TikTok is one of the fastest growing global platforms where users frequently share and consume short-form video content on their devices. Recent data analysis on global mobile data traffic shows that video streaming platforms contribute a significant and growing share of total mobile data usage [1]. Because of this, managing your data consumption effectively is crucial, especially when traveling or using mobile data abroad. Using a global eSIM like Roamless can help by offering flexible data plans and reliable mobile connectivity worldwide. This post explains how much cellular data TikTok uses, what affects its consumption, and offers tips to save data while using the app.

Does TikTok Use a Lot of Data?

Yes, TikTok can use a substantial amount of data, especially when videos are watched for long periods or in high quality. On average, streaming videos on TikTok consumes a moderate to high amount of data compared to other social media apps, as it is primarily video-based content. However, the total data used depends largely on video quality settings and how long you spend watching.

Watching TikTok Data Usage by Different Video Quality Settings

Video quality is one of the most important factors affecting TikTok’s data consumption. Higher resolution videos use more data because as the picture quality increases, the size of the video files also grows. TikTok usually adjusts video quality automatically based on your connection speed, but you can also manually select the video quality.

The table below shows the average data usage for TikTok videos at different resolutions per minute, per hour, per week (assuming 2 hours per day), and per month (assuming 2 hours per day for 30 days):

Table 1: Estimated TikTok data usage by video quality.

Note: Besides the data used for video streaming, downloading TikTok videos uses data roughly equal to the video file size. This depends on the length and quality of the video, usually ranging from a few to several megabytes.

For more information, you can also check out our post on How Much Data Does Streaming Use.

Disclaimer: Actual data usage may vary depending on device, app version, network conditions, and user behavior. If you notice unusually high data consumption, consider contacting TikTok support for assistance.

How to Check TikTok Data Usage on Your Device

Monitoring your data usage is essential to avoid extra charges and manage your mobile plan efficiently. Both iOS and Android devices allow you to track how much cellular data each app uses, including TikTok.

For iPhone Devices

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.

3. Scroll down to find TikTok in the list of apps.

4. The data usage shown next to TikTok indicates how much cellular data the app has consumed.

For Android Devices

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on Network & Internet or Connections.

3. Select Data Usage.

4. Tap on Mobile Data Usage or App Data Usage.

5. Find TikTok to see its data consumption.

Some devices allow resetting the data usage statistics periodically, such as monthly, to better track your data within billing cycles.

For more information, you can check out our post on What is Reset Statistics on iPhone.

Disclaimer: The steps to check data usage may vary depending on your device model and operating system version. For precise instructions, refer to your device’s user manual or official support resources.

What Factors Affect TikTok’s Data Consumption?

Several factors influence how much data TikTok uses while you watch videos. These include the quality of videos, viewing habits, app settings, and how TikTok manages data both when you are actively using the app and in the background.

• Video Quality: Higher resolutions like 720p or 1080p require more data than lower qualities such as 240p or 480p.

• Watch Time: The longer you watch, the more data is consumed.

• Autoplay: If autoplay is enabled, videos play continuously, increasing overall data use.

• Background Data: TikTok may use data to refresh your feed or preload videos even when the app is not actively open.

• Off-App Data Collection: TikTok collects data from your activities outside the app to personalize ads and content, which can indirectly affect data usage [2].

• Data Saver Mode: Activating this mode lowers video quality and restricts background data, helping reduce data consumption.

Knowing these factors can help you make better choices to manage your data while using TikTok.

How to Reduce Your TikTok Data Usage

Reducing your TikTok data usage helps prevent running out of data or incurring extra charges. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to manage and lower the amount of data TikTok consumes:

• Enable Data Saver Mode: TikTok’s built-in Data Saver reduces video quality and limits background data usage, helping you save data without greatly affecting your viewing experience.

• Use Wi-Fi Whenever Possible: Streaming videos over Wi-Fi instead of cellular data avoids using your mobile data allowance.

• Lower Video Quality Manually: If available, choose a lower video resolution in TikTok settings to reduce data consumption.

• Turn Off Autoplay: Disabling autoplay stops videos from playing continuously, limiting unnecessary data use.

