4S mysterious data usage

[[)roi(]]

Hi everyone,
I received a PM from Mercurial about this thread. I have an iPhone 4S, but never experienced this issue; lest to say I did experience many other painful ones. At present my 4S is running ios5.1 beta 3 -- on which everything looks very stable, but that's not to say that this bug has been fixed in 5.1

I have just checked the Apple dev forums and there appears to be no mention of this (that means it is unlikely to be fixed in 5.1 re there are no official dev forum reports).

The only threads I could find on this on the unofficial forums (i.e. the one Apple does not monitor) are:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17112565#17112565
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3544018?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread...=1605&tstart=0

The last forum thread I listed is a little bit of a problem for me i.e. the thread started a 108 pages ago, in June 2010 and stretches all the way to current day -- clearly this thread is a mix mash of data complaints spanning from both iOS 4 through to iOS 5, which unfortunately makes this not very useful when trying to understand an issue affecting the iPhone 4s on iOS 5.01

What I'd rather prefer is that we try to concisely describe the issue here and I will then transpose this into an official Apple bug report (fyi they generally respond within a few days, either asking for more info or to confirm an existing bug -- either way we'll know if Apple is aware of this)

Please reference any others you are aware of -- specifically ones created after the release of the 4S

To log an official bug request I will need to work with at least 2 to 3 users who are constantly experiencing this issue -- from them we need concise description of the data usage over time.

Note: is is important to reset the cellular data usage counters at the beginning of the test cycle, similarly we need to know what data services were switched on or not. The best time period to perform this test is whilst you are sleeping i.e. we want to see the device's sole usage. Basically if this issue is apparent whilst you sleep then we are more assured that is it something to do with either iOS5.01, service configuration, unreported bugs, and/or cellular network fault.

If proven during this time period then I would suggest we tackle this issue concurrently with both the cellular providers and Apple (I'll take up the issue with Apple; using your devices reports -- and leave you to argue with the cellular network for detailed billing reports, and on the validating on the charges)

Keep in mind that both Apple and the cellular networks must be accountable as they were both party to the sale of the device to you, hence if there is an issue with the device, then they should not be billing you for this problem.

I have also proposed to Mercurial that we take one device and reload back to a fresh version of iOS.01 to see if this makes any difference (FYI Apple unofficially released a new version of iOS5.01 recently -- primarily to address the NO SIM issues).

I have also suggest that we take one of the problem phones (must be based in Johannesburg) -- and move it to iOS5.1 beta 3 (using my dev account) -- as a way to confirm if this issue has possibly already been addressed in the 5.1

Basically if we receive positive outcomes from the reloading 5.01 and loading of 5.1 -- we will be in a better position to challenge the cellular networks re this issue i.e. insisting on a refund from when you first acquired the 4s phone.

Ok to summarise I think we need a minimum of 3 x 4s phone that are consistently experiencing this issue. One of which must be based on Johannesburg so that we can load iOS 5.1 beta 3

Prior to the reloading we need you to confirm the problem on your own i.e. data usage overnight (resetting counters) with full detail of active services and settings (email pull frequency) -- it's important to not use the phone during this test window i.e. the usage pattern is only linked to the phone itself.

Note: It important to keep detailed records of this phantom data usage to challenge the cellular providers later.

 

[Cassady]

:wtf: Going to be keeping an eye on this thread, without doubt...

My contract is also kicking in on 1Feb. It was rather disconcerting how quickly I used up the last of my 315 Topup... Having said that, I was playing around with Siri quite a bit, and downloaded several apps directly, so guess nothing unwarranted - I just need to get used to contract pricing again...

 

[assagai]

Hi [)roi(]

I'm in and up for trying out whatever may help to solve this problem.
I loaded in 30MB yesterday night and have already used +- 12mb while at home, wifi on, most data services on the phone disabled.

I have also observed cellular data being used even while active on the wifi network.

Also - the cellular data counter periodically resets itself! it will be say at around 1mb, then without any prompting from me it goes down to 0 or a lower number like 13kb … very strange…

I visited vodacare today who told me the only fix is to "disable cellular data" in which case I may as well have a nokia 3310

I'm actually on the verge of canceling my contract and returning the phone, but if there is a way to deal with the problem with some kind of official backing or support then I'm all up for it.

Going to reset the counters now, set everything to default and see what happens overnight.

 

[[)roi(]]

Hi [)roi(]

I'm in and up for trying out whatever may help to solve this problem.
I loaded in 30MB yesterday night and have already used +- 12mb while at home, wifi on, most data services on the phone disabled.

I have also observed cellular data being used even while active on the wifi network.

Also - the cellular data counter periodically resets itself! it will be say at around 1mb, then without any prompting from me it goes down to 0 or a lower number like 13kb … very strange…

I visited vodacare today who told me the only fix is to "disable cellular data" in which case I may as well have a nokia 3310

I'm actually on the verge of canceling my contract and returning the phone, but if there is a way to deal with the problem with some kind of official backing or support then I'm all up for it.

Ok good stuff -- 1 in just need the other 2... Have you tried loading a new version of iOS 5.01 yet?

