How Much Data Does TikTok Use?
TikTok plays video back to back and loads the next clips before you reach them, so it can use a lot of data. Here is how to measure it and how Data Saver helps.
4 min readUpdated
The short answer
A lot, and it varies. TikTok doesn't publish an official figure, because usage depends on video quality, your connection, and how fast you scroll. Every swipe starts a new video, and the app loads the next few before you reach them.
The quickest way to get a real number for your phone is a ten-minute test, below. The quickest way to use less is TikTok's Data Saver setting.
Why TikTok uses so much data
- It is all video. There is no text-only mode. Every item in the feed is a video that plays automatically.
- It loads ahead. To keep scrolling smooth, the app downloads upcoming videos in advance, including some you will swipe past.
- Quality follows your connection. On a strong 4G or 5G signal, TikTok plays sharper video, which costs more data per minute.
- Posting uses data too. Uploading your own videos, especially long or high-resolution ones, adds to the total.
This is typical of short-form video in general. Ericsson's Mobility Report found that social media video makes up 70 to 80 percent of mobile video traffic on smartphones.
Measure it on your own phone
This gives you a real number for your phone, your network and your habits:
- 1Note TikTok's current figure in your phone's app list (Settings > Cellular on iPhone, Settings > Network & internet > App data usage on most Android phones).
- 2Turn Wi-Fi off and scroll TikTok the way you normally do for exactly ten minutes.
- 3Check the figure again. The difference, times six, is roughly what an hour costs you.
Try it again with Data Saver on to see how much it saves.
Turn on Data Saver
- 1Open TikTok and go to your Profile.
- 2Tap the menu icon at the top right, then Settings and privacy.
- 3Find Data Saver and switch it on.
Data Saver lowers video quality, so videos may look softer and take a moment longer to load. Menu names can shift between app versions, so if you don't see it, search the settings screen for "data".
Other ways to use less
- Save long TikTok sessions for Wi-Fi.
- Post videos when you're on Wi-Fi rather than mobile data.
- On Android, restrict TikTok's background data so it can't refresh while closed.
- Set a daily screen-time limit in TikTok's settings. Less scrolling is the most reliable data saver there is.
Summary
- TikTok doesn't publish a data figure; usage depends on quality, connection and how much you scroll.
- It plays video constantly and loads upcoming videos in advance.
- A ten-minute test on mobile data gives you your own real number.
- Data Saver (Profile > menu > Settings and privacy) lowers quality to use less.