Odd Data Usage question

[EZJoe]

Every day there are these two Data Usage entries happening around the same time and varying from 5 - 95MB.  Most days I'm not on my phone at all at the times this is happening. Does anyone know what they are? System services?

 

[darlicious]

@EZJoe 

Your welcome. The daily usage pages can be a little confusing when trying to understand timing if you are not in the eastern time zone. On the good side the rewards renewal text that is now being sent 12 hours late comes at 9pm for us wetcoasters rather than midnite or later for those easterners!😃

[EZJoe]

I think you're right about me using iMessage for sending photo's as the culprit. Also thanks to whomever clarified the Eastern time stamp on things - that explains why things appear to be happening at times when I know I wasn't using my phone. Also... thanks to the person who clarified that the Web data is collected at midnight..eastern time. I have CS agent looking at things and i'm pretty sure they'll come to same conclusion.

Thank you all for your suggestions. J.

[Anonymous]

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@Yummy wrote:

There is no way phone will use data if data is turned off.

Airplane mode turns all phone's communication (wifi, bluetooth, cell).

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 @Yummy : Agreed. But the OP is questioning their observations. So I was trying to help them verify their observations.

[Yummy]

There is no way phone will use data if data is turned off.

Airplane mode turns all phone's communication (wifi, bluetooth, cell).

I use wifi all the time, phone is off airplane mode only when I have to send/receive SMS or make calls.

Data usage 0B.

[Anonymous]

 @EZJoe : But again that wouldn't matter when you're in airplane mode.

Maybe post a screenshot of your overview page here. (like I suggested for your time test). Blank out personal info of course.

[EZJoe]

Thanks for iMessages vs MMS. I didn't know that and have now switched iMessages off and will see what that does to data usage.

Very good answer, thanks. 

[darlicious]

@EZJoe 

You don't have access to wifi? If so that explains a lot....?

[EZJoe]

No I'm not using Wifi at all. 

Have contacted CS Agent and will see what they have to say.

Thanks .

[EZJoe]

Thanks for CS Agent info. Have contacted them and looking forward to seeing what they have to say. 

Where do I find that CS agent info on the PM website?

I haven't seen it before and even searching the data base doesn't bring it up.

Thanks.... most helpful answer so far.

[Anonymous]

 @darlicious : Of course. But I just want the OP to see if any counters are changed after an extended period of airplane mode.

Airplane mode turns off the cellular radios. Does wifi assist override that? I seem to doubt it. But it's Apple.

[darlicious]

@EZJoe 

Here are the basics...some I mentioned already...

• If you're on iOS, first turn off Wi-Fi assist. This feature automatically switches your phone to a cellular data connection when your Wi-Fi connection is poor.

• Your apps might also be updating over cellular data, which can burn through your allotment pretty quickly. Turn off automatic app updates under the iTunes and App Store settings.

• Your next move should be to make sure your photos only backup to iCloud when you're on Wi-Fi. Jump into the Cellular page in Settings, scroll down to the Photos app, and toggle the slider to off. While you're there, you can see which apps are using the most data. Turn off cellular data for your worst offenders and any other apps that don't need it.

• If you've already done all that and are still just squeezing by until your next billing cycle, go into the settings for individual apps and turn off "background app refresh." This stops apps from keeping their feeds up to date even when you're not looking at them.

[darlicious]

@Anonymous

 For a proper test the phone would have to be placed in airplane mode for 24 hours at midnight eastern (I'm assuming on the time). Can you turn background data off on an iPhone ? I'm unsure....

@EZJoe 

iPhone model? Current iOS?

[Anonymous]

 @darlicious : It doesn't explain the alleged observed usage during the airplane mode period of time.

Maybe you might be willing to combine #3 and #4 in your list to "Connected calls including checking voicemail from the device are in local time".

[darlicious · Accepted solution]

@EZJoe 

You need to go in and check your settings on your phone. iMessage uses data MMS does not. Do you have wifi assist on? Turn that off. Do you have your iPhone set to sync with your computer? That can upload on mobile data if you don't have it set correctly. (Sorry I'm an android user so I'm not 100% on your exact settings.)

Your daily usage is recorded as follows:

1. Texts are recorded at eastern time.
2. Unanswered calls that go to voicemail are in eastern.
3. Answered calls are in local time.
4. Calls you make to your voicemail from your device are in local time.
5. And as mentioned data is recorded in two 12 hour blocks daily after midnight.

@LurganIeUk  can help with your iPhone data saving tools.

[EZJoe]

That makes sense of the two data usage charges I see. However for someone like me running very slimmed down iPhone, I only text, photo text and make a few local calls a day. All supposed to be free and unlimited. How to explain the 50-90Mb of data they're supposedly using for their purposes... and why am I being charged the data usage on that?

No internet, no steaming, no maps.... how am i wracking up these amounts?

Have turned cel data off as I'm only halfway thru my month and already topping out of data. 

It's lowered their data charged to my account down to less than 2Mb. 

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. J.

[Anonymous]

 @EZJoe : Log in to your self-serve and take a screenshot of the My Data & Add-ons area of the overview page. Log out.

Leaving your phone in Airplane mode...maybe even to the next day...log back in and compare the data line counter to your screenshot. And minutes if you're on the $15 plan. Different?

Don't look at the usage details. They're delayed and mostly cumbersome.

Are you using wifi while in airplane mode?

[EZJoe]

Pm's usage doesn't match iPhones usage... by a lot. Why?

Also the things I use my phone for - texting, photo text, local calls are all supposed to be free and unlimited, so what's eating up the data and why are they charging me for the data that they are using copying off whatever it is they're copying from my phone. 

