How to follow football on a small data budget
For many football fans in Nigeria and across Africa, mobile data is a real cost, and a long match can use a lot of it. Live scores do not need much data if you use them carefully. This guide explains how to follow football without wasting bundles.
Why scores use less data than video
Watching a match on a stream can use hundreds of megabytes in an hour. A live-score page uses only a tiny amount of data each time it updates, so following the score instead of the video can use far less data. If you cannot watch the match, a live-score page and goal alerts give you almost everything that matters.
Use data saver mode
ScoreHub has a data saver mode, which turns off heavy elements such as images and extras and keeps the scores, tables and key information. It is designed for slow networks and small bundles. Turn it on if your connection is slow or your data is low.
Turn on alerts instead of keeping the page open
If you follow a team and turn on alerts, you do not need to keep the page open. Your phone will tell you at kick-off, for goals and at full time. This uses far less data than refreshing the page every few minutes, and it saves your battery too.
Install the site on your home screen
When your browser offers to add ScoreHub to your home screen, accepting it gives you an app-like shortcut. It loads faster because the browser keeps some files on your phone, so each visit downloads less.
Avoid autoplay and background refresh
Social media apps and some websites load video in the background. Turn off autoplay in your social apps, and close apps you are not using. If your phone allows it, restrict background data for apps that do not need it.
Use Wi-Fi for the big things
Download or update apps when you are on Wi-Fi, and keep video for the times you are connected to it. Use mobile data for scores and alerts, which are cheap.
Pick night or weekend bundles
Many networks sell cheaper bundles for night-time use or at weekends. If you follow evening matches in Europe, a night plan may fit when you want to check results after the games.
Watch the match, follow the details
If you are watching a match on TV, use your phone only for the extras: the line-ups, stats and other games happening at the same time. That uses a small amount of data and gives you more than the TV does.
Follow only what you need
Use the Following page to keep a short list of teams. A short list means fewer alerts and less to load, so the app stays quick. You can add or remove teams at any time.
A simple routine
Before the match, check the line-ups. During the match, rely on alerts. After the match, look at the full-time score and the table. This routine costs very little data and keeps you up to date.