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.
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.
Step 3: Select Account.
Step 4: Under My Profile, select 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.
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.
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?
