Before you start
- The TikTok app
Method 1 Turn on TikTok’s Data Saver
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Step 1: Open settings
In TikTok, tap Profile, then the ☰ menu at the top right, and choose Settings and privacy.
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Step 2: Find Data Saver
Tap Cache & cellular (on some versions Data Saver is listed directly).
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Step 3: Switch it on
Turn on Data Saver. Videos load at a lower resolution on mobile data, which cuts usage noticeably.
Method 2 Limit TikTok in your phone settings
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Step 1: Android: stop background data
Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Mobile data and turn off Background data. Turn on Data Saver in Settings > Network & internet for extra savings.
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Step 2: iPhone: turn off background refresh
Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn off TikTok. Turn on Low Data Mode in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
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Step 3: Set a data warning
Android: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Data warning & limit. iPhone: check per-app usage in Settings > Cellular and reset statistics each billing month.
| Activity | Approximate data per hour |
|---|---|
| Scrolling with Data Saver | 500–700 MB |
| Scrolling in normal quality | 800 MB–1.5 GB+ |
| Watching or hosting LIVE | 1 GB+ |
| Uploading videos | Depends on length and quality |
Troubleshooting
I can’t find Data Saver
Update TikTok. Menu names change often; use the search box at the top of Settings and privacy and type “data”.
TikTok still uses lots of data
Check your phone’s per-app usage to confirm it’s TikTok. Clearing TikTok’s cache in Settings and privacy > Free up space also stops it re-downloading broken files.
Frequently asked questions
How much data does TikTok use?
Typically 500 MB to over 1.5 GB per hour, depending on video quality and how fast you scroll.
Does Data Saver make videos look bad?
Slightly softer on large screens, but on a phone most people barely notice.
Does TikTok use data when it’s closed?
It can, for notifications and preloading. Turning off background data or Background App Refresh stops most of it.
Summary
Turn on Data Saver in TikTok’s Settings and privacy, block its background data on your phone, and save uploads and LIVE for Wi-Fi. That can roughly halve how much data TikTok uses.
