How much data do apps use?
Video streaming and video calls use much more data than messaging, maps or browsing. The figures below are planning rates based on published app settings and Atli estimates. Actual usage varies by app, quality setting, phone and network.
The travel data calculator uses the same planning rates to estimate how much data you may need for a trip.
Typical data use by activity
| Activity | Typical use | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Maps & navigation | 5 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Messaging | 10 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Browsing & email | 30 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Music streaming | 72 MB/hour | Spotify High |
| Social scrolling | 300 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Video calls | 540 MB/hour | Zoom 1-to-1 high quality |
| Video streaming, Save Data | 167 MB/hour | Netflix |
| Video streaming, Automatic | 250 MB/hour | Netflix |
| Video streaming, Maximum | 3 GB/hour or more | Netflix |
| Background activity | 50 MB/day | Atli planning estimate |
How much data does video streaming use?
Video streaming usage depends primarily on the quality setting. Netflix gives three mobile data settings:
- Save Data: about 167 MB/hour
- Automatic: about 250 MB/hour
- Maximum Data: about 3 GB/hour or more
If you want to reduce data use, choose a lower streaming quality or download video on Wi-Fi before travelling. If you stream frequently, an Unlimited plan provides daily high-speed data without a fixed total limit.
How much data do video calls use?
A one-to-one Zoom video call at the referenced quality is about 540 MB/hour. Higher-quality and group calls can use more.
How much data does music streaming use?
Spotify offers several audio-quality settings:
- Normal: about 43 MB/hour
- High: about 72 MB/hour
- Very high: about 144 MB/hour
Downloaded music uses no mobile data when played offline.
How much data do maps, messaging and browsing use?
These activities have no single standard rate and are based on Atli planning estimates:
- Maps & navigation: about 5 MB/hour
- Messaging: about 10 MB/hour
- Browsing & email: about 30 MB/hour
- Social scrolling: about 300 MB/hour
Video-heavy social feeds can use substantially more data than text and photo feeds.
What uses data in the background?
Photo backups, app updates, cloud sync and other background activity can use data even when you are not actively using the app.
See Why is my data going so fast? for iPhone and Android steps to reduce background usage.
Does hotspot use more data?
Using hotspot does not create a separate data allowance. Anything a connected device uses comes from the same Atli plan. Large downloads, backups and video on connected devices can use data quickly. See Can I use a hotspot on a travel eSIM?.
FAQ
How long does 1 GB last?
These approximate examples are derived from the planning rates on this page:
- About 4 hours of Netflix on Automatic
- About 14 hours of Spotify on High
- About 1 hour 50 minutes of a one-to-one Zoom video call
How much data do I need for my trip?
Use the travel data calculator. It estimates a plan size from your trip length and phone habits using the planning rates on this page.
Does using a hotspot use more data?
Hotspot traffic uses the same Atli plan allowance. How quickly it uses data depends on what the connected device is doing.
Why am I using more data than these figures?
These figures are estimates. Higher video quality, downloads, backups and background activity can all increase usage.
Type check data in Atli to see how much plan data remains. See Why is my data going so fast?.
Do these figures change on 5G?
The same activity does not automatically use more data just because the connection is 5G. But some apps may choose higher-quality media on a faster connection, which can increase usage.
Is there an Unlimited option?
Atli offers Unlimited plans in some destinations. They provide unlimited data for the number of days you buy, with 3 GB of high-speed data in each 24-hour period. After that, speeds are reduced to 3 Mbps until the next daily reset. See Unlimited plans.