How Much Data Does Netflix Use? Tips to Reduce Streaming Data on Mobile Devices

How much data Netflix consumes really comes down to two factors: the video quality you choose and how long you watch. Streaming in higher resolutions naturally uses significantly more data than lower ones. And, of course, the longer your viewing session, the more data gets consumed. Your internet speed also plays a role, especially if you leave the quality setting on 'Automatic', as Netflix adjusts the stream based on the bandwidth it detects.

Data Usage Rates by Video Quality Setting

Netflix offers several video quality options, each consuming data at different rates per hour. Understanding these numbers can help you stay within your data cap, particularly when watching on your phone. Here's what you can expect:

So, watching a two-hour movie in HD might use around 6 GB, but in Ultra HD, you could be looking at 14 GB.

How Connection Speed Impacts Automatic Quality

If you set playback to 'Automatic', Netflix intelligently adjusts video quality based on your internet connection at that moment. With a fast, stable connection, Netflix will likely deliver higher quality video, using more data. But if your internet slows down or becomes unstable, Netflix reduces the quality to avoid buffering interruptions, which also decreases data usage. The 'Automatic' setting tries to balance good picture quality with reasonable data consumption—often landing around 4 hours per GB (about 250 MB per hour), though this can vary considerably.

Tracking Usage on iOS Devices

Monitoring how much data Netflix uses on your mobile device is important for managing your plan effectively. Both iOS and Android have built-in ways to view data usage per app. On an iPhone or iPad, checking Netflix's cellular data consumption is straightforward:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data).
3. Scroll down through your apps until you find Netflix.
4. Under its name, you'll see how much cellular data Netflix has used in the current billing cycle.

You can also tap 'Reset Statistics' at the bottom of the Cellular settings page (useful when your billing cycle restarts) to start fresh.

Tracking Usage on Android Devices

On Android phones or tablets, finding Netflix's data usage typically works like this:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps, Apps & notifications, or Application Manager (the exact name varies by manufacturer and Android version).
3. Find Netflix in the app list and tap it.
4. Look for and select Mobile data & Wi-Fi or Data usage.

This screen shows how much mobile data (both during active use and in the background) Netflix has consumed over a set time period, which you can often adjust.

Adjusting Cellular Data Usage Within the App

Netflix provides several ways, both in the app and account settings, to control data usage. Using these allows you to keep watching without exceeding your mobile data allowance.

The Netflix mobile app has specific controls for cellular data:

1. Open the Netflix app and go to your profile.
2. Tap your profile picture or the 'More' menu (often three lines or dots).
3. Choose App Settings.
4. Tap on Cellular Data Usage (sometimes found under Video Playback > Cellular Data Usage).

You'll find several options here:

• Wi-Fi Only: Prevents Netflix from using any mobile data for streaming. Shows will only play over Wi-Fi.
• Save Data: Significantly reduces data usage by lowering video quality. Netflix estimates about 6 hours per GB using this setting.
• Maximum Data: Aims for the best video quality possible for your device and plan, using the most data. Best reserved for unlimited plans.
• Automatic: The default option that balances data usage and picture quality based on your network, targeting around 4 hours per GB.

Remember, these app settings usually only affect the device you change them on.

Modifying Account-Wide Playback Quality Settings

You can also control data usage for each profile through your main Netflix account settings, and these changes apply everywhere that profile is used. You'll need to use a web browser for this:

1. Log into your account on the Netflix website.
2. Choose Account from the menu under your profile icon.
3. Find the 'Profile & Parental Controls' section and select the profile you want to change.
4. Click Change next to 'Playback settings'.
5. Select a data usage setting: Low (0.3 GB/hr), Medium (0.7 GB/hr), High (up to 3 GB/hr for HD, 7 GB/hr for UHD), or Auto.

Choosing 'Low' or 'Medium' here will limit data usage on all devices for that profile, providing a consistent way to save data regardless of where you're watching.

The Role of Wi-Fi for Offline Viewing Preparation

Downloading Netflix shows and movies to watch offline is one of the most effective ways to avoid using mobile data for streaming. If you download content ahead of time using Wi-Fi, you can watch it later without needing any internet connection, preserving your cellular data entirely. The key is to do your downloading when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Simply find the show or movie you want in the Netflix app and tap the download icon (usually a downward arrow). After downloading, the content remains on your device in the app's 'Downloads' section, ready to watch anytime, anywhere, data-free.

Setting Download Video Quality for Efficiency

To better manage your device's storage and potentially speed up downloads (especially with slower Wi-Fi), you can adjust the video quality for downloads. In the Netflix app's App Settings, find the Download Video Quality option. You typically have two choices:

• Standard: Uses less storage and downloads faster, also consuming less data during the download process.
• High: Provides better quality but requires more storage and takes longer to download.

Choosing 'Standard' is usually sufficient for watching on smaller phone or tablet screens and is the most efficient option.

Does Disabling Auto-Play Features Conserve Data?

Yes, turning off Netflix's auto-play features can help save data. Netflix uses auto-play in two areas: playing trailers while you browse and automatically starting the next episode in a series. Both consume data, which might be wasted if you're just browsing titles or step away after an episode ends. To disable these:

1. Log in to your Netflix account using a web browser.
2. Navigate to Account > select your profile under 'Profile & Parental Controls'.
3. Click Change beside 'Playback settings'.
4. Uncheck the boxes for 'Autoplay next episode in a series on all devices' and 'Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices'.

Disabling these prevents Netflix from using data in the background when you haven't actively chosen to watch something.

Can Mobile Plan Choices Help Manage Streaming Data Costs?

Using Wi-Fi as your primary connection whenever possible is the easiest and most impactful way to control Netflix data usage on your phone or tablet. Streaming or downloading over Wi-Fi doesn't affect your cellular data allowance. Make it a habit: connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks (home, work, public hotspots) before settling in for extended viewing or downloading shows for later. This preserves your valuable mobile data for times when Wi-Fi isn't available.

Selecting the right mobile plan also makes a significant difference in streaming Netflix without facing extra fees or hitting data caps. If you frequently stream while mobile, consider plans with larger data allowances or unlimited data. For travelers, exploring travel data packages or using an eSIM service could offer more affordable data access overseas than typical roaming charges. Considering how much you typically stream versus what different plans offer helps ensure you have sufficient data without paying for more than you actually use.