If you have an iPhone, you know that Apple's new iOS 9 operating system is now available. But could one hidden feature be causing you to eat up a ton of cellular data?

Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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According to this CBS News story, there's a new feature on Apple's new iOS 9, which was unveiled a few weeks ago, called Wi-Fi Assist. Ironically, it's designed to help your phone perform better by automatically switching over to the cellular network if your Wi-Fi connection isn't working or is too weak.

It's designed to help apps and web pages load faster, but, if you leave set the way its defaulted when you downloaded iOS 9, it could eat up a ton of your cellular data usage.

The story says, "Wi-Fi Assist automatically connects to a cellular data network to boost connectivity whenever a Wi-Fi signal is weak, according to Apple's website. Because it automatically determines when it's necessary and flips on and off on its own, users are unlikely to know when Assist is in effect. And while that might not matter much to people with massive or unlimited data plans, users with limited data plans could tally up a significant amount of overage fees if their phones are constantly using the feature."

But, there IS a solution: Open the "Settings,"  on your iPhone, then head to "Cellular," scroll down to the bottom of the options, and turn off "Wi-Fi Assist." Unless you have an unlimited data plan, of course-- then it doesn't really matter. I changed my settings a few minutes ago after reading this tip-- no one wants to be surprised by a huge charge on their bill!

 

 

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