So as I am nearing going over my 2 GB data limit (for the first time every, but less than a month after getting my SGSII), I did some research and installed My Data Manager and found that AP Mobile was eating up about 3MB per hour. Can't stop, can't uninstall, can't change settings; you can force stop, but it restarts again. So I chat with AT&T but no luck, they won't comp the overages, won't comp the upgraded data plan. So I have to return the phone, which I love, for the iPhone 4S. Here is the transcript of my chat with AT&T, thought you might enjoy. Would love to stay with Android, but this is not looking good, and no other AT&T droids look as good.
info: You are now chatting with 'Michael DAmico'
Michael DAmico: I'm sorry to hear that. I can post the instructions for deleting an app. If it is one of the pre-installed apps then it can't be deleted in which case all we can do is ask you to chat back when the bill comes out for a credit. I will see if I can find any way to delete it.
Michael DAmico: If you can't uninstall it, you can close it.
Me: Yeah, no way to delete it, I checked, which is the big problem here. The online forums are filled with this issue, with no apparent answers. I installed a monitoring app and this AP MObile is eating 75% of my data!
Michael DAmico: I will post how.
Me: Can't close it either, it just re-opens itself and uses data in the background. I don't even have it open or on my desktop.
Michael DAmico: From the home screen, press and hold the Home key.
Michael DAmico: Tap Task manager.Tap the desired option. Tap Exit next to the desired application to close it.
Michael DAmico: Tap Exit all to close all running applications
Me: I set the sync options on it to Never, still eating up a few MB every hour. Yep, it is never open in the task manager, never ever. I am aware of that.
Me: I got into Manage Applications and force it to stop, then it restarts itself
Michael DAmico: 888-987-4357 is Samsung's number to see if there is some way to stop it from restarting itself. I'll check the user guide quick. Hang on
Me: Nope, all the forum posts get the same runaround, AT&T sends them to Samsung, then Samsung sends everyone back to AT&T.
Me: I could share with you the full chat logs from others who've had the same response.
Me: Here, just for grins: My Android Data Problem ? allankintz.com
Michael DAmico: Okay, thanks. I don't see AP Mobile in the user guide. I'll read what you sent me.
Me: So what do I do here? I don't want to get charged for overages when some rogue app is using 75% of my data without my permission.
Me: And no one can seem to help.
Me: Sudden increase in data usage - how do I find out the cause? - Android Forums
Michael DAmico: Still reading. It does seem to be a Samsung problem.
Me: Doesn't AT&T control/release the software?
Me: Also, I assume Samsung is not going to pay my overage charges.
Michael DAmico: Samsung controls what the pre-installed applications are.
Me: Still, they won't pay my data bill, so what to do?
Michael DAmico: I'll see if changing phones is practical.
Me: And I did buy the phone from AT&T.
Me: What does that mean? Not the SGSII?
Michael DAmico: And you bought the phone on October 14?
Me: Yep
Me: About a month ago. A few days back I got the 65% warning and assumed it was from early usage and downloads. Got the 90% message today and freaked out and installed a monitoring app and saw the problem. Had I know earlier...
Me: Possible to just get the data waived?
Michael DAmico: It needs the data feature because it is a smart phone. You can call this number to see if this department will exchange the phone for another model: 866-650-1836 Hours of Operation (times are ET)
Michael DAmico: Mon - Fri 9 am - 12 Midnight
Michael DAmico: Sat - 10 am - 9 pm
Michael DAmico: Sun 12 Noon - 8 pm
Me: So that is the only option, no way to just have the overages waived?
Michael DAmico: There's about 8% left with 8 days left in the cycle. Have there been overages billed yet?
Me: Nothing billed yet, no, but I will go over as I cannot stop this app from its thing
Me: WHat is the cost for the next data plan up?
Michael DAmico: Then you can chat back when the bill comes out for a credit. How do you know this app is using 75% of your data?
Michael DAmico: 4 GB for $45 which is the same as the 2 GB with 2 GB of overage.
