This isn't a question but rather a warning to anyone using the new OS for iphone 4. The imessage uses up your data plan like crazy. I called Apple about it and they said no it's not doing it. I called AT

Question

The new OS is burning through my data plan like crazy and here's why.  Imessage uses your data plan and not your texting plan.  So every time you send a text message to someone with an iphone it uses imessage and it uses your data, not your text plan.  I couldn't figure out why I was burning through so much of my data plan so quickly.  I called Apple and they said, no it's not the data plan doing it.  I called AT&T and they said, yes, the imessage uses data instead of your texting plan if you are texting to another iphone.  Also, the new OS runs your apps all the time, even when you aren't using them.  So if you are not near wifi your apps are running and burning your data plan.  The AT&T guy took me through the steps to turn off the apps.  You can still use them but they won't be running constantly.  Seriously Apple, you should let people know this.  It does say it in the fine print on the website "data rates may apply" under imessage but most people will never read this.  So my data plan started on October 10th and it's already at 175 megabytes and I only have a 200 megabyte plan.  I've never used more than 50 to 75 megabytes in a month.  Apple get it together and be honest with people and tell them.  Quit denying the problem.  Most people have probably not even discovered this yet.  Wait till you get your bill.

Answer 1

kimmie92592 wrote:
It's not really common knowledge because I've talked to several people today and none of them knew about it.  Also, when I called Apple they said no the new OS is not using data.  Totally wrong answer.  You'd think they'd know about it and at least tell people.  The people who are going to be hit by this are people like me with the 200mb plans.  I just think it's best to spread the word so people can know what's happening.  I still don't know how I went through so much data in such a short period of time.  It's not happening anymore though, not since I fixed everything up last night. 
If you are using a free wifi connection, there are no data charges with iMessage.  But in an area where you did NOT have a wifi connection, of course it used 3G and of course you got charged for it (or had it count against your plan limits).
I'll ask again - without a wifi connection, just what did you think was happening?  How did you think your iPhone was able to magically send a message WITHOUT using any data connection?  A little bit of rational thought would have made you realize that there was no way, over a 3G connection (which is a service provided by your cellular service provider, NOT Apple), that you can send or receive ANYTHING without your service provider's plan picking it up.
Nothing abut iMessage has ever hinted that it can, in any way, bypass your service provider when NOT using a wifi connection.