Data Usage Spike

[jayginna]

Your online "chat" function never seems to be working, so I'll place my question here: Historically, my data usage has consistently been around the 1GB mark per month. This past month it skyrocketed to almost 2GB with no changes in usage. Explanations?

[vzw_customer_support]

jayginna, having a handle and understanding of your data usage is a must. Let’s roll up our sleeves and ensure this happens. There can be many factors as to why the data usage has gone up such as change in device, new applications and any streaming of music or videos. The best way to find out is with one of the many tools we provide when checking data usage. Our data utilization tool will be able to give you actual information of what is using your data. As the account owner or manager, you have the ability the usage categories for the entire account. The data utilization tool can be see via My Verizon through My Usage. Click here to access. http://vz.to/1NhnwDg

NatashaA_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!!

[jayginna]

Like I said there have been no changes to my usage. No new apps, I only stream music while on wifi. I have used your data usage tool and I am on par with previous months in terms of the percentages. It is simply the AMOUNT of data that has increased. It appears I am, while being extra mindful of data now, that given the last two days' usage amount, that I am on par to be close to double my usage again this month. This is very odd for me. Nothing has changed, again, on my end.

[vzw_customer_support]

Seeing an increase in usage would have me concerned as well jayginna. We want to help pinpoint what is causing this to happen. Do you have wifi assist turned ON with your phone? This is in Settings>Cellular>Wifi Assist. When this is turned ON, your phone will switch between wifi and data depending on what has the stronger signal. This would explain an increase in data usage. In this same section, you can see how much data your apps have used. Which apps are showing the highest usage?

NicoleB_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!!

[jayginna]

Wifi assist is and has been in the off position.

Facebook is using the most data; still at comparable levels to previous months. I am also constantly closing all apps and services that are open in the background.

[#6]

I would definitely call in and get to the bottom of it.

Hopefully the unusual spike does not send you over your data limit.

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

Jayginna We certainly want to help you figure out what is going on with the data. I wasn’t sure if you have looked online via My Verizon. I see you mentioned Facebook is using a large amount. Did you know you can set Facebook to not open videos automatically? Please respond one of our forums so that we can keep information confidential. http://vz.to/1iurlIn
DeloresK_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!!

[bd94s10]

Here is what my friend experienced. Within iOS 9.2 there were bug fixes for Apple Music. As a result her phone was wiped in terms of any music that she had downloaded through Apple Music / iTunes. She was given an option to re-download her music. This resulted in a spike in her usage.

The only thing I could suggested based upon my friend's challenge is to do the following:

Settings > Cellular > scroll down to iTunes Store and goggle that to off (not to use cellular for this) and do the same for Music. Music being the main culprit here.

I'm unsure of course how much if any music you have purchased from Apple however I'm only commenting based upon what my friend was able to determine. Her usage has subsided since the first day of the iOS 9.2 software update.

[jayginna]

I have called Verizon on this issue and spent altogether over an hour speaking with customer service doing some minor checks and balances with the phone. I then was transferred to tech support who helped with more in-depth checks. They both found nothing of concern with my settings. I was then put onto Apple iCare. That representative did similar checks with me for settings and found that (quote) "You've done everything possible" and "It's possibly an issue with Verizon itself." This is very telling for me. Something has to be done on the Verizon's end to assist me. When speaking with Verizon rep I also asked about switching my plan for more data for (some) peace of mind. Unfortunately if I did this I would lose my 1000 Canada/Mexico plan which is vital for me. (They have also changed their International options as well! Grr.) I find it ridiculous that Verizon cannot simply add a few gigs to my current plan via special coding. Are their systems so antiquated? Of course not.

So here  I am; the beginning of the third day of my billing cycle and I am up to almost 1/5th of my data usage.

Can someone from Verizon please help. At this rate, I will have no other option but to switch carriers, through no fault of my own.

[jayginna]

As an addendum, I was also told by the second Verizon rep that he would call me back within an hour to see if Apple was able to help?

He did not.