Netflix is a go-to for so many of us, whether we’re watching the latest hit series or bingeing old favourites. But if you're streaming on your phone without a Wi-Fi connection, data usage can quickly become a concern.
Let's break down how much data Netflix uses on mobile devices and how you can adjust settings to save data without sacrificing too much quality.
Different resolutions impact data usage
When streaming on Netflix, the video quality you choose can have an impact on your data usage. Here’s a quick summary of all resolutions Netflix has available.
1.) Standard Definition (SD), typically at 480p, is the most data-efficient, using the least amount of data per hour.
2.) High Definition (HD), usually at 720p, provides a clearer picture but consumes more data.
3.) Full HD, at 1080p, offers even sharper and more detailed visuals, increasing data usage further.
4.) 4K Ultra HD, at 2160p, delivers the highest quality video content but uses the most data by far.
If your subscription plan doesn’t support higher resolutions (like 4K UHD), you won’t be able to stream this type of content. Instead, the content will automatically play at the lower resolution that matches the terms of your plan.
The takeaway here: Streaming at higher resolutions may increase your enjoyment but it can significantly impact your data usage when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi.
Fortunately, Netflix makes it easy to adjust your settings and find the perfect balance between video quality and data consumption.
How much data does Netflix use?
Netflix provides four data usage settings on their Android and iOS apps, making it easy to manage your data while streaming. The default Automatic setting delivers around four hours of viewing per gigabyte. Save Data mode extends this to about six hours per GB when you want to conserve data. On the other hand, Maximum Data offers the highest quality but uses up to 1 gigabyte every 20 minutes. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi Only setting ensures you won’t use any mobile data, but it’s available only when a Wi-Fi connection is active.
We tested data usage of each setting by watching the first 60 minutes of Top Gun: Maverick four times (60 minutes on each setting). We used the Standard subscription plan which allows for a maximum resolution of Full HD.
Before we even opened the app to begin the test, this was our starting point:
We started the test at 10.75 MB
1. Wi-Fi Only
This setting only allows streaming when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. It’s the best choice if you want to avoid using any mobile data.
Test results: As expected, we noticed no change after 1 hour of streaming on this setting. See below.
No change after 1 hour of streaming
2. Automatic
This is Netflix’s default setting, which automatically balances data usage and video quality. With this setting, you can watch about 4 hours of content per gigabyte of data.
Test results: Data usage increased by 191 megabytes after 1 hour of streaming on the Automatic setting. See below.
191 MB used after 60 minutes on Automatic
3. Maximum Data
This setting delivers the highest possible video quality, which can use up to 1 gigabyte of data every 20 minutes or more, depending on your device and network speed.
Test results: Data usage increased by just over 450 megabytes after 1 hour of streaming on the Maximum Data setting. See below.
Around 450 MB used after 60 minutes of streaming4. Save Data
Netflix claims that this setting lets you watch about 6 hours of content per gigabyte of data; perfect if you have a limited data plan and need to stretch your data as far as possible.
Test results: Data usage increased by 178 megabytes after 1 hour of streaming on the Save Data setting. See below.
178 MB increase after 60 minutes of streaming
How to adjust Netflix data usage settings (Android & iOS)
Adjusting your Netflix data settings on your phone is easy and can make a big difference in how much data you use. Here’s how you can do it.
Turn Automatic off to select another setting.- Open the Netflix app.
- Tap on “My Netflix” (lower right corner)
- Tap the Menu (triple bar ≡ in the upper right corner)
- Select “App Settings.”
- Under “Video Playback,” tap on “Cellular Data Usage.”
- Choose your preferred setting: Automatic, Wi-Fi Only, Save Data, or Maximum Data.
How to check Netflix data usage on your phone’s settings
Here’s how to check how much data Netflix is using on your own iOS or Android device.
On iOS:
- Open Settings
- Select Cellular or Mobile Data (depending on your region)
- Scroll through the list of apps to find Netflix
- The amount of data Netflix has used will be displayed next to it
If you want to track data usage from a specific date, scroll to the bottom of the Cellular/Mobile Data screen and tap Reset Statistics. This resets the data usage for all apps, allowing you to monitor Netflix usage from that point onward.
On Android:
- Open Settings
- Tap on Network & Internet (or Connections depending on your device)
- Tap Data Usage under the Network & Internet menu
- Select App Data Usage (or Mobile Data Usage depending on your device)
- Scroll down and tap on Netflix to see the data usage for the selected period.
To avoid exceeding your data limit, you can go back to the Data Usage screen and set a Data Warning.
What setting should I choose?
Choosing the right setting really depends on your smartphone plan and how you use Netflix.
If you have very limited data, Save Data or Wi-Fi Only is recommended. Save Data allows you to get the most out of each gigabyte, while Wi-Fi Only ensures you’re not using mobile data at all. The Automatic setting offers a good middle ground between data consumption and video quality.
If you’re on an unlimited data plan, you might prefer the Maximum Data setting, especially if you want to binge content in the best possible quality. Just remember that this setting can eat up a lot of data quickly and some providers will throttle internet speeds once you reach a certain threshold.
It’s also a good idea to switch between these settings based on your situation. For instance, you might use Wi-Fi Only when you’re at home, Automatic when you're on the go but have plenty of data, and Save Data when you’re reaching your monthly limit.
3 ways to save your data
Here are a few rules of thumb for Netflix users who want to conserve mobile data.
1. Download content for offline viewing
If you’re going to be away from Wi-Fi, download shows and movies beforehand. This way, you won’t use any mobile data when watching.
2. Disable background data usage
On Android, you can prevent Netflix from using data in the background. On iOS, you can turn off background app refresh for Netflix. This stops the app from using data when you’re not actively using it.
3.Stick to Wi-Fi whenever possible
Streaming or downloading over Wi-Fi is the best way to save your mobile data. Try to connect to Wi-Fi networks whenever you can.
Managing your Netflix data usage on mobile doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your favourite shows and movies without worrying about blowing through your data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We answered some of the most commonly asked questions to give you an idea of how much mobile data Netflix uses.
How long will 1GB of data last on Netflix?
It depends on your data usage setting. On Automatic, you can get about 4 hours of streaming. On Save Data, it stretches to around 6 hours. If you’re on Maximum Data, 1 GB might last you only about 20 minutes or more.
How much data does 2 hours of Netflix use?
On Automatic, 2 hours of streaming will use about 0.5 GB. On Save Data, it will use roughly 0.33 GB. If you’re on Maximum Data, it could use up to 6 GB or more.
How long will 50GB of data last on Netflix?
With 50 GB of data, you can stream for about 200 hours on Automatic, 300 hours on Save Data, or as little as 17 hours on Maximum Data.
