Data Usage Spike
HTIMS
Enthusiast - Level 1

We have a "share everything" plan with 6GB of data to use between 3 phones.  We generally stay well under the limit; however last month we came very close to that with 90% of the data being used by my son and 90% of his data being used over a week period.  He has no idea why and I tried to find out if Verizon can provide a recap of what we are using data on - however they indicate that they could not.  Any suggestions as to what uses so much data in just a few days?

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Re: Data Usage Spike
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi HTIMS!

There are many ways to check your data details. You can view the details in My Verizon on your PC or on the My Verizon application on the device. High data usage can come from different things like Netflix(or any streaming video), online gaming, streaming music, things like that. You can check how the amounts of data by clicking here: http://vzw.com/datacalculator 
Do you guys have access to a Wifi signal? Wifi is unlimited and doesn't pull from your data package. You can also use the settings on the device to pick up Wifi whenever it's available.
We also offer an option to change your plan to include more data, in order to avoid overage charges. This can be done on My Verizon at http://www.vzw.com Check out the plans here: http://www.vzw.com/plans

Thanks!

ChristinaB_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: Data Usage Spike
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi HTIMS!

There are many ways to check your data details. You can view the details in My Verizon on your PC or on the My Verizon application on the device. High data usage can come from different things like Netflix(or any streaming video), online gaming, streaming music, things like that. You can check how the amounts of data by clicking here: http://vzw.com/datacalculator 
Do you guys have access to a Wifi signal? Wifi is unlimited and doesn't pull from your data package. You can also use the settings on the device to pick up Wifi whenever it's available.
We also offer an option to change your plan to include more data, in order to avoid overage charges. This can be done on My Verizon at http://www.vzw.com Check out the plans here: http://www.vzw.com/plans

Thanks!

ChristinaB_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: Data Usage Spike
Treesgal1
Newbie

We just had the same thing happen - no prior alert - this morning a 90% notice.  Not sure how to check what caused it - person using it normally was out of town and wasn't using it as much.  I will try to decipher the usage info. you suggested.

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Data Usage Spike
MissL1230
Newbie

I've been having the same thing. What they suggested in the reply doesn't work. It won't tell you exactly WHAT is happening or WHY. Verizon isn't helpful EVER.  They don't truly troubleshoot. The suggestion is always in the end...upgrade your plan. That's all Verizon wants. I'm going to start investigating other carriers. 

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Re: Data Usage Spike
daesong1
Enthusiast - Level 3

Hi I am having a similar problem with my mom's phone.

We have done a factory reset.

We have changed out the phone.

We have turned off mobile data.

After the changing out the phone we have downloaded zero new apps except the verizonwireless app.

When the mobile data has been turned off, we STILL get charged for data usage.

When we go to settings and check the data usage it says we've used 16 mb's since the phone changed.

look at what verizonwireless.com claims we are using

11/12/20137:37 AM31,587.7
11/12/201312:59 AM21,014.2
11/11/20136:45 PM18,594.1
11/11/20136:42 PM2,151.0
11/11/20135:53 PM29,619.1
11/11/20135:51 PM8.6
11/11/20137:47 AM99.2
11/11/20131:47 AM75.7
11/11/201312:59 AM114,202.5
11/10/20137:47 PM82.0
11/10/20136:23 PM273,581.6
11/09/20136:27 PM552,363.8
11/09/20131:47 PM335.3
11/09/20137:47 AM12,168.7
11/09/20131:47 AM324.7
11/08/20137:47 PM3,236.1
11/08/20137:46 PM0.1
11/08/20136:32 PM730,906.4
11/07/20136:26 PM390,628.3
11/07/201312:29 PM65.9
11/06/20136:28 PM356,386.5
11/06/201310:56 AM0.1
11/06/201310:52 AM137.6
11/06/201310:48 AM0.2
11/06/20134:30 AM461,273.6
11/05/20131:49 PM12.8
11/05/20134:35 AM313,707.7
11/04/20137:39 AM651,055.8

Customer service has been good about giving credit back, but i have been on the phone FOR HOURS trying to get this resolved, AND they aren't addressing the ACTUAL issue, which is that they keep recording data usage that simply is NOT happening.

