Hotspot usage without permission and Apple and Verizon unable to find why
Sean_gauvin
Enthusiast - Level 2

I have been noticing my hotspot usage has been through the roof! It is with devices that I do not know who is using them. I have notified Apple and Verizon but no one can tell me how and why the usage is so high. I spend majority of time on my home wifi which would negate the hotspot usage. I have changed my hotspot password to a very difficult password but still my hotspot gets used w/o permission. I tried to download apps to help me identify who is on my network but am not knowledgable enough to catch the thief. Please help! I use a Iphone 14 Pro.

#iphone14 #hotspot #hacked #apple #help 

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5 Replies
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hello. Thank you for reaching out. Let's find out more, have you shared your hotspot previously? Is the feature enabled on your settings? ~Geo

Sean_gauvin
Enthusiast - Level 2

I have disabled it before and the usage seemed to go up still. Iโ€™m told that that is not possible. I will screenshot the usage while it is disabled and keep track daily of the usage.  I found a WiFi extender on my network that I do not own nor does anyone that has permission to be on network. 

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

You are correct that if the hotspot is turned off, there is no way for devices to connect to it, Sean_gauvin. If you still suspect others may have your personal hotspot password, you can always update the password to something else in the personal hotspot settings. Here's more information: https://support.apple.com/en-us/111785

-Joseph

Sean_gauvin
Enthusiast - Level 2

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โ€ƒThis was the hotspot usage on July 6, 2024 and this is today July 10, 2024 


@vzw_customer_support wrote:

You are correct that if the hotspot is turned off, there is no way for devices to connect to it, Sean_gauvin. If you still suspect others may have your personal hotspot password, you can always update the password to something else in the personal hotspot settings. Here's more information: https://support.apple.com/en-us/111785

-Joseph


IMG_2624.jpeg

โ€ƒI hope that came out correctly. I have not had the hotspot on at all and there are new unknown devices I obviously didnโ€™t approve nor know who it is. Does this make any sense? Also, separately I think, I tried the *#62# and got some unknown information back. I donโ€™t think itโ€™s related or know if relevant. Thanks again.

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vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

We appreciate you sharing these additional details with us, Sean_gauvin. To confirm, you shared that in settings the option listed as "Allow Others to Join" is turned off? Are there any other devices that could be signed in to your iCloud account? Personal Hotspot on your iPhone can provide internet access to other devices signed in to your iCloud account without requiring a password.

-Andi

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