How to make instagram use less data
By Rachel Davis
It’s easy to use a lot of mobile data with Instagram. Whether you’re posting your own photos and videos, or just flicking through your feed, it’s all pretty data intensive, especially if you have friends who post a lot of videos.
The best way to save mobile data with Instagram is to not use it when you’re on mobile data! If that’s too much to ask, like with Facebook and Snapchat, there is a setting that will make Instagram use less data.
There are a couple of caveats though. Instagram is super vague about how this works. All they really say is with the setting on “photos and videos may take longer to load” and that Instagram no longer preloads videos (like it does normally). If you scroll through your feed on a cellular connection, you’re still going to burn through quite a lot of mobile data; it’s just that opening the app won’t use as much because Instagram preloads less of your feed. Also, there’s no way to limit data use on Wi-Fi—this only works when connected to mobile data.
Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the Gear icon to get to the Settings screen.
Scroll down until you see Mobile Data Use under Settings.
Select it and then toggle Use Less Data on.
Instagram will now use less mobile data. However, as I’ve stressed above, Instagram is a data hungry app. If you’re really trying to limit your mobile data use, it’s best to avoid it when you’re trying to conserve.
It’s easy to use a lot of mobile data with Instagram. Whether you’re posting your own photos and videos, or just flicking through your feed, it’s all pretty data intensive, especially if you have friends who post a lot of videos.
The best way to save mobile data with Instagram is to not use it when you’re on mobile data! If that’s too much to ask, like with Facebook and Snapchat, there is a setting that will make Instagram use less data.
There are a couple of caveats though. Instagram is super vague about how this works. All they really say is with the setting on “photos and videos may take longer to load” and that Instagram no longer preloads videos (like it does normally). If you scroll through your feed on a cellular connection, you’re still going to burn through quite a lot of mobile data; it’s just that opening the app won’t use as much because Instagram preloads less of your feed. Also, there’s no way to limit data use on Wi-Fi—this only works when connected to mobile data.
Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the Gear icon to get to the Settings screen.
Scroll down until you see Mobile Data Use under Settings.
Select it and then toggle Use Less Data on.
Instagram will now use less mobile data. However, as I’ve stressed above, Instagram is a data hungry app. If you’re really trying to limit your mobile data use, it’s best to avoid it when you’re trying to conserve.
Every Instagram user is probably familiar on how much data is drained on photos and videos while using the app. The app tends to eat up a lot of data when you are not connected to the Wi-Fi. Instagram has always been about pictures and videos – while it is quite a famous app amongst the general users along with celebrities it is everything except data-friendly. If you want to know how to use less data on Instagram, keep on reading.
Steps To Use Less Data On Instagram
The steps below will enable you to use less data on Instagram.
- Open Instagram and click on Profile
- Here click on Settings which is at the top of the app towards the right.
- This will give you a list of options. You need to select Cellular Data Use.
- Toggle the switch and enable the Use Less Data option or just select it from the list
- Go out of the Settings and you are done.
- You can disable this option in the same way whenever you don’t want to save data.
How does this setting help to use less data on Instagram?
Most users may be wondering on how this setting actually works and how your cellular data is saved. Instagram says that this setting once enabled on the app stops the videos present in your app to preload whenever you are connected to a cellular network. As a result, the videos that are present on your feed will take more time to load than they actually would when the setting is off.
The videos have been set by Instagram to preload by default – this is for a good user experience so they don’t have to wait too long for the video to load. By choosing not to let Instagram preload the videos you also choose to wait for videos to load – as the loading time is prolonged.
Enabling to Use Less Data on Instagram doesn’t, however, impact the way Instagram runs while using a WiFi. Whenever you are connected to a Wi-Fi Instagram will resume the same function and preload the videos and keep them ready for you.
Preloading means that the app downloads the entire video before you can open it. The video is actually ready to play once you open your app and scroll to it.
