Why is Google Services using a massive amount of data (20 gb in two weeks!)!?

[AC Question]

google services using massive amounts of data! (20 gb in two weeks!)

I noticed a data overage on my phone bill for last month. Said I'd used 6gb of data when I normally don't use more than 500mb each month.

I checked my usage for this month using the Sprint app and discovered that so far for only the first 2 weeks of this billing period I've used over 20gb of data!

Using Google I learned how to check data usage by app and found that "Google Services" running in the background was responsible for the data usage. I've dissabled background data usage for the Google Services app and set limits to prevent this from happening again, my question is what on earth could cause Google Services to start blasting through that much data?

I barely use any apps that consume data. I mean, I play candy crush on break at work but that's pretty much it. I've never had a smart phone before so I don't even know how to use anything that would use that kind of data. My son in law had to walk me through how to even download candy crush! (he's also the one who showed me how to get to this forum.)

I'd really appreciate any info that anyone may have about this. I'm very confused.

 

[Javier P]

Re: google services using massive amounts of data! (20 gb in two weeks!)

There could be different things included under the Play Services. Most likely some sync/uploads from the Google apps. Check the sync settings and make sure it's only done when on WiFi (specially Google photos). Also check that Play Store is not updating when using mobile data.

 

[Blueale]

Thanks! I had the same problem as the OP (although on a smaller scale of 400MB), and it turns out that Google Photos, which I had set to backup pics only over wifi, in one of the recent automatic updates automatically reset its backing up via wifi therefore eating 40% of my data plan in just 4 days. Anyway resolved now. Hope this can help others