Me: An app called My Data Manager, which comes highly recommended, downloaded from the Market
Me: So what am I paying now, do you know, is it $30 or $25?
Michael DAmico: And Samsung's final answer was that it's pre-loaded and can't be removed as I recall from the information you sent me. You are paying $25 now and $10 for each additional GB.
Me: Ugh, I don't want to jump to $45, that's almost double; any way to get that comped until this is figured out?
Me: And will AT&T just credit me each month if I call in after I get the bill?
Michael DAmico: I can transfer you to the billing chat to see if that department has a solution.
Me: ok, sure, if that might help, thanks
info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate chat representative. Please be patient as someone will be with you shortly.
info: You are now chatting with 'Angela Turner'
Me: Do you know if AT&T is aware of this issue and has any pla ns at all to fidx it?
Me: Oh, hi, Angela
Angela Turner: Mr. [Me], I will be happy to assist you with your billing questions.
Angela Turner: Mr.[Me], how can I assist you?
Me: Not sure if you can see the prior chat. Long story short, I have a 2GB data plan, and my brand new Samsung Galaxy S II has a bad pre-installed app that chews up data and I am going over my plan. This thing eats up about 3 MB per hour so it's killing me, and there is no fix from AT&T or Samsung, and I don't want to pay overages.
Me: I would like to get moved up in data plan until this is fixed, but without paying the $45, just the $25 now
Me: It's a phenomenally well documented problem on the internet forums, which is how I learned of it and started monitoring my device and confirmed the problem.
Angela Turner: If you move up in the data plan, you will have to pay for the data because you are actually using it. Not meant to be condescending.
Me: That's just it, I am NOT using it, the app is, and I cannot stop it.
Angela Turner: Is the application running in the background?
Me: Yes, and I cannot shut it down or uninstall it. I can force it to stop, then it restarts
Angela Turner: Samsung, did not have a way to uninstall the program?
Me: I literally cannot stop it. Since 4 PM today it has eaten 15MB of data.
Me: No, Samsung says it comes pre-installed and cannot be deleted.
Angela Turner: Please allow me 2-3 minutes.
Me: thx
Angela Turner: You may have provided this information already, but I do not see it on the chat. What is the name of the software that is running in the background?
Me: AP Mobile
Me: It's a news widget from Associated Press
Angela Turner: Thank you.
Angela Turner: Press and hold down the home key it will bring up the task manager. Try to close the program.
Me: It does not show up in Task Manager, never has. I have to go into Manage Applications in Settings and Force Stop. The it restarts again in the background/
Angela Turner: Usually in the software, a website or a number is provided. Have you tried to contact support at AP Mobile?
Me: Believe me, if I could get it to stop, I would have. Also, not to be condescending, but I am an advaned user and researched this well in advance. Clearly I am in a bind here and need some help.
Me: THe app is pre-installed, I am not going to contact AP Mobile. I bought the phone from AT&T and should not have to jump through hoops tp get an issue resolved. Do I have to return the phone to get resolution?
Me: I see two options. One, comp the upgraded data plan until this is resolved. Two, I return it at no charge for a different phone. Are there other options?
Angela Turner: That is what I recommend because, we are not able to upgrade you to another data plan without charging you and I know you know how to use your phone.
Me: What if I go over my plan and call in after, can I get credit for the overages?
Angela Turner: The other option is to contact AP Mobile and see what they can do for you since it is there pre-installed application that is causing the problem for you.'
Me: Please don't ask anyone else to do that; it's about the worse advice possible.
Angela Turner: The account will be documented, if you were to go over in data we will have to make a determination at that time.
Me: I will not contact the Associated Press about a widget on my phone I got from AT&T; please don't every suggest that to some poor soul who doesn't know better.
Angela Turner: This is good information. ATT only markets and sell the phone.
Me: Hah, priceless; hope this is documented as well. Nice.
info: Your chat transcript will be sent to joseph.[Me]@gmail.com at the end of your chat.
Angela Turner: Mr. [Me], you can print or email the chat for your documents.
Me: Oh, I will, thanks.
Angela Turner: Can I assist you with anything else?
