iOS 12.1.4 using large amounts of data

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Level 4

1,171 points

iOS 12.1.4 using large amounts of data

I have an iPhone 6 running through tons of data all of a sudden. Last month in one day it used ove 20 Gb of data and I was never able to determine what app used this much data out of the clear blue. I have been watching it closely and yesterday I noticed that the Contacts app used 11.5 Gb of data.

Why would contacts use that much data in a single day?

Is there a data manager that will track my phone's data usage without sending my information out into the world? I had been using the My Data Manager and Security app but it uses a VPN that sends my information who knows where and then started to kill my battery.

I can't decide if the problem is with iOS 12.1.4 or if it is something on my phone that is triggering the data usage all of a sudden.

iPhone 6, iOS 12

Posted on Mar 5, 2019 11:35 AM

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Answer 1

Thom_D Author

Level 4

1,171 points

Mar 29, 2019 2:21 PM in response to Thom_D

It was the MS Outlook app. I don't know why it does this, but it was cycling through my contacts like crazy for no reason I have been able to determine.

I deleted the app, and it stopped immediately.

My phone is still going through more data than it should, 4.6 Gb in contacts in 8 days.

I'm going to turn off Contacts in Settings => Cellular and see if I have any problems using my email, or messaging apps.

I will be back.

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Answer 2

raina_b22

Community Specialist

Mar 6, 2019 12:55 PM in response to Thom_D

Hi Thom_D,

Thanks for the post in Apple Support Communities. I understand you have some questions about cellular data usage on your iPhone.

While it would be difficult to say why an app might have used a significant amount of data, I have a resource that may help you to monitor your usage with built-in tools, found under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Usage: Check the cellular data usage on your iPhone and iPad

Regarding the Contacts app specifically, one possibility does come to mind. Are you syncing contacts from any third-party email/sync services, or social media apps? You might want to tap Settings > Passwords & Accounts to see if you sync contacts from any third-party services. You could also check your Settings for any social media apps that might be syncing contacts.

If you don't find an answer there, I recommend getting in touch with your wireless carrier to check into this further. Your wireless carrier will be in the best position to look into cellular data usage for your account.

I hope this helps get you started.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Thom_D Author

Level 4

1,171 points

Mar 6, 2019 5:03 PM in response to raina_b22

Hi Becky,

I think maybe it was my work Exchange account that I added into my Mail app. It was pulling contacts, which doubled the amount of data I had used over the past day. So I deleted this mail account and am using the MS Outlook app to see if that helps.

I will follow up in a day or two and let you know what has happened.

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iOS 12.1.4 using large amounts of data

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