Wondering why is my Xfinity data usage so high? Well, there are a lot of things that could be consuming your mobile data, and today we’ll unveil all of them.
In this post, you’ll get familiar with the largest data consumers and how to disable them.
Your Xfinity mobile data usage could be high because you’re downloading, uploading, or streaming video content. Moreover, any automatic app updates or cloud uploads could be consuming your data. To resolve the issue, you’ll need to disable as many consumers as possible.
Since there are a lot of things to discuss, let’s have a look at the most frequently reported causes first and then check how to disable them.
Why Is My Xfinity Mobile Data Usage So High?
If your Xfinity mobile data usage is higher than normal, it is possible that some of your apps are receiving updates.
There is an option asking you if you would like to auto-update only when connected to WiFi (recommended) or download with your mobile data.
Besides that feature, here is what else could have consumed your mobile data:
1. Video Streaming
If you’ve been video streaming anything through your phone while using mobile data, the usage will increase significantly.
2. Hotspot Usage
Devices connected to yours via hotspot consume data equal to your device.
3. App Updates
If you have enabled the auto-update feature with apps on your phone, the data usage could increase accordingly.
4. Downloading/Uploading
If you’ve been downloading or uploading content larger than usual, your data consumption may increase.
Now that you know why is your Xfinity data usage so high, let’s proceed with the best troubleshooting solutions for increased Xfinity data usage.
How To Relieve And Lower Xfinity Data Usage?
The steps below are designed to relieve your Xfinity data usage as much as possible and hopefully reduce the usage enough. We recommend not skipping any of the steps for best results.
With that being said, you can start with the first step.
Step #1 Stop Downloading
If your Xfinity data usage increases by the moment, you may have initiated an app download from the app store. This will drain as much data as the size of the file.
For instance, if the app is 100MB, your mobile data usage will go up to 100MB.
To check if you’re currently downloading anything follow these steps:
- Open the settings of your smartphone.
- Go to the Network tab and enter Mobile Data Usage.
- From there, check what is the latest consumption your data has gone through.
- Exit the settings and open the quick menu to check if anything is downloading.
- If anything is downloading, enter the app store and click the cross to cancel the download.
Once done with this, ensure you no longer initiate downloads while on mobile data.
Step #2 Turn Off Auto-Update
It is possible that the auto-update in your play store is enabled, initiating an app update every time one is available. This feature will initiate the update, no matter whether you’re using mobile data or WIFi.
To check and disable auto-update, follow these steps:
- Open the Play Store on your smartphone.
- Tap the menu icon positioned on the left corner of your screen.
- Go to the settings and head to the Auto-Update Apps tab.
- Once there, select Don’t Auto-Update App and tap Done.
In case you’re using the App Store, the guideline stays the same as the options tab with Android and iPhone are almost similar.
Step #3 Stop Video Streaming
In case you were video streaming longer than usual, it is possible your mobile internet consumes more cellular data than you often use.
Such video streaming apps could be Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, Roku, and other video platforms.
Here are some steps to get rid of video streaming:
- Close the streaming app you have currently opened.
- Clear the app data from the memory cache of your phone by holding the home button down and swiping left until all tabs are gone.
- Clear the phone’s cache from the options.
- Restart your cellular data.
Once you’ve performed all of these steps, your phone should no longer be video streaming and your data usage should be lower from now on.
Note: If you’ve been streaming before and your mobile data usage was normal, check if you’re streaming in exceptionally high quality.
Then lower the quality as it was before (avoid streaming in 1080p or 4K format).
Step #4 Re-Eject Sim Card
If you’re still wondering why is my Xfinity data usage so high then you should check the SIM card.
Sometimes there might be a temporal issue with your SIM card, showing unreal data about your cellular usage. This is why you have to re-eject the SIM card to refresh the data.
To re-eject your SIM card, follow these steps:
- Grab a paperclip or needle.
- Locate the little pinhole above your SIM card slot, positioned on the side of your phone.
- Insert the instrument you’re using into the little pinhole until the slot clicks.
- Take out the slot, eject the SIM card, and put it back with slight pressure.
Once done, your cellular data will restart and you will be able to review the cellular usage.
Step #5 No Video Calling
If you’re video calling often, this could increase the usage of your cellular resources depending on the frequency of your calls.
The video call will have to load real-time footage of the user you’re talking to, which can consume a lot of bandwidth. It’s basically just like streaming.
While you’re on cellular data, it is recommended that you only stream audio which is not that of a consumer. In other words, when talking don’t use the camera.
The other occasion would be when listening to music, try to minimize the application so the video won’t be buffered.
Step #6 Avoid Screen Sharing/Live Streaming
Screen sharing and other live-type of streaming can as well consume a large amount of cellular data. As you probably know, this live-tome footage transmitted by your device requires a lot of bandwidth to buffer the stream.
It is important to understand that loading images and messaging is NOT consuming a lot of data but loading videos/gifs, and AR features online do.
Step #7 Stop Could Uploading
If you don’t know what your phone is doing in the background, you’ll now learn.
When capturing local videos and images, your Photos app automatically uploads them to a cloud service if enabled (for Android is Google Drive and for iPhone is iCould) and if you haven’t told your phone to do this only when connected to WiFi, it will use your cellular.
You can either disable the cloud storage support entirely or configure it to upload only when hooked up to WiFi.
Here is where to find the options for these features:
- For iPhone – Options > Apple ID, iCloud, Media & Purchases > iCloud > Photos.
- For Android – Open Google Drive application > Options > Photos/Videos.
When you’re ready, your device should no longer automatically upload content to the cloud services and your mobile data consumption should be lower. If that is not helping either then you should contact Xfinity for additional help.
Read Next: Know the WiFi Extenders Compatible with Xfinity.
If your Xfinity internet is consuming a lot of resources, stop video calling and video streaming. Avoid screen sharing, stop live streaming, disable the auto app update, stop downloading and re-insert your SIM card.
Bottom Line:
Now that you’ve learned why is my Xfinity data usage so high you should be able to relive your mobile data at home.
If you’ve applied ALL steps and your usage is still abnormal, then you can contact Xfinity to continue troubleshooting.
If you’re interested in more content related to Xfinity internet and how to deal with the issues surrounding it, make sure to stop by our blog.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.