As of September 2021, it was reported that Netflix had over 4,000 movies and more than 2,000 TV shows. That’s a huge number of entertainment sources to keep you hooked. However, one important factor might hinder your streaming experience on the popular app. That factor is data. If you are concerned about data usage, there are several ways to control how much data Netflix uses.
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1. Adjust the video quality (Netflix Data Usage)
Netflix provides several video quality options for streaming content, ranging from standard definition to high definition. The higher the video quality, the more data it consumes. To control the amount of data used, consider lowering the video quality to standard definition (SD). SD streams use up to 700 MBs of data per hour, while high definition (HD) streams use up to 3 GB of data per hour, and ultra-high definition (UHD) or 4K streams use about 7 GB of data per hour. Basic video and audio quality uses up to 300 MBS per hour and Auto will alternate between the available options depending on the internet speeds.
To adjust the video quality on Netflix or enable Netflix’s Data usage feature;
- Sign in to your Netflix account and go to account settings.
- Scroll to Profile and Parental Controls then select the profile that you would like to adjust settings for.
- Navigate to the Playback settings.
- Under Dat Usage per screen, select preferred data usage plan or video quality.
- Tap the save button.
log in to your account and go to the “Account” page. Under the “Profile & Parental Controls” section, select the profile you want to manage, then click on “Playback settings.” From there, you can choose the video quality that best suits your needs.
2. Disable the Auto Play Controls
Netflix’s auto-play controls automatically play and download the next episode of a TV show or title previews without the user’s permission. This feature is enabled by default, but you can choose to turn it off if you prefer to save some data that you would spend while you view your favorite shows on Netflix. To disable AutoPlay controls on Netflix;
- Sign in to your Netflix account and go to account settings.
- Scroll to Profile and Parental Controls then select the profile that you would like to adjust settings for.
- Navigate to the Playback settings.
- Uncheck the displayed autoplay options.
- Tap the save button.
After disabling auto-play controls, you will have to manually select the next episode and click on the title to preview it.
3. Download content for offline viewing
Netflix provides an option to download content for offline viewing. This option allows you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows without consuming data while streaming. To download content for offline viewing, open the Netflix app on your mobile device or laptop, select the title you want to download, then click on the download button. If you are having any issues with downloading your titles, here is what you should do.
In conclusion, there are several ways to control how much data Netflix uses. You can adjust the video quality, use the Netflix data usage settings, disable auto-play controls, or download content for offline viewing. By following these steps, you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows while minimizing your data usage.