Data usage on your phone plan

When you’re connected to a WiFi network, you won’t use your plan’s mobile data.

To reduce your mobile data usage connect to WiFi when completing data tasks such as:

• Installing software updates.
• Downloading and updating apps.
• Syncing cloud storage services.
• Streaming video and audio.

Most smartphones have in-built data monitors to provide details of your data usage. For more information, check out our device guides.

You can limit your data usage by switching off mobile data access in your phone’s settings. Some devices also allow you to restrict mobile data access for certain apps or features. For more information, check out our device guides.

Your device may still be using data in the background, even when you’re not actively using it. To reduce your background data, you can try switching off automatic:

• Backups
• File transfers
• App updates
• Email refresh and attachment downloads

Many popular apps have data saving features that can be configured to help reduce the amount of data they use.

If you can’t connect to mobile data, check out our network troubleshooting support page.

1GB is equivalent to 1024 megabytes (MB) or 1,048,576 kilobytes (KB). As a rough guide, 1GB of data would let you do one of the following:

• Watch one hour and 20 minutes of video at Standard Definition
• Stream roughly eight hours of high quality music (320kbps)
• Send or receive about 1000 emails
• Send over 1.5 million WhatsApp messages (without pictures or video)

Data usage and boosters are charged in 1kB increments.

If you use all of your Red, SIM Only, Data, Tablet or Mobile Broadband plan’s included data, we’ll automatically add an extra 1GB data for $5 to use in Australia.

If you’re on a Red or SIM Only Modem Plan and you use your included data, we’ll automatically add an extra 10GB data for $10 to use in Australia.

If you’re on a Vodafone Infinite, Plus or Vodafone Infinite Data Plan and use all of your included data, you’ll then have access to data at speeds of up to 1.5Mbps, 2Mbps, 10Mbps and 25Mbps in Australia depending on your chosen plan. For more information, check out our speed guide.

If you’re using $5 Roaming, your data usage is charged at the same rate as if you’re in Australia unless you’re on a Vodafone Infinite, Plus or Vodafone Infinite Data Plan.

If you're on a Vodafone Infinite, Plus or Vodafone Infinite Data Plan, you can only use included data with $5 Roaming, along with your call and text inclusions. Data capped at speeds up to 1.5, 2, 10 or 25Mbps is not accessible while $5 Roaming. If you use all of your included data while you’re on $5 Roaming, we’ll add 1GB data for $5.

If you're on an Ultra+ Plan, you can use unlimited mobile data on your phone while on $5 Roaming. If you use more than 30GB Hotspot data, you'll be charged $5 for each extra 1GB. This additional data can only be used with $5 Roaming, isn’t shareable and expires at the end of your billing month.

If you’re travelling to a destination where $5 Roaming isn’t available or your plan isn’t eligible for $5 Roaming, data is charged outside your inclusions at Pay As You Go Roaming rates.

Yes. Both downloads (data you receive) and uploads (data you send) count towards your data usage.

No. Data usage is charged at the same rate, whether you’re tethering or using your device as a WiFi hotspot.

Tethering is using your mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide an internet signal for another device (such as a tablet or laptop.) The amount of data you use will depend on what you're using the tablet or laptop for. For example, streaming a movie on your tablet while tethered to your phone will use a similar amount of mobile data as streaming the movie direct to your phone.

If you can't find what you're looking for in our data chart, it's probably because it doesn't use a significant amount of data.

Using Siri, or Google assistant, for example uses very little data.

Using Google maps or Maps uses very little too. This is because once you've input the journey, your phone downloads the map you need and 'caches' the information.