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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > iPhone, iPad & iPod > iCloud data usage cellular vs wifi

iCloud data usage cellular vs wifi
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posthumanus
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Oct 16, 2011, 01:54 AM
 
ok, so i’ve finally got the whole thing running smoothly and don’t want to mess it up by changing the wrong settings, but

i’m confused about which data plan is being drained whenever info is synced. i’ve got the iPhone on a 2Gb data plan (which should be plenty at the moment). i’ve also got 25Gb/mth of wireless for my MacBook.

i think it’s got something to do with ‘Backup to iCloud/Backup to MacBook.

the issue isn’t pressing, but one day soon i’m going to want to ditch the phone plan and go pre-paid - like buy a $50 voucher for anyone unfamiliar with that)

so, can anyone point me in the direction where the data might be draining from? and whatever settings i should change to get iCloud to use my home 25Gb wireless plan?

gratitude, posthumanus
     
posthumanus  (op)
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Oct 16, 2011, 01:59 AM
 
does this have something to do with 'Default' settings?

basically, i want my MacBook/home wireless to take the hit.
     
chabig
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Oct 16, 2011, 02:30 AM
 
iOS won't backup to iCloud over 3G, so it can only occur over wifi.
     
posthumanus  (op)
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Oct 16, 2011, 02:35 AM
 
thank you

it's like looking for something that's right in front of you
     
chabig
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Oct 16, 2011, 03:05 AM
 
Yeah. I'm still unclear about some of iCloud's functions. But it's working for me anyway.
     
Waragainstsleep
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Oct 16, 2011, 07:48 AM
 
I did a test years ago on an iPhone 3G. I forget which OS it was running, probably 3.x but basically I don't trust iOS to use Wifi only for anything. When my phone was on my window sill overnight, in full range of wifi, even when I got no texts, no emails, no Facebook updates, eBay alerts or any other notifications whatsoever, it was draining sending and receiving 3G data.

If you don't have a proper data plan and pay from your ordinary calling credit, it will drain about £10 in 2-3 days without loading a single web page or sending an email. At least it would a couple of years back. I never worked out what it was doing.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
Cold Warrior
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Oct 16, 2011, 10:38 AM
 
Since the OP's question was about cellular versus wifi data usage, I've moved this to the iPhone forum.
     
SSharon
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Oct 16, 2011, 11:12 AM
 
Originally Posted by chabig View Post
iOS won't backup to iCloud over 3G, so it can only occur over wifi.
I believe this is the default, but I could swear I remember seeing a toggle switch to use cellular data when I was setting up my wife's 4S last night.
AT&T iPhone 5S and 6; 13" MBP; MDD G4.
     
posthumanus  (op)
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Oct 16, 2011, 09:03 PM
 
i must be missing somethinh here (other than a few brain cells). if backup=sync then how can my iCloud & iPhone stay in sync when there's no wi-fi?
     
SSharon
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Oct 16, 2011, 11:05 PM
 
Originally Posted by posthumanus View Post
i must be missing somethinh here (other than a few brain cells). if backup=sync then how can my iCloud & iPhone stay in sync when there's no wi-fi?
I'm new to the whole icloud thing, but I think the the backup might be limited to wifi only when the phone is plugged in. The syncing is the out and about smaller updates. I could be way off though.
AT&T iPhone 5S and 6; 13" MBP; MDD G4.
     
posthumanus  (op)
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Oct 16, 2011, 11:43 PM
 
you mean i've still gotta plug the thing in?
( Last edited by posthumanus; Oct 16, 2011 at 11:49 PM. )
     
Waragainstsleep
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Oct 17, 2011, 04:48 AM
 
I think it means plugged into AC. Would you want to pick up your phone having not used it in hours and gone away without your charger to find it had drained its battery syncing your pics and HD video files you took because you were bored?
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
subego
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Oct 17, 2011, 05:00 AM
 
Yup. Plugged into the AC. As in charging it.
     
posthumanus  (op)
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Oct 18, 2011, 02:18 AM
 
thanks. in Australia we have AC/DC. which would also make a great name for a band.
     
   
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