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How much data does Discord use?
Understanding how much data Discord uses is crucial for managing your mobile plan. With voice calls using 60MB per hour and video calling reaching 450MB per hour, costs can quickly add up. However, you don’t need to limit your communication – these five practical methods will help you minimize data consumption while keeping your Discord experience smooth and reliable.
In this article
I. How much data does Discord use?
Discord consumes different amounts of data based on your activity – from light text messaging to data-heavy video calls. For most users, voice chat uses around 60MB per hour, while video calls need up to 450MB per hour. Understanding how Discord uses data helps you make better choices about when to use each feature, especially on mobile networks.
Voice and Text Usage
Text messages use very little data at just 0.3MB per hour. Voice calls need 60MB per hour, but only when someone is speaking. This makes Discord more data-friendly than apps like Skype, which uses 90MB per hour for voice calls by sending data continuously. Group voice chats with 3-10 people typically use around 20MB for a 3-hour session.
Video Calls and Screen Sharing
- Video calls are the heaviest data users at 450MB per hour. Screen sharing uses about 200MB per hour. The actual amount depends on your video quality settings and number of participants. A simple one-on-one video call uses about 11MB in 2 minutes, similar to WhatsApp video calls. For better data saving, use 720p video quality instead of higher resolutions.
Music and Media Streaming
Streaming music through Discord varies based on the service. Spotify integration uses about 40MB per hour, while YouTube streaming ranges from 150MB to 1GB per hour depending on quality settings. When sharing media in chats, each image or video file adds to your data usage immediately.
Mobile Data Savings
On mobile networks, connect to WiFi when possible and turn off auto-download for images. Use voice calls instead of video when mobile data is limited. Discord’s background refresh and location services can use extra data – turn these off in your phone’s settings. The app works best when it’s the only one running, as background apps increase overall data use.
Quality Control Settings
Find data-saving options in Settings > Voice & Video. Lower voice quality to 32kbps and video to 720p for good balance between quality and data use. For screen sharing, 30fps is enough for most purposes. These settings work well on phones while using less data than default options.
With these methods combined, you can keep Discord’s data usage low while staying connected. Voice calls offer the best balance between quality and data use, making them ideal for mobile networks. Save video calls and media sharing for WiFi connections when possible.
II. How to check and monitor Discord data usage
Your device type affects how you check Discord’s data consumption. Each platform has its own way to track data use, helping you avoid extra charges on limited data plans.
Check Discord data usage on Android
Find Discord’s data usage in your Android settings. Go to Settings > Data Usage, then scroll to find Discord. View data use by day, week, or month. The system shows both WiFi and mobile data amounts separately.
Discord data usage on iPhone
Check Discord data on iPhone through Settings > Mobile Data. The menu shows data used since your last reset. Remember that turning off mobile data for Discord limits it to WiFi only, helping you control costs.
Track Discord data usage on desktop PC
PC users can track Discord through Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage. This shows Discord’s data use on your current network connection. Keep in mind that numbers reset when changing networks or using ethernet.
Note:
Monitor Discord's heaviest features:
- Video calls: Check usage during calls
- Voice chats: Track group call data
- File sharing: Watch upload/download amounts
- Streaming: Note music and video data use
Checking data regularly helps you understand Discord's typical usage patterns. This knowledge lets you better plan your data limits and know when to switch to WiFi.
III. How to reduce Discord data usage
Discord’s data use adds up over time, especially during long gaming sessions or work calls. These simple settings changes help lower your data consumption while keeping Discord working well.
Voice and Video Settings
Adjust channel settings to reduce data use. Open your Discord channel and select Edit Channel. Lower the voice bitrate to 64kbps for good sound quality with less data. Keep video quality on Auto mode – it limits resolution to 720p for standard users, saving data automatically.
Steps: Voice Channel > Edit Channel > Set bitrate 64kbps and video to Auto mode.
Push-to-Talk Mode
Enable Push-to-Talk in Voice Settings to send data only when speaking. This feature stops Discord from constantly sending voice data, making it more data-efficient than open mic mode. Press your chosen key only when talking to save data during long conversations. Here’s how you activate it:
- Open Discord > Settings > Click “Voice”
- Select “Input Mode” > “Push to talk”
Mobile Data Settings
Open Settings and find Chat options on your phone. Turn on Data Saving Mode to reduce image and video quality on mobile networks. This setting helps manage data use without stopping Discord’s main features. For videos you share, choose Data Saver quality in Camera Upload settings.
Media Controls
Control how Discord handles images and videos. In Chat Settings, turn off automatic media downloads. This stops Discord from downloading images and GIFs automatically. Files will only load when you choose to view them, giving you better control over data use.
App Connections
These connections constantly update your status, using extra data. Keep only the essential connections you need for daily use.
Steps: Settings > Chat > Camera Uploads > Turn off “Save to device” > Video uploads > Set quality to “Data Saver”
Discord shows your Spotify songs, Steam games, and other app activities in real-time. These updates constantly use data in the background, especially Spotify, which updates with every song change.
Steps: Settings > Connections > Turn off display settings
Travel Data Management
When traveling, use WiFi when possible or get a local data plan. Regular roaming rates can be expensive – some carriers charge over $2 per MB. Consider getting a travel Gigago eSIM for better rates if you need to use Discord abroad.
These changes work together to reduce Discord’s data usage while keeping the app useful. Start with the most important settings for your needs, then adjust others as needed.
IV. FAQs
How can I track Discord’s data usage on my PC?
Windows lets you check how much data Discord uses over any 30-day period. Just open your Windows Settings using Windows Key + I, go to Network & Internet, then select Data Usage. Here you’ll see Discord’s data used for both WiFi and ethernet connections.
What settings can I adjust to reduce data usage on Discord?
Discord includes several built-in options to reduce data usage. In your Discord Settings under Chat, you can turn off automatic media downloads and enable compression. Disabling website previews and sticker animations also helps save data. These changes keep Discord working well while using less data.
How much data does Discord use for live broadcasts or screen sharing?
Live broadcasts and screen sharing use about 2.5GB of data per hour, making them Discord’s most data-heavy features. If you plan to stream or share your screen, try to use WiFi instead of mobile data. For better data management, you can lower your stream quality settings while keeping the content clear enough for viewers.