iPhone X EXCESSIVE data usage

This is my second IPhone X. The first one burned through 18GB of data in 5days. My plan is 10, with 4 bonus gig, which IVE NEVER EVER FONE OVER...


Just got home from the apple store with my NEW PHONE.

WiFi connected

WiFi assist off.


Fb messenger has used 9.2KB while on WiFi, with WiFi assist OFF. It’s the only app that has eaten data.


In 5 mins system services has used 799kb. In 2 hours it used an additional 3gig. I’m not even on the darn thing. It’s sitting on my counter! Verizon tech working with me is at a loss. Gave me open data to try and work through it. Apple store? They haven’t a clue what to do either. I’ve shut off all non essential apps for cellular. I feel like I’m back using a Motorola Star TAC. This phone is just burning data like it is a tinder box. Tech support? I’ve been on the phone with them every night this week. All say the same:

Network setting reset

Erase, reformat, back up from iCloud

Erase, reformat, use as new phone.



All ends up burning data. Apple, I expected more. Really. when I buy apple, I expect it to work WITH OUT issue. Someone is rolling in his grave.


Anyone have any solutions since the Apple is completely unaware there is an issue here? Even a simple google search shows that it’s not just me!

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Posted on Dec 7, 2017 6:25 PM

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48 replies

Jan 29, 2018 2:42 PM in response to Richard Caughlan

Richard Caughlan wrote:


They both mentioned that with the new X screen resolution cell data is going to increase substantially,

For comparison, I have an iPhone X using AT&T. I use Wi-Fi perhaps 75% of the time.


I last reset my cellular data statistics 15 days ago. Since then, I have used 233MB of cellular data total, or about 15½ megabytes of cellular data daily.


This is a negligible number!

Jan 29, 2018 3:14 PM in response to sberman

Well that’s a relief to know. I only have 1G a month plan. Normally carry over .8 every month until X. Cable went out the other day for a couple hours and I burned through 500Mb. Watched a couple YouTube videos for about 20 minutes. My cell data YouTube usage alone in the month I’ve had the new X and under 98% WiFi coverage was 989Mb. In 13 days of almost constsnt WiFi coverage I’ve used 1.8G cell data compared to 200Mb per month on my 7. I only get one or two cell bars here in the house and can barely make a call cutting out constantly without WiFi assist on.

Jan 29, 2018 4:41 PM in response to bam7722

Calm down. Your anger makes your post difficult to understand. From what I can gather, you're saying that your phone used nearly a gig of cellular data in five minutes of "non-usage." Is that correct?


My first suggestion is that you leave the cellular data switch on (or turn it on if it's off) BUT turn the switch off for EVERY ONE of the apps. Wait long enough to determine if the problem is still present. If it IS STILL PRESENT, we haven't learned much and we have to figure out a "Plan B."


If the problem is NOT present, turn on one app at a time until the problem returns. Then you will know a rogue app is causing the problem and you'll know which app it is. Then, focus your troubleshooting on that app - check the Settings, delete/reload, etc.

Jan 29, 2018 7:01 PM in response to bam7722

Your voicemail, iTunes media & Apple ID services alone and individually are consuming a large amount of data in system services, on top of all else 😮

I'd turn off Automatic downloads and updates for apps, streaming for music, adjust playback on media, etc, automatic backups (and, no idea what to say about voicemail, except for woah), unless you feel okay with the current status now.

Jan 30, 2018 6:08 AM in response to liv0123

liv0123 wrote:


Your voicemail, iTunes media & Apple ID services alone and individually are consuming a large amount of data in system services, on top of all else

I'd turn off Automatic downloads and updates for apps, streaming for music, adjust playback on media, etc, automatic backups (and, no idea what to say about voicemail, except for woah), unless you feel okay with the current status now.

Well, no. Voicemail consumes very little unless you get hundreds of messages a month. iTunes media, only if you turn on "Use Cellular Data" in settings/iTunes & App Stores. You can leave Automatic Downloads on as long as you restrict it to Wi-Fi in this way. Automatic backups NEVER go over cellular data. They only happen if the phone is locked, connected to power, and connected to Wi-Fi.


Music streaming is a choice; while it uses data, it doesn't use huge amounts.


But rather than a "shotgun" approach of randomly turning off stuff, just go to Settings/Cellular and you can see how much cellular data each app and system service uses to allow you to make an informed decision. And in the same place you can turn off the apps and services that you don't want to use cellular data.

