'Other Devices' using data even when Personal Hotspot is switched off

Well, calling back to Tech Support turned out to be a complete waste of time; if the Network Reset didn’t work there is nothing else they can do for me. I wish the tech I spoke to yesterday had told me that!

I did get the following information though, which is very helpful:

The data usage of the hotspot is not recorded by the device and sent to the carrier, the amount is determined by the carrier and sent to the device.

This would seem to be why the hotspot is able to be used by the “other devices” even while turned off. Because the carrier is saying it’s active when it isn’t, and telling the device that the amount has been used.

I called my carrier and they repeatedly tried to get me to upgrade my plan. I made no progress until I said the following:

“I am poor. I cannot upgrade my plan. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. You don’t offer a 60GB a month plan, so all my data would be gone anyways. I have done everything except a factory reset on my device. The manufacturer is positive the issue is not with my device. I have no other devices. I have reset the password repeatedly. The data is being used while my hotspot is turned off. This is a physical impossibility.” 

They agreed I was correct that this wasn’t possible. They said they saw no error on their end, but would reset the network connection to my device.

I was instructed to power off the device and remove the SIM card, then wait 15 minutes for them to troubleshoot and reset my connection.

It has been an hour and a half, and so far no “other devices” have started pulling data. If that changes, I’ll be back to post again. If there is nothing further, then it worked!

Here’s some relevant info, in case it’s useful:

Device: iPhone 12 mini

Network: Mint Mobile (recently purchased by T-Mobile)

Plan Level: Cheapest available (5GB per month)

TLDR: The carrier is telling the phone you're using hotspot (even while off). Call your carrier and make them reset your Network Connection from their end.

I just had this happen while traveling in Asia (I’m from Europe) using data eSIMs to each specific country I visited. Got very anxious about it at first due to the insane consumption listed (got to 144 GB over 1.5 week, vs 205MB used by the person I actually used the hotspot for) even though we never had hotspot on unless she was using it (which was quite seldom)

The eSIM app let me keep track of actual usage real-time though, and I could quickly confirm that at least for me the “other devices” consumption somehow is “not really happening”. In total, over the 1.5 weeks we spent approx 8GB which matches the app-listed consumption on my own device plus my friend’s hotspot 205MB usage very well

Still a very misleading bug that Apple should correct ASAP given the insane amounts listed

Hi, I’ve noticed the same thing in my phone as well. But when I checked the actual data usage with my network provider it was not anywhere close to the figure showed on the phone. It was much less. So I suggest you all to check your actual data usage through other ways before making any conclusions. I think this will solve many of yours concern because that personal hotspot figures are not at all accurate.

I just had this problem WHEN THE PHONE WAS TURNED OFF!

I used 29GB of data in one day. I turned off the phone and turned it back on 20 minutes later to discover I had used 29.9GB. An extra GB while the phone was turned off.

I finally managed to stop the increases by changing the SIM PIN on my e-sim. It was set to the default when I bought the e-sim ('0000') and once I changed it, the ridiculous bandwidth usage stopped. I'm still at 29.9gb a few hours later.

I should note when I checked my usage via the mobile provider's #123# system, the provider said I had only used 1.2 GB of data.

Seems to be an Apple Bug.

Having the same issue I just checked with my provider: I think it's just the display. None of the high values I see show up on their meters.

However, Apple should get this fixed.

Had this issue as well. After resetting network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings) and after restarting my iPhone I don't have this issue anymore. Remember you have to reenter WiFi passwords etc.

"YEAHHH"

I think the solution worked. My provider could do nothing as I was pretty sure that this is b*** , but after I have updated to 17.4.1 I see no increase in the Hotspot data ( within 4 days it was 3.41GB ) and since one and a half day no change in the data. ( I also changed the Hotspot Pwd just for extra "security"). I think they might have found the issue but didn't want to communicate this lack officially and just slipped in the fix in 17.4.1.

Let me know whether someone is on 17.4.1 and still experiencing this issue? For me since 1,5 days has stopped but I will keep observing it.

After updating to current software (17.4.1), changing the hotspot password twice, restarting everything, and not owning any other devices (and calling my carrier who said they had no known data reporting error issues) I was advised by tech support to reset my Network Settings.

It’s been an hour and no “other devices” have used any of my data.

TLDR: try “Reset Network Settings”

Did you check with your provider that it’s really showing up on their meters? For my phone it was only ghost data showing up on my phone but not deducting from my account.

Thank you so much - I’m travelling too and using an eSIM. I’ve just checked my provider and it’s saying I’ve only used 400mb of my package, not the 3GB showing in my settings. Phew. That’s great to know it’s a bug in the reporting rather than anything else!

Hello,

I have reseted my network settings and everything is working fine now.

please test and let me know.

Best regards,

Adelmo

I have the same issue. I never have personal hotspot on. Yesterday I updated the IPhone 14 Pro to update 17.3.1. After update I received messages from my provider I have gone beyond my data limit. I have called the technical support in the Netherlands explaining the issue. They were not capable of capturing and processing the issue, case nr 102228235226, after explaining the issue in the 2 hour call with multiple support people. Explanation next time: WiFi assist to OFF and personal Hotspot OFF. This does NOT fix the issue as my hotspot was turned OFF before the update and neither do I have a device which can connect to Hotspot. If you are a tech expert at Apple, please raise a support ticket so this issue is tracked. I have notified customer service I am willing to provide any data to help you out. If you are a manager, please try to explain your fellow colleagues when a customer explains an issue which can not be solved over the phone, this is ok. Not every problem is a known issue. Just make sure this is being investigated, tracked and resolved internally. I feel in many businesses capturing the field issues is a hurdle.

!!!!! UPDATE !!!!!

I'm experiencing the same behaviour and I wasnt happy with "call your courier" solution. So I called again and insisted on a solution. Steps

• Renamed my Phone
• Deleted all VPN on the phone and disabled in settings
• Updating my phone
• Contacting the courier to stop for a while the Hotspot data in my Roaming
• Observing whether data still flows.
• Contact Apple support with the case number - if no data flows I need to check with provider. If data still flows it will be directly send to the developer to deliver a quick fix.

So I will keep you updated tomorrow after the whole procedure *head :(*

Please update latest software

Hey,

same issue here, I reset my network settings last month and it was alright after that but this month the same issue has started again. Is there any update from Apple about this?