How to Save Mobile Data While Streaming on the Go
A few small settings changes can make a real difference to how fast a mobile data plan disappears while streaming.
Streaming is one of the fastest ways to use up a mobile data allowance, but a few adjustments go a long way toward stretching it further.
Lower the playback quality
Most streaming apps let you cap video quality manually in their settings — dropping from HD to standard definition can cut data usage dramatically. See our breakdown of how much data streaming actually uses for the numbers.
Download over Wi-Fi when possible
If an app supports offline playback, doing the download while connected to Wi-Fi avoids using mobile data entirely for that content.
Watch for background usage
- Check your phone's data settings for apps still running in the background
- Turn off auto-play previews where the option exists
- Confirm your phone isn't set to stream at its highest quality automatically on cellular
When it's worth waiting for Wi-Fi
If you're traveling and unsure about Wi-Fi reliability, our guide on streaming while traveling covers how to plan around it.
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