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Why has data usage increased exponentially out of the blue?

Nothing new at all, but data usage skyrocketing to unaffordable levels -- from 6G to 10G in a few days?? Really? Verizon customer service completely unhelpful, but as they stand to profit, why would they help me with this? I suspect they're doing it on the sly, actually.

Comments

Verizon_Support

We definitely want to make sure you have the best data plan to meet your needs and that you can monitor your data usage as easily as possible aquamarine. Please be assured we bill with accuracy and integrity at all times. What model iPhone do you have? Did you recently upgrade the devices? When did your usage start to increase?

JonathanK_VZW

VZWSupport

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aquamarine

Sorry, I don't believe you anymore. You people have lied to me too many times. Stop playing your fake question game. Your stupid bogus questions have nothing to do with anything and you know it. I've filed complaints with the FCC, my state AG office and I'm pursuing the possibility of a lawsuit because you and I both know this is a dirty, deceitful, thieving game you are playing.

aquamarine

And now ANOTHER 2Gs of data supposedly used AFTER SHE DELETED EVERY SINGLE APP AND TURNED OFF CELLULAR DATA.

This is absolute and utter deceit and dishonesty and thievery. Absolutely disgusting.

Verizon_Support

Oh goodness, aquamarine. I can see how this can not only be baffling, but also upsetting. At this time, there are no apps on the device? Which device is she using?

TamaraH_VZW

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aquamarine

Stop (removed) me with (removed) questions. You're stealing from us. I've

already contacted a laywer and filed complaints with the appropriate

agencies.

I'm done with you (removed)

Edited as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

jb426

I'm with ya aqua. They are deceitful, play games and talk in circles. They are not forth right and make things difficult to understand. I recently added a basic phone to our family plan, somehow my plan changed even though all I did was add a phone. I had unlimited texting before, ended up with a $112 bill for texting. Called, they said I changed my plan, not sure how I did that. They changed it back but said I have to pay for the texting. All I wanted was to add a basic phone to my plan. Somehow I lost my unlimited texting on all lines, even though I didn't touch any other options on any phones except the one I ordered

Jiminraleigh

Your response/actions are correct - be sure to document EVERYTHING.

This is my last day with VZ after 27 years... but I watched the degradation, price increases as the cost of PROVIDING the services dropped.

I am getting EVERYTHING for $25 and after 5 weeks of testing, love my new provider.

Airplane mode terminates data consumption over cell. Wifi ONLY on uses your wifi connection ONLY.

Good luck and goodbye

Bengi010

I'm just throwing in my 2 cents because I have been struggling with ridiculous data usage on my wifes iphone 5s and I think I may have found the culprit. Believe it or not it isn't Verizon, though you can keep bashing them if you want. For me anyway the data hog is Facebook. It had consumed almost 5Gb of data in the last month or two. From what I've been able to learn it looks like they have a new feature that preloads all the videos that you come across so they play smoothly. This of course eats up huge amounts of data and the fact that this setting is turned ON by default is purely criminal. To turn it off go Settings then scroll down to Facebook then go into the Facebook Settings and turn off auto play or turn it to wifi only (As it should be set to by default by all logic and reason but is not).

Of course if you really do have all cellular data turned off then that fix isn't going to help. There is also tons of documentation on the net about the new iphones using cellular data even when connected to wi-fi (just google it). Apparently it's some kind of glitch and Verizon has said that people effected by this won't be charged for the extra data usage...but good luck proving it.

SP5S

I am having the exact same issue, where data usage is doubling, even though we are doing nothing different - and using WiFi where available even more so. What is going on???

jules4135

Thanks I am going to try making your recommendations to the FB settings. Ridiculous!! I am on wi-fi 90% of the day and this is driving me nuts!

Verizon_Support

Hello SP5S!

Let's get to the bottom of this once and for all. Thanks to Bengi010 for your contribution. I'd like to add to that, if I may.

The 4G iPhone devices are a little different, by design, from the manufacturer. When using Wifi, if the device goes to standby mode (when the screen goes blank), cellular data is used by default. So, when using Wifi, please go to settings/cellular/cellular data and turn it off. This way no cellular data can be used when in Wifi, even if the device goes to standby/sleep mode.

Thanks!

ChristinaB_VZW

VZW Support

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Jiminraleigh

Seems as well though the only practical answer is an unlimited data plan

when using an IPhone....otherwise you will be babysitting your phone all

the time. If Verizon refuses to grant you a plan that is compatible with

the phone that they sold to you.... It is time.to change.something - either

the phone or the provider. Based on the comments on this site....iPhone

and a simple.10.gig plan are.not compatible without extensive intervention

on.the phone owners part. Good luck in your decision.

