WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps to exist currently. With a range of features such as texting, media sharing, audio, and video calls, it is an easy-to-use app that is accessible to everyone.
A lot of people use Whatsapp for voice calls due to the many advantages it has. But we never stop to question the data these apps consume. So, how much data do WhatsApp calls use?
While there has not been an official answer on which we can rely, the most common consensus states that WhatsApp consumes around 740 KB of data per minute during a standard voice call. This answer may vary depending on your connection. Data consumption will naturally increase during a video call.
With an app that is as useful and efficient as WhatsApp, it is easy to forget to question its inner workings. However, this article will help inform you about voice call details and related information.
How Much Data Do WhatsApp Calls Use?
Articles will give different information based on how they were able to acquire, which means that you may see varying answers to the question that we are asking.
However, the most common response we have come across has been 740 KB per minute.
Data consumed per minute will increase if you use the video call feature, as you can see each other. You might roughly consume 25Mbs for a 5-minute call.
Individual and group messaging takes up a small amount of data unless you send many pictures through the app.
How To Reduce The Amount Of Data Used During WhatsApp Calls?
Luckily, WhatsApp has an in-app method to reduce the amount of data used during calls.
Through this method, we can control the amount of data that is spent without having to give up the convenience that comes with using the WhatsApp app.
This is how it’s done:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your mobile device.
- Tap on the “Settings” tab from the three-dot icon.
- Tap on the “Storage and Data” option.
- Switch on the option that says “Use Less Data for calls.”
This method will help reduce the data consumed during a WhatsApp call. However, it may also affect the connection or picture quality if it is a video call.
Alternatives to WhatsApp for Calls
If your lifestyle requires you to use the audio call feature on WhatsApp frequently, it would be advised that you look towards alternatives that do not use as much data.
Comparatively, WhatsApp uses more data for calls than other apps with similar features. The Viber app uses about 500 KB per minute, which is slightly less than WhatsApp and a great option, although it’s less mainstream.
And Facebook Messenger uses about 333 KB per minute during a voice which is a substantial difference from WhatsApp and just as convenient to use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the amount of data WhatsApp uses for standard calls is about 740 KB per minute. This is comparatively more than the amount of data that other apps use for the same features and usability.
Facebook Messenger and Viber are good options if you are looking for alternatives that use far lesser data.
There is also an in-app method to reduce the data being used, which requires you to access WhatsApp settings, click on “Storage and Data,” and then on the “Use Less Data for Calls” option to activate it.
FAQs
WhatsApp is not the app with the most significant data consumption during a voice call; it is Skype. With 875 KB per minute during the voice call, Skype consumes more data than WhatsApp and is at the top of the list.
Since voice notes need an internet connection, they consume data, but it is minimal. Similar to sending photos, voice notes for 30 seconds consume about 62 KB of data.
