Is 'phantom data' to blame for cell phone data drain?


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SALT LAKE CITY – With smartphones in hand and demand for streaming movies and music exploding some people are left with budget-busting cellphone bills. Even worse, you might not even know why. Even when connected to free Wi-Fi you could blow past your monthly mobile data allowance.

The likely culprit is phantom data, a default cellphone setting that automatically switches smartphones to use cellular data when a Wi-Fi signal is poor.

"Oh yeah, definitely," University of Utah student Dana Tran said when asked if she experienced phantom data woes. "That definitely happens. I call it the "Dang, the WiFi's out and I'm running out of data setting on my cell phone.'"

Off to college, still on the family calling plan

While they might be away from home, most college students are still tethered to their parent's mobile phone plan. Last month, U. student Ana Nunes said her sister used so much data that their shared phone bill was $400 dollars.

And their dad? "He wasn't a happy person," Nunes said. "He was pretty upset. He was like, 'Are you guys kidding me?' We're like, 'Sorry.'"

New Apple phone settings can help limit phantom data use

Last week, Apple aficionados woke up early and stood in line for hours before streaming music and video on their new iPhone 6s.

KSL Investigators uncovered a couple new iPhone settings to check before multiple social media sessions or an epic Netflix binge has you blowing past the monthly data limit.

IPhone 6s and older models running iOS 9 – the latest software upgrade Apple started offering in September – has Wi-Fi Assist. When a Wi-Fi connection slows down or the signal gets spotty the assist setting switches the phone to mobile data. You probably won't know you're not using Wi-Fi — until the bill arrives.

Wi-Fi Assist's Achilles heel for consumers comes in how easy it is to miss when your phone switches over from Wi-Fi signal to a connection that drains data plans dry.

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"Little gremlins sitting inside my phone chewing through cell data"

Gizmodo tech reporter Chris Mills has beta tested Apple's latest operating system for months. Mills is not a fan of Wi-Fi assist, likening it to a group of little gremlins inside his phone "chewing through cell data for no particular reason."

Added Mills: "The Wi-Fi Assist toggle on my phone is being switched very firmly off. If you've got a limited data plan and would rather not watch cat GIFs than burn through it all, I suggest you do the same."

Movies the biggest data hog

Streaming apps like Netflix and HBO GO are notorious data drainers. A Netflix movie in standard definition uses about 1 GB of data an hour, with high-definition over twice that, according to telecom company GCI. In comparison, you could stream 50 hours of Spotify before using up a similar amount of data as an hour of a movie in HD.

What you can do about phantom data

If you're one who sees Wi-Fi Assist as a new feature you'd rather do without, turning it off is nearly painless: it takes just two clicks and a swipe.

Click on the iPhone settings app. Then click on green cellular button. Scroll down to the bottom of the cellular section, then swipe left on Wi-Fi Assist icon. With this, one of the iPhone's latest features is now off.

App Customizing another data saver ==================================

Customizing the settings to specific apps offers another easy long-term fix. You can turn off the data to specific apps, like those that stream movies to your cell phone screen. If having music playlists stutter and stop is a deal breaker, a custom setup route could be the way to go.

I'm addicted to social media

Fellow U. student Christy Flowers said she goes over her 2 GB cell phone limit "All the time — all the time."

And if this happens once more? "My mom says the next time I do this I'm paying my own bill," Flowers said. "I try not to, but I love to use social media. I'm addicted to it.

"As soon as I walk off campus on my way to TRAX I don't really realize I'm not on Wi-Fi anymore," Flowers added. "I'm too busy on my social media. I do that all the time."

Contributing: Debbie Dujanovic

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