There was a time back in the late 1900s when listening to music on the go meant carrying a physical music storage device with you (cassette or CD) as well as a machine whose sole purpose was to play it. Being able to stream music on your phone is way more convenient – until you run out of data, that is. Use these tips to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
1. Activate Data Saver on Spotify
You’ll save data by seeing fewer images and reducing the audio quality a bit, but you can still stream music. To activate Data Saver, tap your profile pic and go to Settings. Many devices also have a data saver function that reduces the quality of streaming media to save your data – look for it under Settings.
2. Lower Your Audio Quality on Deezer
Similar to Spotify above, you can lower the quality of your audio when you stream music on Deezer, so you use less data. Under Settings, Deezer gives you four levels of audio quality to choose from on the app. High Fidelity is the gold standard, but it’s also code for buh-bye data. When times are tight, opt for Basic or Standard and only select an option with the word “high” in it when you’re feeling flush.
3. Enable Data Saving on YouTube Music
Your YouTube Music settings give you three options for data saving. Select “limit mobile data usage” and you’ll only stream HD vids when you’re connected to WiFi. You can also choose to “Stream via WiFi only” and opt in to have podcasts play without video. Enable these settings to have more data available when you want to stream music.
4. Sign Up to a Plan That Lets You Download Your Music
Most streaming platforms will allow you to download music to your device if you cough up for a paid plan. That means you can download your tunes when you’re on WiFi and stream music any time without using up your data. Bonus: No ads! If you can’t afford a full-price premium membership, here are ways to sign up for less…
Family subs: Some streaming platforms offer family discounts. Case in point: For R99.99/month, Spotify allows up to six family members who live at the same address to sign up to Premium Family. Split the fee and each person gets their own Premium login for around R17/month.
Student discount: Also check for student rates. If you’re 18-25 years old and a student, you may qualify for 50% off a premium Deezer subscription, for instance. As long as your college or uni is verified by UNiDAYS, you get all the perks of premium for R35.90/month instead of R79.99/month.
YouTube Music also offers more affordable plans for students and families that will let you download your tunes to enjoy without wasting data.
5. Monitor Data Usage
If music is life, keep tabs on what else might be chowing your data so you have more data available to stream music. The VodaPay app is an easy way to keep track of data of data usage. Click here for tips.
Now that you know how to be savvy with your music streaming, get a SIM-only data deal that suits you from Vodacom.