Either way maybe we can get in touch, considering you are in JHB you could always be the iOS5.1 beta 3 candidate if you like... the reason I requested JHB is that we'd have to get together to load the beta and if anything went wrong re the betas do have a usage time restriction, for example when a new beta is released there is a limited time to upgrade before the beta stops working. i.e. I don't want any unhappy customers

How is your availability to meet up if you're interested re iOS 5.1 beta3?
Note: the choice does mean that you have to forgo the JB ability -- JB is still not available for 5.1

If you agree I can help you to load a fresh version of iOS5.01 i.e. will download for you (have an unlimited internet account so no problem for me) - basically I'd like to follow the following steps with you.

1. Load a fresh version of iOS5.01
2. Review and record all active services.
3. Allow your phone to have 1 night (whilst you sleep) to do it's thing (without wifi), counters reset so that we can determine cellular data usage in the absence of use.
4. Load iOS 5.1 beta 3 onto your phone to see if this fixes the problem i.e. repeat the above test.

Btw I had lots of issues with 5.01, since moving to 5.1 betas things have been substantially better, even the battery life improved and thankfully the "NO SIM" issues I was having went away.

PM me so that we can exchange contact details. Btw I stay in Parkhurst so pretty close to you in Westdene

btw just as a point of encouragement -- I also have my phone connected to wifi when at home with all services switched on including 3G, etc.... my cellular network data usage in the last 24hrs is (sent: 88.0Kb Received: 124Kb) -- hence if you are experiencing usage even whilst on wifi we need to figure this one out re 12mb != 200Kb)

 

[assagai]

When you say loading a new version of 5.01 - you mean restoring the phone to the 5.01 currently available from apple?

If so I have 5.01 downloaded and ready to restore.

The phone arrived with 5.01.. I wasn't going to jailbreak but ended up doing so in order to install firewall IP to try and find out which apps if any were using the data. What I got from that is that the cellular data is not happening on an app level, it's on a system level that completely bypasses the firewall, and in some cases even the use of wifi.

I'm not in westdene anymore, but not far from parkhurst, so meeting up shouldn't be a problem. I work from home and my hours are flexible.

 

[assagai]

After the restore, should I leave everything at default? I.E everything on? Location, siri, icloud etc?
Or is it maybe better to test with those services off?

 

[[)roi(]]

When you say loading a new version of 5.01 - you mean restoring the phone to the 5.01 currently available from apple?

If so I have 5.01 downloaded and ready to restore.

The phone arrived with 5.01.. I wasn't going to jailbreak but ended up doing so in order to install firewall IP to try and find out which apps if any were using the data. What I got from that is that the cellular data is not happening on an app level, it's on a system level that completely bypasses the firewall, and in some cases even the use of wifi.

I'm not in westdene anymore, but not far from parkhurst, so meeting up shouldn't be a problem. I work from home and my hours are flexible.

Same here re working from home (home / office -- the best )
Yes ideally after the restore we should have all services activated -- the only one I'd suggest avoiding is backing up to the cloud -- the rest of the cloud services are ok, for example: I have the following switched on: Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Bookmarks, Notes, Find My iPhone -- with Photo Stream and iCloud Backup switched off. I also have have automatic download switched on for Apps and Books (which shouldn't matter as the usage occurs outside of normal use)

Btw just to be more detailed, the following is switched on: Siri (incl. raise to speak), Location, Bluetooth, 3G, Cellular Data, Data Roaming (although N/A) -- if the problem is still evident with wifi on then I'd suggest to keep it on, else turn it off for a picture of cell only.

 

[[)roi(]]

I am available tomorrow if you will have already completed the iOS 5.01 reload and the monitor of usage outside of normal use hours (sleep time) -- i.e. we can record the services state + screen shot the usage. Once done we can load iOS 5.1 beta 3 -- do you have your own laptop to which your phone is linked (re iTunes)? -- if so you'd have to bring it along.

 

[assagai]

Same here re working from home (home / office -- the best )
Yes ideally after the restore we should have all services activated -- the only one I'd suggest avoiding is backing up to the cloud -- the rest of the cloud services are ok, for example: I have the following switched on: Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Bookmarks, Notes, Find My iPhone -- with Photo Stream and iCloud Backup switched off. I also have have automatic download switched on for Apps and Books (which shouldn't matter as the usage occurs outside of normal use)

Ok cool, I assume i should also not apply the JB as this could interfere with the diagnostics.. one less factor to consider…

Going to start the restore now.

 

[assagai]

I am available tomorrow if you will have already completed the iOS 5.01 reload and monitor of usage outside of usage hours (sleep time) -- i.e. we can record the services state + screen shot the usage. Once done we can load iOS 5.1 beta 3 -- do you have your own laptop to which your phone is linked (re iTunes)? -- if so you'd have to bring it along.

I will take screenshots of the usage, but my experience up to now has been that the counter is unreliable.
I will also make a record of my usage as logged by vodacom to compare the two.

My phone is linked to itunes on my desktop machine.. will that present any problems?

 

[[)roi(]]

Ok cool, I assume i should also not apply the JB as this could interfere with the diagnostics.. one less factor to consider…

Going to start the restore now.

