Learn how to configure the Spotify app on your iPhone so you can use it to your liking without blowing through all of your cellular data.
Spotify is one of the most popular alternatives to Apple Music on the iOS platform, but like all music streaming apps, it can really take a bite out of your cellular data if you’re not careful.
If you’re always on the go, then you probably won’t have Wi-Fi around all the time, which means you’re probably going to be stuck on a cellular network when you want to listen to your music.
There are some steps that capped data users can follow to mitigate data usage from the app, but worry not, as it won’t necessarily hinder the quality of your user experience. While you’re here, also check out how to use less cellular data on your iPhone.
Turn on Data Saver in Spotify settings
- Open the Spotify app on your iPhone and tap your profile picture from the top left.
- Tap Settings and privacy > Data-saving and offline.
- Turn on Data Saver. After this, Spotify will set the audio quality to low (24 kbit/s). It will also take a few other measures to use less data. Optionally, you can turn off ‘Downloads over cellular’ and turn on ‘Audio-only downloads for video podcasts’ and ‘Audio-only streaming for video podcasts.’
Use Wi-Fi to stream and download music
Another thing you can do is plan things when you’re on Wi-Fi. For instance, before going on a trip, download songs using your home Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to rely on cellular data.
Restrict Spotify from using mobile data at all
As the final method, if you’re on a really tight plan, you can block Spotify from using your iPhone’s cellular data.
I used to be on a 2GB AT&T data plan, and luckily, these settings always kept me under my cap even after hours of use. I utilized Wi-Fi for my higher-quality offline downloads, and I set up Spotify to be light on cellular data.
Granted, now I have a much larger data plan, and I can get away with higher-quality streaming these days, but I still keep the Downloads over cellular option turned off at the very least.
Will you be optimizing your Spotify app for a better cellular experience? Share how you manage in the comments below.
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