• Restrict Background Data: Limit TikTok’s ability to use data in the background via your device’s settings.

• Monitor Your Data Usage: Regularly check your data consumption to stay within your plan limits and adjust usage habits accordingly.

By following these steps, you can keep using TikTok without worrying about excessive data use.

How TikTok’s Data Use Compares to Other Short-Form Video Platforms

TikTok’s data consumption varies compared to other popular short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Differences in video compression techniques, default video quality, and autoplay settings affect how much data each platform uses.

Below is an estimated comparison of data usage per minute and per hour for these platforms:

Table 2: Estimated data usage comparison between TikTok and other short-form video platforms.

Note: TikTok generally uses slightly more data than Instagram Reels but is comparable to YouTube Shorts depending on settings and usage habits.

For more details, you can also read our posts on How Much Data Does YouTube Use, How Much Data Does Google Maps Use and Does FaceTime Use Data.

Disclaimer: Actual data usage may vary based on device, network conditions, app updates, and individual usage patterns. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer directly to the official sources of each short-video platform.

Manage TikTok Data Usage with Roamless eSIM

Using TikTok while traveling or outside your home country can quickly consume mobile data. A travel eSIM, like Roamless, helps you manage this data usage efficiently by offering:

• Plans That Fit Your Needs: Affordable data options available in over 200 countries to suit your travel requirements.

• Easy Activation: Activate and switch data plans directly on your device without needing to swap physical SIM cards.

• Fast and Reliable Mobile Connection: Enjoy LTE, 4G, and up to 5G speeds where available, so you can watch TikTok videos without internet interruptions.

• Data Monitoring: Track your data usage in real time through the Roamless app to avoid surprises.

• Top-Up Flexibility: With Roamless’ pay-as-you-go system, you can add data whenever needed without long-term commitments.

These features make Roamless an ideal solution for people who want to use TikTok abroad without worrying about excessive data consumption.

For more information, you can also read our guide on How Much Data Do I Need for Travel Abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cellular data does TikTok use?
- TikTok uses approximately 1 MB to 14 MB of cellular data per minute, depending on video quality and other factors.

How much data does TikTok use in 1 hour?
- Watching TikTok videos for one hour can consume between 60 MB (low quality) and 840 MB (high quality).

Does TikTok use more data than Instagram?
- Generally, TikTok uses slightly more data than Instagram Reels due to higher default video quality and autoplay features.

Does TikTok use data when offline?
- No, TikTok does not use data for streaming when offline, but downloaded videos and cached content can be accessed without the internet.

Does TikTok use data in the background?
- Yes, TikTok may use background data to refresh feeds and personalize content. You can limit this through device settings. TikTok also collects off-app data to improve user experience and ads.

How much data is consumed when you download a TikTok video?
- Downloading a TikTok video consumes data approximately equal to the size of the video file, typically a few to several megabytes depending on length and quality.

Does TikTok Lite consume less data?
- Yes, TikTok Lite is designed to use less data by reducing video quality and limiting app features.

Which Video Streaming Services Use Less Data?
- Instagram Reels generally uses less data than TikTok, followed by YouTube Shorts, depending on video quality and playback settings. Choosing lower video resolutions and disabling autoplay on any platform helps reduce data use.

How much data does TikTok Live use?

- TikTok Live consumes more data than regular video streaming due to continuous video upload and interaction. On average, it uses about 1.5 GB to 3 GB of data per hour depending on video quality and engagement.

Can I control TikTok data use abroad with Roamless eSIM?

- Yes, with Roamless eSIM, you can easily monitor and control your TikTok data usage through flexible data plans and real-time tracking. This helps you avoid unexpected data charges and use TikTok without interruptions when traveling internationally.

Sources

[1] Statista. Global Mobile Data Traffic Share. ‘’Global cellular data traffic used for apps 2025, by category’’, Feb 17, 2025. - https://www.statista.com/statistics/383715/global-mobile-data-traffic-share/

[2] Support TikTok. Account and Privacy Settings. ‘’Control your off-TikTok data’’, Accessed July 2025. - https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/personalized-ads-and-data/control-your-off-tiktok-data