Me: No, thanks
Angela Turner: We value you as a customer with AT&T and we appreciate your business. Thank you for visiting AT&T Live Support Chat. It has been my pleasure to assist you today, please click the close button to end your session. A customer satisfaction survey will automatically appear and we appreciate your feedback.
info: You are now chatting with 'Michael DAmico'
Michael DAmico: I'm sorry to hear that. I can post the instructions for deleting an app. If it is one of the pre-installed apps then it can't be deleted in which case all we can do is ask you to chat back when the bill comes out for a credit. I will see if I can find any way to delete it.
Michael DAmico: If you can't uninstall it, you can close it.
Me: Yeah, no way to delete it, I checked, which is the big problem here. The online forums are filled with this issue, with no apparent answers. I installed a monitoring app and this AP MObile is eating 75% of my data!
Michael DAmico: I will post how.
Me: Can't close it either, it just re-opens itself and uses data in the background. I don't even have it open or on my desktop.
Michael DAmico: From the home screen, press and hold the Home key.
Michael DAmico: Tap Task manager.Tap the desired option. Tap Exit next to the desired application to close it.
Michael DAmico: Tap Exit all to close all running applications
Me: I set the sync options on it to Never, still eating up a few MB every hour. Yep, it is never open in the task manager, never ever. I am aware of that.
Me: I got into Manage Applications and force it to stop, then it restarts itself
Michael DAmico: 888-987-4357 is Samsung's number to see if there is some way to stop it from restarting itself. I'll check the user guide quick. Hang on
Me: Nope, all the forum posts get the same runaround, AT&T sends them to Samsung, then Samsung sends everyone back to AT&T.
Me: I could share with you the full chat logs from others who've had the same response.
Me: Here, just for grins: My Android Data Problem ? allankintz.com
Michael DAmico: Okay, thanks. I don't see AP Mobile in the user guide. I'll read what you sent me.
Me: So what do I do here? I don't want to get charged for overages when some rogue app is using 75% of my data without my permission.
Me: And no one can seem to help.
Me: Sudden increase in data usage - how do I find out the cause? - Android Forums
Michael DAmico: Still reading. It does seem to be a Samsung problem.
Me: Doesn't AT&T control/release the software?
Me: Also, I assume Samsung is not going to pay my overage charges.
Michael DAmico: Samsung controls what the pre-installed applications are.
Me: Still, they won't pay my data bill, so what to do?
Michael DAmico: I'll see if changing phones is practical.
Me: And I did buy the phone from AT&T.
Me: What does that mean? Not the SGSII?
Michael DAmico: And you bought the phone on October 14?
Me: Yep
Me: About a month ago. A few days back I got the 65% warning and assumed it was from early usage and downloads. Got the 90% message today and freaked out and installed a monitoring app and saw the problem. Had I know earlier...
Me: Possible to just get the data waived?
Michael DAmico: It needs the data feature because it is a smart phone. You can call this number to see if this department will exchange the phone for another model: 866-650-1836 Hours of Operation (times are ET)
Michael DAmico: Mon - Fri 9 am - 12 Midnight
Michael DAmico: Sat - 10 am - 9 pm
Michael DAmico: Sun 12 Noon - 8 pm
Me: So that is the only option, no way to just have the overages waived?
Michael DAmico: There's about 8% left with 8 days left in the cycle. Have there been overages billed yet?
Me: Nothing billed yet, no, but I will go over as I cannot stop this app from its thing
Me: WHat is the cost for the next data plan up?
Michael DAmico: Then you can chat back when the bill comes out for a credit. How do you know this app is using 75% of your data?
Michael DAmico: 4 GB for $45 which is the same as the 2 GB with 2 GB of overage.
Me: An app called My Data Manager, which comes highly recommended, downloaded from the Market
Me: So what am I paying now, do you know, is it $30 or $25?
Michael DAmico: And Samsung's final answer was that it's pre-loaded and can't be removed as I recall from the information you sent me. You are paying $25 now and $10 for each additional GB.
