If you’ve downloaded the new iOS 9 operating system to your Apple device(s) then there is one new feature that could make your mobile life far more convenient, or altogether far more expensive – depending on your data package.
The new system includes a feature called Wi-Fi assist, which will supplement weak Wi-Fi signals with cellular connection to get you up to the desired signal strength. Which is not a bad idea at all for those with unlimited data - and surely very handy when you find yourself enveloped in a weak Wi-Fi spot. But if you haven’t got an endless supply of free data on your plan then it could mean you’re leaking megabytes while you think you’re plodding through those YouTube videos without charge. And Apple have set it so that the Wi-Fi Assist feature is automatically set on.
In the days since iOS 9 landed there have been some complaints online from people claiming their data usage has gone up while using the new software, with many pointing the finger at the Wi-Fi assist feature.
Something is wrong. Data usage since upgrading to iOS 9 is off the charts. Snapchat: 20GB. Instagram: 16GB. Facebook: 10GB. Tweetbot: 47GB.
— Alex Heath (@alexeheath) September 28, 2015
If you’re on a limited data package then you might want to switch Wi-Fi assist off, and you can do that with a simple fix.
1: Open the Settings, then scroll down to the Cellular section and click in.
2: Scroll to the bottom of the Cellular section and find Wi-Fi Assist.
3: Turn it off - and there'll be no more stealth cellular data propping up lagging Wi-Fi at your expense.
Of course if you're on an unlimited data package then sit back and enjoy the security blanket of uninterrupted data delivery.
Image: Twitter/@JimRay
