“System Services” is using up all my Cellular Data

I recently updated my I-phone 16 to IOS 18.6.2 and since then “System Services” is eating up all of my cellular data. I’ve had this phone for over a year now, and this issue just became a problem.

Typically, I have cellular data toggled on, with only the “maps”, “messages”, and “find my” apps being used. This only consumes around 200mb/month, (for context, our plan only covers 1gb for four people. little ik but it gets the job done)

Anyway, in the days after updating my phone I noticed “system services” had used a HUGE amount of data, around 1.33gb. This rlly angered me bc I was then charged for going over the monthly limit. (the image below shows the breakdown of the “System Services” under cellular usage statistics that went over 1.3gb.)

After receiving the data usage message from our provider, ATT, I started looking into why this could be happening, searching reddit and other community posts hoping to find answers. Following their recommendations, I changed Data Mode to “Low” and turned off Wifi Assist (which had only used 7mb of data). I reset my cellular data statistics, turned off my data, and then checked ios for updates and proceeded to update my phone to IOS 18.7 (while on wifi).

As soon as my phone updated, I checked my cellular data statistics again, and I see 3kb used under “system services” for DNS Services. This really bothered me because my cellular data toggle is off. (the image below shows my cellular data toggle being off. note “turn on this line” is for the usage of my number, in which i have unlimited calls and texts)

This morning I look and see “system services” has used 33.9kb of data (ten times more than last night at 3kb). again 4kb for “DNS services” and 29.2kb for “push notifications”

All this data is being used while my cellular data is still off. What is causing this issue? has my phone been hacked? bc how can my data be used when I have it turned off. (the image below shows my cellular data usage analytics in which u can see the 33.9kb.)

Right now we have decided to turn of my cellular data on ATT’s end. Which is fine, I still have sms and calls, but whatever. It’s just annoying bc I would like to use my phone as a phone, and and not as an ipod.

(oh and maybe further context the only other change that’s happened recently is I just changed my back glass at the genius bar on Thursday. My data went over on Saturday, and today is Tuesday.)

[Edited by Moderator]