Me: Ugh, I don't want to jump to $45, that's almost double; any way to get that comped until this is figured out?
Me: And will AT&T just credit me each month if I call in after I get the bill?
Michael DAmico: I can transfer you to the billing chat to see if that department has a solution.
Me: ok, sure, if that might help, thanks
info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate chat representative. Please be patient as someone will be with you shortly.
info: You are now chatting with 'Angela Turner'
Me: Do you know if AT&T is aware of this issue and has any pla ns at all to fidx it?
Me: Oh, hi, Angela
Angela Turner: Mr. [Me], I will be happy to assist you with your billing questions.
Angela Turner: Mr.[Me], how can I assist you?
Me: Not sure if you can see the prior chat. Long story short, I have a 2GB data plan, and my brand new Samsung Galaxy S II has a bad pre-installed app that chews up data and I am going over my plan. This thing eats up about 3 MB per hour so it's killing me, and there is no fix from AT&T or Samsung, and I don't want to pay overages.
Me: I would like to get moved up in data plan until this is fixed, but without paying the $45, just the $25 now
Me: It's a phenomenally well documented problem on the internet forums, which is how I learned of it and started monitoring my device and confirmed the problem.
Angela Turner: If you move up in the data plan, you will have to pay for the data because you are actually using it. Not meant to be condescending.
Me: That's just it, I am NOT using it, the app is, and I cannot stop it.
Angela Turner: Is the application running in the background?
Me: Yes, and I cannot shut it down or uninstall it. I can force it to stop, then it restarts
Angela Turner: Samsung, did not have a way to uninstall the program?
Me: I literally cannot stop it. Since 4 PM today it has eaten 15MB of data.
Me: No, Samsung says it comes pre-installed and cannot be deleted.
Angela Turner: Please allow me 2-3 minutes.
Me: thx
Angela Turner: You may have provided this information already, but I do not see it on the chat. What is the name of the software that is running in the background?
Me: AP Mobile
Me: It's a news widget from Associated Press
Angela Turner: Thank you.
Angela Turner: Press and hold down the home key it will bring up the task manager. Try to close the program.
Me: It does not show up in Task Manager, never has. I have to go into Manage Applications in Settings and Force Stop. The it restarts again in the background/
Angela Turner: Usually in the software, a website or a number is provided. Have you tried to contact support at AP Mobile?
Me: Believe me, if I could get it to stop, I would have. Also, not to be condescending, but I am an advaned user and researched this well in advance. Clearly I am in a bind here and need some help.
Me: THe app is pre-installed, I am not going to contact AP Mobile. I bought the phone from AT&T and should not have to jump through hoops tp get an issue resolved. Do I have to return the phone to get resolution?
Me: I see two options. One, comp the upgraded data plan until this is resolved. Two, I return it at no charge for a different phone. Are there other options?
Angela Turner: That is what I recommend because, we are not able to upgrade you to another data plan without charging you and I know you know how to use your phone.
Me: What if I go over my plan and call in after, can I get credit for the overages?
Angela Turner: The other option is to contact AP Mobile and see what they can do for you since it is there pre-installed application that is causing the problem for you.'
Me: Please don't ask anyone else to do that; it's about the worse advice possible.
Angela Turner: The account will be documented, if you were to go over in data we will have to make a determination at that time.
Me: I will not contact the Associated Press about a widget on my phone I got from AT&T; please don't every suggest that to some poor soul who doesn't know better.
Angela Turner: This is good information. ATT only markets and sell the phone.
Me: Hah, priceless; hope this is documented as well. Nice.
info: Your chat transcript will be sent to joseph.[Me]@gmail.com at the end of your chat.
Angela Turner: Mr. [Me], you can print or email the chat for your documents.
Me: Oh, I will, thanks.
Angela Turner: Can I assist you with anything else?
Me: No, thanks
Angela Turner: We value you as a customer with AT&T and we appreciate your business. Thank you for visiting AT&T Live Support Chat. It has been my pleasure to assist you today, please click the close button to end your session. A customer satisfaction survey will automatically appear and we appreciate your feedback.
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