Data Consumption - Cellular

Question

Data Consumption - Cellular

Over the last 3 weeks, my iPhone 5s has consumed more than 11 GB of data.

Until this 'event' started happening, the largest bill cycle I had was for 500 MB.

After looking at my ATT account, it's happening in the early hours of the morning - 12 PM to 4 AM.

NO apps have been installed, and no iOS software update was done.

In addition, no new apps have been installed.

If I look at Settings>Cellular>System Services, it's all being used by iTunes Accounts (10.8 GB).

iTunes Match is off (at least it says 'Subscribe to iTunes Match'), so is Automatic Downloads>Music, Apps, Books, Updates.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what might be going on?

Thanks!

Posted on Jun 27, 2014 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jun 27, 2014 10:48 AM in response to maybeinoregon

Your AT&T account shows when the data was billed not when it was actually used.

Does anyone else have access to your Apple ID? That much data would tend to indicate that someone is downloading movies or TV shows. You might want to change your Apple ID password just in case.

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Answer 2

Jun 27, 2014 10:53 AM in response to maybeinoregon

Hmmm....

But, no one else has access to my Phone...if someone else had access to my iTuens account, how would that effect cellular data usage?

In addition, wouldn't I see that in my email as an iTunes bill?

It's definitely strange for sure...I'm used to switching off apps after an 'update'...but this is crazy!!

Thanks again for the reply!

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Answer 3

Jun 27, 2014 10:54 AM in response to deggie

(Accidentally replied to myself)

Hmmm....

But, no one else has access to my Phone...if someone else had access to my iTuens account, how would that effect cellular data usage?

In addition, wouldn't I see that in my email as an iTunes bill?

It's definitely strange for sure...I'm used to switching off apps after an 'update'...but this is crazy!!

Thanks again for the reply!

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Answer 4

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jun 27, 2014 10:56 AM in response to maybeinoregon

You're not on a shared data plan are you?

Have you tried Restoring your iPhone from your backup in iTunes?

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Answer 5

Jun 27, 2014 10:58 AM in response to deggie

No, no shared data - was going to go to one for a hotspot...haven't done that yet - still grandfathered in on an unlimited data plan - thank goodness!

I'll try the restore..

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Answer 6

Jun 27, 2014 11:15 AM in response to deggie

Passing along some info from ATT...

According to their representative, even if you have WiFi on, and it shows WiFi on top of phone indication wise, the phone can still use cellular if WiFi is weaker - without showing a cellular indicator.

The rep said to turn off 'cellular data' under settings, when contacted to WiFi, for any future updates...which I'm going to do...'

Thanks again!

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jun 27, 2014 11:18 AM in response to maybeinoregon

Not really accurate, if it has any WiFi connection it will use it first there is no way to evaluate the signal.

What actually does happen is when your phone goes to sleep the WiFi signal is disconnected and it uses the cellular connection. You can avoid this by connecting your iPhone to power which will then hold the WiFi connection.

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Answer 8

Jun 27, 2014 11:20 AM in response to maybeinoregon

Try this:

go to settings<cellular data> scroll down to "use mobile data for" and check what all apps have access to your cellular data.

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Answer 9

Jun 27, 2014 11:23 AM in response to deggie

So, does connecting to power include using USB?

When I update phone (apps etc), I"m using WiFi connected to MBA via USB...

If phone goes to sleep in that scenario, will the phone switch to cellular?

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Answer 10

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jun 27, 2014 11:27 AM in response to maybeinoregon

As long as your computer does not go to sleep it will continue to be powered by USB.

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Answer 11

Jun 27, 2014 11:40 AM in response to deggie

Sorry about this...one more...

Complete scenario...

MBA is closed (sleeping).

Phone is connected via USB.

Phone shows charging.

Phone is on WiFi (switch on, indicator on).

Go to update apps...

If phone goes to sleep, will phone switch to cellular and continue to update?

Is connecting to a computer (MBA) via USB while computer is closed (sleeping but connected to power), will phone switch to cellular?

Thanks again...jeez...been doing this same scenario forever...

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Answer 12

deggie

Level 10

167,543 points

Jun 27, 2014 12:10 PM in response to maybeinoregon

If the MBA goes to sleep it ceases charging the iPhone and actually can deplete the charge. Use your wall charger.

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Answer 13

Jun 27, 2014 12:41 PM in response to deggie

Well, I'll be darned...that's what seems to be the consensus of the entire Apple Community and even the knowledge base...USB does not charge if computer is asleep....

Although, I've been doing this very thing for years..

My MBA has power to it, yet lid is closed, iPad is on top of that (charging), and iPhone is on top of iPad (charging).

I've even tested...unplugged each..closed MBA...waited for several minutes...then plugged in USB on left side, then plugged in iPad - and received the visual and audio 'charging'. Then, plugged USB in right side, and plugged in iPhone - and received audio and visual 'charging'.

Maybe it's because I have System Pref>Energy Setting>Computer Sleep>Never under power adapter tab?

Strange...strange indeed.

Well, I guess wall charging it is...

Thank you for your help deggie!

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