Apple issued a carrier updated for the Verizon iPhone 5 yesterday evening, eliminating an issue many users have reported where the device uses cellular data even when connected to WiFi. Many users had seem much higher than normal data usage as a result.
This carrier settings update resolves an issue in which, under certain circumstances, iPhone 5 may use Verizon cellular data while the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Follow these instructions to install the update.
- Tap Settings > General > About.
- Wait for the following 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.
The update must be performed manually, and is delivered over the air. The problem has been widely reported on Apple’s own support forums, and has significantly impacted users with limited data plans.
Update: Verizon Wireless spokesperson Torod Neptune has released a statement on the issue, explaining that customers will not be charged for inadvertent data usage:
Under certain circumstances, iPhone 5 may use Verizon cellular data while the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. 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.