Jan 30, 2018 2:24 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

No, a "shotgun" approach isn't wise. Just commenting on that particular user's cell data usage in system services. The voicemail size alone shocked me a bit.

I feel it's obvious to go to cellular usage. I agree - everyone should go there first.

However, I've noticed a significant difference in what some of my apps show for data usage within the app vs what it states under cellular usage. I adjusted my settings accordingly in apps, restarted phone & so on. Everything seems to be on point now and aligned.

Regarding automatic backups, etc, I need to call my carrier back. They caught me at a "good time" to tell me that WiFi services are still pushing cell usage regardless. I just went right along with the extra creative explanation they gave. I dunno...agitated with myself now and, I see how irrational and contradictory the info they stated is. If it were another person, I'd have caught at least some of the reasoning they gave that I know to not be true. But when it's me, I give them too much say and I just follow along; I become very passive and the complete opposite of my tech mode. Not good.

I am in charge of several mobile devices alone, at work is the irony. I tend to rotate use of them. Those are fine, with minor adjustments needed at times. I stay on top of those. But, I have two personal devices - the one I pay out of pocket for is the one I tend to use the most and just hand over to them essentially and tolerate lots with. Bottom line, I realize I need to get this straightened out asap, minus distractions so I'll be more engaged vs following directives that they know I'll just follow, so I can get back to work, for example. 😑

Jan 30, 2018 4:09 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Lawrence Finch wrote:


If the checks fail the packet is re-sent, and repeated until it is received correctly.

I'm going back a few years but I remember a limit of three retries. Is that no longer true? I'm really hazy about this but I think that, after three retries, the transmission ceased and it was necessary for the human to request a retransmission of the entire message (which could range from diddly-squat to humungous).


To give you an idea how far I'm going back, I'm thinking of 3270 "Bisync" protocol.

Jan 30, 2018 4:16 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Well, 3270 wasn't packet switched. I don't know the number of retries; 3 is reasonable. The app would then be notified of the failure. The app can then retry, but that would count in the data usage numbers in Settings/Cellular. I have long suspected that heavy data or battery usage after an update is caused by apps that never know when to stop retrying after they are interrupted by the update.

Jan 30, 2018 5:18 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Okay, now we're talking. I understand this....this brought up knowledge I thought I had pushed so far aside to focus on software and hardware, that I felt I may never recoup.

Retransmission. You nailed it with this. That's me at home, 98% of the time I'd safely say. My cell connection is either null or extremely poor. But, that app data and so on gets through regardless, even when my WiFi decides it's going to act up, which it does a fair amount.

It's all making sense now.

I too call internationally- two friends in particular. I was counting on this one, so yep - concur and same with me.

Lightbulb moment though: App retransmission. I knew there was something regarding my apps that had them at a usage just too high. The cell issue began about 7-8 weeks ago now, I'd say. I saw the peaks.

I just couldn't place it....they are retransmitting and I feel sure, trying to the maximum attempts. This adds up to the stats I was seeing. It also explains why my phones at home use the same or more cell usage than my devices at work, where my cell connection is exceptional. I kept wondering how I could use equal to or greater cell usage in an area that isn't responding to cellular coverage like it should (and, where I naturally have to rely on my home WiFi) vs my work devices with superior cell coverage in that area and typically, less usage of activity on them overall. Now, I know.

*Good to know I can discount my backups. I really like iCloud for syncing & backing up, so this just heightens my bias towards it.

I feel very confident with this knowledge given back to me again and better prepared, once again.

You really should post this as a user tip somewhere, Laurence. Anyone, from the average consumer to your software techs, analysts, etc, can use this, as we tend to have our mindset on software and hardware which is very difficult to deviate from....I get so focused on the software specifically, that it gets to be very trying on the mind to consider other elements, and I find myself reaching out for counsel. Working with multiple devices regularly makes me quite dependent on guys like you for the cell, WiFi and transmission of an array of data issues overall and to help bring all of a device's components together to help resolve issues, improve device performance and so on.

Really good stuff here. You helped me put the pieces together...finally.. This will assist in many ways for me and in turn, others.

Thank you so much. Love when things just make sense.

Please consider publishing somewhere. Well written, user friendly, concise, and practical - makes for the perfect combo of info that needs to be shared.

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iPhone X EXCESSIVE data usage

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