The setting doesn’t disturb the auto-play setting so the videos will definitely play automatically when you reach them however, they will not load completely unless you scroll through them. With some patience and this setting, you could actually save a lot of data. The lesser you scroll to a video the more data you can save.
This is an easy to execute setting that helps you to use less data on Instagram.
There are lots of important ways to reduce Instagram data usage, and it’s important to consider them. Here’s what to know.
Can Environmentalists Use Big Data to Save the Environment?
Instagram is among the apps that the internet uses accuse of consuming excessive data bundles. Loading the images, the videos and the stories that are posted consistently consumes more data than you may think. Videos simply pop up without warning unlike on Facebook where you have to click on the videos to view. Instagram videos preload enabling you to watch them in an instant, and consuming data in the process.
In spite of this, you might still want to grow your Instagram profile considering its potential as a social marketing tool. Let?s learn 5 innovative tricks to decrease data usage while using Instagram.
Deactivate the Preload Option
This is one of the ways you can use to lower the use of data bundles by your Instagram app. You just need to follow a simple process. Go to your account settings, scroll down to ?cellular data,? click on “useless data”. This option slows down videos from pre-downloading when using your cellular data, but will work normally when you have a Wi-Fi connection. Images will load as usual, and you can still enjoy the Instagram experience. You will note that images will load at a slower pace, but they will load either way.
Connect to Free Wi-Fi
Instagram is a great app for killing time and entertaining yourself at the same time. When you are waiting for someone, may like in a restaurant or at the airport, you can always log in and catch on the latest developments. Always be on the lookout for open Wi-Fi connections so that you can save your data. Most restaurants and other public spaces have Wi-Fi connections. You should, however, take connections to only use secure connections to protect your device from being hacked. Never leave your device to connect automatically so that you can remember to switch mobile data on and off.
Switch Off Mobile Data when Phone is Idle
Most of us get caught up in the daily activities that we forget to manage our personal devices. If you leave your apps running in the background, they will consume data whether or not you are using them. This is especially true with apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Try and deactivate mobile data usage when your phone is idle. Most of us especially teenagers like using their phones to catch up on the day’s activities in bed before sleeping. You end up dosing off leaving your data running. You may try to stop this unhealthy habit not only to save data, but also for your overall health. Keep your phone away from your bed when sleeping.
Turn Your Notifications Off
This is another brilliant way of saving data. Why have every little notification, even those that you do not require popping up your screen and wasting your cellular data? Considering that most of us use Instagram for entertainment and to catch up on how our friends and foes are carrying on, you can afford to wait until you are free to log in to your account and check on the new developments. The mystery behind not knowing what?s going on than coming later to find out is the beauty and the interesting factor about using Instagram.
Prevent Uploads from Gallery
Every time you take a photo, Instagram saves the photos in your camera roll. This consumes data that should not be consumed. You can deactivate this feature by going to your profile then turn off ?Save Original Photos? feature on your account. If you want to upload a photo, do it manually from your gallery to save data. Videos taken directly using Instagram?s camera feature consumes unnecessary data.
If you just require a video to upload and then share on Instagram, you can then just shoot it directly from your Instagram camera instead of having it save into your gallery. Any other video that you wish to shoot and keep to use later can be shot using your phone?s camera. Videos taken using your phone are more clear and are of better quality than the those you take with the social media apps.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to make sure that Instagram doesn’t use too much data on your device. Here’s how to make it happen.
Reduce Instagram data usage
In a line-up of apps accused of wasting your mobile data, I bet you’d probably never consider your old friend Instagram. I mean, how could it be guilty? It’s just pictures, right? Hundreds of pictures of brunch, with some filters on it. Pictures, and sometimes video. Streaming video that plays without your permission…
You hear the shatter without realizing the mug was slipping out of your hand. Coffee spills everywhere.
How could you have been so foolish? Instagram was Kaiser Soze all along. What once appeared as an innocent-looking app with a bum leg, now confidently strides out of your workplace and into a limousine, taking your precious megabytes along for the ride.