MY MOM DOESN'T EVEN USE THE INTERNET ON HER PHONE!

Meanwhile the data usage on MY phoneline is matching up perfectly.

This is causing me a lot of grief,  we've been customers for like 12 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOME ONE GET THIS FIXED PLEASE.

Re: Data Usage Spike
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi Treesgal1,

I understand your concerns regarding the 90% notification you received, I would be concerned also if I was in your situation. I recommend to login to your My Verizon account and http://vz.to/18BoO3K check data alerts settings to get notification at 50% and 75% usage.

AntonioC_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

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Re: Data Usage Spike
Jkloskey
Enthusiast - Level 2

daesong1, are you on an iPhone 5? I'm having the same issues. Never had used more than 1.6 GB in the past 6 months, this billing cycle, I'm at 1.5 GB usage just in my Twitter app alone. Have no idea why this is happening.

Re: Data Usage Spike
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi MissL1230,

I understand that you are concerned about data usage. While there is nothing to troubleshoot when using data, we can certainly manage the way we use our devices to minimize cellular data usage. I don't just want to suggest a data plan change, instead I recommend enabling WiFi always on all your devices and connect to open network whenever one is available to save on cellular data usage. You can also see details of data usage if you login to your My Verizon account and click on the View Usage Details link.

AntonioC_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

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Re: Data Usage Spike
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hey there daesong1,

Thanks for your 12 years of continued support. I'm sorry for the confusion over your data usage. I absolutely want to make sure that your usage is being calculated correctly.

Is your mom using the iPhone 5? Are you using the same make and model device as her? Does she have mobile data turned off when connected to WiFi? I understand that you haven't downloaded any new apps, but current apps can still continue to update when not even connected to WiFi. At the hours when you think you think your mom may not be using it, apps may still be continuing to update in the background and e-mail's can still continue to flow through as well.

NicholasB_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: Data Usage Spike
muvotx
Contributor - Level 2

I too have RAMPANT data usage on my 5C.  Heres the measures I have taken to nearly eliminate it:

-Delete all apps you don't need.  Don't horde apps just because they are "free".  THEY AREN'T FREE, you'll get dinged at the end of the billing cycle of you go over.  It doesn't matter if you completely close out the app when its not used.  Apps use data even when they are completely closed.

-Merge onto wifi whenever possible.

-Under "Settings" deactivate cellular data for all apps that don't really need it.  This is a royal pain, as you may have to manually activate cell data for every app you intend to use outside of wifi.  Some apps like Amazon automatically turn cellular data back ON when you use the app..... BUT THEY DON'T TURN IT BACK OFF WHEN YOU CLOSE THE APP.

-Disable LTE.  I have found this part of the network to be a MASSIVE data-hog.  My phone will consume data around the clock, non-stop with the LTE function engaged.  Turn it off unless you really need the faster speeds.  Which I personally do not 99% of the time.

-I have my "notification center" deactivated.  I am not sure how necessary this is, but I will slowly re-activate it one feature at a time to see what functions are data hogs.

-Turn off "Background App refresh", in the Settings > General tab.  I will refresh my own apps as I want.

-Turn off Location Services, in the "Privacy" tab.

Since doing these steps collectively my data usage has dropped substantially since around 9AM.  I don't know which steps above are the most significant.  From what I can tell, the LTE deactivation has had the biggest impact.  Its now 1:25 PM and I have not had any data usage since ~8:26 this morning.

