You can control the amount of data used by Chromecast using the Google Cast Settings page.
On Android, you can also limit the amount of data used per hour. But before we explain how much Bandwidth Chromecast uses, we should fully understand this device and how it works.
Table of Contents
How does Chromecast work?
Chromecast streams media from your mobile device to your TV over Wi-Fi. It’s a simple concept, but there are some important details about how it actually works.
First, when you connect your mobile device to your home network, the Chromecast app will automatically launch.
You then select which apps you want to cast from your mobile device to the TV screen. Once you do so, the selected applications start casting their contents to the connected TV.
The Chromecast app also has an option to turn off all casting for the current session. This means that once you have turned off casting, no more content will be streamed to the TV.
How much bandwidth does Chromecast use?
The amount of data used by the Chromecast depends on the type of application being streamed. If you are watching Netflix, YouTube, or any video streaming service, you will need to download the entire file in order to play it. So if you are downloading a 10MB movie, it will take up 10 MB of space on your mobile device.
If you are playing music through Spotify or Pandora, you won’t need to download anything at all. In fact, the only thing you’ll need to download is the song metadata (the artist name, album title, etc.).
If you’re not sure what kind of files you are downloading, you can check out our guide on How Much Data Does Each App Use.
How to Limit Chromecast Bandwidth Usage
On iOS, you can limit the amount of data usage per hour for each user account. Then scroll down until you find the Chromecast section. Tap on it and choose “Limit Streaming Time”.
On Android, you can limit the total amount of data used per day. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and tap on “Data Usage” to open the settings menu. Choose “Limit Streaming Time”. Then click on “OK”.
Note: These settings apply to both Chromecast users and those who don’t own one.
Use Data Saving Mode
If you don’t want to use up too much data while watching videos on your TV, you can save some data by turning off the automatic casting feature in the Chromecast settings.
To access the Chromecast settings, open the Google Play Store on your mobile device and search for “Google Cast.” Tap on the “Cast” tab at the top of the results page. Then tap on the “Settings” button.
In the resulting menu, you can choose whether to enable automatic casting or not. If you decide to disable automatic casting, you can still manually cast any content to your TV if you wish.
However, if you disable automatic casting, you won’t be able to view any new content until you reenable it. So make sure to keep this setting enabled as long as you want to continue using your Chromecast.
Change your Background
If you don’t like the default background image, you can change it yourself. Simply go to the settings menu in the Chrome browser on your computer, click “Cast & Control” at the top right corner, and select “Customize Cast.” From here, you can choose any picture from your photo library as the new background.
Change Resolutions or Plans to limit Data usage
You can change the resolution or plan of your Chromecast to reduce the amount of data usage. For example, you could set the resolution to 720p instead of 1080p. Or you could switch to the free version of Chromecast with limited features.
Also, you can adjust the number of concurrent streams. Then tap on the three dots next to the Streams drop-down menu. You can then select how many simultaneous streams you would like to allow.
Limit Power Supply
This might not be the most effective solution but it can help you save some data. However, limiting the power supply might limit some features. When these features are limited, there’s automatically lower data consumption.
For example, when the battery level reaches zero, the screen turns black and no longer displays ads. Also, when the Chromecast is connected to an external power source, you cannot control it from your phone or tablet.
FAQs
Is Chromecast safe?
Yes! Chromecast is completely safe and secure. There’s no way to hack into your Chromecast device.
What happens if I exceed my data plan?
It’s unlikely that you would ever reach the limits set by your carrier. However, if you do go over your allotted data, you will receive a warning message on your phone.
Also, if you exceed your data plan, you may incur additional charges. Your carrier might charge you $10-$20 extra per month depending on your plan. So, if you want to keep your monthly bill low, make sure you stick within your data plan limits.
Can I stream multiple devices simultaneously?
No. The Chromecast doesn’t support simultaneous streaming. That means you cannot watch videos on two different TVs at the same time. However, you can still stream content to multiple devices using the Google Home speaker. For example, you could ask Google Assistant to play a video on your TV while listening to music on another room’s speakers.
Conclusion
There are a lot of ways to limit Chromecast data usage. The best way depends on your needs and preferences. But regardless of which method you choose, remember that the more data you consume, the higher your bill will be.
So try to avoid streaming video during peak hours and only watch shows when you have time. And if you do need to stream something, consider switching to a slower connection or choosing a different app.