Luckily, this week’s Ting Tip exposes the one secret Instagram never bothered telling you – it has a mode to control cellular data usage. Just flip on the “Use Less Data” switch and videos will no longer automatically preload over your mobile network, saving you money in the process if you’re with a pay-for-what-you-use provider like Ting.
Read on for our step-by-step instructions on how to reduce Instagram data usage.
Step 1
From the Instagram main feed, tap Profile and click the Settings icon in the top right.
Step 2
Scroll down to Settings and tap Cellular Data Use.
Step 3
Tap Use Less Data.
Now you’re using less Instagram data. Yay!
If you’re looking for more ways to save, check out our complete guide to lowering mobile data usage. Have a useful tip you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Get a Ting SIM for $1
Try Ting for yourself on your existing phone. Grab a SIM card for $1 and only pay for what you actually use.
Take control of how your iPhone uses its cellular data connection.
Stopping seven data-hungry apps from killing your data plan isn’t the only way for iPhone owners to reduce their data usage. Here are seven phone-wide settings that can help keep you under your monthly data allotment.
1. Restrict iTunes and App Store downloads
You can prevent iTunes and the App Store from downloading music, movies, apps and so on when you are away from a Wi-Fi signal. To do so, go to Settings > iTunes & App Store and toggle off Use Cellular Data.
Tap this to prevent iTunes from using your cellular data for automatic downloads.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
2. Disable background app refresh
iOS apps can update in the background, grabbing new content as they sit idle so they can show you the latest news when you return to them. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh in order to turn this setting off completely. You can also go the a la carte route from the list below and choose which apps update in the background.
Pick and choose the apps that may use data in the background of your phone, or turn them all off.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
3. See which apps are using the most data
Curious to know which apps are consuming the most data? Go to Settings > Cellular and you can see how much data you’ve used in the current billing period and below that you’ll see a list of your apps. Under each app’s name is the amount of data it has used for the current billing period. You can toggle off any app that you think is eating more than its fair share.
See which app is using the most data here.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
4. Disable Wi-Fi Assist
Wi-Fi Assist is a great feature where your iPhone hands off a weak Wi-Fi signal to your cellular network to prevent pages from loading slowly (or not at all) as it clings to the last remnants of a Wi-Fi signal. If you sit on the edge of a Wi-Fi network at work, say, then your cellular network may be assisting more than you’d like and running up data charges.
To disable Wi-Fi Assist, go to Settings > Cellular and scroll all the way to the bottom to turn off Wi-Fi Assist.
Wi-Fi Assist may be eating more cellular data than you would like.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
5. Download music, don’t stream
Streaming music or podcasts for long stretches when you are away from Wi-Fi can quickly add to your data usage. Most music and podcast apps (like Spotify and Apple Music) let you restrict streaming to Wi-Fi only, which will then force you into the habit of downloading playlists or podcasts before playing them instead of streaming them over cellular data. Let’s look at Apple Music and Apple’s Podcasts apps as examples.
For Apple Music, go to Settings > Music. In the Streaming & Downloads section, you’ll see two settings if the first is enabled. The first, Use Cellular Data, lets you disable streaming via a cellular connection entirely. If that’s too drastic a measure for you, then you can leave that setting enabled and turn off High Quality on Cellular to stream songs at a lower bitrate when you aren’t on Wi-Fi.
You can control how the Apple Music app uses data here.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
For the Podcasts app, go to Settings > Podcasts and turn off Cellular Data. You can also enable Only Download on Wi-Fi to prevent podcast downloads from adding to your data usage.
6. Fetch mail less frequently
Check to see how frequently your email account is set to fetch new mail — the less frequently it fetches, the less data (and battery) you’ll use. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data. First, make sure Push is turned off if you want to save data and don’t need new emails pushed to you constantly. Next, see what the schedule is for Fetch at the bottom of the screen. If you choose Manually, then the Mail app will check for new email only when you open the app.
