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Original poster

Why is DD's phone eating money?

42 replies

Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 06:48

DD has a iphone with a prepaid sim. We were out and about yesterday and it spend the whole day in her bag - I was with her, we were travelling and she didn't take it out once. Yet all of her remaining credit was used up. If I look at her account it says "data services" and then a charge. I have no idea what is using this. Can anyone help?

OP posts:
starlightmagic · 25/09/2022 06:49

I’d guess her mobile data is being used in apps

PuttingDownRoots · 25/09/2022 06:50

Background apps?
Do iPhone have a data saver mode? Or turn off mobile data while not using it for something specific

MyfavouriteisA · 25/09/2022 06:50

Switching ‘data roaming’ off in settings should solve this problem

BuffaloCauliflower · 25/09/2022 06:51

Apps using data in the background to do things like track location. Go to mobile data in settings and turn off mobile data and/or data roaming, just use internet on wifi.

Azandme · 25/09/2022 06:52

She's got something on there that is set to automatically update/refresh/back up etc.

It's doing that at whatever frequency she selected. Because it's automatic it doesn't need to be in her hand, it just does it.

You need to find whatever app it is and switch it to "wifi only" or uninstall it.

Stichintimesavesstapling · 25/09/2022 06:52

If it's happening all the time she's using data to check WhatsApp and download photos and videos rather than link to wifi. Nothing to do with being out, it probably gets used at home if she's turned off wifi on it.

Either that or she's got an app running thats draining the data. I'd go through the apps and check.

Whataretheodds · 25/09/2022 06:54

Mobile data
Location services
Bluetooth

Apps using this even if your daughter isnt. Check download settings - switch to 'only over wifi'
Go to data usage in settings, it will show you which apps are eating it.

Original poster
Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 06:58

Ok, I've checked DS's and his is the same although he hasn't taken it out of the house before (DD has) and he still has some data left.

roaming is off.

the charges are all at Xx:00 time so it must be something automatic.

mobile data on both is only allowed for maps, find my, camera, compass, FaceTime and phone.

OP posts:
Ifailed · 25/09/2022 07:03

If she was with you all the time, why did she bring it & why was it switched on?

Original poster
Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 07:05

Because we were travelling to go on holiday. She might want to use it e.g. camera, audiobook whilst we're away and I want her to be able to call me if I leave them in the room to go to the shop or something.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 07:06

It's "system services"

OP posts:
DrDreReturns · 25/09/2022 07:08

@Ifailed how does that help the Op?
In Android you can see which apps use the most data. If there's something similar on an iPhone that may help shed some light on it.
It does sound unusual, I haven't seen this with my daughter's iPhone. We are with EE and you can turn off mobile data for a particular phone on their website - this can be useful to stop her using it in the night!

isthismylifenow · 25/09/2022 07:08

Check that apps are not updating regularly.

isthismylifenow · 25/09/2022 07:09

Ifailed · 25/09/2022 07:03

If she was with you all the time, why did she bring it & why was it switched on?

How is this helpful to the OP?

And they will have had their reasoning. What an odd comment.

DrDreReturns · 25/09/2022 07:09

Btw Bluetooth won't use Mobile data up, and it is highly unlikely to be location services.

musicandpassion · 25/09/2022 07:13

Ifailed · 25/09/2022 07:03

If she was with you all the time, why did she bring it & why was it switched on?

What sort of question is that?? Presumably you would take your phone out and leave it on when you're with someone else?

Turtleoo · 25/09/2022 07:14

Is Spotify on it, or a similar music app? I found that was downloading music in the background and eating all my data until I set it to download over WiFi only

Also the Play store did this - had to set this to only download over WiFi

whowhatwerewhy · 25/09/2022 07:22

Try going into settings then App Store and turn off updates using mobile data .

Original poster
Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 07:26

@Wheretheskyisblue thank you. It seems to be that, a lot of those have been accessed in the last 24 hours. Do you have any idea which ones are necessary? Will they be the ones which are using "push notifications"?
Obviously I should leave the "find my iPhone" on.

OP posts:
EasterIssland · 25/09/2022 07:29

Op I know this is not what you asked but how much money does she spent monthly? Have you considered moving it to a contract ?

giffgsff has got a plan of 1gb for £6 monthly. If she uses more cash might be better to swap it to something like that. You can cancel at any time
www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals

Wheretheskyisblue · 25/09/2022 07:55

Sheepwalker · 25/09/2022 07:26

@Wheretheskyisblue thank you. It seems to be that, a lot of those have been accessed in the last 24 hours. Do you have any idea which ones are necessary? Will they be the ones which are using "push notifications"?
Obviously I should leave the "find my iPhone" on.

This might help. Document sync seems to be eating data for a lot of people
developer.apple.com/forums/thread/52943

BarbaraofSeville · 25/09/2022 07:55

Definitely check all the settings as advised, but also, unless you almost never use your phone, a cheap sim only plan like Giff Gaff or others is likely to be far more cost effective especially for teenagers. You'll get free calls and texts and a decent data allowance from around a fiver a month.

Have a look at

www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/

Noteverybodylives · 25/09/2022 07:57

I turn my mobile data off completely and only turn it on when I need it, then I turn it back off again.

If its in her pocket then she doesn’t need her mobile data on.
Every now and then she can turn it on to see if he has any messages etc.

FingersofFish · 25/09/2022 08:04

Noteverybodylives · 25/09/2022 07:57

I turn my mobile data off completely and only turn it on when I need it, then I turn it back off again.

If its in her pocket then she doesn’t need her mobile data on.
Every now and then she can turn it on to see if he has any messages etc.

Yep I do this. Why is mobile data on whilst it's in her bag or at home?