Netflix helps manage your data use with new cellular data controls

Stuck in traffic and all you want to do is catch up on your favorite show on Netflix? The great thing with streaming services is you can stream using your mobile data. However, that comes with worries of exceeding your data allocation for the month. Netflix has a solution for its subscribers. The streaming service is introducing globally new data controls to help you manage how much you stream over data.

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The default setting will allow you to stream around three hours worth of TV shows and movies per gigabyte of data. According to Netflix, when it comes to bitrates, this setting amounts to around 600 Kilobits per second. They say this setting is a good balance between video quality and data usages. But, of course, you have the option to set a higher or lower streaming quality. It’s important to note that this also means better or less ideal streaming conditions.

The choices you have are:

• Off – You will only be able to stream on the device while connected to Wi-Fi.
• Auto – Netflix will select a data usage setting that balances data usage with good video quality. Currently this will allow you to watch about 3 hours per GB of data.
• Low – Watch about 4 hours per GB of data.
• Medium – Watch about 2 hours per GB of data.
• High – Watch about 1 hour per GB of data.
• Unlimited – Recommended only if you have an unlimited data plan. This setting will stream at the highest possible quality for your device and the content you are viewing. This may use 1GB per 20 minutes or more depending on your device and network speeds.

To toggle these settings, simply head to the Menu icon and select App Settings. From there, head to Cellular Data Usage and then select the setting you prefer. If you set your data usage for all devices under the Playback settings on Your Account page, the streams on mobile devices will not exceed this setting.