11/15/20138:26 AM2.3
11/15/20138:19 AM4.5
11/15/20138:16 AM4.4
11/15/20138:12 AM2.9
11/15/20138:09 AM3.9
11/15/20138:07 AM11.8
11/15/20137:30 AM15.2
11/15/20137:29 AM0.0
11/15/20133:25 AM0.6
11/15/20131:02 AM8.6
11/15/201312:57 AM0.0
11/14/201310:42 PM1.3
11/14/201310:42 PM0.0
11/14/20139:59 PM0.7
11/14/20139:30 PM0.0
11/14/20139:02 PM0.5
11/14/20137:26 PM1.0
11/14/20133:25 PM37.3
11/14/20133:09 PM8.0
11/14/20133:04 PM6.4
11/14/20132:46 PM544.6
11/14/201312:15 PM7.8
11/14/201312:14 PM0.3
11/14/201312:01 PM0.0
11/14/201311:29 AM0.0
11/14/201311:07 AM0.5
11/14/201311:07 AM0.0
11/14/201310:43 AM0.0
11/14/201310:02 AM0.5
11/14/20139:46 AM0.0
11/14/20139:43 AM0.3
11/14/20139:16 AM0.0
11/14/20138:51 AM7.7
11/14/20138:28 AM0.0
11/14/20138:19 AM1.1
11/14/20138:08 AM7.0
11/14/20138:05 AM4.3
11/14/20138:04 AM0.0
11/14/20137:57 AM0.0
11/14/20137:50 AM0.5
11/14/20137:31 AM0.0
11/14/20137:26 AM0.8
11/14/20137:21 AM0.5
11/14/20137:13 AM0.0
11/14/20137:08 AM0.0
11/14/20136:27 AM7.7
11/14/20134:10 AM0.8
11/14/20133:52 AM0.5
11/14/20133:12 AM0.5
11/14/20132:07 AM10.0
11/14/20131:32 AM0.0
11/13/201311:20 PM20.5
11/12/201310:05 PM0.5
11/12/20139:59 PM0.0
11/12/20139:40 PM0.9
11/12/20139:21 PM7.9
11/12/20139:03 PM6.4
11/12/20138:37 PM3.4
11/12/20137:59 PM1.3
11/12/20136:35 PM9.7
11/12/20136:07 PM515.4
11/12/20136:04 PM75.8
11/12/20134:15 PM13,711.8
11/12/20134:05 PM1,682.8
11/12/20134:02 PM0.7
11/12/20133:58 PM110.6
11/12/20133:56 PM103.4
11/12/20133:38 PM13.6
11/12/20133:37 PM0.0
11/12/20132:41 PM114.6
11/12/20131:08 PM9.8
11/12/201312:42 PM0.3
11/12/201312:13 PM0.3
11/12/201311:22 AM22.1
11/12/201310:15 AM8.7
11/12/20139:38 AM0.5
11/12/20138:54 AM0.5
11/12/20138:17 AM7.6
11/12/20138:07 AM1.0
11/12/20138:04 AM1.5
11/12/20137:55 AM12.4
11/12/20137:54 AM0.1
11/12/20137:38 AM9.4
11/12/20137:23 AM20.6
11/12/20136:57 AM10.1
11/12/20135:45 AM0.6
11/12/20134:12 AM8.3
11/12/20132:51 AM0.0
11/12/20131:28 AM6.3
11/12/20131:16 AM2.4
11/12/20131:13 AM7.5
11/12/201312:44 AM6.7
11/12/201312:36 AM1.2
11/12/201312:29 AM0.0
11/12/201312:22 AM12.4
11/12/201312:03 AM11.3
11/11/201311:51 PM44.5
11/11/201311:44 PM0.0
11/11/20137:10 PM5,873.7
11/11/20136:54 PM178.7
11/11/20136:54 PM10.4
11/11/20134:43 PM10,535.4
11/11/20133:43 PM389.8
11/11/20133:40 PM0.3
11/11/201310:43 AM51,579.6
11/10/201310:35 PM0.5
11/10/20135:59 PM22.6
11/10/20135:56 PM1,147.0
11/10/20134:35 PM498.5
11/10/201310:35 AM2,575.8
11/10/20135:18 AM4.8
11/09/201311:18 PM26.3
11/09/20135:18 PM9,547.9
11/09/20133:48 PM638.0
11/09/20133:48 PM12.2
11/09/20133:46 PM6.4
11/09/20132:57 PM969.8
11/09/20132:45 PM156.3
11/09/20132:38 PM571.5
11/09/20132:29 PM10.2
11/09/20132:27 PM3.2
11/09/20131:16 PM8.3
11/09/20131:10 PM0.5
11/09/201311:18 AM7.6
11/09/20138:10 AM27.7
11/09/20138:09 AM0.3


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