How much data does Zoom use?

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In this blog:

• Data usage breakdown
• How to use less data
• How to check Zoom data usage

In today’s digital age, where virtual meetings and online collaboration have become the norm, Zoom stands out as one of the most popular video conferencing tools. Whether you're giving a business presentation, hosting a team meeting, or simply catching up with friends, being online and available is becoming increasingly important. That is why you never want to worry about running out of data in the middle of your Zoom call. This blog will explain how much data you use during a Zoom call and what you can do to use less data while in a meeting.

Data usage breakdown

The amount of data Zoom uses depends on a few factors: resolution, the number of participants, call type, and whether you're using features like screen sharing or virtual backgrounds. For instance, when you are in a Zoom call with several people and your resolution is 720p, you will use much more data than when you're in a one-on-one call with no special background and set to 480p. A group call can use around 2.5 GB, while a one-on-one call uses approximately 540 MB. This is a substantial difference.

Below, you can see an approximate breakdown of how much data a one-on-one Zoom call and a group call use per hour:

A group call will use much more data simply because there are more people in the call. Even a call with only three people at the lowest resolution will use around 50% more data than a one-on-one call.

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How to Use Less Data

If you're concerned about data usage during Zoom calls, here are a few tips to help reduce it:

1. Turn off HD Video: Disabling HD video is the first way to use less data. Higher resolution video consumes more data. By turning off the HD video option, you'll save on data. You can do this by following the next steps.

·   Click the arrow next to the start video

·   Click on video settings

·   Click on the following boxes: Enable HD and Touch up my appearance.

2. Turn Off Your Video: Using your camera during a call consumes extra data. To reduce data use, keep your video off whenever possible. You can also request others in the call to turn off their cameras to help everyone save data.
3. Avoid Screen Sharing: Screen sharing requires extra data. Try to minimize screen sharing. If necessary, share only a specific window rather than your entire screen.
4. Avoid Virtual Backgrounds: While Zoom's virtual backgrounds can be fun, they come at the cost of additional data usage. It's best to avoid using them if you're trying to save data.
5. Go for Audio-Only Calls: Audio calls use significantly less data compared to video calls. Switching to an audio-only call can help you save a substantial amount of data. An audio-only call will only use between 30 and 40 MB

How to check Zoom data usage

Android:

• Open your phone's settings.
• Scroll down and tap "Connections" or "Network & Internet."
• Tap "Data Usage" or "Mobile Data."
• Look for "Mobile Data Usage" or "Data Usage by App."
• Find Zoom in the list to see how much data the app has consumed over a specific period.

iPhone:

• Open the "Settings" app.
• Scroll down and tap "Mobile Data."
• Scroll down until you see the list of apps.
• Find Zoom in the list to see how much mobile data the app has used since the last reset.

By regularly monitoring your data usage, you can avoid accidentally using too much data, especially when you're on the go.

When you use Zoom for a long time, you consume a lot of data. If you are traveling, this can lead to high roaming fees. A smart way to prevent this is to use Firsty, which allows you to stay connected worldwide without worrying about excessive data costs. With Firsty Fast, you can use Zoom without ever having to worry about high data fees. You simply choose how many days of Firsty Fast you need, and you can immediately join all your calls without worrying about high roaming fees.

With these tips and explanations, you now know exactly how much data Zoom uses and how you can manage it to avoid unexpected charges. Whether you're using Wi-Fi at home or mobile data while traveling, you can now use Zoom more wisely!

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If you are planning a trip or simply want to estimate how much data you will use, check out this data calculator. This tool helps you get a rough estimate of your data usage for your upcoming journey.