iPhone 5 Battery and Data Usage Increase

[Anonymous]

I've had my iPhone 5 for eight months. I never use anywhere near my 1GB monthly data allowance (I usually use 600-700MB).

Over the last couple of days, there has been a sudden spike in my data usage. I went to work yesterday and used the internet a little for web browsing, Twitter, Instagram etc. on my breaks (a total of 50 minutes). By the end of my shift I'd used 30MB and in eight hours my battery was down to 55%. I don't usually reach 30MB in a day of heavy use! As a result, today I only turned on data as and when I needed it, so for most of the day I've had it switched off. Yet I have still managed to use up 20MB and my battery is down to 66%.

I usually use around 20MB a day. I'm a little alarmed by this sudden change, considering I've hardly used the phone over the last couple of days nor have I changed any of my settings. Emails only come through when I check them manually and location settings are always off for example. Does anyone know what could possibly be causing the issue and how I might go about resolving it?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Are you aware that some apps update in the background using data.

Also Siri used data also.

If your network signal has become weak or any reason then the iPhone will work harder to obtain signal thus use more battery.

Check your Service Status here :  http://status.o2.co.uk/

I always turn off 3g and Mobile Data when I'm on wifi at home or in a coffee bar with wifi facilities, as the Phone auto switches from wifi to 3g when it sleeps to conserve battery.

Here's a good link on how to save on data.

http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/spending_saving/2012/11/16/10_ways_to_cut_your_mobi...

Regarding battery.

Its common to attain a days usage from a smartphone that's been light to medium used.

I also have a 1gb data package and consider myself to be a heavy user and only have once had to purchase a data bolt on.

Let your iPhone battery % go down past 10%, or to it actually turning off a few times before charging to calibrate the battery.

Performing a reset can help too.

Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Settings.

Occasionally a restore can help also but be sure to make a back up to iTunes or iCloud.

Take out your sim and clean it to remove static build up.

Think about swapping your sim card by picking up a blank from an 02 shop and perform the swapmysim instore or at home...  http://swapmysim.o2.co.uk/

You are under warranty so you could set up an appointment at an Apple genius bar to have a diagnostic run on the handset to check all its parameters.

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/geniusbar/

If your worried then their is always the option to ring 02 on 202 - Contract Customers or 4445 - Payg Customers to ask them to check your account.

[Anonymous]

I am aware of data being used if apps are open in the background. I always shut down my apps when they've been used. I VERY rarely use Siri. Will having Siri actually activated use data?

It is possible that the signal could have become weak whilst I was in work but as it's never been a problem in the past, I find it unlikely all of a sudden. The service status is said to be working as normal.

Like yourself, I always turn off 3G and mobile data when I'm at home or using wifi elsewhere.

I performed a reset yesterday but it would seem that the problem is still occuring. I can't make sense of this as I've changed none of my settings, nor have I increased my use of apps that use data. If anything, I use the phone less due to being in work most of the time. If the problem continues, I may have to contact O2 or visit the Genius Bar at an Apple Store. Obviously, if I keep switching the 3G off when I'm not using it I probably won't come close to my data allowance for the month but this is somewhat of a hindrance considering my allowance has been fine in the past.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I am aware of data being used if apps are open in the background. I always shut down my apps when they've been used. I VERY rarely use Siri. Will having Siri actually activated use data?

It is possible that the signal could have become weak whilst I was in work but as it's never been a problem in the past, I find it unlikely all of a sudden. The service status is said to be working as normal.

Like yourself, I always turn off 3G and mobile data when I'm at home or using wifi elsewhere.

I performed a reset yesterday but it would seem that the problem is still occuring. I can't make sense of this as I've changed none of my settings, nor have I increased my use of apps that use data. If anything, I use the phone less due to being in work most of the time. If the problem continues, I may have to contact O2 or visit the Genius Bar at an Apple Store. Obviously, if I keep switching the 3G off when I'm not using it I probably won't come close to my data allowance for the month but this is somewhat of a hindrance considering my allowance has been fine in the past.

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Having Siri turned on will not use data its only when you use it.

Apps in the mutli task tray are not using data but are instead in a suspended state, which allows the quick use of that app again.

Apps such as weather are written to update in the background wether you close them down or not.

It cannot harm speaking to 02 or Apple.

The soft reset of pressing the top sleep/wake button and home button together until the Apple Logo appears and then let go may help.

It would be so nice if 02 again supplied unlimited data so users didnt have to worry about data usage, but thats never going to happen.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I am aware of data being used if apps are open in the background. I always shut down my apps when they've been used. I VERY rarely use Siri. Will having Siri actually activated use data?

It is possible that the signal could have become weak whilst I was in work but as it's never been a problem in the past, I find it unlikely all of a sudden. The service status is said to be working as normal.

Like yourself, I always turn off 3G and mobile data when I'm at home or using wifi elsewhere.

I performed a reset yesterday but it would seem that the problem is still occuring. I can't make sense of this as I've changed none of my settings, nor have I increased my use of apps that use data. If anything, I use the phone less due to being in work most of the time. If the problem continues, I may have to contact O2 or visit the Genius Bar at an Apple Store. Obviously, if I keep switching the 3G off when I'm not using it I probably won't come close to my data allowance for the month but this is somewhat of a hindrance considering my allowance has been fine in the past.

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Having Siri turned on will not use data its only when you use it.

Apps in the mutli task tray are not using data but are instead in a suspended state, which allows the quick use of that app again.

Apps such as weather are written to update in the background wether you close them down or not.

It cannot harm speaking to 02 or Apple.

The soft reset of pressing the top sleep/wake button and home button together until the Apple Logo appears and then let go may help.

It would be so nice if 02 again supplied unlimited data so users didnt have to worry about data usage, but thats never going to happen.

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I was only wondering before about the possibility of an unlimited data option. Why do you think this is never likely to be available? I'm pretty sure it's available on other networks.

[Anonymous]

Its an option 02 supplied sometime ago but stopped it for all but customers who are on Legacy tariffs.

Network Congestion and naughty tethering probably was the culprit.

Networks such as Giffgaff which is a virtual network run on 02's network does offer Unlimited data usage on certain goodybags. My daughter and daughter-in-law use this network and do suffer from sometimes severe network drop outs and slow internet.

I for one would pay more for an unlimited data bundle from 02 or a bigger option than 1gb which is currently available on a payg tariff, apart from buying a bolt on when required.

[Anonymous]

An after thought to save data

Advertising: Settings, General, About, scroll down to Advertising, Limit Ad Tracking, On.

Diagnostics and Usage: Settings, General, About, scroll down to Diagnostics & Usage, Don't Send, On.

[Anonymous]

Regarding battery increase. Perhaps try some of the tips I mention in this video guide 

Battery tips 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGTL-f7kTCc

Battery tips 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvgsEJMZYWI