WhatsApp is a popular messaging app used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos, documents, and other media. One common question many WhatsApp users have is whether using the app utilizes your cellular data allowance or your talktime minutes.
Quick Answer
WhatsApp uses your cellular or WiFi data allowance rather than your call minutes. Both messaging and calls made within WhatsApp will count against your monthly data allotment. The only exception is if you are on a calling plan that has unlimited WhatsApp calling, in which case WhatsApp calls will not use your data.
Does WhatsApp use data?
Yes, WhatsApp uses your cellular data allotment whenever you use the app, whether on WiFi or your phone’s mobile data. Here’s a breakdown of how WhatsApp uses data:
- Sending and receiving messages – Text messages use very little data, typically less than 1 MB per 100 messages sent or received. Media messages like photos, videos, and voice notes use more data, around 1 MB per minute of video or audio sent or received.
- Making WhatsApp calls – A WhatsApp call will use around 1.5 MB of data per minute. Video calls use more data, around 10 MB per minute.
- Downloading media & files – When receiving photos, videos, documents or other media sent through WhatsApp, it will count against your data usage.
- Backing up chats – If you have WhatsApp chat backups enabled in the app settings, this will use some mobile data as it periodically uploads your chat history to the cloud.
Data usage on WiFi vs mobile data
The amount of data WhatsApp uses remains the same whether you are connected over WiFi or using your phone’s mobile data. The only difference is that when on WiFi, WhatsApp does not count against your monthly cellular data allotment.
Does WhatsApp use call minutes?
No, WhatsApp calls do not use your cellular talk time minutes. WhatsApp calls rely entirely on your data connection, not your plan’s allotted call minutes.
Some key points:
- Both voice and video calls made over WhatsApp will use your data allowance but not your call minutes.
- This applies even when calling regular phone numbers from within WhatsApp.
- International WhatsApp calls also do not cost extra compared to domestic calls.
- The only exception is if you have a calling plan with unlimited WhatsApp calling, in which case WhatsApp calls won’t count against your data.
WhatsApp data usage by activity
Here is an estimate of how much data WhatsApp uses for common activities:
| WhatsApp Activity | Data Usage |
|---|---|
| Send text message | 50KB – 100KB per message |
| Send photo | 500KB – 1MB per photo |
| Send audio file | 1MB per minute |
| Send video file | 10MB per minute (high quality) |
| Voice call | 1.5MB per minute |
| Video call | 8-12MB per minute |
| Group voice call | 3MB per minute per user |
| Group video call | 12MB per minute per user |
As you can see, media files like photos, videos, and voice notes require significantly more data than plain text messages. Video calls also consume a large amount of data.
Tips to reduce WhatsApp data usage
If you have a limited data allowance and want to conserve your data when using WhatsApp, here are some tips:
- Use WhatsApp over WiFi whenever possible to avoid using your cellular data.
- Enable data saver mode in WhatsApp settings. This compresses photos and videos you send and receive.
- Limit sending or auto-downloading large media files like videos.
- Disable automatic media download in settings and manually download only when needed.
- Turn off chat backups or schedule them to run only on WiFi.
- Use voice messages instead of video calling.
- Avoid large group video calls which consume the most data.
- Set your auto-download preferences to only download on WiFi.
WhatsApp call rates
While WhatsApp calls don’t use your talktime minutes, keep in mind that the data required for calls will still count against your monthly data allocation and can incur charges if you exceed your data allowance. Here are the approximate data usage and costs for WhatsApp calls:
| Call type | Data per minute | Cost per minute (at $0.25 per GB) |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp voice call | 1.5MB | $0.004 |
| WhatsApp video call | 8-12MB | $0.02 – $0.03 |
| WhatsApp group voice call | 3MB per user | $0.008 per user |
| WhatsApp group video call | 12MB per user | $0.03 per user |
So while WhatsApp calls are free in terms of talktime minutes, frequent calling could still add up in terms of data charges if you have a limited data plan. Using WiFi for calls can help minimize these data costs.
International WhatsApp calls
One of the advantages of WhatsApp calls is that there are no extra charges for international calls. Whether making WhatsApp calls within your country or to contacts abroad, the data usage remains the same. The only cost consideration is if your cellular plan has different data rates for international roaming.
Some key points on international WhatsApp calls:
- No added costs for calls to other countries – same data rates apply
- Only limitation is both callers must have WhatsApp
- Video calls may have lower quality with slower connections
- Roaming data charges may apply if traveling internationally
- Use WiFi whenever possible to avoid roaming fees
Does WhatsApp use mobile data when WiFi is turned on?
WhatsApp will automatically switch to using your WiFi connection for data whenever you are connected to a WiFi network. It does not use your mobile data allowance while WiFi is turned on.
Some points to keep in mind:
- WhatsApp only uses your mobile data when WiFi is turned off or unavailable
- To check this, look for the WiFi symbol at the top when using WhatsApp
- If WiFi disconnects, WhatsApp will automatically switch to mobile data
- You can manually switch between WiFi and mobile data in WhatsApp settings
Using WhatsApp on WiFi allows you to message and call for free without dipping into your monthly data allowance. This can help conserve your mobile data, especially if you have a limited plan.
WhatsApp data usage on iPhones
On iPhones, WhatsApp follows the same data usage pattern whether on Android or iOS. All messaging, calls, media downloads, and backups will use either your cellular data or WiFi data, but not call minutes.
Some key points about WhatsApp data usage on iPhones:
- Text messages use negligible data, around 100KB per 100 messages
- Calls use around 1.5MB per minute for voice, 8MB per minute for video
- Media files consume data based on size – photos around 500KB to 1MB each
- Backups and file downloads also deduct from your data allowance
- Enable WiFi calling in settings to route calls over WiFi and save cellular data
iPhones allow you to monitor your cellular and WiFi data usage in Settings -> Cellular -> Cellular Data. Here you can see a breakdown of how much data WhatsApp has used on your iPhone.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp relies entirely on data usage rather than talk time minutes for messaging, calls, and all other app activities. The only exception is if you have an unlimited WhatsApp calling plan, in which case calls won’t use data.
To conserve your data allowance, use WhatsApp over WiFi whenever possible, limit large media transfers, disable auto-downloads, and adjust call quality settings. International WhatsApp calls also do not have added charges but beware of roaming fees when traveling abroad.
Understanding how WhatsApp leverages your data usage can help you optimize your cellular plan and preferences to avoid unwanted data overages.