In the Netflix iPhone app, Save Data lowers video quality so you can watch about 6 hours per GB of cellular data, while Maximum Data streams at the highest quality and can use 1 GB every 20 minutes or more. To change it, tap My Netflix, tap your profile name, tap App Settings, and select Cellular Data Usage.
These details come from Netflix’s How to control how much data Netflix uses and How to download using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi help articles.
In this article:
- The four cellular data options
- Change your cellular data setting
- Control data for downloads
- Account-wide data usage settings
- Stop Netflix from using cellular data
- Frequently asked questions
Netflix Cellular Data Options Explained
Netflix lists four mobile data usage settings:
- Automatic: the app picks a setting that balances data use and video quality. You can watch about 4 hours per GB.
- Wi-Fi Only: streams only while you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
- Save Data: about 6 hours per GB.
- Maximum Data: the highest possible quality for your device and the show or movie. It can use 1 GB per 20 minutes or more, depending on your device and network speed. Netflix recommends it only if you have an unlimited data plan.
Result: you can pick the trade-off between picture quality and data that fits your plan.
How to Change the Netflix Cellular Data Setting on iPhone
- Open the Netflix app.
- Tap My Netflix in the lower right.
- Tap your profile name at the top.
- Tap App Settings.
- Under Video Playback, tap Cellular Data Usage.
- Turn off Automatic if needed, then choose Wi-Fi Only, Save Data or Maximum Data. Tap OK if prompted.
Netflix notes you can’t change this setting while Automatic is on or while downloads are pending. If your choice is grayed out, turn off Automatic, or cancel or finish pending downloads, then try again.
Result: Netflix uses your chosen amount of cellular data when you stream.
How to Control Data for Netflix Downloads
Downloads have their own setting. In App Settings, under Downloads, turn Wi-Fi Only on to make downloads wait for Wi-Fi, or off to allow downloads over cellular.
If you see a “Waiting for Wi-Fi” message and want to download anyway, Netflix says you can select Download Settings from the message and turn off Wi-Fi Only. The download won’t start right away, so tap the Downloads icon, then Download.
Downloading over Wi-Fi before you leave is the easiest way to save data. See how to download Netflix episodes to your iPhone.
Result: downloads only use cellular data when you allow it. Downloaded videos also take up storage; for another streaming app, see how to check the space Disney Plus downloads use on an iPhone.
Account-Wide Data Usage Settings
Netflix also has a per-profile data setting you change in a web browser: go to your Account page, select Profiles, choose a profile, and select Playback settings. Netflix lists these levels:
- Low: basic video quality, up to 0.3 GB per hour.
- Medium: standard video quality, up to 0.7 GB per hour.
- High: best video quality, up to 1 GB per hour for standard definition, 3 GB for HD and 7 GB for 4K.
- Auto: adjusts to give the highest quality your connection allows.
Netflix says if you’ve set this account data usage, streaming on mobile devices won’t exceed it.
Result: you can cap data use for a profile on every device.
How to Stop Netflix From Using Cellular Data Completely
- Set Cellular Data Usage to Wi-Fi Only in the Netflix app.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Only under Downloads.
- For a system-wide block, open your iPhone’s Settings > Cellular, scroll to the list of apps, and turn Netflix off. Apple says that when cellular data is off for an app, iPhone uses only Wi-Fi for it (see Apple’s cellular data settings guide).
Result: Netflix never touches your cellular data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Save Data or Maximum Data better?
Save Data uses less data with lower quality. Maximum Data gives the best picture but can use 1 GB per 20 minutes or more, so Netflix recommends it only with unlimited data.
Why can’t I change Cellular Data Usage?
Turn off Automatic, or wait for pending downloads to finish.
How much data does Netflix use on Automatic?
Netflix says about 4 hours per GB.
Does Wi-Fi Only affect downloads?
No. Downloads have a separate Wi-Fi Only switch under Downloads in App Settings.
More Netflix guides: how to sign out of Netflix on iPhone.
Disney+ has a similar setting. See how to use less data when streaming Disney+ on an iPhone.
Pandora has a similar trade-off between sound and data. See how to increase audio quality in Pandora on an iPhone.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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