Hi there! I'm a music producer and audio engineer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I've been using Apple Music since it launched, and I've done a lot of research on how it works, especially when it comes to data usage.

So you're wondering, "How much data does Apple Music use?" It's a great question, and understanding how your data is used is crucial, especially if you're on a limited data plan.

The short answer is: It depends.

There's no single magic number because data usage varies depending on several factors. Let's break them down:

1. Streaming Quality:

This is the biggest factor influencing data consumption. Apple Music offers different streaming qualities, each impacting data usage:

* High Efficiency (HE-AAC): This format delivers decent audio quality while consuming the least data. It's perfect for users concerned about data caps. Apple doesn't specify the exact bitrate, but it's likely around 64 kbps.
* AAC (256 kbps): This is the standard streaming quality, considered "high quality" by Apple. It uses more data than HE-AAC but provides a richer listening experience.
* Lossless (up to 24-bit/192 kHz): Introduced recently, Lossless audio provides the highest fidelity, preserving all the details of the original recording. However, it consumes significantly more data. Think of it as streaming the equivalent of a CD or even a high-resolution audio file.
* Hi-Res Lossless (up to 24-bit/192 kHz): This is the top tier, offering the best possible audio quality but demanding a lot of bandwidth. Expect significantly higher data usage compared to other options.

2. Listening Time:

This one's straightforward: the more you listen, the more data you use. Think of it like driving – the longer your journey, the more fuel you consume.

3. Downloading Music:

Downloading songs, albums, or playlists for offline playback requires a one-time data download. The amount of data depends on the quality of the downloaded music and the number of tracks.

4. Cellular vs. Wi-Fi:

Streaming or downloading on cellular data will consume your monthly allowance. Connecting to Wi-Fi, whenever possible, is the best way to avoid exceeding your data limit.

Here's a rough estimate:

* Streaming on High Efficiency: Approximately 25-35 MB per hour.
* Streaming on AAC (256 kbps): Roughly 60-70 MB per hour.
* Streaming on Lossless: Substantially more, potentially exceeding 150 MB per hour depending on the bitrate.
* Streaming on Hi-Res Lossless: The most data-intensive, potentially exceeding 300 MB per hour or more.

**How to Control Data Usage on Apple Music:**

* Adjust Streaming Quality: Go to Settings > Music > Cellular Data and choose your preferred streaming quality for cellular and Wi-Fi.
* Enable Download over Wi-Fi Only: This prevents accidental downloads over cellular data.
* Download Music for Offline Playback: If you know you'll be in an area with limited or no internet connectivity, download your favorite tracks beforehand.
* Monitor Your Data Usage: Keep an eye on your data usage through your mobile provider's app or your phone's settings to avoid any surprises.

Remember, these are estimations. Actual data usage may vary. My best advice is to check your data consumption after using Apple Music for a while to understand your usage patterns.

Happy listening!
read more >>

According to Reddit user EP9, 30 minutes of using Apple Music without a Wi-Fi connection used around 20MB of data, and an hour of streaming ate up around 40MB. Other tests have shown that Apple Music consumed 1.65MB per minute (49.5MB per half hour) while streaming on a 4G connection.read more >>