A new feature in Apple's iOS 9 could be causing a surprising spike in data use.
Keeping track of your data usage isn't always an easy thing to do. And now several iOS 9 users are questioning whether a feature in Apple's new operating system designed to keep your connection stable is a potential data sink in disguise.
The setting, called "WiFi Assist," automatically switches your phone over to the cellular network when you're in a place with spotty WiFi. The feature is on by default in iOS 9, meaning that your iPhones and iPads will seek out cell networks unless you tell them not to - and could potentially eat up your data plan without you realizing it.
Users such as Gizmodo writer Chris Mills have seen a jump in data use since downloading the new system. Mills said his data usage has risen by about one-third, and he suspects that WiFi Assist is the culprit:
"It's impossible to say if that extra usage is directly related to Wi-Fi Assist, but I have my suspicions. On the iPhone 6s that I've only been using for three days, my data usage is at 950MB; half of that is from Netflix, which I make certain to never use when I'm on the go. In fact, the only time I've used it in the past couple days was at home, using what I thought was Wi-Fi."