Instagram's new 'Data Saver' mode can reduce your data consumption: Here's how you can turn it on

In what could be good news for Instagram users, Facebook-owned photo-sharing app has rolled out a new data-saver feature to let users control and reduce the amount of data consumed on Instagram. This is an opt-in feature specifically designed to let users save some data while using the app. Instagram said in a statement feature that the feature has been designed specifically for emerging markets where data plans and internet speeds may be limited. Unlike 'Lite' version of other apps that consume less data than their standard counterpart, Instagram has integrated its new data-saver feature within its existing app itself, thus eliminating the necessity to download another app only to be able to control data consumption. This is what Instagram had to say in its statement:

"With this opt-in mode, people across the world can view their favourite content on Instagram with reduced image loading time, by reducing the amount of data that Instagram uses on their mobile phones."

While Instagram doesn't disclose country-specific user count, reports suggest it has well over 70 million users in India. Globally, Instagram has over a billion users. Once you enable Instagram's new data-saver feature, videos will no longer be pre-loaded and high-resolution images will not be downloaded, except when the user wants to download high-resolution media. However, users can decide whether they never want to see high-resolution media. They can decide whether they want to see high-resolution content when they are on Wi-Fi or Cellular/Wi-Fi connections.

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"With this data saver feature, we are hoping for an uninterrupted Instagram experience in slow network areas, which in turn will increase people's interactions with their friends and family," Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India, said.

Meanwhile, this is how you can enable Instagram's new data-saver feature for yourself:

1. Make sure you have the Instagram app updated on your smartphone
2. Now, open Instagram and go to Settings.
3. Go to 'Account' settings and tap 'Cellular Data use.'
4. Now, activate the 'Data Saver' slider.

Once you activate this feature, photo and video size will be reduced on cellular data. As a result, you will end up saving some data. When you are connected back to Wi-Fi, photos and videos will be full-sized.

(With PTI inputs)