Ridiculous data charges

Question

Level 1

0 points

Ridiculous data charges

I have an iPhone 4S, latest firmware, using Rogers (Canada) as carrier.

This is absolutely ridiculous. It's fine if I get charge stupidly crazy amounts of data charges once, but no I got charged crazy amounts two months in a row, and the funny thing is I've only had the phone for like 3 months, and so far only had 1 month where I got charged a normal fee. The first month I got charged like $2000 in data charges, a few phone calls dropped that to around $300. Apparently some stupid apps leeched data usage even while the phone is in standby. Ok fine I guess I'll just have to put up with the fact that the iPhone wasn't designed for the average consumer in mind and loves to exploit data usage when we don't notice it. Like some kind of sneak thief that we always have to guard from.

This month I got another crazy data usage charge, $400, despite the fact I did every single thing of the following:

- Double tap home button to close ALL apps when going into standby

- Going to options and disable 3G

- Going to options and even disable wifi in case something stupid happens

Why does it still use data when everything is off?? Is there like some kind of hidden app that turns itself and 3G on randomly and start leeching data?

I'm just really p*ssed off right now so I apologize for the harsh wording. I already paid tons of money for this phone yet I can't find a way to protect myself from being absolutely butchered by my carrier in data charges?

iPhone 4S, iOS 6

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 9:18 PM

Reply

Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

263,793 points

Oct 25, 2012 9:22 PM in response to Celestia123

Here's an article that might give you insight into your data usage:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4146

Reply

Answer 2

Celestia123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2012 9:53 PM in response to sberman

Hi thanks for the link.

I always have cellular data off. But I do not find an "off" button for push notifications? All I see is "enable do not disturb mode", then a list of apps. But just assuming that I didn't turn push notifications off, these alone can accumulate to $400 of data usage? Aren't they just simple alerts?

Reply

Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

263,793 points

Oct 25, 2012 9:59 PM in response to Celestia123

Regarding push notifications, this is from the article:

______

To fetch new data manually, from the Home screen choose Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data and tap Manually. To increase the fetch interval, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data and tap Hourly. Note that this is a global setting and applies to all applications that do not support push services.

________

Get the data pushed manually, if and when you specifically request it.

Regarding how you accumulated the charges, you will probably have to consult your cellular bill or contact your cellular carrier. The article provides general principles how to reduce the cellular data usage.

Reply

Answer 4

sberman

Level 10

263,793 points

Oct 25, 2012 10:02 PM in response to Celestia123

One more important point (perhaps the most important):

You ask "Aren't they just simple alerts?" No!

When an email arrives, you're using cellular data to download it!

When you send an email, you're using cellular data for that too!

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 26, 2012 10:29 AM in response to Celestia123

Celestia, did you (or do you) have the Podcasts app installed? I've also had some very strange data issues, blowing through my data plan in a very short period of time. The only thing that changed was an update to iOS6 and using the podcast app. I'm still trying to figure out just what is going on, but it looks like the Podcasts app has been a big part of the problem, even though I only followed one show and didn't have automatic downloading activated.

I'm just curious how many people with data issues might have Podcasts installed...

Reply

Answer 6

Celestia123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2012 5:18 PM in response to David Dempsey

No I never use podcast.

Just to make sure, if I:

- Close all app processes

- Turn data roaming off

- Turn cellular data off

- Turn all notifications off

There is no way for any app/process/mechanism, hidden or not, to secretly start using data??

Ugh the new iPhones feel so much dumber than the old iPhones. There's none of these preventative measure crap with my iPhone 3G, I just put it in my pocket and never ever have to worry about something stupid like unconscious data overuse.

Reply

Answer 7

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Oct 26, 2012 5:46 PM in response to Celestia123

Your complaint is with the carrier, not Apple. There are online calculators that can assist you with estimating the amount of data and costs. It would behoove you to try one of them.

Reply

Answer 8

Celestia123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2012 6:14 PM in response to carl wolf

The carrier is only responsible for taking in the cash. How will calling the carrier solve anything?

I'm trying to find out how to not use data unconsciously. The carrier would LOVE for me to use data unconsciously, like the last 2 months.

So if anyone can confirm if I do the above 4 things, then no data whatsoever will be used? If I need to open a few web pages while outside with no wifi then which one do I turn on, cellular data or data roaming?

Reply

Answer 9

Monotoko

Level 1

35 points

Oct 26, 2012 6:31 PM in response to Celestia123

That seems especially high for a few emails and notifications... do you have a data plan, if so how much? I barely use 100mb a month doing the same things you are describing.

Reply

Answer 10

sberman

Level 10

263,793 points

Oct 26, 2012 8:33 PM in response to Celestia123

By the way, in case you use this, maps is a big cellular data hog. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5429

Yes, I would think if you did the four things you mentioned, there would be no cellular data used. But you can self-check this by monitoring Settings > General > Usage > Cellular usage fairly frequently.

Reply