How to Avoid Unwanted Data Usage in Globe, Smart, DITO

Have you experienced that your 100 Pesos load for the week didn't last for three days? You will be surprised that your Globe, TM, Smart, TNT, or DITO prepaid load is back to zero. Some might call it "nakaw load" or "kain load." But in reality, our regular load is being used up by different calls, texts, and internet surfing activities on our devices. We just don't notice.

Also read: How to Avoid Unwanted Load Deductions or "Nakaw Load" in Globe, Smart

It is possible to avoid sudden load reduction. Here are some reasons why you continue using up your data and prepaid load credits even when you're not on your mobile phone.

You have an app in the background

Other apps can still use data even after you're done using it. For example, TikTok continues to load videos in the background while you're surfing on Facebook. Since TikTok is still working in the background, data and load are being used up without you realizing it.

It's easy to prevent your apps from consuming more prepaid load in three simple ways:

1. Completely exit the apps in the App Switcher on your phone.

2. Remember to turn off mobile data when you're using WiFi.

3. Turn off your Background App Refresh options for Apple and Android devices. Here are the detailed steps for each mobile platform.

Here's how to turn off Background App Refresh for Apple or iOS:

Go to Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Background App Refresh.
Choose and toggle the apps you want to turn Background App Refresh on or off.

Here's how to turn off Background App Refresh for Android:

Go to Settings
Tap Connections
Tap Data usage.
Tap Mobile data usage or Data saver.
Choose and toggle the apps you allow or disallow for background data usage.

You have an unpaid load loan

Load loans, such as Globe Loan Load and Smart SOS Load, help us stay connected even in emergency purposes. Sometimes, we forget to pay for them, and an overdue balance is still attached to your mobile number. So when you load your number again, it will automatically use this to pay your loan balance.

It's easy to check on your outstanding loan balances. Before loading your SIM card, check if you have due payments. Here's how:

How to Check on Your Loan Balance in Globe or TM

Access the USSD code menu. Dial *143#, choose Loans (for Globe) / Utang (for TM), then Status.

How to Check on Your Loan Balance in Smart, TNT, or Sun Cellular

Just text SOS BAL to 7676 to know your outstanding loan.

You are subscribed to a repeating value-added service or VAS

Your prepaid load gets used up when you subscribe to a value-added service. VAS can be ringtones, wallpapers and mobile game tokens. For example, you forgot that you're still subscribed to a ringback tone that still renews monthly. This consumes your load. But you can still unsubscribe to that by checking and canceling existing VAS subscriptions.

How to Check A VAS Subscription

Text HELP or CHECK to the 4-digit number you received a text from.

How to Stop A VAS Subscription

Text STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE to the 4-digit number you received a text from.

Conclusion

For unwanted data charges in Smart or Globe, you don't need to worry about it. They have a free service that helps you manage data usage by providing free text alerts whenever your device tries to connect to the internet when you're not registered to a surf promo or have used up your data allowance.

Smart has automatically enabled its "Load Protect" feature for its Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, TNT, Smart Bro, and Sun Cellular subscribers, ensuring that there will be no accidental or unintended mobile data charges. Likewise, Globe has automatically enabled its "SurfAlert" feature for its Globe Prepaid, Home Prepaid WiFi, Globe Postpaid, and TM users.

Now that you know what can be consuming your load and data, you can save your prepaid load. Monitor your load balance in an instant with your GlobeOne App, GigaLife App, or DITO App.

For further concerns, you may contact the customer service hotline of your respective telco provider for free: