Extremely high data usage ongoing...

[Parkbench13]

So yeah here I am again posting about data usage... January 15th was my renewal date I purchased the 20 gig plan and less than 2 weeks later all my data was consumed so I renewed my plan with a 15 gig package and here we are the 2nd of February and I was forced to purchase another plan to get more data because it was gone. No I'm not an idiot I have all of my background data and every single one of my apps possible turned off. There's no more available data throttling options available to me through my phones settings. My phone does not switch between Wi-Fi and data unbeknownst to me. I admit to using a lot of data on a regular basis but it just seems to be that the volume of data I'm being billed for doesn't quite match what I'm actually using. This problem has been going on for some time more than a year if you check my community postings history you will see that I have posted a similar issue multiple times. Any ideas? Please refrain from giving me simple answers I'm not a newbie I know how to set my phone so it's not eating up data in the background. 

[softech]

@Parkbench13   I read your post, but you didn't read mine  🙂

I know you said  "I admit to using a lot of data on a regular basis but it just seems to be that the volume of data I'm being billed for doesn't quite match what I'm actually using. This problem has been going on for some time more than a year"

that's why I suggest you to not just suspect the volume bill does not match the actual usage but have something to prove it.  I was suggesting you to use some apps to track and usage and find out.  You can install the app, then compare the usage daily with what shows on My Account.  I suggest you tack with the number on the front page of My Account under My Data & Add-ons.  That number there is the most up-to-date one.   If the number does not match, go back to the app and confirm what app was using it the most and see if it makes sense.

You can also track with Usage history page but data shows there is delayed by couple hours.  So, you will probably need to track and record the usage hourly and compare it with what is show in Usage History later in the day.

These are some of the apps you can try:

iOS: My Data Manager

Android: Data Witness PM, Data Usage Manager & Monitor (formally Data Counter Widget), 

[esjliv]

@Parkbench13  - Oy Vey ~

You said you were not an idiot. But, you do not understand the suggestions being posted as helpful.

Okay, what were you expecting here then?

We are customers/members like you (and cannot see your account details, nor your phone type/settings).

Submit a ticket to customer support if you don't believe you are actually using this data. But, this will only show when and how much, not what is using it up.

If your Plan Data is being used up too quickly than you think it should be, try and find the culprit and rule things out: device settings, certain apps (you can see what apps are the heavy users of data in your phone settings).

Have you tried to move your SIM into another phone and tested that for a days, to rule out a phone hard-hitter?

Do you have hotspot enabled? And, perhaps that is being used?

All we can do is provide information back with information provided. We do not have a crystal ball.

[Anonymous]

So I'll offer up my head for your chopping block.

Feel better? Regulars here often find some customers come in here only to be reminded to do the simplest of things. Or customers come in saying they've done everything which amounts to restarting. Apparently that's everything. We just want to try to get people on their way.

So you're not an idiot. Then why are you here asking?

Compare the usage details from the start date of your plan to what your phone says it used in that timeframe. But you already know this. Add up all the data consumption lines in the usage details. But you already know this. Unfortunately, even that is delayed for upwards to 12 hours so it's not an immediate feedback. But you already know this.

In the end I would suggest you find another provider with a large bucket of data. If what is on offer here is not enough for your needs then why are you here? If this is for work then why isn't your employer setting you up with a larger plan. If this is for self-employment then why aren't you writing off a larger bucket plan cost of another  provider?

Your question was "Any ideas?" So you got ideas. How could anybody possibly know what you know or what you haven't looked at or what you've done.

[Parkbench13]

It really bothers me that all of you who replied to my post didn't even bother to read it before thinking you had the solution. I wonder how many other people looking for help get frustrated like I am when so called "Mayor's" give pointless advice that doesn't even answer the question that was asked. THINK ABOUT THAT NEXT TIME YOU TRY TO "HELP" SOMEONE.

[Parkbench13]

I don't have access to wifi at home or work and am often on the road. I constantly use the internet to source materials and supplies, schematics, plans, instructional material. I have just accepted it and continued to purchase the largest package PM offers. Once again here today, 16 days into my 30 day plan I just received my 95% usage of the 20 gigs on my plan.

[Parkbench13]

Did you actually read my post? Obviously not. You haven't helped me.at all just.wasted my time.

[Parkbench13]

Did you actually read my post? Obviously not. You did not help me at all, just wasted my time.

[Parkbench13]

Did you actually read my post? Obviously not. You offered me nothing I don't already know and simply wasted my time.

[Meow]

Check your phone regarding which app is using your data. If you are losing data so quickly check if any internet hungry app is running in the background.

Check usage through your PM account. That is the most accurate usage tracking

[gpixel]

@Parkbench13 

what do you typically use your data on?

do you stream lots of videos?

Android or iPhone?

if it's been going on for that long I'm surprised you still haven't fixed it. 

[softech]

@Parkbench13   The newer Android and iPhone both have features like Wifi Assist or Smart Network Switch, this feature automatically switches to Mobile Data if the signal of the Wi-Fi network to which you are connected is too weak to establish a connection.  Any chance you have that set and you are not aware?

Did you confirm that you have checked not to download OS update or App Update while on Mobile Data?

Did you watch lot of streaming (Netflix, Disney+) on Mobile?

Also, If you are on Android, you can find the Mobile Data Usage page, change the start billing cycle date to the beginning of the current cycle and then it will show you the amount of data used as well as which app used how much.   (Sorry iOS does not have this feature to trace back)

     

Whether you are on Android or Apple, it is best to download app that can automatically switch the data start cycle based on PM 30 days cycle.    try these:

iOS: My Data Manager

Android: Data Witness PM, Data Usage Manager & Monitor (formally Data Counter Widget), 

[esjliv]

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@Parkbench13 wrote:

So yeah here I am again posting about data usage... January 15th was my renewal date I purchased the 20 gig plan and less than 2 weeks later all my data was consumed so I renewed my plan with a 15 gig package and here we are the 2nd of February and I was forced to purchase another plan to get more data because it was gone. No I'm not an idiot I have all of my background data and every single one of my apps possible turned off. There's no more available data throttling options available to me through my phones settings. My phone does not switch between Wi-Fi and data unbeknownst to me. I admit to using a lot of data on a regular basis but it just seems to be that the volume of data I'm being billed for doesn't quite match what I'm actually using. This problem has been going on for some time more than a year if you check my community postings history you will see that I have posted a similar issue multiple times. Any ideas? Please refrain from giving me simple answers I'm not a newbie I know how to set my phone so it's not eating up data in the background. 

---

@Parkbench13 

Ensure you are going by the Overview section under the My Data & Add-Ons area to see what data is remaining on your plan and/or addons; not what is showing used up on your device itself - as the start date must match each cycle to be accurate.

When you look at your data usage on your phone, are you seeing what apps are using up the data?

Have you tried leaving your Data option off, and only turning it on when you require it?

Install an app to track your ‘live’ usage so you can keep track. Public Mobile are 30 day plans (not monthly).

If you are android, try this one:

Data Witness app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iwik.datawitnesspm&hl=en_CA&gl=US

I use this one myself and it gives me what I need from it.

You could also check out Data counter widget: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roysolberg.android.datacounter&hl=en_CA&gl=US

If you are an Apple user, I am sure there is a 30-day app that is available as well.

If things do not add up, sure you could ask Customer Support (CSA) for a data usage report; but more than likely this is a phone/device issue or setting or simply using your data.

CSA contact methods:

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/contact-an-agent