If you‘re a Verizon Wireless customer, you may have heard of their Data Boost add-on but aren‘t quite sure what it is or when you would need it. Data Boost provides a temporary allowance of additional high-speed data for users who have hit their monthly data cap. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explain everything you need to know about Verizon‘s Data Boost—what it is, how much it costs, which plans are eligible, and situations where it can bail you out of a data shortage.
Understanding Verizon‘s Data Plans & Caps
First, it‘s important to understand how Verizon‘s data plans work. Verizon offers a variety of tiered data plans, from a stingy 2GB per month up to truly unlimited data on their most premium plans. On limited data plans, you are allotted a certain amount of high-speed 4G/5G data to use each month. If you exceed that allowance, one of two things will happen depending on your plan:
-
Your data speeds will be drastically reduced to 128 Kbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. This is called "Safety Mode."
-
You will be charged overage fees, typically $15 per additional gigabyte of data.
Being throttled down to 128 Kbps makes your phone painfully slow and nearly unusable for anything beyond basic email and web browsing. And overage charges can add up very quickly if you‘re not careful. That‘s where Data Boost comes in as a temporary solution.
What Is Verizon Data Boost?
Verizon Data Boost is an optional add-on that allows you to purchase additional high-speed data after you‘ve used up your monthly allowance. It‘s essentially a way to "top up" your data bucket to get you through the rest of the month if you find yourself running low.
There are two Data Boost options:
- 1 GB for $15
- 5 GB for $35
The Data Boost data never expires as long as you remain a Verizon customer and gets used first before dipping into your regular monthly data allowance. You can add Data Boost at any time through the My Verizon website or app.
After you‘ve used up your Data Boost data, your speeds will either be reduced if you have Safety Mode enabled, or you‘ll be charged $15/GB in overage fees. The Data Boost is a one-time allotment that does not recur each month.
Eligible Verizon Plans for Data Boost
Not all Verizon plans have access to Data Boost. Currently, the following plans are eligible:
- Shared data plans (S, M, L, XL, XXL)
- The Verizon Plan Unlimited
- The new Verizon Plan (S, M, L, XL, XXL)
- Original Verizon unlimited plans (Go Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited, Above Unlimited)
- Current Verizon unlimited plans (Start Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Do More Unlimited, Get More Unlimited)
Data-only plans, prepaid plans, and grandfathered unlimited data plans are not eligible for Data Boost.
When to Use Verizon Data Boost
There are a few scenarios where taking advantage of Verizon‘s Data Boost would make sense:
-
You‘ve used up your monthly data allowance and have important high-bandwidth tasks to complete before the end of your billing cycle, like downloading large files, streaming video, using a mobile hotspot, etc. The extra 1-5 GB of data from a Boost can be a lifesaver.
-
You‘re on a plan with overage charges and are getting close to your data cap. Purchasing a Data Boost is cheaper than paying the $15/GB overage fees if you know you‘re likely to exceed your regular data allowance by more than 1 GB.
-
You‘re on an unlimited plan but have hit your data throttling threshold (typically 22-75 GB depending on plan). A Data Boost will give you additional unthrottled premium data.
-
You‘re traveling or in an area with poor Wi-Fi access and need to rely on cellular data more than usual that month. A preemptive Data Boost can give you peace of mind.
-
You don‘t want to upgrade to a more expensive monthly plan but occasionally need a bit more data here and there. Data Boost is an affordable, commitment-free way to get temporary extra data.
However, if you find yourself frequently needing Data Boosts, it may be more economical in the long run to upgrade to a plan with a higher data allowance or unlimited data. Do the math based on your typical usage to see what makes the most financial sense.
Downsides & Things to Consider
While Verizon Data Boost can be useful in a pinch, there are a few potential downsides and things to keep in mind:
-
It‘s not cheap. $15 for 1 GB or $35 for 5 GB is expensive for a relatively small amount of data compared to the cost per gigabyte of Verizon‘s regular data plans.
-
It‘s easy to burn through a gigabyte or two of data very quickly with data-heavy activities like HD video streaming, large app downloads or updates, or using your phone as a mobile hotspot.
-
If you use up your Data Boost data, you‘ll be back in the same position as before—either speed throttled or accruing overage charges.
-
Data Boost data cannot be shared with other lines on your account. It can only be applied to the line you purchased it for.
-
If you cancel your line or switch to an ineligible plan, you‘ll lose any unused Data Boost data you purchased.
Tips to Avoid Needing Data Boost
The best way to avoid needing Verizon Data Boost is to proactively manage and monitor your data usage throughout the month. Here are some tips:
-
Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible to conserve your cellular data. Many public places like coffee shops, libraries, airports and retailers offer free Wi-Fi.
-
Check your data usage regularly in the My Verizon app or by dialing #DATA. You can also set up data usage alerts to notify you when you‘ve used a certain percentage of your allowance.
-
Close out of apps running in the background that may be using data even when you‘re not actively using them. Background app refresh and automatic updates can eat up a lot of data.
-
Adjust your app settings to only allow automatic updates, podcast downloads, photo backups, etc. when connected to Wi-Fi.
-
Stream music and video in standard definition/quality rather than HD. HD video uses significantly more data.
-
Enable Safety Mode if you‘d rather deal with slower speeds for a few days vs. overage charges.
-
Consider upgrading to a plan with more data or unlimited data if you find yourself consistently going over your allowance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens to unused Data Boost data?
A: Any unused data will roll over as long as you remain a Verizon customer on an eligible plan, but you will lose it if you cancel service or switch to an ineligible plan.
Q: Can I share Data Boost data with other lines on my account?
A: No, Data Boost can only be applied to the individual line it was purchased for.
Q: Do I have to use the Data Boost data within a certain time period?
A: No, the Data Boost data does not expire as long as you remain on an eligible Verizon plan.
Q: What happens if I use up the Data Boost data?
A: If you use up your Data Boost data, your line will revert to either Safety Mode reduced speeds or overage charges depending on your plan.
Q: How soon after purchasing does the Data Boost take effect?
A: The Data Boost is added to your account immediately after purchase and can be used right away.
Q: Will my Data Boost automatically renew each month?
A: No, Data Boost is a one-time data add-on and does not automatically recur. You would need to manually purchase it again when needed.
Q: Can I get a refund on Data Boost if I don‘t use it all?
A: No, Verizon does not offer refunds for unused Data Boost data. The data never expires though, so you can use it in future months.
The Bottom Line
Verizon‘s Data Boost add-on can be a convenient way to temporarily access more high-speed data if you exceed your monthly plan allowance. However, it‘s an expensive option that should only be relied on occasionally.
Regularly monitoring your data usage, taking advantage of Wi-Fi, and adjusting your settings and habits can help reduce your overall data consumption. And if you find yourself hitting your data cap month after month, it may be time to reevaluate your Verizon plan and see if an upgrade would make more sense economically than pricey Data Boosts.
At the end of the day, the best data plan is the one that matches your typical monthly usage, so you have enough data to meet your needs without paying for more than you use. By understanding how much data you realistically need and taking advantage of tools to track your usage, you can find the sweet spot and avoid the dreaded data overage fees or speed throttling.
