Don't panic: iOS 9's Wifi Assist is NOT the reason you've run out of mobile data

Apple's Wifi Assist may not be the reason you're low on mobile data

WIFI ASSIST has been the focus of a slew of bad publicity this week, but is it really to blame for iOS 9 users' blink-and-you'll-miss-it monthly mobile data usage? It turns out the real problem might be a lack of understanding within Apple's bloating Settings app.

 

Apple introduced a new feature dubbed Wifi Assist alongside its iOS 9 update, which rolled out last month.

According to Apple, iOS 9 has the fastest adoption rate of any iOS software update to date.

But users have voiced some concern over Wifi Assist, a new feature designed to ensure iPhone and iPad users always get a stable and fast internet connection.

The feature quietly swaps your iPhone from a wifi connection to mobile data, if the device judges that your 3G or 4G will be the speediest of the two connections.

 

It's designed to stop endless load times when connected to a sluggish wifi hotspot or home network – but it can quickly burn through your mobile data, especially if you don't have an unlimited plan.

Thousands of Apple users have complained about the issue across social media, but it might be more complicated than simply toggling off Wifi Assist.

Although, if you do want to stop your iPhone from switching between wifi and mobile data behind your back you can switch it off by navigating to – Settings > Mobile Data then scroll down to Wifi Assist.

But Wifi Assist just highlights a bigger problem.

Users should pay much more attention to their settings in iOS.

Here is a Quick Guide to Mastering Mobile Data on Your Apple iPhone –

Apple has included some granular controls within the Mobile Data settings menu, which allows users to decide exactly which app can siphon from your 3G or 4G monthly plan.

iOS 9 shows how much mobile data each app is burning through – allowing you to quickly identify the main culprit for your maxed-out monthly plan.

Apple allows you to quickly toggle each app's access to mobile data from within the menu, too.

 

If you still want your favourite app to have access to 3G while you are out and about, but are worried about running out of data – try disabling background app refresh.

Finding out how much time any given app is active in the background is easy in iOS 9.

As part of Apple's ongoing battery shaming crusade, the firm has added the ability to see how much time an app has spent on-screen or working in the background.

 

Apple allows users to drill down and see which apps are draining the most mobile data

 

If you decide a particular app is using too much data, its easy to quickly to revoke its access

 

Background App Refresh and access to Mobile Data can be toggled within Settings

 

The new iOS 9 Battery option reveals how long an app has been quietly working in the background

This is then compared in relation to its battery usage. Simply navigate to Settings > Battery and then tap the Clock Face icon at the top of the App list.

You can toggle between a day or week-long view for comparison. Once you find the culprit, disabling access is easy.

Scrolling down through the Settings main menu, find your chosen app and it will reveal a menu which allows you to switch-off Background App Refresh or Mobile Data.