Facebook is one of the most popular apps in the world, and for many users, it’s also one of the biggest data hogs on their smartphones. From high-resolution photos to autoplaying videos and constant background activity, Facebook can quickly eat through your mobile data plan. If you’re wondering how to save mobile data while using Facebook, this guide will walk you through effective strategies that will help you keep your data usage in check without compromising your experience on the app.
Use Facebook Lite for Lower Data Consumption
One of the simplest ways to reduce Facebook mobile data usage is to switch to Facebook Lite, a lightweight version of the main app designed specifically for users with limited data and slower internet connections. Facebook Lite uses less data by default, loads content faster, and takes up significantly less space on your device. Despite being a simplified version, it still allows you to scroll through your feed, post updates, like and comment on posts, and even send messages. If you’re on a limited data plan, Facebook Lite is one of the most effective tools to save data on Facebook.
Turn Off Autoplay for Videos
Autoplay videos are one of the main reasons why Facebook consumes so much data. Every time you scroll through your feed, videos start playing automatically, even if you don’t interact with them. Turning this feature off can dramatically reduce how much data Facebook uses.
Here’s how to disable autoplay on Android and iOS:
On Android:
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Open the Facebook app
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Tap the three horizontal lines (menu)
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
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Scroll down to Media
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Tap Autoplay and choose Never Autoplay Videos
On iOS:
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Open the Facebook app
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Tap the three horizontal lines (menu)
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
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Tap Media
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Under Autoplay, select Never Autoplay Videos
By disabling autoplay, you’ll reduce Facebook video data usage significantly and improve your mobile browsing experience.
Adjust Media Quality Settings
High-resolution photos and videos look great, but they also require more data to upload and view. Facebook offers settings that let you adjust the quality of media content to help reduce Facebook mobile data consumption.
To reduce media quality:
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
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Tap Media
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Under Video Quality, choose Optimized or Data Saver
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Turn off the option for Upload HD for photos and videos
Reducing the quality of media you upload and consume can go a long way in helping you manage your data plan effectively.
Limit Background Data Usage
Facebook continues to use data in the background even when you’re not actively using the app. This includes syncing updates, fetching notifications, and loading content so it’s ready when you open the app. You can stop this by restricting background data usage.
On Android:
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Go to Settings > Apps
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Select Facebook
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Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi
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Toggle off Background data
On iOS:
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Go to Settings
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Scroll to Facebook
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Disable Background App Refresh
Restricting Facebook’s background data is one of the most effective ways to reduce Facebook mobile data usage without uninstalling the app.
Enable Data Saver Mode in the Facebook App
Facebook includes a built-in Data Saver feature that minimizes data usage automatically. When this mode is turned on, Facebook reduces the size of images and disables autoplay videos, making your experience more data-friendly.
To enable Data Saver:
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Open the Facebook app
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Tap the three horizontal lines (menu)
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
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Tap Media
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Turn on Data Saver
This built-in tool is designed specifically for users who want to save data on Facebook without digging deep into technical settings.
Disable Auto-Sync and Unnecessary Notifications
Constant syncing and receiving multiple notifications can quietly use up your data over time. While some notifications are important, many are not worth the data they consume.
To disable auto-sync and limit notifications:
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Open the Facebook app
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Tap the menu and go to Settings & Privacy
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Tap Settings, then Notification Settings
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Turn off notifications you don’t need (like birthdays, group activity, etc.)
You can also stop Facebook from syncing contacts and calendar events if those features are enabled. Less syncing means less background data usage.
Monitor Your Data Usage Regularly
To make sure your efforts are paying off, keep an eye on your Facebook data usage. Most smartphones have built-in tools that show how much data each app is using.
On Android:
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Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage
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Tap App Data Usage and select Facebook
On iOS:
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Go to Settings > Cellular
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Scroll down to see data usage by app
Alternatively, you can install third-party apps like My Data Manager or GlassWire for more detailed insights. Monitoring helps you spot trends and adjust your usage habits as needed.
Final Thoughts
Facebook is a powerful social media platform, but its convenience often comes with high mobile data costs. Fortunately, by applying the tips above such as using Facebook Lite, turning off video autoplay, enabling Data Saver mode, and monitoring your usage you can reduce Facebook mobile data usage without sacrificing functionality.
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I’m Maxwell Warner, a content writer from Austria with 3+ years of experience. With a Media & Communication degree from the University of Vienna, I craft engaging content across tech, lifestyle, travel, and business.