Q: The iPhone 5 uses Cellular Data over WiFi?

Our family having the same data leak issues with Iphone5 and Verizon... Verizon wants to say is the phone... reset this, do that, turn that off... Thing is it is teen daughter's phone, the only of the four of us w this problem. Made a buch of data changes, upgraded OS...never really solved issue. Had to get a replacement iphone because of mechanical issues (lock button malfuntion), and her new phone (which was my husband's Iphone5)  is now having data leaks... but never had data leaks when he used had it. So i'm really thinking this is app leak/conflict. For example: 2 days of crazy data amounts which i am certain she should have been on wifi. Tues. 152M at 4:30pm and Wed. 304M at 10:30am and 152M at 4:30. her phone alone has used 1.4G in two weeks, while the other three of us combined have only used about 600M.

any ideas???

Upgrade to iOS7 if you haven't don that already.

Go to Settings->Cellular

Scroll to the bottom of the page

Reset Statistics so you can start from 0 and watch what is going on

Periodically review the usage by app.  This will help pinpoint where the problem is.  You can turn off cellular for individual apps that look like they are causing problems (which is better than having to turn it off for all apps).  If you identify a bad acting app you can deal with it.  Or just leave cellular off for it.  There is also cellular usage for system services as a sub page.  You have less control over system services but you can see where your data is going.  This can help you argue with Verizon on how to get it fixed.

thanks. We are all upgraded to the latest and greatest... and her phone was rest to factory when switched from my husband to her (only a few weeks ago)... so no reason to perfom another reset.

That was my next step to check the cellular data on/off for individual apps...

thanks i will try anything. we dont want to keep purchasing more data packages for NO reason...

If you don't mind a slighly slower phone when using internet or apps that use LTE/3G, just turn off the LTE. That solved all of my data usage issues.

(Answering my own question.)

Apple's own Message/iMessage app refuses to operate if cellular service is disabled, but the phone has a working wifi connection. 

Apple's app displays this bogus error message: "You must diable airplane mode to send or receive messages." and refuses to send a composed message.

Also, I recall reading that Facebook's iOS app transfers more data when it's doing it over a Wi-Fi connection; while avoiding being a hog otherwise.

You can turn wifi back on while in airplane mode (which turns off both cellular voice and data off, but wifi enabled).  iMessage has to have a means to access the internet, either via wifi or cellular data.  Airplane mode will turn off both.  But you can re-enable wifi back on again even while you are in airplane mode.

You should also look at your cellular data usage for each app in "Settings > celluar".  You should be able to find out which app is the cellular data hog in iOS7.  Look under "System Services" too so you can pinpoint where the source of your data leak is.

We too have filed an FCC complaint. Thank you for the link. We had no problems on our shared data plan until my son bought an iPhone 5S. We've changed settings, we've turned the data off, and still... data charges. Now he just turns the phone off, what a completely worthless device. I hope Apple does something soon because two other people in our house have iPhone 4's and they don't have any problems staying connected to wireless and NOT using all the data on our plan.

Good for you!  I'm quite disturbed because I records data download even when I'm not on the phone, while I'm asleep!  And, the majority of the time that I use data, is when I'm using WiFi--but I am charged for that too!

I'm not over my data limit, so it hasn't caused charges, but the combination of T-Mobile and Apple causing fraudulent charges, is quite offensive.  I think the FCC should look at all the providers as well as Apple.

All you have to do is turn off the LTE. That solved all my data usage problems. It stinks that LTE uses data even when you're on wifi, but that's just a problem that they're going to need to fix. Until then, I'm not using the LTE.

bannana77 -

THANK YOU. Turning off the LTE did SOLVE the high data usage problem for my sons iPhone 5s.

Wish I saw this before we paid an extra $135 in data overage charges.

A little side note: Did you know if you're on an AT&T data plan, you can log into your billing account and turn one phone, in your shared package OFF(the data usage) for the remainder of the billing cycle? Would have come in handy, but they don't let you know this over customer service.

Cheers,

Melodie

You should ask your carrier to refund the overage charges. AT&T refunded our overage charges once I complained to them that my daughter's iPhone was using cellular data when connected to wifi. I went to the AT&T store to try to troubleshoot the issue--actually the guy at the store told me to just call them whenever there are overages since he wasn't able to correct the problem and they would always credit our account. I didn't want to bother with that, so she just has to remember to turn cellular data off whenever she's connected to wifi. A pain, but until apple fixes it, that's the solution.

At any rate, explain the situation and ask your carrier for a refund--and be sure to ask to talk to a manager if the first person says they can't give you a refund.

no my 4 does the same thing with IOS 7!

My problem is I am using my Mac and I am connected to wifi... And I have a iphone 5.. My husband has a iphone4 and

I also have a ipad2.. My iphone5 for some reason doesn't show I'm connected to the wifi .. The wifi icon isn't there just

Either the LTE or 4G.. And if I turn off the cellular data and try to surf the net.. It says I'm not connected to the Internet

I even turned off the LTE thinking that's the problem...I don't know a lot about how things work.. My husband's iphone4

Is using wifi..also my ipad.. So what's my problem?.. And I didn't upgrade to the OS 6.. And I don't use iCloud .. I hope

Someone can help me..I want to be using my wifi..I'm trying to keep my phone bill down and using wifi is supposed to

Help... So any help will be appreciated... Thank You...

The first thing I would try is updating your phone to IOS 7.

Cleo001

Have you tried to join your wifi network on your phone?  Make sure you select the one your other devices are on.  If your network has a password and by chance you entered it incorrectly, you may have to go settings, general, reset,   reset network settings and try again.  Worth a try in any case.

I assure you, updating to ios7 will NOT solve your problem.  Avoid updating until ios 7.1 comes out in a month or so, if you haven't already taken the plunge.  iOS 7 is unstable right now.