Mav seems to use significant cell phone data; how to reduce?

[Surly Old Bill]

On our cell plan, we noticed MY phone uses the most data by far.
BUT:
I only use my phone for text and maybe 4-5 phone calls a week (I dislike phones). I sometimes take pics and send them to my email address or as a text, again less than a dozen times a week at most. I do not "surf the web" on my phone, that's what a desktop is for.

We were trying to figure out how my # had the most data usage out of the three phones on the plan, even though I use it less than a quarter as much as either of the other two people. Maybe 90% less.

The only thing I can think of is that when I'm in the Mav, it auto-connects to the Sync radio and that somehow starts a datastream. I thought GPS was independent of cell data.

Does anyone know how much data the Mav pulls just to exist? I may put my phone in airplane mode while driving.

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[icegradner]

On an XL there is no GPS in the head unit, it will use data from your phone for the maps, which is likely the largest data draw other than sending pictures like you talked about.

 

[El Kabong]

Yep like what @icegradner said, mapping data is more than just maps for routing, it's constantly looking for points of interest whether you are using that or not.

You can make Google Maps pull and cache map data for an area ahead of time if thats what you are using and that might help a bit.

 

[Chops]

On our cell plan, we noticed MY phone uses the most data by far.
BUT:
I only use my phone for text and maybe 4-5 phone calls a week (I dislike phones). I sometimes take pics and send them to my email address or as a text, again less than a dozen times a week at most. I do not "surf the web" on my phone, that's what a desktop is for.

We were trying to figure out how my # had the most data usage out of the three phones on the plan, even though I use it less than a quarter as much as either of the other two people. Maybe 90% less.

The only thing I can think of is that when I'm in the Mav, it auto-connects to the Sync radio and that somehow starts a datastream. I thought GPS was independent of cell data.

Does anyone know how much data the Mav pulls just to exist? I may put my phone in airplane mode while driving.

Do you have the Ford App on your phone? What kind of phone do you use?

I do not have a desktop, laptop, or printer for that matter. I use my ancient iPhone SE for everything. I also use Mint Mobile $15/mo for 5G of “data”.

As long as I am in my home wifi range (whole house & courtyards where I’m typing now) no data is used. When I drive and use my apple for navigation - no data is used.

I’m not connected to the Ford App. When I had a Toyota a couple years back - I had to disconnect from the “Toyota Care” app because it drained my phone’s battery twice as fast!

 

[HeyBales]

What carrier that Apple gives free data when it's used for navigation?
Anytime, or thru Apple Auto connection?

Because you can bet your blue line it's using cell phone data, if using to power what's on the Mav screen.
They may just not count it towards plan data.

Unless you bought or are receiving free the Ford Connect or whatever they call it now - and using the ATT modem to provide the data while connected.

 

[inline_five]

On our cell plan, we noticed MY phone uses the most data by far.
BUT:
I only use my phone for text and maybe 4-5 phone calls a week (I dislike phones). I sometimes take pics and send them to my email address or as a text, again less than a dozen times a week at most. I do not "surf the web" on my phone, that's what a desktop is for.

We were trying to figure out how my # had the most data usage out of the three phones on the plan, even though I use it less than a quarter as much as either of the other two people. Maybe 90% less.

The only thing I can think of is that when I'm in the Mav, it auto-connects to the Sync radio and that somehow starts a datastream. I thought GPS was independent of cell data.

Does anyone know how much data the Mav pulls just to exist? I may put my phone in airplane mode while driving.

If you use Apple CarPlay and use the Apple Maps native app for navigation, it consumes a ton of data. I switched to Waze. Downloading the local map may reduce data usage as well, although I am not sure as you'd have to select "offline maps" somehow. Not sure if this is possible in CarPlay.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

On our cell plan, we noticed MY phone uses the most data by far.

In our household, it's the opposite. She's on that phone ALL THE TIME!

HRG

 

[Chops]

What carrier that Apple gives free data when it's used for navigation?
Anytime, or thru Apple Auto connection?

