data usage/gaming (I do not play games) galaxy s4

[mickeyrat]

Umm, I am showing data usage of approx 17% so far this billing cycle and I do not do any gaming anywhere much less on my phone. Why am I eating data on something I dont do? Are there apps that are designated as gaming but are not actual games in the usage calculation? What am I  missing here.

[mama23dogs]

I Suspect  built in Google play games, which I don't use either.

close all apps and restrict updates to wifi only

i Disabled google games completely.  In settings, application manager.

you can also restrict background data in settings, hopefully that will prevent any further data use.

[mskitty123]

I too am having the same exact problem with the same issue where the data usage graph shows that 44 % of my data usage is for gaming that I never use. No one has been able to provide me with a reasonable explanation. It's gotten to the point where the only time I use my Android Smartphone to do anything besides making or receiving phone calls is when I am at home connected to my personal secure wireless network. There are no games installed on my phone nor do I play any games. I ask myself what is the purpose of paying for a smartphone when you're so concerned about using any of the features unless you are connected to a secure wireless network as Verizon Wireless loves charging hidden fees or else you're expected to bring your magnifying glass to the store with you to make out the tiny small print because the Sales Associates are to busy multitasking while trying to wait on you

They have their Bluetooth headset in their ears either listening to their music or carrying on a personal phone call and don't have the time to actually give you their undivided attention to ensure that when you walk out their door you understand everything and won't have suprises when you receive your statement. 

I have zero games loaded on my phone yet it shows 44% of my data usage is from gaming.

[vzw_customer_support]

mskitty123,

Look no further help has arrived! Let's get to the bottom if this. Have you ever had games downloaded on the phone? It's really odd that it is using data usage for games if no games have been downloaded. What Adroid device do you have?

JohnB_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
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!!

[mskitty123]

I  tried to submit my response to the Verizon community and must have done

something incorrectly. I have copied the response and am pasting into this

email. When I press the Submit button nothing happens. I do apologize if

this is received twice.

Kind regards

Catherine [removed]

I appreciate the fact that you took the time to follow up with me. I can

assure you that at no time has there ever been any games installed on my

Android phone. Not in the past or currently installed. Knowing Verizon

Wireless reputation of charging hidden fees plus the fact that the local

Sales Associates don't seem to have the time to give their full attention

to customers since they have more important things to do such as keeping

their Bluetooth headset on & either listening to their own music or

multitasking with another customer or peer while at the same time helping

the customer that is right in front of them. They don't take the time to

actually provide you with all of the information you need to know to

proactive manage your account. The next cellular phone company we use, I

will bring with me a pocket sized magnifying glass to read the tiny small

print on the contract that you are never made aware of until Oops it shows

up on your bill.

In the Settings option under WI FI I have the box checked that will Pop up

when a wireless network is available , the same setting will also notify

you of an available Wireless Connection before it will open the

application. I have it setup to only allow downloads via a WI FI

connection. It's sad to have such a modern smartphone that you can only use

to make phone calls or possibly a text message when you're away from your

own secure wireless network to avoid the cost of using the carriers

network. I onlycheck emails or open any applications when connected from

home

I see people using their phones to access other applications in grocery

stores or out shopping & can only think they either don't care or money

isn't a concern for them. Had the Sales Associate that waited on me taken

the time to fully explain your Edge Program, I would have made other

arrangements. As it is now based on a conversation I had with one of your

phone representatives I've had to download a separate application that

works like a PC Task Manager to ensure all applications that I was using

while connected to my personal secure wireless network, completely shuts

down and doesn't continue to run in the background once I am out of range

of my wireless network to avoid being charged for using your network. I now

have a routine that I follow any time I leave home to run the Task Manager

application to stop any thing from continuing to run in the background even

though I logged out they will continue to run in the background if I don't

totally force everything to stop. One would think that disconnecting the

old lan line phones and using your cell phone for everything would be

cheaper. The joke is on the consumer. Luckily we're on a month to month

service so we can walk away and avoid paying for a contract. I have a son

that is getting ready to head off to medical school and I know he will be

dependent on his cell phone more than normal and the cost of adding

additional data is outrageous. More and more the service offered by Walmart

is looking better every day. You really need to invest in sending your

Sales Associates to a  customer service class and allow them to be

completely honest with the consumer about all scenarios such as running

task manager to shut down all applications prior to leaving their homes so

app don't keep running in the background when you're out of range of your

own wireless network. If you don't perform this you're being charged for

using the cellular network.

To answer your question No I don't have any games loaded and never have. I

have actually disabled several preload applications that aren't used.

On Jul 31, 2015 8:24 AM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

Personal Information removed as required by the

Message was edited by Verizon Moderator

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for taking the time to follow up, mskitty! We do have wireless workshops to help master the device. You may check out more information on those here: http://bit.ly/oc2kd5

What services show as using the most data via Settings > Data Usage ?
YosefT_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
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!!

[mama23dogs · Accepted solution]

mskitty123

Long post, I hope I address most of it:

1.  Do not use the online app to see what was used, each phone can be checked for an accurate list of applications used, and how much data.  What is "games" online in Verizon, may be any non-built in application from the play store.

2.  I NEVER switch off cellular when I have wifi, my phone automatically switches.  I can see 4G LTE disappear and the wifi "fan" replaces it.  Even with wifi off ALL MONTH, and used freely, I don't go over 2 GBs of data.

3.  2 GBs is the appropriate amount for a 4G LTE smartphone.   4G LTE phones use 2-3 times more data on the same tasks as 3G phones

4.  Task Manager Apps have not proved any savings in data use.  It uses more data to reload a task then leaving it it limbo. Exceptions, backing out of video apps must be done properly with 'back button'. 

5.   If your phone has power saver mode, it restricts background data to wifi.  You can also restrict in settings, data use, restrict background data.  Some phones list each app, to allow you to choose which to restrict.

6.  The website for Verizon, and all other carriers has more than enough information for customers.  I changed carrier twice, both times I knew exactly what my charges would be before I went to the store.

I personally have 2 tablets and 6 phones and we rarely hit 10 GBs a month, which is lower that expected, but we do have home wifi.

[Snn5]

mama23dogs wrote:

4.  Task Manager Apps have not proved any savings in data use.  It uses more data to reload a task then leaving it it limbo. Exceptions, backing out of video apps must be done properly with 'back button'.

Task manager apps tend to use more RAM, as when closing out a process or app that is intended to run constantly in memory, the phone reloads each of those apps and all their processes again.  Kinetic energy comes to mind:  Easier to keep it moving than to stop and restart the movement again.  However, some of those apps MAY be using data.  Backing out of video apps is always a great idea considering how much data video uses.  Android does a good enough job with app and memory management as it is, but some OEMs have begun putting in RAM optimizing-type features.

[mama23dogs]

Thank you, thats a great description.  I could not put into words, what you did so very well. 

[Snn5]

Awww, thanks buddy!  Sometimes intelligent words come out of my fingertips. LOL

[mama23dogs]

Piffle.... Me speaks the truth.

[Snn5]

I concur with Mama23dogs and miihere...don't go by the Verizon Data Utilization Tool...it's too broad and generic.  Use your phone's built in Data Usage meter and/or use a data tracking app in the Play Store.

[mickeyrat]

just checked. I had already disabled this app. Thanks for the reply though.

[MiiHere]

You should look under "settings>usage" and it should show you what apps have used the most data.

[MeIs0826]

I went from 1.41 GB to over 5 in less than 3 days and I Never game. 63% data usage for 'gaming' to 74% I less than 6 hours and I'm on my HOME INTERNET!  why?? 

[KH-OrnEsh]

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