Good -- you should see I added more detail on what services I currently have switched on i.e. ALL, all the time.
Also if the problem is evident on wifi then keep this on, else rather switch it off on your phone while you sleep ok!

 

[[)roi(]]

I will take screenshots of the usage, but my experience up to now has been that the counter is unreliable.
I will also make a record of my usage as logged by vodacom to compare the two.

My phone is linked to itunes on my desktop machine.. will that present any problems?

The counter is a good reflection of the usage -- all my experience with Apple is that the counter is accurate as this will anyway be your point of reference when arguing with your cellular provider (yes whatever the case, we'll get there at some point -- they sold you the device and the data -- hence they are responsible).

Re the link to your PC; what we'll have to do is set-up your phone at my place i.e. load iOS 5.1 beta 3, and then you'll have to load your backup at your home...

Note: before coming to my place you'll need to do a backup to iTunes to make sure you lose nothing -- this is what you'll restore once you get home. From there on in all the upgrades are OTA (over the air), including the official 5.1 -- so no worries.

 

[assagai]

Good -- you should see I added more detail on what services I currently have switched on i.e. ALL, all the time.
Also if the problem is evident on wifi then keep this on, else rather switch it off on your phone while you sleep ok!

which if any of the location system services do you have enabled?

 

[assagai]

The counter is a good reflection of the usage -- all my experience with Apple is that the counter is accurate as this will anyway be your point of reference when arguing with your cellular provider (yes whatever the case, we'll get there at some point -- they sold you the device and the data -- hence they are responsible).

As i mentioned, I've seen erratic behavior with the counter randomly resetting itself.

 

[[)roi(]]

As i mentioned, I've seen erratic behavior with the counter randomly resetting itself.

This is definitely not normal -- in my experience, since iPhone 3G; the counter is completely reliable and can be used to challenge your operator.

FYI I have had the 3G, 3GS, iPhone 4 and currently own 4S, iPad1 & iPad2 -- hence I'd trust it (except of course if it's a linked bug -- but that would be good as that's what we trying to find evidence of to challenge Apple and your cellular operator).

 

[[)roi(]]

which if any of the location system services do you have enabled?

Services ON
Alarm Clock, Camera, Compass, Find Friends, Maps, Navigon, Photos, PS Express, Safari, Siri, Trapster, Weather, WhatsApp, WolframAlpha, Find my iPhone

Service OFF
Cards, Facebook, Fnb, Kayak, News24, Speed test, Trailers

System Services ON
Cell Network Search
Compass Calibration
Diagnostics & Usage
Location-Based iAds
Traffic

System Services OFF
Setting Time Zone

 

[assagai]

Services ON
Alarm Clock, Camera, Compass, Find Friends, Maps, Navigon, Photos, PS Express, Safari, Siri, Trapster, Weather, WhatsApp, WolframAlpha, Find my iPhone

Service OFF
Cards, Facebook, Fnb, Kayak, News24, Speed test, Trailers

System Services ON
Cell Network Search
Compass Calibration
Diagnostics & Usage
Location-Based iAds
Traffic

System Services OFF
Setting Time Zone

Thanks. Restore done.
Reset counters.

On wifi.

1.16 am - cellular usage usage: sent 64kb received 44kb

1.19 am - cellular usage usage: sent 69kb received 51kb

1.21 am - cellular usage usage: sent 74kb received 61kb

1.22 am - cellular usage usage: sent 77kb received 67kb

1.24 am - cellular usage usage: sent 79kb received 70kb

you get the picture ...

 

[[)roi(]]

Thanks. Restore done.
Reset counters.

On wifi.

1.16 am - celular usage usage: sent 64kb received 44kb

1.19 am - celular usage usage: sent 69kb received 51kb

1.21 am - celular usage usage: sent 74kb received 61kb

1.22 am - celular usage usage: sent 77kb received 67kb

you get the picture ...

Sounds hectic -- we have to get to the bottom of this one -- would be good to see it... Anyway would you like to meet up tomorrow, maybe now is a good time to agree a time. I PM'd my details btw.

I have started the download for iOS 5.1 beta3 -- will be done in about 3 hours or more (dev servers are not the fastest).

 

[[)roi(]]

Ok quick update:

1. Met with assagai, extracted device logs, console output & screenshots for bug report.
2. Loaded iOS5.1 beta3 onto his phone
3. Matched settings with my phone -- everything was switched on except for:

• I don't have time sync switched on and neither do I have it activated under Location Services, Setting Time Zone (primary reason for not having this switched on -- I found during my travels that this does not work as it should -- hence I prefer to manually set the timezone; last time I checked was Dec 2011 in Doha, Bangkok, Vietnam on iOS 5.1 beta 2)

We now onto to waiting to see what happens overnight, and to comparing cellular operator usage reports with the usage counters on the iPhone.

Btw I am still waiting for another 2 people to provide device, console logs and screenshots for the bug report.

 

[assagai]

Hey [)roi(]

thanks for the assist.

An update, after leaving your place and driving home, not having touched the phone, Data counter is up to 210kb! 86/124