How much data does Instagram use?
Instagram uses about 150 MB an hour at Feed (mostly photos) and up to 720 MB an hour at Reels.
Contents8 sections
| Setting | 1 hour | 2 hours a day for a week |
|---|---|---|
| Feed (mostly photos) | 150 MB | 2.1 GB |
| Mixed feed and Stories | 500 MB | 7 GB |
| Reels | 720 MB | 10.1 GB |
Source: Firsty
How to use less data on Instagram
- Turn on Use less mobile data in Instagram settings.
- Avoid autoplay-heavy Reels on mobile data.
- Use Wi-Fi for Live and long Reels sessions.
Instagram data use: feed, Stories and Reels
Scrolling a feed of mostly photos uses about 150 MB an hour. Mix in Stories and the hour climbs to 500 MB, and an hour of Reels takes about 720 MB, nearly five times the photo feed.
On a travel eSIM, check your feed and messages on mobile data and leave Reels for the hotel Wi-Fi. Posting your own photos costs little: a photo upload is a few megabytes.
How long 1 GB and 10 GB last on Instagram
One gigabyte covers about 6 hours 40 minutes of photo feed, 2 hours of feed with Stories or 1 hour 23 minutes of Reels.
A 10 GB plan gives you about 66 hours of photo scrolling. Spend it on Reels and it lasts under 14 hours, which a daily hour of Reels uses up in two weeks.
Instagram data for a one-week and a two-week trip
An hour a day for a week uses about 1 GB on a photo feed, 3.5 GB with Stories and 5 GB on Reels.
Over two weeks that becomes 2.1 GB for photos and 7 GB with Stories. An hour of Reels every day for two weeks needs about 10 GB on its own, so heavy Reels users should take a 20 GB or unlimited plan.
Turn on Use less mobile data on iPhone and Android
Open Instagram, go to your profile and tap the menu icon in the top corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then Data usage and media quality, and turn on Use less mobile data. The steps are the same on iPhone and Android.
With the setting on, videos load at lower quality and do not load ahead while you are on mobile data. In the same menu, turn off Upload at highest quality until you are back on Wi-Fi.
Save data on Instagram while travelling
Open the app on hotel Wi-Fi in the morning so your feed loads before you go out. Posts already loaded stay readable when your signal drops.
Instagram has no offline mode for new posts. Save Reels and Live videos to watch back on Wi-Fi with the bookmark icon.
FAQ
- How much data does Instagram use per hour?
- About 150 MB on a photo feed, 500 MB with Stories and 720 MB on Reels.
- Do Reels use more data than photos?
- Yes. An hour of Reels uses about 720 MB against 150 MB for a photo feed.
- How long does 1 GB last on Instagram?
- About 6 hours 40 minutes of photos, 2 hours with Stories or 1 hour 23 minutes of Reels.
- Can I make Instagram use less data abroad?
- Yes. Turn on Use less mobile data under Settings and privacy, then Data usage and media quality.
- How much data does Instagram use in a week?
- About 1 GB for an hour of photos a day, 3.5 GB with Stories and 5 GB for an hour of Reels a day.
- Does Instagram work offline?
- No. Posts already loaded stay on screen, but new posts, Stories and Reels need a connection.
Work out your whole trip
Add up maps, music, video and calls for every day of your trip with the travel data calculator.
Plan size for 2 hours a day at Mixed feed and Stories for 2 weeks: 14 GB plus 10% extra.
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