How Much Data Does It Take to Download a Game?
Why a game download uses about its own size in data, how big Modern Warfare 4 and GTA 6 are, what that means on a mobile plan, and how to download without burning data.
4 min readUpdated
The short answer
Downloading a game uses about as much data as the size of the game, plus any day-one patch. A big console or PC release in 2026 is often 100 GB or more, which is ten or more 10 GB mobile plans for one download.
Download big games on home Wi-Fi or fixed broadband, never on your phone's hotspot, and leave room for updates.
How big are this season's big games?
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (PC): Activision's PC requirements list 115 GB of free SSD space at launch, with updates able to add more.
- Grand Theft Auto VI (PS5, Xbox Series X|S): Rockstar has confirmed that the game needs up to 212 GB, depending on your console. Digital preloading opened on 10 November 2026, nine days before the 19 November launch, and a day-one patch may add more. See GTA 6 Download Size: How Much Data Does It Need? for what that means on a data plan.
- Mobile games: usually a few GB to install, but many download extra content on first launch, so the real total can be several times the store size.
What that means on a mobile plan
The data you need is roughly the game size, so the maths is short:
- A 115 GB download is about 12 plans of 10 GB.
- A 212 GB download is about 21 plans of 10 GB.
- A 5 GB day-one patch alone is half of a 10 GB plan.
Unlimited mobile plans often slow you down after a set amount, so a huge download can still cost you full speed for the rest of the month. Check your plan's fair use terms before you start.
How to download big games without burning your data
- Use preload. When a game offers preloading, start it on Wi-Fi days before launch, so launch day only needs a small unlock or patch.
- Turn off automatic updates on mobile data. On consoles and launchers, let updates run only on your home connection.
- Don't hotspot a console or laptop. Computers treat a hotspot like Wi-Fi and will happily download updates and backups on it. If you must, see How to Check Hotspot Data Usage on iPhone and Android.
- Install only what you need. Many big games let you skip modes or high-resolution packs you won't use.
Summary
- A game download uses about as much data as the game's size, plus patches.
- Modern Warfare 4 on PC needs 115 GB; Rockstar says GTA 6 needs up to 212 GB.
- GTA 6 preloading opened on 10 November 2026: start it on Wi-Fi.
- Never download big games on a phone hotspot, and keep updates to Wi-Fi.