I've gone over my contract and what PM says about their service and no where does it mention them doing anything like this. 

As I said above, using phone very basically. No streaming anything or internet or even email.

Thanks for response, I appreciate it. J.

[EZJoe]

It may be as you said but.... when I'm not doin anything but texting, photo texting and a few local phone calls I don't see where these large amounts of data are being compiled from. According to my plan these things are all supposed to be free and unlimited. I'm running a real slimmed down phone with little data allowed.

Also my iPhone tracks my cellular usage and it's way different than what Pm is charging me for. Unless I'm missing something really basic here, and if anyone knows what that might be please inform me. 

Thank you for responding, i appreciate it. J.

[EZJoe]

Yes I did turn everything off yesterday and it still sucked up some data tho not very much. Still don't know how it's doing that when phone was in Airplane mode and then shut off, home computer was off and wifi has been off in my home for the last month. 

Today it's showing three text that I apparently sent at 1;45pm tho it's only 11:30am right now. Just so weird. Thanks for the idea, I appreciate your effort. J.

[Anonymous]

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@EZJoe wrote:

Yes it does add up to my limit. At 5 - 90Mb per day I'm burning thru my data in two weeks time, and now they're trying to sell me add on data plan. I barely use any features on my iPhone 8 aside from texting, texting photo's - which is supposed to be free, and a few phone calls a day. 

Yesterday I put phone on Airplane mode and then shut it off. Shut down computer, and have had wifi off in my home for the last month and yet it still sucked away Mb's of data. How is it doing that? While my phone is totally off?? And today it's already showing that I've been texting this afternoon - it's now 11:15am. 

And as far as i can tell there's no way to contact anyone at Pm to ask them what's going on. Just this site for info. If anyone knows how to contact a real person at Pm please let me know. Thanks, and thanks for trying to help. I appreciate it. J.

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@EZJoe 

you need to Contact Customer Support Agent by CS_Agent, and Explain your issue to 
they can solve your issue, they are nice Service Team they will help you 100%.

Here’s How To Contact Customer Support Agent by CS_Agent,and Submit a Ticket,

Spoiler

• Get help with your account the easy way by starting a conversation with our virtual assistant, SIMon. It’ll take you to relevant help articles, or if it’s something more urgent, it can help you submit a ticket to Customer Support Agent by CS_Agent,Click Here link,to get started.

• or you can send a private message to Customer Support Agent by CS_Agent, by Click Here link,
• You’ll need to be logged in to your Community account for the link to work.

• please include in your message,
• your account number, 
• your phone number,
• your account 4 digit pin,
• your Email address,

• Customer Support Agent by CS_Agent, will Response to your inbox by private message 
• During business hours, we strive to answer customer messages swiftly. You will often get an answer within an hour. During peak periods, you may need to wait up to 48 hours.Customer Support Agents are available:
  • Monday to Sunday: 6 AM to 10 PM EST
  
  Check your private message inbox (click on the envelope top right of your screen)

         Good Luck..

[EZJoe]

Yes it does add up to my limit. At 5 - 90Mb per day I'm burning thru my data in two weeks time, and now they're trying to sell me add on data plan. I barely use any features on my iPhone 8 aside from texting, texting photo's - which is supposed to be free, and a few phone calls a day. 

Yesterday I put phone on Airplane mode and then shut it off. Shut down computer, and have had wifi off in my home for the last month and yet it still sucked away Mb's of data. How is it doing that? While my phone is totally off?? And today it's already showing that I've been texting this afternoon - it's now 11:15am. 

And as far as i can tell there's no way to contact anyone at Pm to ask them what's going on. Just this site for info. If anyone knows how to contact a real person at Pm please let me know. Thanks, and thanks for trying to help. I appreciate it. J.

[darlicious]

@EZJoe 

Pm reports data usage in two 12 hour blocks of time usually reported just after midnite daily. Pm takes a 5mb buffer whenever you mobile data is turned on. This is reset nightly or can be reset by toggling airplane mode on/off.

[t_p]

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@HALIMACS wrote:

Hi @EZJoe 

The reason this is happening is it is the time of day that Public Mobile updates the usage history with data consumed within the most recent 12/24 hour period.

If you look back at all data history recorded in usage history, you should notice that is when all data consumption displays.

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Kinda summary of data use in the last 12 hrs block?

[HALIMACS]

Hi @EZJoe 

The reason this is happening is it is the time of day that Public Mobile updates the usage history with data consumed within the most recent 12/24 hour period.

If you look back at all data history recorded in usage history, you should notice that is when all data consumption displays.

[LeePublic]

@EZJoe Do you keep data turned off or on? Maybe you can do a experiment and turn off data and see if these appear in your data usage. There might be data trickles even when you disable data.

[Triguy]

PM takes about a 5MB buffer. If you turn your phone to airplane mode and reload the account page you will see it drop. Turn on the phone and reload and you will see it there again. Perfectly normal and doesn't add up on your limit.

[Anonymous]

@EZJoe 

for more information about Managing Your Data Usage visit  Here link to save your data...

and turn off background data, to save your data.

when your data limit used all, is will be off until next renewal cycle,

at public mobile 30 day Prepaid Service No fees extra charges,

[hairbag1]

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@EZJoe wrote:

Every day there are these two Data Usage entries happening around the same time and varying from 5 - 95MB.  Most days I'm not on my phone at all at the times this is happening. Does anyone know what they are? System services?

 

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Could be your phone checking to see if there's any system updates available.

Or apps checking the same thing.