Which Apps Use the Most Background Data Without You Realizing? (2025 Update)

Mobile data consumption is skyrocketing globally, and many apps are quietly draining your allowance even when you aren’t actively using them. With cellular data usage reaching unprecedented levels in 2025, understanding what uses data on your phone has become more critical than ever. Let’s explore the most data-hungry apps, examine cell phone data usage patterns, and provide actionable tips to manage your data consumption effectively.

Global Mobile Data Usage Trends (2025)

The total global monthly cellular data usage reached approximately 157.16 exabytes (EB) in 2025, with the average smartphone consuming 21.6 GB per month – nearly five times the 4.9 GB used in 2018.

Global Mobile Data Distribution by Category

Video apps dominate data consumption, accounting for approximately 75.9% of all mobile traffic. This massive data use reflects how smartphones have become our primary entertainment devices, with apps and data consumption patterns fundamentally changing how we interact with digital content.

Apps That Consume the Most Data

Understanding what apps use the most data helps you make informed decisions about your mobile data usage. The following table shows the highest data-consuming apps based on combined foreground and background activity:

App Category	App Name	Data Usage (MB per 5 minutes)	Primary Data Use
Video Streaming	YouTube	193 MB	Video buffering, ads
Travel	AllTrails	155 MB	Map data, GPS tracking
Video Streaming	Disney+	150 MB	HD content preloading
Travel	Hotels.com	104 MB	Image loading, search results
Travel	Uber	102 MB	Real-time tracking, maps
Social Media	Snapchat	101 MB	Stories, camera features
Travel	Google Maps	87 MB	Live traffic, navigation
Browser	Safari	56 MB	Web content, media

What Uses Data on Your Phone: Background vs Foreground Usage

Many users wonder “what is using my data” when they see unexpected high data usage. Background data usage occurs when apps consume data even when you’re not actively using them. This hidden data consumption can quickly eat through your monthly allowance.

24-Hour Background Data Usage by Popular Apps

What Is Background Data Usage

Background data usage meaning refers to data consumed by apps running in the background of your device. This includes automatic updates, sync processes, push notifications, and content preloading. Understanding background data usage is crucial for managing your overall data consumption.

Key Insight: System services and updates can consume over 553 MB daily in background data alone, making them among the biggest hidden data consumers on your device.

Why Apps Consume So Much Data

Video Quality and Streaming

Video streaming remains the primary driver of high data usage. Here’s how much data different video qualities consume:

Low quality (240p): ~300 MB per hour
Standard definition (480p): ~700 MB per hour
High definition (720p): ~1.5 GB per hour
Full HD (1080p): ~3 GB per hour
4K Ultra HD: ~7.2 GB per hour

Social Media and Instant Messaging

Social apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat use data through various activities. For example, how much data does Instagram use per hour can vary between 100-500 MB depending on content type and usage patterns. Similarly, Snapchat data usage averages around 160-200 MB per hour of active use.

Music Apps That Don’t Need WiFi

While some music apps allow offline listening, streaming music still consumes significant data. Most music streaming services use approximately 40-150 MB per hour, depending on audio quality settings.

Mobile Data Statistics and Trends

Global Smartphone User Growth (2020-2025)

With 5.76 billion mobile users globally in 2025, representing 70% of the world’s population, understanding wireless mobile application data usage has never been more important. The smartphone market continues expanding, with Android maintaining its dominant market position across most global markets.

Application Data Usage Patterns

App data usage varies significantly based on several factors:

Time of day (peak hours see 30% higher usage)
Device type and operating system
Network quality and speed
User behavior and app preferences
Background refresh settings

How Much Data Different Activities Use

Social Media Platforms

Platform	Data per Hour	Primary Data Users
Instagram	200-500 MB	Stories, Reels, image loading
TikTok	840 MB	Video content, endless scroll
Facebook	120-180 MB	News feed, auto-play videos
Snapchat	160-200 MB	Snaps, Stories, camera filters
Twitter	90-150 MB	Timeline, embedded media

Communication Apps

Video calling apps consume varying amounts of data based on call quality. Which app uses less data for video call depends on compression algorithms and default settings. Generally, WhatsApp video calls use about 500 MB per hour, while Zoom can consume 540-1.62 GB per hour depending on video quality.

Managing Your Data Usage

How to Monitor Data Consumption

If you’re asking “how can I see how much data I use,” most smartphones provide built-in tools:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Usage
Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage
Third-party apps: Data usage app options available on both platforms

Tips to Reduce Data Usage

Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible
Disable automatic app updates over cellular data
Turn off background app refresh for non-essential apps
Use lower video quality settings for streaming
Download content for offline use when on Wi-Fi
Monitor which apps use the most data regularly

Pro Tip: If you’re experiencing rapid data depletion, check for uninstalled apps using data, as some apps continue consuming data even after removal if not properly cleared from your system.

The Future of Mobile Data Usage

As 5G networks expand and smartphone technology advances, data consumption will continue growing. By 2028, the average smartphone is projected to use 46 GB per month – more than double current usage levels.

With nearly 819 million app downloads occurring daily worldwide, the demand for mobile data will only intensify as new applications become more data-intensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What uses the most data on your phone?

Video streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok typically consume the most data, followed by social media apps with heavy video content like Instagram and Snapchat. Gaming apps and music streaming services also contribute significantly to data usage.

Why is my phone using so much data?

High data usage usually results from video streaming, automatic app updates, background app refresh, cloud syncing, and apps running in the background. Check your data usage settings to identify which apps consume the most data.

How much data does Facebook use per hour?

Facebook typically uses between 120-180 MB per hour, depending on how much video content you watch and interact with. Auto-playing videos and high-resolution photos increase data consumption significantly.

Do apps use data when not in use?

Yes, many apps continue consuming data in the background through automatic updates, push notifications, location services, and content syncing. This is called background data usage and can be managed through your device settings.

What happens when you use all your data on your phone?

When you exceed your data limit, your carrier may throttle your speeds to 2G levels, charge overage fees, or temporarily suspend data services depending on your plan. Some carriers offer unlimited plans that slow speeds after reaching certain thresholds.

How many apps are downloaded a day?

Approximately 819 million apps are downloaded globally each day across all app stores, representing an 8% year-over-year increase. This massive volume of downloads contributes to growing data consumption as users discover and try new applications.

What is considered high data usage?

High data usage is typically considered anything over 20-30 GB per month per device. However, this varies based on your data plan and usage habits. Heavy video streamers, gamers, and social media users often exceed 40-50 GB monthly.

Which app consumes more data?

YouTube consistently ranks as the highest data-consuming app, using up to 193 MB in just 5 minutes of usage. Other data-heavy apps include AllTrails (155 MB/5min), Disney+ (150 MB/5min), and various social media platforms.

How much data does Instagram use?

Instagram uses approximately 200-500 MB per hour depending on usage patterns. Viewing Stories, Reels, and high-resolution photos consumes more data than simple text posts. Background refresh and automatic video playback also increase consumption.

Does Snapchat use cellular data?

Yes, Snapchat uses cellular data for sending snaps, viewing stories, downloading content, and various background functions. The app consumes approximately 160-200 MB per hour of active use and continues using data in the background for notifications and updates.