Since updating to 17.1 my personal hotspot, ‘other devices’ has gone crazy using up data, even when the hotspot is switched off. I always reset the data on the 1st of each month and I’ve used 4.03gb in 3 days with the hotspot off. Password has been changed. Any idea what’s going on? Thanks
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
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 have a theory. I have Xfinity Mobile and my phone connects to mobile hotspots around the city as I move around. I had to install a network profile to access it. wonder if somehow that data transfer is counting as hotspot somehow
So I have a theory. I use Xfinity mobile so I think is built on Verizon’s network and I use their Xfinity mobile hotspots for Wi-Fi around the city. I’m wondering if somehow connecting to and using those hotspot is counting as data for this
I have used my personal hotspot for my iPad once ever about 3 months ago and only used about 200 MB. Since then I have turned off my hotspot and always check to make sure it is off. Yet somehow I used 15 GB of data on this, with it still off… I never use more than 3GB total of data per month ever. And yet my “personal hotspot” used all of my 15 GB and got me tons of data overchages. Is this from the new update?
Another theory: maybe this is the use of people's phones to help with other people's device location. I remember reading that Apple uses other users phones to help locate devices like Airtags. Is it possible that could account for all of the Hotspot activity?
It just happened to me, Other devices showed me more than 5GB used on my hotspot, my carrier just sent me a notification that I used 5 GB data. So they are going to charge me $60. This is Terrible. There is something wrong with the iOS software I believe. Although my Hotspot was on, no one was connected to my hotspot.
It happened on my iphone 7 before and I logged a ticket with Apple, they did not do anything.
Now on my iPhone 13 it happened. Apple please fix it.
I am on iOS 17.4.1
Same Issue, Other devices just used 5GB on my phone, my carrier sent me a notification that I used 5GB data. So there is a problem with iOS, it is terrible as my carrier will now charge me $60, Apple has to fix this bug.
I have 17.4.1 version, have hotspot on but no one was connected to my Wifi, I am sure about it.
This is the second time it drained my data.
Apple please fix this.
I’ve been having the same issue. However, my data provider doesn’t seem to be logging that data as part of my usage. I paid for 5gb for a month. My phone says I’ve used 19gb with 18 of those listed as other devices on personal hotspot. Yet my data provider app says I still have 4gb left unused. It’d be great to see Apple respond to this though.
Same here. I’ve had 146 GB (hundred and forty six). All whilst personal hotspot and family sharing is switched off! ‘Other devices’. My MacBook has used 5.44 mB of data. What is going on? Anyone? Apple? This is a serious issue as data, especially whilst roaming is an issue.
My data connection doesn’t. I have unlimited data. I get a white screen when I do an internet search. It basically won’t let me connect at all. It left me hanging in an Emergency Roadside Service call. Not cool. I check my data usage and the HOTSPOT is using all the data 658 mb. I don’t even use the HOTSPOT. I try to turn it off, but “other devices” is using it. It’s just me and my little iPhone. No other devices. Have I been hacked by some bitcoin miner using some private virtual network through my phone? I’m unable to connect most of the time. Is this a hack job, an ISP issue, an Apple bug? Has Apple responded with a remedy? How do I fix this? Sounds like a major security breach to me, as well. Thank you
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Other Devices have access to my Hotspot. I must always put in my password twice or more… It starts by rejecting it a couple of times before Hotspot connects. Bunch of unknown MAC addresses too. Apple doesn’t think it matters.
Same here, I tried everything. It is really unbelievable.....
Hello,
I have the exact same issue, does anyone have any idea?
iPhone 14 pro
iOS 17.1.2
Thanks
Me too, personal hotspot is turned off but consumes data. my 9GB data which usually last me 6days of normal use was used up in 3 days. Please help
Same here, saying I’ve used over 20gb on other devices. Reset my password and statistics twice now and it’s still happening.
Having the exact same problem. My personal hotspot used 400 mb of data in minutes without me using any other data
'Other Devices' using data even when Personal Hotspot is switched off
