Is Data Saver causing lag in your online games?

Data Saver is not usually the main cause of high ping, but it can cause problems in online games. It restricts how apps use mobile data in the background, which can interrupt voice chat running behind the game, stall in-game downloads and delay game services. If you play on mobile data, the quickest way to rule out Data Saver lag is to turn it off, or exempt your game and chat apps, and test again.

What is Data Saver?

Data Saver is an Android setting that reduces mobile data use by stopping most apps from using data in the background.

When it is on:

Apps you are not actively using generally cannot use mobile data.
Apps you are using may still use data, but some reduce how much, for example by loading lower-quality images.
It applies to mobile data only, not to Wi-Fi.

On most phones you can find it by opening Settings and searching for "Data Saver". Some phone makers use their own name, such as "Data saving" or "Data usage".

How Data Saver lag can affect games

Data Saver is designed for browsing and messaging, not for games. Here is where it can get in the way.

Voice chat in the background

If you use a separate voice chat app while you play, that app is in the background. Data Saver may restrict it, which can cause voice to cut out or lag behind.

Downloads and updates

Many games download extra content, maps or patches. If you switch away from the game during a download, Data Saver can pause it. You may come back to a stalled loading bar.

Game services in the background

Some games rely on background services for notifications, friend lists or matchmaking. Restricted background data can make these slow to update.

Switching between apps

If you leave a game for a moment to reply to a message, the game moves to the background. Under Data Saver, it may lose its connection more easily, and reconnecting takes time.

Does Data Saver raise ping?

For the game you are actively playing on screen, Data Saver usually does not change ping directly. Ping depends on your signal, network congestion and the distance to the server. But the problems above can feel like lag, so it is worth ruling out. To check your actual ping, see how to test your ping on Android.

How to check whether Data Saver is to blame

Open Settings and search for "Data Saver".
Note whether it is on.
Play one match on mobile data with it on, watching for voice cuts, stalls or reconnects.
Turn it off and play another match in the same spot.
Compare. If the problems disappear, Data Saver lag was the issue.

How to exempt your game instead of turning Data Saver off

If you want to keep Data Saver for everything else, you can allow specific apps unrestricted data:

Open the Data Saver settings.
Look for Unrestricted data, Allowed apps or a similar option.
Switch it on for your game.
Do the same for any voice chat app you use while playing.

On some phones, you can also do this from Settings, then Apps, then the game, then Mobile data, where you allow background data or unrestricted data use.

Other data-saving features to know about

Data Saver is not the only setting that can affect games:

Background data restrictions per app. You may have turned off background data for a game in the past.
Battery saver. It can also restrict background activity. See why to turn off battery saver before gaming.
Mobile data limits. Some phones can warn or cut off data at a set amount, which stops online play.
Your provider's settings. Some mobile plans include their own data-saving or video features. These are set on the provider's side, not the phone.

Should you play on mobile data at all?

Mobile data can be a good choice for gaming, sometimes better than weak Wi-Fi. Games themselves use fairly little data per match, so Data Saver is less needed while you play. The bigger data use comes from updates and downloads, which are best done on Wi-Fi. For help choosing, read Wi-Fi or mobile data for gaming.

A quick fix routine for Data Saver lag

Exempt your game and voice chat app from Data Saver.
Download game updates on Wi-Fi before you play.
Avoid switching away from the game in the middle of a match.
Test ping on mobile data to rule out signal problems.

How CyberBoost helps

CyberBoost cannot change Data Saver for you, but it helps you catch it. Data saving is one of its eight pre-game checks, with a one-tap link to the setting so you can turn it off or exempt your game. Its dual ping test then measures Wi-Fi and mobile data at once, so you can see whether the network itself is the issue.

Frequently asked questions

Does Data Saver affect Wi-Fi?

No. Data Saver only applies to mobile data. On Wi-Fi, it has no effect.

Will turning off Data Saver use a lot more data?

It allows apps to use data in the background again, so use may rise. Exempting only your game and chat apps keeps most of the savings.

Why does my game lose connection when I switch apps?

When a game moves to the background, it may lose its connection, especially with Data Saver on. Avoid switching apps during matches.

Is Data Saver the same as battery saver?

No. Data Saver limits mobile data use, while battery saver limits power use. Both can affect games in different ways.