Apple TV Excess Data Usage

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Apple TV Excess Data Usage

I've seen previous posts on this without clear resolution. I have two AppleTV 4K devices and they have started to use excess data while asleep. The devices were using 2.25 to 7 GB per hour while asleep. Troubleshooting my network shows issues only with these two devices. Factory reset seemed to solve it, but that was temporary and it has recurred on both devices since then. It also appears that a simple restart will solve the problem, but at this point I have to keep monitoring daily to ensure my data cap is not being reached.

Apple Support was contacted and had minimal information on this problem which I've seen others post also. Any suggestions as to a more permanent solution. I can run parental controls to shut them off when not in use, and can also do power cycle daily if needed but would prefer a more root issue solution.

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 16

Posted on Jan 22, 2023 5:08 AM

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Answer 1

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JimSpokane Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 22, 2023 6:44 AM in response to hcsitas

Links:

APPLE TV 4K using too much data when sleep - Apple Community

https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/mmygm2/apple_tv_4k_hogging_data_while_on_sleep_mode/

Apple TV EXTREMELY high bandwidth every t… - Apple Community

How did I know? I was notified by my ISP that I was nearing my data cap. (1250 GB per month). I ended up using over 2 TB in 1 month.

Basic troubleshooting didn't identify the problem. I changed out my router to ASUS RT-AX68u and used Merlin firmware (https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/) to get network monitoring. Screen shots show the excess use on two separate occasions:

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Answer 2

Jan 24, 2023 9:47 AM in response to JimSpokane

JimSpokane wrote:

Apple TV EXTREMELY high bandwidth every two hours - Apple Community

Note that this third link was apparently resolved through the advise given.

Disable UPnP, if you have it activated on your router. It is inherently insecure.

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Answer 3

hcsitas

Level 6

12,758 points

Jan 22, 2023 7:37 AM in response to JimSpokane

The links you provided weren’t recent, conclusive or even similar to what you’re reporting, so skipping that.

What I do see from your snapshots is SSL/TLS hogging bandwidth which suggests that your router is specially configured for VPN, typically used by high-bandwidth apps which are hidden behind SSL/TLS and not shown by the snapshot.

I’m afraid this problem is specific to your box and router, meaning you need to continue troubleshooting on your own. That’s what I think, others may differ and step in. I wouldn’t hold breath IIWY, all the best anyways.

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Answer 4

JimSpokane Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 22, 2023 8:55 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks for the interest. As far as the router goes, this happened first on a Netgear/Orbi system. I then replaced the router with ASUS as mentioned above and the issue still continued. The router is configured so I can use VPN but it is turned off currently. I think that the router can be excluded as the cause.

I agree that it is something specific to the Apple TV boxes, but I have two of them experiencing the same issue. The SSL/TLS data is the excess data being used, but I haven't been able to track down where that is coming from. It does appear that one of our apps (TBN) uses SSL/TLS. It appears something is streaming when the Apple TV is put to sleep (and the indicator light is off) but it is intermittent and I haven't found a way to fix it. I will try to remove that app from one ATV and see if the problem recurs. (due to the intermittent nature of the issue, it's hard to track)

I appreciate that the links are not that helpful, which is the reason that I posted my experience. Apologies if my explanations aren't that helpful, I don't have any technical computer training.

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Answer 5

hcsitas

Level 6

12,758 points

Jan 22, 2023 9:12 AM in response to JimSpokane

No problem, but since your router is VPN-specific, both the specific hardware model and also the non-vendor OS it supports, Apple TV can be safely eliminated - it’s got absolutely nothing to do with any of this. This issue is with your router+OS, your VPN provider and the suspect VPN app.

Unfortunately, as far as this forum is concerned, you’re on your own IMO getting to the bottom of this. Nonetheless, good luck!

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