---
id: backups.how-much-internet-data-does-a-cloud-backup-use
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/how-much-internet-data-does-a-cloud-backup-use
category: "Backups & restore points"
subcategory: "Speed, progress and the first backup"
question: "How much internet data does a cloud backup use?"
alt_questions:
  - "cloud backup bandwidth usage"
  - "Will backup use my data cap?"
  - "upload size of Storage Studio backup"
  - "monthly data used by Data Backup"
short_answer: "The first cloud backup uploads roughly the size of your chosen folders, compressed; after that only changes are sent. Use Not on a personal hotspot and Limit upload speed to keep usage in check."
tags: ["bandwidth", "cloud", "data cap"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/can-i-stop-backups-using-my-phone-hotspot", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/can-i-limit-backup-upload-speed"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How much internet data does a cloud backup use?

The first cloud backup uploads roughly the size of the folders you chose, after compression — that's the big one. After that, only new and changed pieces are uploaded, so routine backups use a small fraction of that.

To keep usage in check:
- Turn on **Not on a personal hotspot** so backups wait for normal Wi-Fi.
- Use **Limit upload speed** if your connection is shared.
- Before an automatic cloud backup starts, Storage Studio runs one small upload test, reused for a few hours.