A number of iPhone 5 users took to Apple Support Communities forum to complain about an issue with their new device that charged for data usage even while phones were connected to Wi-Fi networks. Some blamed it on iOS 6, while others thought it was a problem with the actual handset. Either way, Apple has issued a patch.
According to the Apple Support page:
- Tap Settings > General > About
- Wait for the alert to appear
- Tap OK to install the update
- Hold the Sleep/Wake button down until you see “slide to power off”
- Slide to power off
- After the device powers off, hold the Sleep/Wake button to turn your phone back on
Note: To finish the installation of the update, your iPhone 5 must be turned off and then on again.
After your iPhone restarts, tap Settings > General > About, then scroll down to Carrier and verify that “Verizon 13.1” is displayed.
This fix is intended for Verizon Wireless customers only, though some have noted in the Apple forum that they’ve seen similar issues with AT&T. It’s unclear whether Verizon plans on refunding iPhone users who experienced this problem and Apple hasn’t made any announcements explaining why this happened. On the bright side, Verizon customers won’t have to worry about this problem anymore and hopefully Verizon refunds those who were affected by this issue.
Update: Verizon has issued a statement on the matter. According to the Loop:
Apple has a fix that is being delivered to Verizon customers right on their iPhone 5. Verizon Wireless customers will not be charged for any unwarranted cellular data usage.
Nice. Problem is, how’s Verizon going to determine what was unwarranted data usage? How are they going to know if we were connected to a Wi-Fi network or not? That’s the next question here that needs answering. Better yet, how are customers going to be able to prove they were connected to a Wi-Fi access point to argue their bills?
