Has your Netflix account drained your cellular data plan? Now there is a way to control the amount of data you use to stream TV shows and movies. It’s in the newest app update for Netflix, and the default setting for streaming over cellular is set to approximately 600 Kbps, which will allow about 3 hours of content per gigabyte of data.
That means if you’ve got a 10 gigabyte per month data plan you’ll be able to stream about 30 hours of TV shows and movies. Of course, this doesn’t take into consideration when your cellphone or tablet is connected to WiFi, during which time your device should be set not use cellular data.
Netflix says the 600 Kbps limit offers a good balance between data usage and video quality. However, if you have a higher data limit the setting can be changed to up the quality.
Android and iOS users can update their Netflix apps to the most recent version in order to take advantage of the new feature. In the app, look for App Settings under the top left menu icon and select “Cellular Data Usage” to adjust. Settings include Low, Medium, High and Unlimited. (See the screenshot below for details.)
A couple months ago Netflix admitted to capping AT&T and Verizon customers at 600 Kbps, a practice usually attributed with cellular service providers and not content providers. But in the message Netflix also promised there would soon be a way for customers to adjust their own data usage settings.
The Netflix app update for iOS also includes 3D Touch support for Quick Actions from the Home Screen, VoiceOver navigation improvements, and other improvements and bug fixes. The app for Android devices fixes several bugs.
