How to Reduce Data Usage on YouTube Mobile App for Android Phone or iPhone

There are times when we need to wait for something to happen. You wait for your doctor’s appointment, stay inside a bus or train to take you to your destination, or kill time for your next agenda.

For many people, one way to manage their waiting time is by watching videos on the YouTube mobile app. With millions of content available, it will make you feel like time is moving fast. Unfortunately, it also uses more mobile data if you watch via your Android device or iPhone.

How-Much-Data-Does-YouTube-Use-on-an-Android-or-iOS-Device
Photo credit by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

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How Much Data Does YouTube Use on an Android or iOS Device?

In general, streaming videos use a significant amount of data when accessed online. Whether you watch it on YouTube, Facebook, or other streaming apps, expect your limited mobile data allocation to reduce drastically.

The standard frame rate of video streaming is higher than regular browsing since more pixels change in one second. What’s more, the higher the video quality you use, the higher its standard frame rate or frames per second (FPS).

While it all makes sense why you end up nearly running out of data on video streaming, you can do something to minimize and limit your data usage without compromising.

How to Make YouTube App Use Less Data on Android Phone or iPhone

There are several ways to save data on mobile when streaming videos on YouTube using your Android phone or Apple iPhone. Check out the different methods and tips below and follow each step one at a time and finally get those data savings you’ve been wanting.

Use a Lower Video Quality

  • On your YouTube app, navigate to the homepage.
  • Look for any video you want to watch and tap the three-dotted icon in the upper right corner.
  • Tap Quality.
  • Go to Advanced.
  • Select a lower video quality.

Enable Data Saving Mode on the YouTube Mobile App

  • On your YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the upper right corner.
  • Select Settings.
  • Tap Data Saving.
  • Go to Data Saving Mode and toggle the button to enable it.

Disable Autoplay on your YouTube App

Automatic playing of videos even when scrolling on the feeds can also use up your precious mobile data allocation.

  • Navigate to the Settings menu of your YouTube account.
  • Choose Autoplay.
  • Look for Autoplay Next Video and toggle it off.

Turn Off Muted Playback in your YouTube Feeds

  • On the Settings menu of your YouTube account, select General.
  • Tap Muted Playback in Feeds.
  • You can select WiFi only or Off. If you want to continue getting a playback on the video before you watch it, you can choose WiFi only.

Download the Videos you want to Watch Again and Again

If you love to rerun videos, it helps to download them for offline watching to save on data usage. Look for the video you want to watch and tap the Download button. You can access them later under the Downloads section in your account.

Turn On Data Saver Setting by Default on YouTube

  • Tap your profile picture on the YouTube app.
  • Navigate to Settings.
  • Select Video Quality Preferences.
  • Tap Data Saver.

Set the Limit on your Mobile Data Usage through your YouTube Account Settings

  • Head over to the Settings menu of your YouTube account.
  • Tap General.
  • Look for the Limit Mobile Data Usage option and toggle the button to enable it.

Do you have other ideas on how to limit and save mobile data usage on the YouTube app? You can share your solutions with us in the comment section below.

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