iOS Cellular Data Usage

Data usage is linked almost directly to the number of pictures a user submits with their GoSpotCheck missions. The average data plan for phones is 2GB per month, and we estimate that the average GoSpotCheck user would use around 2.2% – 11% of this monthly plan with GoSpotCheck. Check out our calculations below to see where these numbers came from:

Low estimate data usage: 1 photo/mission, 5 missions/day

• Data per day: 1,500k or 1.46MB
• Data per month (31 days per month): 45.4MB
• Monthly usage: 2.2% of a 2GB data plan

High estimate data usage: 5 photos/mission, 5 missions/day

• Data per day: 7,500k or 7.32MB
• Data per month (31 days per month): 227MB
• Monthly usage: 11% of a 2GB data plan

Reset Cellular Data Statistics

The ‘Cellular Data Usage’ section will show your data usage since the last time you reset the statistics. Please note that these statistics do not automatically reset for your billing cycle. You must reset this period manually in order to view accurate data usage for a given time period. If you have never reset this screen on your own, these statistics will display total data usage from the first time you began using your phone. If you want to monitor your monthly data usage, you will need to click on this button each month to reset your statistics.

Additional Tips for Managing Data Usage

1. Connect to WiFi when Possible: The best way to minimize your data usage is to connect to WiFi whenever possible. When your device is on a WiFi network, it is not using cellular data.To connect to WiFi, go to Settings > WiFi > ensure the button on the righthand side is green. Then, select the network you want to connect to from the list that appears on this page. You may need to enter a password for the WiFi network or accept the terms of use if it is a private network.
2. Track your Monthly Data Usage: Check with your cellular provider as to what your current data plan is and when your billing cycle starts and ends each month.You can then manually track your data usage on your device by going to Settings > Cellular > scroll to the bottom of this list and click ‘Reset Statistics’. This will then refresh the information on this page so you can get an accurate reading of the amount of data you are using each month, and which apps are using the data.In order to track monthly data usage, be sure to click the ‘Reset Statistics’ button at the end of each of your billing cycles. These statistics will not automatically refresh.
3. Manage which Apps use Data: You can check which apps are using the most data by going to Settings > Cellular > scroll down to the ‘Use Cellular Data For’ list. The information here will show you how much data has been used since you last reset the statistics (which must be done manually) by each app. You can expect that data usage will be higher for the apps that you use most frequently.You can turn off cellular data access for individual apps by clicking on the button on the righthand side of each app so it no longer appears to be green. This will require your device to be connected to WiFi in order for it to pull any information from the internet for that app.
4.  Turn Off Data Roaming: Data Roaming allows you to access the Internet over a cellular data network when you’re in an area that isn’t covered by your carrier’s network. When you’re traveling, you can turn off Data Roaming to avoid roaming charges. Turn off data roaming by going to Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming > OFF
5. Manage Push Notifications: Push notifications often rely on an internet connection in order to send you updates on app-specific activity. Therefore, this will use cellular data if you are not connected to WiFi.If an app is frequently sending you notifications, you can turn off push notifications completely for the app in Settings > Notifications > choose the apps that you want to adjust and then set Allow Notifications to Off.
6. Stop Email Fetching: You can set the Mail app to fetch data at varying intervals. The more frequently your device fetches email, the more cellular data it uses.You can edit these intervals by going to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data. To manually fetch emails (which will use the least amount of data), turn off ‘Push’ by ensuring the button is no longer green and then scroll down to select ‘Manually’. You will then only receive email updates when you open the Mail app. You can also choose ‘Every 15 Minutes’, ‘Every 30 Minutes’, or ‘Hourly’, which will utilize more cellular data when not connected to a WiFi network.
7. Manage Background App Activity: Some apps will continue to update in the background, which will use cellular data if you are not connected to WiFi. You can turn off an app’s ability to do this by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh > OFF You will then need to manually refresh the app each time you open the it, but this will help reduce the amount of data the app uses.
8. Disable Cellular Data for Other Apps & Features: There are several other apps & features that can use cellular data. These include:iCloud Drive: Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Use Cellular Data > OFFSafari‘s Reading List: Settings > Safari > Use Cellular Data > OFF Photo Stream: Settings > Cellular > Photos > OFF
9. Face Time: Face Time will use up large amounts of cellular data when not connected to a WiFi network. Ensure you are connected to WiFi if you plan to make a Face Time call