Changing your Fetch schedule could save data, as well as your phone’s battery life.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
7. Use Safari’s Reading List
You can queue up articles while you’re using Wi-Fi to read later when you’re on a cellular connection or out of range completely. When you add a page to Safari’s Reading List, Safari downloads it for offline viewing. To add an article to the Reading List, tap the Share button at the center of the bottom navigation bar and then tap Add to Reading List. If you use iCloud, then it will share your Reading List with your other iOS devices, but you can stop it from sharing via a cellular connection by going to Settings > Safari and scrolling down to the bottom and toggling off Use Cellular Data for the Reading List feature.
Reading List is a handy way to read articles while you are offline, but it could use cellular data to share the list to other devices.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
Chrome recently added the same feature but it requires an extra tap. To add something to Chrome’s reading list, tap the triple-dot button in the top right, tap the share button and then tap Read Later.
Editors’ note: This story was originally published on April 29, 2016 and has since been updated with more tips.
If you are a heavy Instagram user, you might not know this but the more you use Instagram, the photo-sharing service and mobile application, the more space the app will consume on your iOS or Android device over time. Originally, when you install Instagram, it only uses about 24 MB (on iOS), but it can grow to use up literally gigabytes of space. This article shows you how to clear the Instagram cache so that you can easily and quickly save space on your mobile device.
Instagram become bloated over time
While Instagram is a great service, for some reason the developers crafted their app to have a cache of photos. So the more you share and use the app, the bigger that cache become. For example, I checked my daughter’s iPhone yesterday and she only had a few MBs left of storage. When I checked to see how much space she had consumed (by application), I found that her Instagram instance was at 1.4 GB!
It’s really easy to check to see how much space your Instagram is using on your device.
For Android do the following (and it may vary by device):
- Go to Settings.
- Go to Applications > Manage Applications > Instagram
- The total storage consumed by Instagram will be listed
For iOS (iPhone & iPad), it’s just as easy:
- Launch Settings app
- Go to General > Usage (and let it prepopulate the sizes)
- The storage space used by Instagram will be shown
Instagram has a help page about this as well.
Ok, this is the really “hard” part…you simply need to DELETE Instagram and then re-install it. Really. That’s it.
[easy-tweet tweet=”Wow! This #Instagram #tip actually saved me some space on my phone!” user=”HighTechDad”]
You won’t lose any of your photos or settings. Just be sure to remember your login information.
I checked my other kids’ iPhones do see how much space Instagram was consuming. Here’s the before shot on another daughter’s iPhone (134 MB consumed):
Instagram before deleting
And here is after deleting and reinstalling Instagram (back down to 24 MB):
Instagram after deleting & reinstalling
While not quite as dramatic as my oldest daughter’s iPhone (from 1.4 GB to 24 MB), it’s still pretty darn good.
That is a pretty easy way to quickly clear the Instagram cache and free up space on your mobile device!
HTD says: Slim down your Instagram storage by just deleting and reinstalling it!
Stay safe as much as you can
Share this story
- Share this on Facebook
- Share this on Twitter
Share All sharing options for: How to protect your privacy and stay secure on Instagram
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Instagram is a great way to share photos with friends, family, and the rest of the world, but it could also open you up to privacy and security risks. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. It’s easy to protect yourself and still get the most out of what Instagram has to offer.
Here are five ways to keep your account safe. There are separate instructions for the web and for mobile apps and notations where the iOS and Android apps differ.
Make your account private
Take a simple privacy step by turning your public account into a private one. This will let you share your photos with a select group of people while keeping them hidden from everyone else. That way, only people you really care about will be aware of your activities.
On mobile
- Go to your profile by tapping the “person” icon on the lower-right corner of the screen. Swipe to the left and tap the Settings gear icon that appears.
- Select “Privacy and Security” then “Account Privacy.”
- Toggle “Private Account” on.
On the web
- Click on the “person” icon in the upper-right corner, and then look for the gear icon next to your name.
