Instagram Launches Data Saving Feature for Android: Here’s How to Use It

BY Mahit Huilgol

Published 5 Jun 2019

Instagram has updated its app with new features. The latest version arrives with a revamped camera UI, stickers and supports shopping on stories. That apart, Instagram has also announced a super useful data saving feature. As of now, the data saving feature will be available only for Android users.


The data saving feature kicks in by restricting photo pre-load and video pre-load. Instagram will not automatically download the video in high resolution, until and unless the user chooses to do so. The data saver feature on Instagram will not only help you save data but also gain control over media on your timeline. It is worth noting that images will download much faster. This is because the bandwidth will not be shared to download all the photos on the timeline.

The data saving feature is a savior when it comes to countries with slower internet speed. Instagram has currently restricted data saving feature to India, however, the company has scheduled a global roll out in the coming days.

How to activate data saver feature on Instagram?

Activating the data saving feature on Instagram seems to be pretty easy. All you need to do is head over to Settings>Account>Cellular Data Use. Toggle on Use Less Data. Now you will get three options, Never, WiFi Only, and Cellular+WiFi.

  • Never: Instagram will never show you high-resolution media.
  • WiFi Only: Instagram will only show you high-resolution media if your device is connected to WiFi
  • Cellular+WiFi: Instagram will always show you high-resolution media.

Manish Chopra, Director, and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India was quoted as follows

With this data saver feature, we’re hoping for an uninterrupted Instagram experience in slow network areas, which in turn will increase people’s interactions with their friends and family,” Manish Chopra, Director, and Head of Partnerships

[via Business Standard]