iPhone - iOS9 expensive 'data trap'

30 Sep 2015 10:36:09

Mark Ford

Money Saving Expert [Martin Lewis] is warning of a new setting in iOS9 that could prove expensive.
Its a bit of a muddled report but my son's employer is warning all its folk so it is worth a look.
My second-hand phone is too old to be bothered by it.

Re: iPhone - iOS9 expensive 'data trap'

30 Sep 2015 12:39:10

Eric Jervis

I haven't got a mobile but I've just had a look and it seems not too far removed from theft!

Re: iPhone - iOS9 expensive 'data trap'

30 Sep 2015 15:40:45

Mick Burrell

Odd reply Eric - Apple have brought this in but it would be your carrier who charges you so who is "close" to stealing from you?

Well worth checking if you don't have unlimited data as part of your contract. That setting does not appear on my 4S so it may only be on the 5 or newer. Jane has a 5S but does not use mobile data so this is turned off. Wi-Fi assist was turned on (by default) but would this override the mobile data setting in a poor wi-fi spot?

As long as you know about it I would say it's a nice feature. We're all heading for fibre broadband because we want better and better internet connections. This gives another shot at a good connection. However, how poor does wi-fi have to be for it to cut in?

Re: iPhone - iOS9 expensive 'data trap'

3 Oct 2015 12:54:56

Derek Allcock

I have new iphone 6s and have switched it off as advised

Re: iPhone - iOS9 expensive 'data trap'

9 Oct 2015 23:58:12

Tony Still

I think this setting is aimed at those annoying circumstances where a known-to-the-phone (public, hotel, whatever) WiFi hotspot is visible but actually has no Internet throughput behind it. The effect is that the phone switches to WiFi and all data transactions cease because the hotspot has effectively hijacked your connection. I had this just this week where hotel WiFi throughput was pitiful at peak times so I had to turn off WiFi manually to use 3G instead (I was roaming so the new facility didn't help).

It was enabled by default on my 5s. Poor positioning of the switch too, I thought, as it's all on its own below the endless list of app-specific settings. All the other general controls are at the top of the page.

[Edit] Apple has now published a support page about this feature.