Dubious data usage

[lanlin]

I noticed I have some large quatity of data usage over 100 MB even 200 MB that I am pretty sure I never initiated or used. Anyone else have similar experience? What could be the reason?

Thanks.

[stonechucker]

@wetcoaster, yes, twice a day, about 12 hours apart.  I see the same info you do.

Hate that I can’t see the actual time in this...  I’m awake for 16 hours most days, 20 on Party nights lol

[srlawren]

@lanlin you're quite welcome

@wetcoaster you know, I could actually be wrong about that.  Maybe it's every 12 hours, around noon and midnight (Eastern time).  Sorry for any confusion.

[wetcoaster]

---

@srlawren wrote:

@lanlin are you looking at the Usage History in your self-serve account?  Note that those are updated once daily (around midnight Eastern time zone).  So what you are seeing is the sum of the data usage for the 24 hours up to that point in time.  This is why you are seeing large numbers there.

---

@srlawren

Interesting. At Public Mobile it's always been 2 data statements for me, what I always assumed as roughly 12 hours apart (I know that we don't have AM and PM markers, but when I check the amounts, they are different and often are about what my phone counter reports for the according 12 hour period). Incidentially, yesterday's is one with distinct times as well:

[lanlin]

Thank you mayor!

[srlawren · Accepted solution]

@lanlin are you looking at the Usage History in your self-serve account?  Note that those are updated once daily (around midnight Eastern time zone).  So what you are seeing is the sum of the data usage for the 24 hours up to that point in time.  This is why you are seeing large numbers there.

[wetcoaster]

Depending on your phone / OS:

- OS and / or app updates over data instead of WiFi?

- WiFi assist on? (it's supplementing your WiFi when it deems the connection not fast or strong enough)

- Background data of most apps don't need to be on.

- Speed tests use a big chunk of data.

- One of your preferred WiFi network might have been down, the phone using data when you thought you were on WiFi?

Please note that the data is recorded cumulative in the usage history - you most likely look at data usage over the last 12 hours or so, not usage in used in one big session.