On Jul 4, 2014 4:19 PM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

Verizon_Support

jules4135 We want you to enjoy your phone! Wifi connection definitely helps save data as long as your wifi does not drop connection. Once your try adjusting the facebook settings as mentioned by Bengi010 also go to settings, cellular and disable cellular data (if you haven't tried this step yet). We se others mentioned having the cellular data off and this issue still occuring but if you run into the same problem we can escalate a ticket. Please keep us posted.

Sheritah_vzw

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@VZWSupport

sjmom

We have also experienced this same problem. A sudden substantial increase in data usage by our one i-phone. Beyond frustrated.

Verizon_Support

Sjmom,

Lets make sure your data usage is where you want it! We need to identify what is using all of this data to figure out how to stop it. Although Verizon does not support technology to track exactly what uses your data, apps in the App Store like Onovo Count Free can track this usage and provide you with the info we need.

SarahO_VZW

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Leenmorse

I too have seen a significant increase in data and have had to increase my plan twice. It is getting out of hand. We are using far too much for the amount the phones are in use. I work 10-15 hour days and don't use the phone while at work and still seeing data run out in less than 10 days.

Verizon_Support

Leenmorse,

Let's make sure we find the root cause of the data usage. If you have Facebook or Instagram, the applications now have the feature to Auto Play videos. You can go into your application and turn off Auto Play.

RobinD_VZW

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tetreama

I have the exact same problem. My data usage has been around 2GB per period for ever. My data limit is 2GB. Last month my bill reports 10GB of usage!!!! This is $80 in overages. I did not even receive a notice that I was exceeding my limit. Of course, the only option Verizon offers is to change my data plan. To do this, I would also have to change my wife's Unlimited Data plan, which Verizon doesn't offer anymore. My theory is that Verizon is trying to strong arm accounts that have unlimited data plans and force them to change their data plans.

Verizon is unscrupulous.

Tidbits

I have unlimited data plan and I don't have this problem at all. I use 400mb a month myself or less while the unlimited line uses way more than that.

sbjones8

I agree, something is going on. I used to have the unlimited plan and NEVER went over 2GB. Since Ive renewed my contract and had to pick a data plan, my data usage keeps going up! My habits haven't changed and I use wifi whenever possible, Ive contacted tech support (they really werent much help) and Ive followed the suggestions on this thread and guess what? My data is still going up! Ive already filed a complaint with the FCC, something is going on here and its not right.

Tidbits

Do some of you have Snapchat installed? If yes that's your culprit. Latest update pulls more data

kdavis8602

I have tried it all to limit my data. I am also considering a move to another carrier after my data has quadrupled over last 4 months when I mostly use wi-fi.

Stefanie5

I too am having this problem. Nothing has changed but now after 4 years of usung 2GB or less all of a sudden im almost at my limit of 6GB. I checked the detailed usage online and it shows over 3GB of the usage is all at times I know for a fact the phone is home and on my wifi. When I call customer service im told thats impossible and nothing can be done. They want me to now go through a "troubleshhoting" session over the phone when I get off work which im willing to bet will use up the last 0.6GB of data I have left n then the overage charging begins. When I tell the rep I upgraded less than a month ago n if this issue isnt resolved Ill haveto go elsewhere she replies to do what I have to but there will be well over $500 in termination fees! Ive been a Verizon customer for over 10 years and have reffered many others n now this is how they repay us.

Bill21784

This is nothing new for the iPhone 5&6 with IOS 7 or 8.

Apple default settings to use Mobile Data and sync to iCloud at random times.

But they only give you 2GB. If you upgrade phones backups from the old phone hang around and take up storage. If you hit the 2G limit. the SYNC keeps trying and uses your Mobile Data. Turn OFF Celular Data for iCloud and iTunes to only sync when on WiFi. Also, check which App(s) are using your Mobile Data. Then go to Settings -> Cellular -> Use Cellular For: and scroll to App and toogle to OFF. (Then app will uses WiFi).

Good Luck.

Livingthelifeofriley

Wow, one week with my iPhone six and my dated has increase exponentially. I read everything I could online to turn off programs etc that might use data unexpectedly. Going from 4s to 6plus was a big mistake. I'm using phone less and using more data. Something is fishy though it will be denied I'm sure. Just like the technical telling me the air bubbles under my glass protection screen will disappear.

Tidbits

Just by going from a 3.6 inch screen to a 4.7 inch screen makes a difference from videos to even application resources. Moving from a 3G to 4G also affects apps. I have given example in this thread but it got buried.

Weth

Expect data use to increase 2 to 2.5 times going from 3G to 4G LTE. This has been shown by customer average use at all the cellular companies.

and if you use a lot of video, it will increase even more. On 3G like the 4S, video may use 0.3 GB/hr and on 4G LTE it could use 3 GB/hr or more! That is an exponential increase.

Neeltje

I'm a dinosaur who started out with a "Share Everything" Plan 2 years ago when I moved back to the States. Since then, I've used my Verizon 4G LTE HTC smarty Paperweight as a phone and nothing else (I don't even know how to text). Granted, the Verizon Hotspot I purchased at the same time has allowed me to access my e-mail on my laptop wherever I can plug it in, even on the boat. But as others have mentioned before, I went from a 2gb to a 12gb usage in the past few months, without changing my daily routine one iota.

rmvaughn1105

This had been an ongoing issue for me with my son's 5s. Verizon did a warranty replacement on our original 5s....immediately out data usage increased with that phone. Every time I increased the data on my plan the phones usage increased. It was drawing data when I know he was home and on Wi-Fi. Customer support was useless. He dropped his phone and broke it and had to use his old 4...our data went back below the normal 3G. Renewed our contract and H's got another 5s. Suddenly we had overages again. We have gone from using less than 3G to using over 10G. All from this one phone. I have a Samsung and my other son has the iPhone 6 and our usage is normal. This is an issue that support knows nothing about.....Verizon is ignorant to. Strangely I got a survey from Apple regarding Verizon support. Needless to say I gave a Poor rating. I am done with Verizon when my contract is up.

Verizon_Support

We want to make sure you and your family don't get any overages rmvaughn1105! We appreciate your loyalty and would miss you if you left! We really want to work with you to see what the root cause is. We have this new great tool http://spr.ly/6589fX1B* that will tell you what is using your data. Please advise of what it is to see if we can get your data under control. We do also offer Family Base http://spr.ly/6580fX18 base product:Top which is currently free for one month after that it is $5.00 a month for the whole family. This will allow you to manage your data and much more.
AmberF_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

Guitaree1

I agree aquamarine!!!

I am sick sick sick of being raked of Money over this. Seems every company drags you in with promising low rates and then stick it too you after you have been with them about 6 months!!!!

btcompute

I haven't seen this posted in this thread, so here goes:

Have any of you looked at the data usage numbers on your iphone?

Perhaps you have done this already, but if you go to settings...Cellular, and scroll down, you will see a list the apps on the phone. The apps that are using data will show a data number below the app name.

This will tell you which apps are using the most data since the "Last Reset" date displayed at the very bottom of the screen. You can reset this date at any time (perhaps the start of your billing period) to get a better idea of when the apps are using the data.

Also at the bottom of the list is "System Services". Click on it and you will see what items the phone itself is using.

You can also get some detailed data usage numbers by logging into your Verizon account on your home computer.

I hope this helps folks who are questioning how their data is being used.

James3G

I doubt Verizon is actually doing it, but they are not going to break their backs finding the problem when the only consequence for them is doubling and tripling revenue. Furthermore, in my case, I KNOW they are not carrying the data, either, so it presents a problem. I like the Jetpack and the service, but I can't continue to let them charge me for data I don't use, and that appaears to be the case, not only for me, but for many others. It has started within the last 60 to 90 days. In my case, it is not Windows 10 nor any other updates. Mine increases even when it is off! I am going to start a log to compare my data transfer numbers to their meter, and if I can't reconcile it, I will just have to quit. As I say, it is a shame, because I really like the company and the service. But nobody but the ultra rich could live with what has been happening. It is real! You are not imagining it!

Millie77

Well let me tell you I went from 6GB to almost 9 in less than an hour and that's with cellular data turned off this is such a disappointment and a rip off why is Verizon so deceitful you are stealing our money and we cannot do anything about it or maybe we can we should all take our business elsewhere fix this problem or you will lose a lot of business

Millie77

Really how do I file a complaint, there is definitely something fishy going on and it's not right

Millie77

No I don't have snapchat

Weth

Were you using cellular data in the previous 6 hours? You do realize reporting is often delayed, with 6 hours when the cell sites report use.

Millie77

Supposedly I was on wifi the whole time but I'm guessing that doesn't matter and how coincidental that is only my line who used up 8 GB that's just unheard of in our case besides Verizon app needs to be fix cause I checked my usage a few days ago and I was not showing much use then so that means I used all that data in maybe 24 hours... I would say bring back unlimited data

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