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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why my sons data runs out on his phone when he is only using WiFi?

68 replies

SpringSunshineandTulips · 01/09/2020 13:23

His data is gone within a day or so and this month he’d been home the whole time and using WiFi. He went out today and I tried WhatsApping and texting him but neither message delivered. I could get through on a phone call though. I couldn’t find him on find my iPhone either when he was out. As soon as he came home again the messages all delivered and I can see him on find my iPhone. Does anyone know why or how to rectify this please?

OP posts:
TwinkleRocks · 01/09/2020 17:43

This happened with my dd and it was because she was in a Wi-fi black spot in her room. So she thought she was on the Wi-fi and she was using data.

Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 20:03

He gets 1GB a month. I still haven’t gone through his phone so will have a look tonight.

OP posts:
TheGreatWave · 02/09/2020 20:11

Also make sure things are only updating over wi-fi.

lifesalongsong · 02/09/2020 20:58

Does the phone not tell you which apps are using the data? My android phone has a full breakdown in settings

hastingsmua1 · 02/09/2020 21:43

Honestly 1GB data per month is nothing. I’m not surprised he quickly gets through that.

heartsonacake · 02/09/2020 21:50

@SpringSunshineandTulips

He gets 1GB a month. I still haven’t gone through his phone so will have a look tonight.
Ahh. Then yeah, that’s why he’s running out, because 1gb of data is very small.
hastingsmua1 · 02/09/2020 21:51

So you track his location whilst he’s out too? That will be a huge drain on his data. It is actually funny that you expect to do that whilst giving him a measly 1GB of data. The fact that his data is used up within a day or so every month should suggest that you need to upgrade his data allowance as it’s clearly not sufficient.

rottiemum88 · 02/09/2020 21:54

He could start to turn his mobile data off whenever he's at home and only turn it on when he's out and about without WiFi. That said, 1GB is never going to go very far unfortunately

Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 22:06

Yes hilarious @hastingsmua1 🙄

He probably does need more data but I will need to look into how much more this will cost really. Thanks for the help everyone.

OP posts:
Edinburghfalls · 02/09/2020 22:10

I just got billed £120 worth of data charges as I was unaware I had my ‘WiFi assist’ on. Luckily as My data cap had failed to activate and I didn’t receive any warning texts my supplier kindly dropped the charge.
But anyway, definitely get a data cap put on it if you are pay monthly or whatever

hastingsmua1 · 02/09/2020 22:10

It is hilarious, or would be if you knew much about tech.

Noodledoodledoo · 02/09/2020 22:15

Tesco Mobile you can get 8GB for £10 a month currently

Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 22:17

His WiFi assist is on but my husband said it should be on?? I did turn roaming off tho. Hoping that helps a little.

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 02/09/2020 22:20

Roaming is for when you're abroad
I pay £10 for 8gb on giffgaff

vanillandhoney · 02/09/2020 22:22

Turn his WiFi assist off - absolutely not necessary and will eat through his data very fast.

FatimaLovesBread · 02/09/2020 22:25

1gb is not that little really if he's only using it for the odd WhatsApp when out and about.
Are you definitely sure that mobile data is actually switch on? Mines an android and you swipe down and there's a mobile data button to turn on and off

NoWordForFluffy · 02/09/2020 22:29

I pay £8 for 9GB on Vodafone. There are cheap options.

Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 22:51

Will turn WiFi assist off tomorrow. He’s on iPhone so not sure about the button but assume mobile data is on.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 22:53

Yes he only issues his phone for the odd WhatsApp when out. Knows not to watch videos or you tube or anything unless hone with WiFi. I thought it would be enough really but maybe not. How does it use his data if I am looking him up on where’s my iPhone? Someone mentioned this earlier in the thread. I don’t see how it can use his data.

OP posts:
ChloeCrocodile · 02/09/2020 23:02

I only have 1GB and have never used it all. However, I never stream videos or even songs on my phone. WhatsApp and iMessage use next to nothing.

Feellikedancingyeah · 02/09/2020 23:09

Go into Settings. Turn off background data for all apps

Original poster
SpringSunshineandTulips · 02/09/2020 23:18

@Feellikedancingyeah is that easy to find in iPhone? I didn’t notice it earlier.

OP posts:
AliMonkey · 02/09/2020 23:25

My kids have 1Gb data and I track them quite frequently and it’s plenty of data do doubt that’s the problem. I bet it is WiFi assist as DD has same problem when first got phone as parts of our house have iffy WiFi. Been fine since we switched off. If you look at settings / mobile data you can see which apps have used the data and then you may want to switch off use of data for those. For example you want it on for maps but may not for things you only need at home.

mrbob · 02/09/2020 23:28

Have you turned off mobile data for everything?

WotsitWiggle · 02/09/2020 23:30

My daughter only has 500mb, and only uses that if we're out for a couple of days and she's watching YouTube over data. We're on EE so I gift her extra. She has to turn it off at school and is connected to wifi at home.

Sounds like he's getting a poor wifi reception and the wifi assist is kicking in to burn through in a day.