Phone is using cellular data even when mobile data set to 'off'

Question

Level 1

7 points

Phone is using cellular data even when mobile data set to 'off'

I have a mobile data plan where I am only charged for days when I use data. When I don't use data, no charge. I have noticed, however, that I frequently get a charge when I have had the "mobile data" setting turned "off" all day.

It's an iPhone 6, with iOS 11.03.

First I noticed it happening on days when I did a software update. That happened several times.

Then I noticed it when I just restarted my phone. I was on a chat with Apple at the time, so I described it as it happened.

Today I noticed it when I took the SIM card out, then replaced it, but didn't restart the phone.

Each time, it has registered a tiny bit of mobile data usage, which my provider can see, and that causes them to charge me.

I've had two long support chats about this, but Apple haven't agreed it's a problem. They said they would escalate it - actually, the term was "tell someone", so I think I'm being ignored.

I appreciate that only people using this kind of phone plan would notice it, and it's an unusual plan.

So I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed such a thing?

iPhone 6, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Oct 17, 2017 9:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 18, 2017 1:29 AM in response to Spring_chook

Hello, I had this problem recently while traveling out of the country. Even though I had shut off all forms of cellular data usage that I could think of my carrier still managed to find a way to charge me for 2 days of usage. After that I removed my SIM card until I was back home. I don’t think Apple has any control over this.

You might try going into Settings, Cellular, turn off Cellular Data, turn off all roaming. Scroll down past the list of apps and turn off Wi-Fi Assist, turn off iCloud Drive. ( This may effect many services such as Find My iPhone, Apple Pay, etc.)

In Settings, Messages, turn off Send as SMS.

In Settings, Phone, make sure you have Wi-Fi Calling turned on.

That should help. The only way to completely stop usage that you don’t want is to remove your SIM card, and only put it in your phone when you want to use Cellular Data, but that is a real pain.

If you want to see how the Cellular Data is being used: Open Settings, Cellular, scroll down past the apps list to

System Services. There you will see a list what “services” are using the data, and how much each is using.

If you want to reset that list so that you can see only new usage just scroll down to the bottom of the page to

Reset Statistics. Tapping Reset Statistics will erase all past data, and remove the System Services box, but as soon as any cellular data is used the System Services box will return, and you will be able to see exactly how your data is being used.

You could reset the Statistics daily, and take a screenshot of the list each evening if you wanted a record of how the data is being used.

Out of curiosity I turned off Wi-Fi, and sent myself a photo via text. A total of 21.6MB of data were used spread over 5 different services. It is a complicated issue.

Maintaining a Cell Phone without using cellular data will greatly diminish the phones capabilities.

If you find that you are getting by without using cellular data you might be happier with an iPad that just has Wi-Fi. You can make calls, send text etc. just only when connected to the Internet. That would allow you to drop your carrier completely.

I hope this helps!

Reply

Answer 2

Spring_chook Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 22, 2017 3:04 PM in response to woollenwicce

Thanks for that thoughtful answer. I had basically already set all the settings as you suggest. When I did a "Reset Statistics", I found that this small amount of usage shows up as "System Services > Mobile Services".

I also had it happen again - this time I just turned the phone off and on again when I went to a show.

And although I don't mention it here, yes, I do really want it to work as a phone, but only when I turn it on deliberately!

Reply