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Showmax Hacks: How to save data
Showmax Hacks: How to save data
23 August 2017

Showmax Hacks: How to save data

Keep your data spend low with these surefire Showmax features.


If you’re worried about your data spend while using streaming video-on-demand services, take advantage of Showmax’s unique features to manage your data while streaming and downloading.

When streaming

Streaming video can use up to 3GB of data per hour, unless you utilise one of these tips.

Use bandwidth capping

When streaming on most versions of the Showmax app, you will have the option to put a cap on your bandwidth. This will help you to use less data.

On your tablet or smartphone, simply go to Settings, and select Bandwidth Capping.

Select Low capping to use the least data while streaming – as little as 0.3GB per hour – or Medium capping, to use only 0.7GB per hour. No Capping will use as much as 3GB per hour.

When downloading

Download series or movies onto your tablet or smartphone using the Showmax mobile apps for Android and iOS devices to watch offline for free at a later time. This is an especially handy feature if you’ll be somewhere without the internet, such as in a plane or a car.

Download up to 25 shows or episodes of a series at a time, and you’ll have 30 days in which to watch them. (Once you start watching a show, however, you need to finish it within 48 hours.)

Download in a free Wi-Fi hotspot

Rather than streaming shows on your tablet or smartphone, download your movies and series while you’re in a free Wi-Fi hotspot.

Download on mobile data at a lower quality

If you have to use your mobile data to download shows on Showmax, or if the storage space on your device is running low, make use of the Showmax quality settings for downloads.

Showmax gives you the option to download on four different quality settings. The lower the quality you select, the less data you will use and the less space the file will take up on your device.

Download on Low Quality, Standard Quality or Good Quality as opposed to High Quality to save on data.

Standard or even Low Quality are sufficient for kids’ shows, especially on small screens, and Good Quality is perfect for your own series or movies downloads.

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