In Android you can easily see what applications are using the internet and how much data they are spending. This can be seen in Settings > Data usage. It is useful both when the user connects via a Wifi network or a cellular network. This use of the internet not only involves data expense (important if it is a cellular connection) but also extra battery consumption.
The Android operating system itself allows you to disable or limit the use of mobile data, but this is limited control.
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Control of data consumption with Opera Max
Opera Max (available for download at this link) is an application that offers relatively more complete control for applications that use the internet. It not only allows you to block the internet application by application on Wi-Fi and mobile networks. It also offers a data saving system. This is important when blocking is not the solution and when the user has a limited data plan.
Update August 14, 2017 : Opera, the company behind the development of Opera Max, has just announced to discontinue this application. That is, it will no longer offer any more updates and will eventually stop working. Under these paragraphs we explain the reason and the alternatives to Opera Max.
The latest version of Opera Max has an option called Blocked Applications . There you can add apps to prevent them from connecting to the internet. This control is independent for the Wifi and Mobile connection. For reference, the application indicates the data consumed by the applications up to that moment.
Preventing an application like Google Chrome from connecting to the internet is not logical. A complete lock is not recommended in that case, but at least Opera Max will take care of reducing the data consumption that that application generates when connected to the internet.
That would help the user extend the duration of their limited “mega” pack. This work of making the data smaller to consume less, is not only done in the mobile connection but also by Wifi. In theory, this should help you navigate faster when connected to slow Wi-Fi, such as a coffee shop.
Data is compressed on Opera servers, except HTTPS
To block the internet and compress the data, the Opera Max application must take full control of the internet connection. When “Connect”, the application establishes a “tunnel” or VPN connection with its servers. This is where the work of actually blocking the connection and reducing the size of the data is actually done. Not all data flows through these servers. Encrypted data (those using a secure connection) such as those handled by the Facebook application are not captured by Opera Max. File downloads and updates by Google Play are also not compressed.
Applications like Opera Max are used to block the advertising that exists in certain applications (which requires the internet). It is a combination of Firewall No Root (block the internet from applications) and Onavo Extend (reduce data usage). It would be good if in the future it integrated an option to choose to block the data in the foreground (when the user is viewing the application). Also in the background (when the user is not viewing the application) both over Wifi and over mobile networks.
It is probably not necessary to use it if you only want to save data when browsing the internet. Browsers like Google Chrome or Opera itself already have a system similar to that of Opera Max.
Opera Max will stop working
Unfortunately, Opera has just announced the end of Opera Max. The reason, he explained, is that the app had a “substantially different value proposition than the products Opera develops” and had a “different approach.” Now the company says it will “focus on its browsers and products to come.”
You have explicitly stated that there will be no further updates for Opera Max from now on. He says he has removed the app from the Google Play Store, although right now I still find it available. You have to be careful of the possible copies that appear in the Play Store after the disappearance of this app. The original creator of Opera Max is Opera, but Google Play has named itself ‘Max Apps’ as the developer.
Those who have the application installed or those who from now on download the APK from somewhere else to install it, should have no hopes either. Opera has indicated that in the short term it will disconnect the servers in charge of performing the data compression that Opera Max does. This will be previously notified to users. Basically, the application will be useless from that moment.
Alternatives to Opera Max
Data saving option in Google Chrome for Android
Unfortunately, Opera Max is a unique application. Currently there are no applications that perform the same function. However, strictly for browsing the Internet, you can use Google Chrome with data saver enabled. You can also use the same Opera browser , which has a similar function called Opera Turbo.
Onavo Extend , which was the ideal alternative to Opera Max, with identical functionality, sadly no longer exists. The creators of Onavo have another app on Google Play called Onavo Spaceship. It has part of the functionality of Opera Max. It can block data in the background, exclusive use of WiFi, alerts when consumption reaches a certain limit and VPN functionality.
Other apps similar to Opera Max
There are other related applications that can also help you with data saving. For example, you can install a data monitor, such as 3G Watchdog or My Data Manager . In these apps you will be able to see in detail the consumption per application and receive alerts when they are exceeded by pre-established limits. NetGuard serves to block the internet to applications individually and under certain conditions.
Opera Max made use of a VPN connection to its servers, which is where the data was compressed. But that VPN also provided a secure connection. The alternative to that is another application from the same company, called Opera VPN . It not only secures your connection but also allows you to simulate that you are connecting from another country. This is commonly used to access services that are blocked in certain regions. Nothing was mentioned about the future of Opera VPN. Hopefully it doesn’t end as Opera Max. If you are going to download opera VPN from Google Play make sure the name of the developer is «OSL networks». The developer is supposed to be Opera, but for some reason they have used this name.
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