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> How to configure data and SMS limits for your device policies on the emnify Portal

Limits are an important function that lets you control your device's usage policies and avoid extra consumption in your monthly bill.
You can configure data and SMS limits for your devices in [**Device Policies**](https://portal.emnify.com/device-policies) on the emnify Portal.

Each limit applies to each device on the selected service policy.
Your limit is valid for the current month and resets to 0 on the first day of each month.

> **Warning**
>
> If a service policy has a cellular or satellite limit set, *all* data is blocked once either limit is reached.
> For example, suppose you set a cellular data limit of 100 MB and a satellite data limit of 10 KB, and then your device reaches the satellite limit.
> In that case, your device is blocked from using both satellite and cellular data for the rest of the month.

## Set limits

### Cellular data \[#set-limits-cellular-data]

> **Note**
>
> When you set a data limit for your devices, you need to make sure your devices don't try to connect every few seconds once the limit is reached.
> It's your responsibility to introduce a random backoff timer. Please see [this article](https://support.emnify.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402697173010-Good-practices-and-guidelines-for-devices-deployed-on-the-EMnify-network) for further guidance.

In [**Service Policies**](https://portal.emnify.com/device-policies#service-policies), choose the policy you want to update and expand the policy details.

In **Data**, ensure the **Devices may use data** toggle is switched on and you've selected the correct [radio access technology (RAT)](https://www.emnify.com/iot-glossary#rat) types.
Then, click **Edit** next to **Cellular data limit**.

Fill in your **Cellular data limit** details as follows:

* In the **Manage monthly data limit** field, enter a non-negative number with up to two decimal places and select a unit.
* In the **Warning event threshold** field, enter a number for the percentage.
  You [see an event](/system-events/usage#events-in-the-portal) after your devices reach this percentage.

Click **Save**.

### Satellite data \[#set-limits-satellite-data]

In [**Service Policies**](https://portal.emnify.com/device-policies#service-policies), choose the policy you want to update and expand the policy details.

In **Data**, ensure the **Devices may use data** toggle is switched on and you've selected the correct [radio access technology (RAT)](https://www.emnify.com/iot-glossary#rat) types.
Then, click **Edit** next to **Satellite data limit**.

Fill in your **Satellite data limit** details as follows:

* In the **Manage monthly data limit** field, enter a non-negative number with up to two decimal places and select a unit.
* In the **Warning event threshold** field, enter a number for the percentage.
  You [see an event](/system-events/usage#events-in-the-portal) after your devices reach this percentage.

Click **Save**.

### SMS \[#set-limits-sms]

In [**Service Policies**](https://portal.emnify.com/device-policies#service-policies), choose the policy you want to update and expand the policy details.

In **SMS**, ensure the **SMS outbound** or **SMS inbound** toggle is switched on.

Use the **SMS Sending Limit** or **SMS Receiving Limit** dropdown menu to select the amount of SMS per month based on your device usage.

> **Check**
>
> Changes save automatically.

## Turn off limits

### Cellular data \[#turn-off-limits-cellular-data]

Click **Edit** next to **Cellular data limit**.

Select **Reset all** next to **Manage monthly data limit**.

Click **Save**.

You should see **Set limit** as the value for **Cellular data limit** in the policy details.

> **Warning**
>
> Don't switch off the **Devices may use data** toggle as this completely turns off data connectivity and takes your devices offline.

### Satellite data \[#turn-off-limits-satellite-data]

Click **Edit** next to **Satellite data limit**.

Select **Reset all** next to **Manage monthly data limit**.

Click **Save**.

You should see **Set limit** as the value for **Satellite data limit** in the policy details.

> **Warning**
>
> Don't switch off the **Devices may use data** toggle as this completely turns off data connectivity and takes your devices offline.

### SMS \[#turn-off-limits-sms]

In the **SMS sending limit** dropdown menu, select **No limit**.

If you don't want your device to send or receive SMS, switch off both or one of the **SMS outbound** or **SMS inbound** toggles.