- Select “Privacy and Security” then “Account Privacy.”
- Click on the checkbox for Private Account.
From now on, only your existing followers will be able to see your posts. Anyone else will have to send a follow request to you first.
Block specific followers
If one of your followers becomes annoying (or worse), you can also block specific followers from seeing your posts. (Don’t worry: followers aren’t notified that you’ve blocked them.)
On mobile
- Tap “Followers” at the top of the main mobile menu.
- Search for the follower you want to block.
- If you’re using iOS, tap the three horizontal dots next to their name. If you’re using Android, tap the three vertical dots. Select “Remove.”
On the web
- Click on the person icon and then on “Followers.”
- Search for the follower you want to block.
- Click on that person’s icon, then look for the three horizontal dots to the right of their name. Select “Block this user.”
Turn on two-factor authentication
Worried that someone will log in to your Instagram account and pose as you? Turn on two-factor authentication, which will send you a text message with an authentication code every time you log in to Instagram on a new device. You’ll then have to type in the code to complete logging in.
On mobile
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy and Security” > “Two-Factor Authentication” > “Get Started.”
- Toggle on “Text Message.”
- If you’d prefer to instead use an authentication app like Google Authenticator, toggle on “Authentication App” instead. The app will see if you already have one installed. If you don’t, it will suggest one.
On the web
- Go to the person icon, then click on the gear icon.
- Click on “Privacy and Security” > “Edit Two-Factor Authentication Setting”
- Check “Text Message.” If you have an authentication app available, you will also be able to check “Use Authentication App.” Otherwise, it will be grayed out.
Prevent third-party apps from getting your data
There are tons of third-party apps that ask you to get access to your Instagram data, like an app that schedules Instagram posts for you. So before agreeing to let one access your data, factor in that the more companies that have private information about you, the more likely it is that the information can be misused or stolen. Even more important: make sure that you only grant Instagram access to apps that truly have a need for it.
To revoke access to apps that already have it, you have to use the web interface; you can’t do this through the mobile app.
- Log in to Instagram on a browser on a phone or computer, and click or tap the person icon on the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Click or tap on the gear icon.
- Click on “Authorized Apps.” (Look for it on the left-hand menu.) You’ll see a list of apps that have been authorized to access Instagram.
- Click on the “Revoke Access” button for any app that you want to unauthorize, and then select “Yes.”
Check if someone has hacked your account
Worried that someone has hacked your Instagram account? You can check by viewing your past account activity, including logins, logouts, changing a password, and more.
- Using the mobile app, go to “Settings” > “Privacy and Security” > “Access Data.” On the web, tap the “person” icon in the upper-right of the screen. Click the gear icon, and select “Privacy and Security” > “View Account Data.”
- You’ll come to an info page that has a great deal of data on how your account has been used. You can click any category to get more information, such as “Account privacy changes,” “Logins,” “Logouts,” “Hashtags you follow,” and so on.
- Pay special attention to “Account privacy changes,” “Password changes,” “Logins,” “Logouts,” and “Stories Activity.” If you see anything that’s unfamiliar, it may mean that someone else is using your account. Immediately change your password to lock them out.
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.
Master your phone’s settings to use less data.
This post is part of Mashable’s Spring Cleaning Week. Just a little something to distract you from the eternal dread of constantly wiping all those fingerprints off your screen.
If you’ve recently upgraded to a new phone, you might have noticed an annoying, not to mention costly, problem.
Yes, if you’ve got a new iPhone X or iPhone 8 Plus, that sucker probably uses a LOT of data, thanks to the jump in screen resolution, the new screen size, and a spiffy new version of iOS. Chances are, it’s more than you’re used to using, especially if you made a leap from using something like an iPhone 6.
You may have noticed this when you got a whopping overage charge on your monthly bill (I certainly did). Luckily, there are a few ways to tinker with your settings and apps to make sure you’re not using all the data in the world on your new phone.
