How much data does TikTok use? How to monitor and reduce it
Since its release in 2016, TikTok has become a go-to app for entertainment. With its endless stream of video content, it’s easy to lose track of time there — one minute, you’re opening the app, and the next, you’ve scrolled through an hour of hilarious, weird, and addictive videos. However, that time spent on the app can add up to significant data usage before you even realize it. In this guide, we’ll break down how much data TikTok consumes, how you can keep an eye out on your usage, and how to cut back without missing out on the fun.
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How much data does TikTok use?
If you’re addicted to scrolling through TikTok on cellular data, you might be burning through your data faster than you realize. The good news, however, is that how much data TikTok uses depends a lot on your app settings. Let’s break it down so you can keep scrolling without stressing about blowing through your data limit.
TikTok data usage with default settings
With default settings, TikTok delivers videos in standard quality, which looks great but comes at a cost — your data. TikTok automatically plays videos as you scroll, and each video is packed with high-quality visuals and sound. The app is designed for an uninterrupted experience, meaning videos preload in the background to keep the fun going, but it comes at the expense of your data plan.
On average, TikTok chews up around 14 MB per minute. Spend an hour on the app, and you’re looking at approximately 840 MB gone. That’s nearly a whole gigabyte for just one hour of scrolling.
For a better perspective, an hour a day on TikTok for a month could rack up over 25 GB of data. Yikes! Before you know it, the app could drain your data allowance. If you’re a traveler relying on mobile data, those quick TikTok breaks while waiting for your flight or commuting can add up fast.
TikTok data usage with the data saver mode enabled
TikTok’s data appetite can sneak up on you, especially if you’re a frequent scroller or rely on mobile data. However, you can keep your data usage in check without giving up your TikTok fix. TikTok knows its default settings can eat through data, so it introduced the data saver feature.
With this feature turned on, TikTok videos play in lower quality and your data usage drops significantly. You’re now using about 6 MB per minute, which adds up to just around 360 MB per hour. That’s less than half the data you’d burn through on default settings.
Let’s put that into perspective. If you use 25 GB by spending an hour a day on TikTok with default settings, with data saver mode enabled, your monthly usage drops to 10.8 GB. That’s still a lot, but it’s a huge difference, especially for anyone with a limited data plan. Sure, streaming quality takes a bit of a dip, but it’s still good enough to enjoy your feed. Plus, your wallet (and your data plan) will thank you.
Which factors influence TikTok’s data usage?
TikTok’s data consumption isn’t fixed. While it might seem like a data hog compared to Facebook data usage, how much you use depends on several factors:
Video quality. Higher-resolution videos are TikTok’s biggest data guzzlers. By default, the app streams videos in standard or high quality for a crisp, engaging experience. But with great quality comes a great data bill.
Time spent on the app. The longer you stay on TikTok, the more data it eats. It's as simple as that. It’s a no-brainer with all apps, but we get it. TikTok’s addicting feed makes it harder to put down than other apps. Before you know it, a quick five-minute break can turn into an hour-long binge.
Content type. The type of content you watch on TikTok also affects how much data you use. For example, live streams often consume more data than regular short TikTok videos because they require constant data transmission. For comparison, Spotify data usage is much lower because it focuses on streaming audio, which requires far less data than TikTok’s video-heavy platform.
App settings. As we mentioned before, a lot of your data consumption on TikTok depends on what settings you have on the app. Data saver mode reduces video quality, slashing how much data you use per minute. Similar features are available on other apps, too. You can lower media quality to save on Instagram data usage or turn off HD streaming to minimize how much data Netflix uses. It’s a small compromise with a significant change.
How to check TikTok data usage
Although TikTok doesn’t offer an in-app feature to monitor data usage directly, you can still track how much data it consumes using your device’s built-in settings.
How to check TikTok data usage on iOS devices
Finding TikTok’s data usage on your iPhone is a breeze:
Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
Tap on “Cellular” (or “Mobile service” depending on your region).
Look for a section labeled “Mobile data for primary” or “Current period.” Here, you’ll find your total data consumption and how much TikTok has used. If TikTok isn’t listed right away, it’s not your top data consumer. Just tap “Show All” and scroll down to find it.
How to check TikTok data usage on Android devices
On Android, it’s just as easy to check your data usage on TikTok:
Open the Settings app on your phone.
Go to “Apps.”
Find a tab labeled “Manage apps,” and tap on it.
Find TikTok and tap on it.
Find a section labeled “Data usage.” You’ll find a detailed report of your data usage for the app next to it.
How to reduce TikTok data usage
If you're constantly running out of data, cutting back on TikTok’s usage can help you avoid unnecessary charges. Luckily, you can use some of these ways to keep your data in check without giving up your daily scroll.
Use TikTok Lite
If you’re looking for a version of TikTok that uses much less mobile data, the TikTok Lite app is your best bet. TikTok creators specifically designed it for this purpose. This app provides a similar experience to the TikTok app, just with limited features and lower-quality videos. It takes up less storage space and uses significantly fewer resources, so it’s perfect in areas with limited or slow internet connections or if you’re trying to make your data plan last longer.
Use Wi-Fi when possible
One of the easiest ways to avoid burning through your mobile data on TikTok is to connect to Wi-Fi whenever you can. Once connected to Wi-Fi, TikTok will function just as it does on your mobile network, but without affecting your data plan. However, remember that TikTok consumes the same amount of data on Wi-Fi as it would on your mobile network. So if you’re on a limited Wi-Fi plan, you still need to monitor your usage.
Enable data saver mode
If you can’t always rely on Wi-Fi, you can enable the data-saver feature in the app to use less data:
Open the TikTok app on your phone.
Tap on the “Profile” icon at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
Tap on the three-line menu icon (a “hamburger” icon) in the top-right corner.
Select “Settings and privacy.”
Scroll down to find a “Data saver” section and tap on it.
Toggle the switch on next to “Data saver.”
Using TikTok when traveling abroad
If you want to keep up your daily TikTok scroll while traveling, you might be surprised by how quickly international roaming fees can pile up. Staying connected abroad can get expensive, especially with data-heavy apps like TikTok. Luckily, you can go for a smarter and more affordable option — an eSIM.
With an eSIM, you can easily connect to the internet without racking up those hefty roaming fees. You can activate an eSIM mobile plan directly on your phone — swapping out SIM cards or hunting for a local plan is unnecessary. Saily offers coverage in 190+ destinations worldwide, so you can stay connected wherever you go.
Looking to save mobile data? Try the Saily eSIM app
Saily’s security features help you get the most out of your data plan.
FAQ
Aurelija loves traveling and snapping pictures, so having data abroad is as essential to her as having clean underwear. She believes everyone should be able to go online wherever they are and wants to help make that happen with her content.
