that your worries about data usage have been addressed, are you ready to sign up and give it a try yourself? Check out my step-by-step guide and start earning some pocket money in your free time!
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| Step 1: Open the settings pane |
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| Step 2: Select "Offline areas" |
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| Step 3: Select "Home". Singapore is small enough that home area should cover the whole Singapore |
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| Step 4: Check that your Home area does indeed cover Singapore. Go back to step 3 and select custom area if for some reason you don't have the whole Singapore in your sights |
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