Because you can bet your blue line it's using cell phone data, if using to power what's on the Mav screen.
They may just not count it towards plan data.

Unless you bought or are receiving free the Ford Connect or whatever they call it now - and using the ATT modem to provide the data while connected.

Correct - my carrier Mint Mobile does not count Apple Navigation as data usage. Or if it does it is unnoticeable to me? Siri gives great direction although I rarely talk back. I have an “unlocked” IPhone btw. I pay Mint $15/mo for 5G of data where I was paying ATT well over $100/mo unlimited usage.

As long as I’m connected to my home’s WI-FI (Cox) or in my truck - data usage is zip. I use my phone extensively. Don’t have a TV. Get all my news from YouTube & X. Use weather apps and yahoo finance for market info. Use MTC often too

I rarely use the entire 5G I pay for. If I’m not in my truck or in my house, however, my data usage gets sucked up fast. I do my best not to connect to inter webs while away from home/truck.

Do I pay for or get free Ford Connect? No, I’m not even connected to Ford App.

I check my balance every now and then. Was relieved when I did not notice reduction in of my data usage balance while driving. Apple Maps almost always on.

In our household, it's the opposite. She's on that phone ALL THE TIME!

HRG

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Download Google Maps of your area to be use offline no data required

 

[DanielP]

If you use Apple CarPlay and use the Apple Maps native app for navigation, it consumes a ton of data. I switched to Waze. Downloading the local map may reduce data usage as well, although I am not sure as you'd have to select "offline maps" somehow. Not sure if this is possible in CarPlay.

I drive a 2023 Lariat that does not come with Bluetooth feature. To get Bluetooth connected I purchased a 3rd party thumb drive which is connected to the USB port. I use Google Maps via my iPhone 15 all the time and experience zero added data usage! Driving from VA to FL, no data usage!

 

[MaverickDragon]

In our household, it's the opposite. She's on that phone ALL THE TIME!

HRG

How odd... Women rarely use their phones..
Actually, it seems like many would be unable to keep breathing without one.

Your post helps explain why I have to keep reloading her plan while I never use a quarter of my data, and my phone is the only one connected to the Mav...

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Do you have the Ford App on your phone? What kind of phone do you use?

I do not have a desktop, laptop, or printer for that matter. I use my ancient iPhone SE for everything. I also use Mint Mobile $15/mo for 5G of “data”.

As long as I am in my home wifi range (whole house & courtyards where I’m typing now) no data is used. When I drive and use my apple for navigation - no data is used.

I’m not connected to the Ford App. When I had a Toyota a couple years back - I had to disconnect from the “Toyota Care” app because it drained my phone’s battery twice as fast!

I also have an SE. I DO have the Ford app. I'll try turning that off and see if it makes a difference.

Bit of contradictory messages on this thread; someone above said GPS uses data, you say it doesn't. My impression from using it for years is that it is all satellite based, and does not use cell data.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

In our household, it's the opposite. She's on that phone ALL THE TIME!

HRG

Oh, my trophy fake-wife is on her phone at least 5-6 hours a day, compared to my 5-6 minutes. I use my desktop, she uses her phone (same plan, but for whatever reason my data usage is almost double...I think it's the Ford)

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I drive a 2023 Lariat that does not come with Bluetooth feature. To get Bluetooth connected I purchased a 3rd party thumb drive which is connected to the USB port. I use Google Maps via my iPhone 15 all the time and experience zero added data usage! Driving from VA to FL, no data usage!

I also bought a device that allows my to use carplay without a cable.

 

[El Kabong]

someone above said GPS uses data, you say it doesn't

The GPS *receiver* is a passive antenna like AM or FM. All it does is receive a satellite signal (which is "data" but not in the sense that it is using your cellular phone data).

Commonly used GPS *mapping software* (e.g., Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc.) uses the GPS information to pinpoint your location and then uses a data connection to download the map plus whatever else it downloads for the map like points of interest, traffic information, crash/emergency vehicle/etc..

You can also buy mapping software that works offline, you download the maps you need at home or one time through data then it only needs the GPS to pinpoint the location.

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