How to control how much data Netflix uses (2024)

FAQs

How to control how much data Netflix uses? ›

According to Netflix, you use about 1GB of data per hour for streaming a TV show or movie in standard definition and up to 3GB of data per hour when streaming HD video. Nevertheless, you can change the data usage settings in your Netflix account to reduce the bandwidth Netflix uses and hence lower data consumption.

According to Netflix, you use about 1GB of data per hour for streaming a TV show or movie in standard definition and up to 3GB of data per hour when streaming HD video. Nevertheless, you can change the data usage settings in your Netflix account to reduce the bandwidth Netflix uses and hence lower data consumption.

This means you'll use around 2 GB to stream a two-hour SD movie, 6 GB to stream the HD version or 14 GB for the 4K stream. A half-hour TV show would be 500 MB for the SD version, 1.5 GB for the HD version or 3.5 GB for 4K.

Standard Definition (SD): If you're watching Netflix in standard definition, you can expect it to use approximately 1 GB of data per hour. This is a good option if you're on a limited data plan or looking to conserve data. High Definition (HD): Streaming in high definition will use around 3 GB of data per hour.

Try not to stream with your wireless hotspot data

Other data plans set hotspot data to pull from your total data allotment. Either way, using a hotspot to stream Netflix will quickly drain your data. If you're streaming Netflix from your home Wi-Fi, you'll want to make sure you have enough internet speed to go around.

The Automatic setting balances good video quality with data usage and uses about 1GB of data per four hours of streaming. Wi-Fi only prevents Netflix from using your data plan, and Save Data restricts data usage to about 1GB per six hours of use. The Maximum Data option uses as much data as humanly possible by Netflix.

On your device, navigate to Settings > Display & Sound > Display > Video Resolution. From here you can select your desired video resolution; lower resolutions will be lower in video quality but will reduce the amount of data required to playback.

Depending on your viewing habits, streaming vs. downloading Netflix has the same data usage. Watching a two-hour movie in 4K requires 14 GB of data, regardless of if you're streaming in real time or downloading to watch later.

Can I watch Netflix without internet? ›

You can watch TV shows and movies offline at any time by downloading them from the Netflix app. Learn more about finding, downloading, and watching downloaded TV shows and movies below.

Your current plan supports 15 monthly downloads per device for 2 total devices. This limit will reset on the first of each calendar month. Ad-supported plans are limited to 15 total downloads per device per calendar month.

Here are some estimations of how much data streaming live TV typically uses at different definitions: Standard definition (SD): approximately 0.7 GB to 1 GB per hour. High definition (HD): roughly 1.5 GB to 2.5 GB per hour. Ultra high definition (UHD/4K): around 7 GB to 10 GB per hour.

Go to your device's home screen or apps list. Tap and hold the Netflix app, then tap App info. Tap Storage & cache > Clear storage > OK.

Netflix also uses its big data and analytics tools to decide if they want to greenlight original content. To an outsider, it might look like Netflix is throwing their cash at whatever they can get, but in reality, they greenlight original content based on several touch points derived from their user base.

You might be wondering if downloading episodes on Netflix uses data. The short answer: yes. Depending on your viewing habits, streaming vs. downloading Netflix has the same data usage.