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

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’m on 17.1.2 and I didn’t realize my hotspot has been on for over a month. My speeds just went down tremendously because I’ve used too much data. Says my hotspot has used 403 GB which is INSANE. My phone never tells me it’s connected to something

I have the exact same issue. Always have hotspot turned off, also toggle like maximise Compatibility" etc. My ipad and iphone are not allowed to self connect to a personal hotspot.... and stil it takes a lot of data. Cannot find out what is causing this. Apple Watch? For me also Iphone 14.

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

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!

Same story, iPhone 13 pro, iOS 17.4.1, indicates 8.81 GB traffic on personal hotspot, which is switched off. Seems to be a bug, as my phone service provider app indicates I'm well within my limits on cellular data usage.

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.

Good news on my side. After a recent iOS update and update to network settings that was pushed to my phone (Xfinity/Verizon service), I'm no longer seeing this issue. Not sure if others have seen the same.

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

[Edited by Moderator]

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.

ThisisDUMBXTen wrote: "...Why isn’t Apple fixing this issue, if this many people are having problems?!?"

One possible explanation is that few people tell Apple about the issue:

iPhone Feedback

õ¿õ¬