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How Do I Control, Manage, Adjust, Reduce Netflix Data Usage and Mobile Data Usage?

If you are concerned with data caps or bandwidth limits while streaming TV shows or movie from Netflix, you can adjust data usage settings at your Netflix profile or from your mobile device by following steps.

Netflix Data Usage Settings

Content Summary

Solution 1: Control Netflix Data Usage via Netflix Profile
Solution 2: Control Netflix Data Usage on Mobile Device
Note
Reference

Solution 1: Control Netflix Data Usage via Netflix Profile

Data usage settings only apply to the Netflix profile you set them from.

Step 1: Sign in to Netflix.com.

Step 2: Select the profile you’d like to change data usage settings for. Data usage settings cannot be adjusted from a Kids profile.

Netflix user profile

Step 3: Select Account.

Step 4: Under My Profile, select Playback Settings.

Netflix playback settings

Step 5: Select desired data usage setting option. Restricting data usage may affect video quality.
Low – Reduced standard definition video quality that will use up to 0.3 GB per hour per device.
Medium – Standard DVD quality video at up to 0.7 GB per hour per device.
High – Best video quality, HD quality video (on supported content) that can use up to 3 GB per hour per device and up to 7 GB of usage per hour per device for Ultra HD video content.
Auto – Adjusts automatically to provide the highest quality for the current connection speed and signal strength.

Netflix data usage per screen

Step 6: Uncheck the box marked Play next episode automatically to turn off auto playback.

Step 7: Select Save. Your changes will take effect within 8 hours.

Solution 2: Control Netflix Data Usage on Mobile Device

Data setting changes make from mobile device apply when that device is streaming over mobile networks.

Step 1: In the Netflix app, select the Menu icon.

step 2: Select App Settings > Cellular Data Usage.

Step 3: Select your preferred mobile data usage options.
Automatic – Netflix will select a data usage setting that balances data usage with good video quality. Currently this will allow you to watch about 4 hours per GB of data.
Wi-Fi Only – Only be able to stream on the device while connected to Wi-Fi.
Save Data – Watch about 6 hours per GB of data.
Maximum Data – Recommended only if you have an unlimited data plan. This setting will stream at the highest possible quality for your device and the content you are viewing. This may use 1 GB per 20 minutes or more depending on your device and network speeds.

Netflix app mobile data usage

Note

If you have also set your Netflix data usage, streaming on mobile devices will not exceed this setting.

Reference

Netflix Help Center: How can I control how much data Netflix uses?

Alex Lim is a certified IT Technical Support Architect with over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex IT systems and networks. He has worked for leading IT companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco, providing technical support and solutions to clients across various industries and sectors. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and a master’s degree in information security from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also the author of several best-selling books on IT technical support, such as The IT Technical Support Handbook and Troubleshooting IT Systems and Networks. Alex lives in Bandar, Johore, Malaysia with his wife and two chilrdren. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Website | Twitter | Facebook

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