If you are like many others around the world with limited data plans, these five tips to save data usage on Instagram (Android 11 and iPhone 12 2022 update) may just be what you need.

Media sharing apps like YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram consume the most data. And, with new features like Reels, Stories, Shorts, and so on, these platforms want to keep you scrolling from media to media as long as possible.

Of course, the best way to cut down on data consumption is to stay offline once in a while. However, let’s be truthful, not many of us can stay away from these apps long enough to make a difference.

This is why these 5 methods are important to save data usage on Instagram.

5 tips to save data usage on Instagram (Android 11 and iPhone 12 2022 update)

1. Enable Instagram Data Saver

The platform itself understands the strain it is having on your pocket, and it offers a tool to minimize cost. Here is how to turn on the Instagram Data Saver feature on Android and iOS devices:

• Open Instagram and tap on your profile pic
• Tap on the menu icon and go to Settings
• Tap on Account and tap on Cellular Data Use or Mobile Data Use
• Toggle on the Use Less Data (iPhone) or Data Saver (Android) option.

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2. Disable High-Resolution Media (Android 11)

This feature is not yet available for iOS users but Android users can go a step further in reducing data usage on Instagram by doing the following:

• Open Instagram and tap on your profile pic
• Tap on the menu icon and go to Settings
• Tap on Account and tap on Cellular Data Use or Mobile Data Use
• Under the Data Saver option, there is a High-resolution media feature which you can set to Wi-Fi only or Never.

Note: you can only use this last feature when you have completed the steps in number 1.

3. Use Instagram Lite (Android 11)

Another data-saving tip that iOS users cannot enjoy is the Instagram Lite app. It is a well-kept secret because Instagram comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, and users never bother to look for its Lite version. However, a search for ways to use less data on the platform has brought you here. Also, in case you are having doubts, this app is from the same people that made the regular version. Instagram Lite consumes lesser data and gets all the basic features of the regular ones. Here are a few things missing from it:

• Reels sharing to Story
• Cube transitions
• Animations
• AR filters
• Instagram Live

If you can enjoy Instagram without these, then get the Lite version now.

4. Enable System Data Saver

Data Saver, a feature available for both Android and iPhone users, allows you to save data usage generally. What it does when turned on is to restrict background device activities. This means that Instagram media and other apps will not be pre-loading things.

– Turn Data Saver on for Android

• Go to Settings and tap on Network and Internet and then on Data Saver
• Turn Data Saver on
• When Data Saver is on, you’ll see its icon in your Status bar
• There will also be a notification at the top of your phone’s Settings app.

– Turn Data Saver on for iPhone

• Go to Settings and tap on Mobile Data
• Next, tap on Mobile Data Options and enable Low Data Mode
• You can also do the same thing for Wi-Fi usage; all you have to do is from the first step after opening Settings, tap on Wi-Fi next instead.

5. Set Data Limit for Android 11 and iPhone 12

– Set Data Usage Limit for Android 11 and above

Now called “Set Data Usage Limit” on Android 11 and above, this feature allows you to set a data limit (usually for a month) warns you when you have used up to a certain percentage of the limit.

• Drag down the Notification bar and tap on the tiny data usage bar above the brightness settings bar
• You will see your Data Usage for your various SIM cards and an option to Set Data Limit (choose a reasonable limit based on what you can afford and your usage in recent weeks)
• You can choose to let the device warn you and automatically turn off the data or only warn you.

Note: From the screen that you get to after tapping the tiny data usage bar, you can restrict some apps from using the internet data from a particular SIM.

– Set Data Usage Limit for iPhone

iPhones do not have the same feature described above for Android in-built, so you may have to rely on third-party apps.

• Install Traffic Monitor from the App Store and navigate to the Settings
• Next, set limits for both Daily and Monthly usage (choose a reasonable limit based on what you can afford and your usage in recent weeks)
• Then, you toggle both on if you want to receive alerts daily and monthly
• The next step is to select when to receive the alerts (what percentage of your allocated data must have gone). You can get as many as three alerts for your daily and monthly limits
• Next, create a Widget for the app on your iPhone by navigating to Today View >tap on Edit (at the bottom) > tap on Customize. Locate the widget named Traffic Monitor – Usage and tap on the “+” icon to add it to the widgets area.

Note: The Traffic Monitor app also works on Android phones and can help monitor daily data usage as well.

The directions in this article may slightly differ depending on the device that you are using and the operating system it is running on. You will do well to trace where the option names diverge or feel free to ask for more directions in the comment section on how to save data usage on Instagram on your particular Android or iPhone smartphone.

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