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How much data does WhatsApp use?
WhatsApp data usage ranges from 1 KB per message to 1.20 MB per minute when video calling. Learn all about WhatsApp data usage and how to reduce it.
WhatsApp is a low-data usage app, with voice and video calls consuming the most data. However, texting uses less than 1 KB per message, so 1 GB of data can last over a month.
But what about sending videos and photos? With over 2 billion active users, it’s important to know how much data WhatsApp uses.
Plus, we discuss how to use WhatsApp without worrying about data usage with options like the Holafly eSIM.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
How much data do WhatsApp messages use?
The amount of data WhatsApp uses will depend on the type of message sent.
A quick breakdown for common usage looks like:
- Text message: Less than 1 KB per message. A 1 GB data plan for just texting can easily last for months.
- Stickers: Sending stickers increases data usage to 50 KB to 100 KB per sticker, depending on whether you send plain or animated stickers.
- Video notes: These will depend on the length and video quality, with an average consumption of 5 to 25 MB.
- Photos: Image quality and compression affect data usage. Low-quality images range from 100 KB to 2 MB, while HD photos exceed 10 MB.
- Voice notes: Data usage for voice notes ranges from 500 KB to 1 MB per minute.
How much data does a WhatsApp voice call use?
Compared to WhatsApp texting, voice call data usage depends only on call duration.
A 1-minute WhatsApp call can use around 250-300 KB. That means a 1-hour call will use close to 20 MB.
How much data does a WhatsApp video call use?
Compared to voice calls, video calls use more data in WhatsApp and depend on the call length and video quality.
WhatsApp doesn’t allow users to reduce video quality during a call. But you can reduce it by turning on low-data mode, which sets a standard quality for all video calls.
A small breakdown of video call data usage looks like:
- 10-minute video call: 30 to 50 MB at standard quality, 80 to 120 MB at HD.
- 1-hour video call: Anywhere from 180 to 720 MB, depending on video quality.
However, sharing your screen and turning noise reduction on can also increase data usage.
WhatsApp data usage: full comparison table
Using WhatsApp means different data usage for everything we do. If you want to plan how much data you need for travel, this comparison will help you out:
| Texting | Voice calls | Video calls | Photo sharing | Voice notes | Video notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 KB, 50 KB to 100 KB when using stickers | 250 to 300 KB per minute | 0.30 to 1.20 MB per minute | 100 KB to over 10 MB, depending on image quality | 500 KB to 1 MB per minute | 5 to 25 MB pero video note |
How long does 1GB of data last on WhatsApp?
1 GB of mobile data for WhatsApp can last for over a month if you’re only texting, but what if you add voice and video calls?
This can easily deploy your 1 GB data plan, but here’s how much data you’ll use based on how you use WhatsApp:
| Text messages | Voice calls | Video calls | Video calls (Data saving) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over a month | 30 to 55 hours | 1:30 to 2 hours | 3 to 5 hours |
How to reduce WhatsApp data usage
If you’re a heavy WhatsApp user who’s constantly video calling or sending videos and photos, you can reduce the overall data usage.
Here’s how you can reduce data usage or forget about data usage at all:
- Turn on WhatsApp’s “Use less data for calls” option: Go to WhatsApp settings, then to Storage and data, and turn on the “Use less data for calls” option.
- Change media quality: Go to WhatsApp settings, then to Storage and data, and change “Media upload quality” and “Auto-download quality” to standard quality.
- Turn off media auto-download: Go to WhatsApp settings, then to Storage and data, and choose the type of media you want to auto-download over mobile data.
- Turn off background data: Go to your phone’s settings, then “Data usage,” find WhatsApp, and turn off the “Background data” option.
- Use voice calls when possible: If you’re not travelling, try voice calls instead of WhatsApp.
- Use WiFi for video calls: If you need to hop on long video calls or plan to send lots of high-quality media, use WiFi to reduce the overall data usage.
- Use the Holafly eSIM: With Holafly’s unlimited data plans, you can entirely forget about WhatsApp data usage while travelling, and you only need an eSIM-compatible phone to use it.
Use WhatsApp abroad without running out of data
Travelling abroad means you’ll use WhatsApp more than usual, whether it is for texting, sending photos, or posting updates all day long.
This can easily increase your data usage, and that’s when using an eSIM turns into a full-trip solution.
With the Holafly eSIM, you get unlimited data, 1 GB of daily hotspot data, 5G speeds, and customizable data plans that work for up to 90 days.
If you’re jumping from one country to another, then Holafly Plans works best for you, as you get coverage in over 170 destinations with a single eSIM.
Plus, you get the Always On perk. With it, you get 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost. You just need to keep your eSIM installed to keep using WhatsApp even in a rush.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
FAQs
It depends on the call type. A 1-hour video call uses anywhere from 30 to 120 MB, depending on quality, while a voice call uses close to 20 MB.
500 MB is enough for texting and would do for short voice calls. However, for video calling, users need over 1 GB.
High-quality video calls use the most data on WhatsApp. Constantly sending media, such as video and images, also consumes a lot of data, especially with HD quality.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
