150mb download limit is outdated and needs to be changed.

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Level 1

4 points

150mb download limit is outdated and needs to be changed.

The latest Telstra plans start at 30GB data packages for phones. Mine is 120GB as I use it as my hotspot. I was encouraged this option when I purchased a new Iphone recently. I was assured by the sales person that we don't need wifi anymore with the new data packages. Turns out we still require wifi as there is a 150mb limit the consumer is unable to manage themselves.

150mb of data was huge 15 years ago. It's not now considering the new data packages and how we use our phone. Samsung allows the user to set the download amount manually by the consumer.

Many apps are now over 150mb
It should be the consumer's responsibility to monitor download amounts - not Apple's
With the latest, most expensive Iphone - I shouldn't be expected to get up, get ready to spend an time a the local shopping mall to download content from an unsecured connection or use a friends home wifi data or personal hotspot.
I can use my phone as a personal hotspot for another device and use an infinite amount of data, send large attachments via email, social media sites - why should there be a restriction on app, OS updates and downloading items from the Apple stores?
We shouldn't need to have to resort a online hacks or putting my sim card into another device to use it as a Hotspot to download something onto my phone directly. Which, didn't work?

Please recognise that data packages are much bigger now and this limit is no longer required. Or let us set our own download limits.

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted on Feb 27, 2019 9:24 PM

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Answer 1

marnott88 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2019 10:14 PM in response to marnott88

Hi everyone ,

Thank you to those replying. It’s not the carrier fault. It’s an old Apple restriction as explained to me by an Apple Product Manger. In addition I called and spoke with Telstra to confirm this also. They said there is nothing they can do until Apple lifts the restriction.

The product manager I spoke recently had the frustration and will be advising the engineering team with his direct contact. He also advised that I should post something up here to give it more weight to have the restriction removed as quickly as possible.

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,104 points

Feb 28, 2019 6:36 AM in response to marnott88

If you don't like it, send feedback to Apple. This is a user forum. You are not talking to Apple.

https://apple.com/feedback

Please read the Apple Support Communities Terms of Use. Debating Apple policy is prohibited here.

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Answer 3

SravanKrA

Level 10

431,518 points

Feb 27, 2019 9:29 PM in response to marnott88

150MB download limit has been imposed by all Carriers across the world to safeguard consumers' data / money drain.

However, you may give feedback here

Product Feedback - Apple

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

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Answer 4

marnott88 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 28, 2019 4:36 PM in response to marnott88

Great responses everyone.

I've completed the other response/feedback form as suggested be a couple of people on this thread. Hopefully Apple listens and removes it. Once again if Apple sees this - it doesn't make sense that -

I can:

Use my phone as a hotspot and use an infinite amount of my mobile data via another device
Use an infinite amount of data during normal operation of the phone - Facetime, Video messenger etc
I can use an infinite amount of mobile data to send emails with large attachments, use apps constantly using mobile data (Snapchat, Facebook, online games, youtube, Foxtell)

What I can't do:

Purchase and download new apps or content through the Apple App store or upgrade apps where the expected download is greater that 150mb.
Perform OS updates

I don't think it's important whether the carriers requested it or not. Even if they did, wouldn't every other phone manufacturer need to abide by this? Samsung allows the use to user to determine the download limit on their own device.

I think Apple made a conscience decision to limit downloads whist data on mobiles was so limited so that the automatic updates aren't performed and chewing up the limited data available. That was a good idea. Times have certainly changed and this quickly needs to be reviewed. Apps are more complex and their sizes are a lot bigger than what they used to be.

Hopefully Apple listens. It really is impractical to have to leave the house and find a wifi connection elsewhere just to complete a download or updates when I have 120GB available and I already use my phone as a hotspot. The product manger has sent me an email and will keep me updated with the responses he will receive from the engineering department. Updates over wifi take so long too.

There is a hack / workaround. If your un select date option 'Set Automatically' then roll the date forward a few months this can work. However only sometimes. Then it messes up the order your messages that come through whilst your doing this as the messages are then tagged several months in advance. Even when you change the date back, the messages will still appear as the most recent instead of your actual most recent. It was a painful clean up.

Thank you all for your responses.

Cheers,

Matthew

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Answer 5

diodes123

Level 2

432 points

Feb 27, 2019 9:32 PM in response to marnott88

This is not an Apple issue. It has to do with your internet carrier. Probably call Telstra. And, yes, even with unlimited data, you still should have Wi-Fi, an "unlimited" data plan has LOTS of terms.

Slow speeds after 22GB to name one.

I have 2GB cellular and 1,024GB Wi-Fi balance available per month. That's plenty.

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Answer 6

Feb 28, 2019 6:31 AM in response to panchososa694

It wouldn't make business sense for a carrier to institute a limit that would in turn limit the potential for profits.'

It's a lot more complicated than that. Carriers place lots of limits on things. Many people have "unlimited" data plans. However, there are still limits on how much they can download before they may get throttled. Or, some carriers have plans that allow unlimited access to certain things (e.g. music streaming) but have limits on video streaming. Network capacity is finite. Carriers don't want a small percentage of their customers using up all the capacity, making the majority of the customer angry and unsatisfied with the service.

All that aside, I don't believe I've ever seen an official statement from either Apple or a carrier saying who made this decision. Yes, the limit is mentioned in that article but, there is no information as to why it exists or who asked for it.

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Answer 7

ProustGiulio

Level 10

209,838 points

Feb 28, 2019 7:06 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

...... Cellular networks are volume limited.

Larry,

That's exactly what I was told by Vodafone in Italy a couple of years ago.

I'm not aware about that same matter in US, but as I can see, there's the same problem.

Many posters refuse to understand that.

Giulio

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Answer 8

Feb 27, 2019 10:28 PM in response to marnott88

Give up with the idea of changing the way Apple does things.

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Answer 9

diodes123

Level 2

432 points

Feb 27, 2019 11:01 PM in response to marnott88

Ok, I understand, sorry about that:) I agree. It needs removed Aasp! Hopefully Apple will remove it

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Answer 10

Feb 27, 2019 11:11 PM in response to diodes123

You are incorrect. The limit is mentioned here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202180

It's an iOS limit not a carrier limit. It wouldn't make business sense for a carrier to institute a limit that would in turn limit the potential for profits.

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Answer 11

Feb 28, 2019 6:46 AM in response to panchososa694

You are incorrect. The limit is mentioned here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202180

It's an iOS limit not a carrier limit. It wouldn't make business sense for a carrier to institute a limit that would in turn limit the potential for profits.

Most carriers now offer unlimited data plans. So you pay the same monthly charge whether you download 1 MB or 10 GB. How does that limit the potential for profits if you pay the same for small downloads as you do for large downloads? The carrier actually loses money for large downloads because they uses network resources that might be "sold" to other users or that will make other users unhappy because of poor network performance. Cellular networks are volume limited.

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150mb download limit is outdated and needs to be changed.

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