First, check which apps are using the most data
This is really easy to do. Go into your Settings and click on Cellular. Scroll down to the menu that says Cellular Data. Here you can see exactly how much data each of your installed apps has used over time. You may be surprised.
Image: brian de los santos/mashable
You can also use this menu to gauge how much data you use per month. Just make sure to scroll down to the bottom and hit “Reset Statistics” at the start of your billing cycle. It’ll sync your info with each pay period and give you a way to monitor your data day by day.
Reconfigure all your social media apps
Your social media apps use a ton of data. All those high-quality photos of your friends’ children are eating up your precious data — especially if you’re a heavy Instagram user. Not to mention the autoplay video hounding your phone for its precious megabytes. However, there are ways to cut back.
For Facebook: In Settings, go to Account Settings, then Videos and Photos. Make sure the Autoplay option is turned off or set to do so only when you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
For Twitter: In Settings and Privacy, go to Data usage. Here you can turn off image previews, and turn off autoplay completely. You can also make sure the app only plays high-quality video when you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
For Instagram: In the settings menu, scroll down to Cellular Data Use and turn on “Use Less Data.” It’ll take photos and videos longer to load, but it should cut down on data usage considerably.
For Snapchat: In Settings, go to Additional Services and hit Manage. From there toggle Travel Mode on. This will reduce Snapchat’s data usage when you’re on the go. You can also go to the Memories tab and flip off Smart Backup, so your memories don’t back up using cellular data when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
In fact, kill autoplay on every app
The terrible thing about apps these days is that they all float video in your face, whether you want it or not. Sporting apps like ESPN are prime offenders. And while it may not seem like such a big deal, those videos burn through a ton of data. Make sure to disable autoplay in any apps you frequent.
Kill Wi-Fi assist
Image: brian de los santos/mashable
Wi-Fi assist was billed as a way to help you power through a spotty Wi-Fi connection, but it can be particularly taxing on your data over time, especially if you don’t have the best Wi-Fi signal at home. Go back into your Settings menu, navigate to Cellular Data, then scroll all the way down to Wi-Fi Assist. Below, it’ll show you just how much data the feature has used. If it’s a lot, turn that sucker off.
Kill background app refresh
Image: brian de los santos/mashable
This is a pretty simple one. Turn off Background App Refresh, or set it to only refresh when connected to Wi-Fi. To do so, go to Settings, tap General, and click on Background App Refresh. There, you’ll have the option to shut it off entirely, have it use data, or have it use only Wi-Fi.
Use apps like Pocket or Instapaper
For news or reading junkies who are constantly on the go, apps like Pocket or Instapaper are a huge data help. They allow you to save articles or long features onto your phone so you can read them offline. Pocket even integrates into Safari and Chrome and allows you to save articles from your browser. Just tap the Share icon and scroll over to the top row to the Pocket icon. Connect to Wi-Fi, and open your Pocket app to download the article. You’re free to read whenever you please, data free.
Download Google Maps
If you frequently get lost but don’t always want to use data when you’re in need of directions, download your local area on Google Maps. Open Google Maps, tap the menu icon on the left of the search bar, and hit Offline Maps.
Image: brian de los santos/mashable
Then hit Custom Map and drag the area you’d like to save. Now you can access it whenever you want, without using data. It’ll even still let you search for directions. Just be careful: While you won’t be using a lot of data, this can take up a lot of your phone’s internal storage.
Save those Netflix shows
Image: brian de los santos/mashable
If you love to stream Netflix on the go, make sure you’re using the app’s offline feature. When you’re searching for a show you like, go to its main page and hit the download button on the far left. Search “Available for Download” in the menu to find out what you can actually download. Then, to find everything you’ve saved on your device, hit the downloads tab at the bottom.
If all else fails, use the ultimate kill-switch: Airplane Mode
This will ensure that you use no data whatsoever until you connect to Wi-Fi. Sometimes dire circumstances call for dire measures.
