How much data do I need?

“How much data do I need” is a common question – in fact, over 50 percent of people have no idea how much they use per month*. Many wireless companies would have you believe that you must have unlimited data…but most wireless companies aren’t Mint Mobile. We know that how much data you need is totally dependent on, well, you.

For example, one thing to consider is how often you’re on Wi-Fi. You don’t use up any data when connected to Wi-Fi, so if you work from home, you might use less than you think. In fact, 67 percent of people say they’re connected to Wi-Fi 12 to 24 hours a day, or at least most of the day (6 to 12 hours)*.

The best way to figure out how much data you need is to look back at how much you typically use; so follow along as we do a deep dive into figuring out what that amount might be for you.

What’s the right data plan for me?

If you’re taking a look at Mint Mobile’s plans, you might wonder, “how much data do I need?” Well, we offer 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and Unlimited** plans. You get to choose how much 5G • 4G LTE data you need. But how do you choose between these plans? Understanding data amounts (like how many MB are in a GB) definitely helps, but we’ve also broken it down for you with character archetypes, just like a game of D&D:

The Wi-Fi Wizard – 5GB

Do you ask for the Wi-Fi password before you even ask for a menu? Do you have more networks saved in your phone than contacts? 5GB should be plenty for the person who’s never not connected to the nearest Wi-Fi network. That’s enough to download four apps, browse the web for 5 hours and send about 10,000 emails per day. Check out our 5GB plan.

The Spontaneous Searcher – 15GB

Out with friends and need to find the closest sushi spot? Just left the theater and need to know what else the actor who played the villain is in? 15GB is the perfect amount if you need answers and need them now. You’ll be able to download 12 apps, stream about 3 hours of video on an app like YouTube*** & 6 hours of music, browse online for 5 hours and send about 30,000 emails per day. Check out our 15GB plan.

The Social Guru – 20GB

If you didn’t share a carousel of images to all of your followers immediately after a trip, were you even there? Scrolling, liking, sharing and completing the latest TikTok*** challenge everywhere you go takes a lot of data, as can answering all of your mom’s FaceTime*** calls. 20GB ought to do it. With 20GB you’ll be able to download 16 apps, stream 20 hours of video & 24 hours of music, browse online for 20 hours and send about 40,000 emails per day (not that you would actually want to do that). Check out our 20GB plan.

The Streamin’ Machine – Unlimited

You sometimes forget you can use your phone to call people because it’s primarily the hub for all of your streaming services (so Netflix*** data usage might be high, for example) and how you attend all those Zoom*** meetings that should actually be phone calls, music player, podcast outlet, shopping mall, map…you get it. Maybe you also do a lot of data roaming or constantly have your apps refreshing. If that’s the case, you should get our Unlimited Plan. Ours also comes with a 10GB mobile hotspot, natch. Check out our Unlimited Plan.

How much data does the average person use per month?

Worldwide, the average person uses about 20GB of data per month.**** This, of course, is just an average, so it may vary wildly from person to person and it is good to note that averages by definition can get skewed by some super high data users. Many people do just fine with 5-10GB per month (especially those who often find themselves on Wi-Fi).

However, if you find yourself playing games, streaming videos, downloading large files and more, all without Wi-Fi, then you’re likely using more than the average. Understanding how much data you use is important because it’ll keep you from running out when you need it most, or paying more than you need to each month. 
If your wireless carrier offers multiple tiers of mobile data, you can start with a plan that offers a bit more data than you think you might usually use each month. Then, once you’ve realized your data usage patterns, you can adjust accordingly. 

How can I save data?

Now that you know about how much data you use, you may be looking for ways to cut back. The key to saving mobile data is awareness: being aware of what on your phone is using the most data, when it’s using it and when you have the opportunity to use less.

Understand how much data your favorite apps use

Whether you’re streaming TV, watching movies on Paramount Plus, catching up on your favorite shows on Hulu, keeping a Snapchat streak alive, or sharing another reel on Instagram, you’re using data. And knowing how much data some apps use compared to others can make a world of difference when you’re trying to save some GB. 

Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible

When your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, it’s receiving data from that network instead of ours, which means it’s not eating into your monthly GB. This is why staying connected to Wi-Fi is the easiest way to save monthly data. 

Disable Background App Refresh

Just because you aren’t actively using an app doesn’t mean it isn’t using data. Background App Refresh is when your apps continue running and updating themselves, even when they’re closed on your phone, and it’s probably happening right now.  

Monitor your data usage

Keeping an eye on how you use your data could lead to some interesting revelations. You may be surprised at just what’s using up most of your GB. Heck, a lot of us were shocked, and we work here.  
You can take an even deeper dive into data savings with our other blog featuring six ways to cut down your data usage.

How to check data usage

Your wireless carrier should be able to provide you with your monthly mobile data history. Mint Mobile allows you to check your usage in real time through your account or in our free app. Also, most phones have a feature in their settings menu that will tell you how much mobile data you’ve used so far.  

How to check data usage on iPhone

• Open Settings
• Tap Cellular, Cellular Data or Mobile Data (depending on your iPhone model and iOS)
• Check out your data usage, including roaming data, total data used and usage by apps.
  • Note: This number may be cumulative, so you might want to check out the date listed after “Last Reset” and if it doesn’t look right, tap Reset Statistics.

For a more in-depth look, check out our guide for checking data usage on iPhone.

How to check data usage on Android

• Swipe up from the homescreen
• Tap the app drawer icon
• Tap Settings
• Tap Network and internet
• Tap SIMs
• Select App data usage
• From here, you’ll be able to see the data you’ve used, as well as what’s used by your phone’s apps

For a more in-depth look, check out our guide for checking data usage on an Android.

We’ve got a plan (quiz) for you

Now that we’ve hopefully answered the question of “how much data do I need?”, it’s time to find a place where you can get flexible data options with the right data fit… oh, like Mint Mobile. The best part is, if you’re on Mint and your needs change, we can change your plan to go with it. 
Still need help deciding on the right plan for you? Luckily, we created this handy-dandy plan match quiz that will make finding the right fit for you a breeze; and once you’ve determined the perfect data amount for you, just click that orange button below to get started.

_{*Based on a survey of prospective customers visiting mintmobile.com between January and May 2023.}

**Heavy data users (>35GB/mo.) may temporarily notice reduced speeds when our network is busy. Videos stream at ~480p. Availability, speed & coverage varies. See terms.

***_{Based on average usage. Actual usage may vary depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to applications.}

_{****https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/cell-phone-plans/how-much-data-do-you-need}