Camera Data Limit Reached: How to Optimize Camera Data Usage

Written By Philip Stanoev

Why You're Seeing This Alert

We show the alert when you reach your data limits. If your camera hits its monthly data limit, we notify you to help you stay informed about your usage. This is just a warning, in future updates, video functionalities may be limited, but tracking and on-demand requests will still work..

Your Immediate Options

Option A: Quick Fix - Increase Your Data Plan

 Pros: Immediate resolution
Cons: Increases monthly billing

Upgrade your data plan:

  1. Log into your account portal

  2. Go to "Assets" → "Edit Asset → Settings"

  3. Select affected device and choose new plan size

  4. Confirm - takes effect immediately

  5. Your camera resumes full functionality instantly

  6. Your next bill will reflect the prorated change

Note: If you are unable to do the above, connect with your solution provider to upgrade your plan.

Option B: Investigate and Optimize

Pros: No additional costs, often solves the issue permanently
Cons: Requires some configuration changes

Continue reading below for optimization steps →

Step 1: Investigate Why This Happened

Check Your Usage Pattern

Ask yourself:

  • Has someone been viewing live streams frequently?

  • Did you recently add new users who might be streaming?

  • Were there unusual events triggering excessive recordings?

    • Check exceptions page for this current month and compare with previous months to see if there excessive rules being triggered

  • Is this the first time or does it happen monthly?

Determine If This Is Normal for Your Operations

Signs you NEED more data:

  • Multiple locations require constant live monitoring

  • Business operations demand 24/7 recording

  • This happens every month despite optimizations

Signs this is a ONE-OFF issue:

  • Someone left live stream running accidentally

  • New employee unfamiliar with efficient monitoring

  • First time this has happened

Step 2: Take Action Based on Your Findings

If This Is Normal Usage → Upgrade Your Plan

Recommended data plans by use case:

  • Standard Operations (snapshots, occasional live): 1GB

  • Active Monitoring (daily live viewing, events): 2-3GB

  • High Security (frequent streaming, multiple users): 5GB

  • 24/7 Operations (continuous streaming): 10GB+

To upgrade, see "Option A" above or contact your solution provider.

If This Was a One-Off → Optimize Your Settings

Immediate Changes You Can Make:

  1. Switch from Unlimited Streaming to Adaptive/Limited Streaming

    • Contact your solution provider to help with this update

  2. Turn Off Hotspot if it is enabled

    • Contact your solution provider to help with this update

  3. Decrease Hyperlapse Frequency if Set To 1 min Setting

    • Access asset’s Trips

    • Select the 10 mins Hyperlapse option and confirm

  1. Update Video Rule Actions To Snapshots

    • Access Your Video Rules In Admin

    • Change From Video To Snapshot

    • For Example, Speeding Should Only Be Set For Notifications Without Any Media Action

  1. Decrease Resolution & FPS Of The Device

    • Contact your solution provider to help with this update

  2. Educate Your Team

    • Don't leave live streams running in background

    • Use snapshots for routine checks

    • Only stream live when actively investigating

Best Practices to Avoid Future Limits

  1. Set Up Smart Monitoring

    • Use Hyperlapse & Exceptions for general surveillance

    • Reserve live streaming for active incidents

  2. Create User Guidelines

    • Train staff on efficient camera use

    • Assign live stream privileges only to key personnel

  3. Regular Maintenance

    • Remove unnecessary event triggers