How to control your data usage on Netflix
How to control your data usage on Netflix.
Internet TV service, Netflix, provides users with a way to stream thousands of titles of online content, including well-known TV series, movies, mind-broadening documentaries and stand-up comedy shows, whenever and wherever you are. The catch, however, comes when streaming data usage runs up huge fees, you run out of cap, or the usage leads to huge additional costs. If you’re on uncapped Wi-Fi, there’s no need to be concerned as Netflix automatically adjusts your data usage according to your bandwidth. But if you’re watching Netflix using your monthly data plan through your cellular carrier, you’ll want to be aware of your data usage.
With all these permutations in mind, Netflix has identified how you can control your data usage.
On WI-FI
How can I control how much data Netflix uses? Watching movies or TV shows on Netflix uses about 1GB of data per hour for each stream of standard definition video, and up to 3GB per hour for each stream of HD video. This can be limiting if you have a monthly bandwidth or data cap. In order to avoid unwanted bills or having more month than your money, you can adjust your data usage settings for your account and reduce the amount of bandwidth used while watching Netflix. There are four data usage settings to choose from. Each estimate below is per stream:
· Low (0.3 GB per hour)
· Medium (SD: 0.7 GB per hour)
· High (Best video quality, up to 3 GB per hour for HD and 7 GB per hour for Ultra HD)
· Auto (Adjusts automatically to deliver the highest possible quality, based on your current connection speed)
To select a setting that works best for your data plan, navigate to the Your Account page and select Playback settings in the My Profile section. It can take up to 8 hours for these changes to take effect. Restricting data usage may affect video quality while watching Netflix.
On Mobile
How do I manage mobile data usage on Netflix? Netflix allows you to set limits for the amount of data it uses from your mobile device. You can do this within the Netflix app on your phone or tablet. Doing so is an easy way to reduce the amount of bandwidth you use watching Netflix on your mobile device. There are six data usage settings to choose from. Each estimate below is per stream:
· Off – You will only be able to stream on the device while connected to Wi-Fi.
· Auto – Netflix will select a data usage setting that balances data usage with good video quality. Currently this will allow you to watch about 3 hours per GB of data.
· Low – Watch about 4 hours per GB of data.
· Medium – Watch about 2 hours per GB of data.
· High – Watch about 1 hour per GB of data.
· Unlimited – 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.
To select the setting that works best for your mobile data plan, while in the Netflix app, select the Menu icon. Select App Settings. Select Cellular Data Usage and then select your preferred setting.
To get Netflix and put these data usage limits into place, go to www.netflix.com and follow the instructions. Sign up and get the first month free.
Edited by Dean Workman
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