Galaxy S8 using Mobile Data even with Mobile Data turned off

[Android Central Question]

I'm on a galaxy s8 and I can't seem to get it to stop using mobile data. Mobile data is turned off, but if I look at my data usage online, it keeps going up. In the last few days I've "used" about .2gb without ever having Mobile Data turned on. It's really frustrating because I'm on a limited data plan and am connected to wifi pretty much constantly. Most of the mobile data use is actually when I'm connected to wifi (at home or at work). I do not have network switching turned on either.

I've got and turned off "background usage" for almost every app on my phone and I have Data Saver turned on. I've also put on the Mobile data warning and cap, but the amount of mobile data reported by my phone is much lower than that reported by my service provider (cspire).

Is there something I'm missing?

 

[methodman89]

So if you go to connections, data usage, Mobile Data is toggled off? But your phone still TX and receives mobile data?

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

@methodman89
I'm the OP. Yes, Mobil Data is toggled off. The phone does not show any mobile data usage, but my carrier does. It's less than one MB usually, but it's constant throughout the day.

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

FYI I reached out to Cspire about it and they said that the data usage is necessary for phone function and cannot be turned off, even with Mobile Data set to off.

 

[methodman89]

Unless you have an app in the background turning it on, that's just wrong. With cell data off, Wi-Fi on, make sure you have toggled off aggressive Wi-Fi changeover, which may trigger data use, you should only be connected by the wifi connection. Test it by turning it off and having someone text you.
It should not go through.

FYI I reached out to Cspire about it and they said that the data usage is necessary for phone function and cannot be turned off, even with Mobile Data set to off.

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

@methodman89
Both texts and calls go through with it turned off, but not MMS (images and group messages).

 

[methodman89]

@methodman89
Both texts and calls go through with it turned off, but not MMS (images and group messages).

I read back my comment. You need to test with wifi and data off in your settings. Then it shouldn't go through. If it does, it's connected to data running in the background. Pull up your battery stats and if it does it see what system app is turning it on.

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

You need to test with wifi and data off in your settings....Pull up your battery stats and if it does it see what system app is turning it on.

I'll try it out this weekend! Thanks for all your help!

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

I read back my comment. You need to test with wifi and data off in your settings. Then it shouldn't go through. If it does, it's connected to data running in the background. Pull up your battery stats and if it does it see what system app is turning it on.

Turned off WiFi and Mobile Data but was still able to receive SMS and calls.

I looked at my battery stuff but am not sure if I'm in the right place. I've attached a screenshot.

 

[methodman89]

The Data Network Feature is what the carrier is putting on the phone, allowing texts to go through the system even when we toggle everything off. It is doing as the cs agent said. Afaik, airplane mode is the only way to the background data off.

 

[BrandonSMcLeod]

The Data Network Feature is what the carrier is putting on the phone, allowing texts to go through the system even when we toggle everything off. It is doing as the cs agent said. Afaik, airplane mode is the only way to the background data off.

Hmmm. OK. Thank you for all your help!