Support High Data Usage: System Services > General
I’ve been getting an unreasonably high data usage on cellular under system services > general.
Data usage racks as high as 10GB in under 15 minutes.
This happens alongside fast battery drain and high heat.
To no surprise, even Apple doesn’t know why. I’ve been to the stores to sit down with their “geniuses” and even Apple support online. No trouble shooting methods work.
I have ensured the following:
All back ups for apps and iCloud are strictly over WiFi.
Connectivity assist for WiFi is off.
Software update auto-download and install is off.
Software update over WiFi only.
Low data mode on.
4G data only.
iCloud Drive sync over WiFi only.
Apple’s last resort was to reset my phone and setup as new.
I did that and still get the same high usage.
When asked what system services > general was, the Apple support techs said they “do not know what that is”.
This issue is costing me a lot of money and I no longer know what to do.
1
u/UsedAnt6904 23h ago
System Services > General is a catch-all bucket, so it can be iCloud Photos, Siri or Apple Intelligence requests, App Store checks and so on all lumped together, which is why nobody can tell you what it is. Since you've done the backup and update settings, I'd also turn off mobile data for Photos (Settings > Apps > Photos > Mobile Data) and for iCloud Drive in the Mobile Service list, and remove any VPN or ad blocker profile to test. Then hit Reset Statistics at the bottom of Mobile Service and switch things back on one at a time to see which one makes it jump. Low Data Mode under Mobile Data Options is worth turning on as a safety net while you test.