How to reduce WiFi data consumption

Question

Level 1

7 points

How to reduce WiFi data consumption

I work on a ship that charges £20 for 750MB of data and i keep using it very quickly and costing a fortune. I need to find a way of controling how much data im using.

I Have disabled the following:

Automatic Downloads Music,
- Apps
- Books & Audiobooks
- Updates
iCloud
- iCloud Photo Library
- My Photo Stream
- Backup

The problem seems to happen mainly when connected to Wifi and plugged in to power.

Any solutions or ideas would be appreciated as its costing myself and my colleagues a fortune to comunicate with our familes back at home.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on May 19, 2016 11:32 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Subsea Stu Author

Level 1

7 points

May 19, 2016 3:35 PM in response to elcpu

Maybe this could be the issue. has there been a iOS update in recent days?

I already turn off background app refresh, but this still dosent use too much data. I lost 400MB yesterday and my friend lost a full 750MB after topping up for £20 😮

Think its poor that you cannot limit the data that is used when connected to Wifi. there are still lots of places that charge per MB when im traveling and think it should have the same functions to conserve data that cellular mode has.

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Answer 2

elcpu

Level 7

31,586 points

May 19, 2016 3:29 PM in response to Subsea Stu

iOS updates come across when on Wi-Fi and on power, no way to avoid that other than turning Wi-Fi off when re-charging. Maybe that will help.

Also do you have Background App Refresh turned on, if so turn it off. It is under Settings > General.

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Answer 3

BBoiss

Level 4

1,433 points

May 19, 2016 3:40 PM in response to Subsea Stu

9.3.2 was just released 2 days ago, yes.

Some other options that may help with your iPhone's data consumption, when on WiFi:

Turn off Automatic Downloads/Updates for iTunes & App Store through Settings

Adjust Location Services under Privacy in Settings

Disable Background App Refresh, as needed, in Settings>General

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Answer 4

elcpu

Level 7

31,586 points

May 19, 2016 3:36 PM in response to Subsea Stu

Makes sense. You could suggest that feature to Apple here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

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Answer 5

Subsea Stu Author

Level 1

7 points

May 19, 2016 3:23 PM in response to Subsea Stu

When i say i keep using the data, it seems to disappear like some background funtcion using it. e.g. auto update. anyone know what could be causing this?

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