Checking data usage on unlimited contract

[py9mrg]

Hello,

I am currently abroad and want to check my data usage to see how close I am to the 50GB fair usage allowance. However, when I do it via the website it gives a list of overlapping “stacked” and “expired” numbers that I have no idea how to interpret. When I check it via the app, it simply says something like “you’re on unlimited, sit back and relax”, which is useless. 

Where can I find out my current monthly usage in a simple XGB fashion so I can check whether X < 50, please?

Thanks

[Peter_W]

Good morning @py9mrg 

Thanks for reaching out to us here on the Community 😊

If you're on an unlimited data plan, then it won't give a breakdown of how much data you've used within a given period via our app. 

Phones do often have an internal data tracker that can help you keep track of this, though.

What model of handset are you using right now?

Peter

[py9mrg]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for coming back to me and good idea! I’m on an iPhone 13 Pro Max and just checked the “current data roaming” section. It says 43.6GB so assuming that resets the same time as my contract (2nd August) I better get myself a local eSIM!

thanks.  

[Peter_W]

Thanks for confirming that for me, @py9mrg 

This doesn't actually synchronise with your billing cycle at our end, so will just measure from the time that you last reset your statistics. 

How long have you been away for, and if you scroll to the bottom of that page when does it mention that the statistics were last reset?

Peter

[py9mrg]

Oh, I see. If I scroll to the bottom it says (in the mobile data usage statistics section) last reset was 14 Oct 2018. But I can’t believe that’s correct as I travel a lot for work and have a month in Greece visiting family every year. When I’m here my son is watching YouTube etc …

[Peter_W]

Have you been using the same phone consistently since 2018 @py9mrg?

I would imagine it would only show usage from this individual handset, and when I check the same on my own phone it's showing the day that this was first activated last year. 

One thing to be aware of as well is that you'll get a fresh 50GB to use if your bill resets when you're away, so it's worth checking in the EE app what date your allowances refresh.

Peter

[py9mrg]

Yes it’s been the same handset since 2018 so that’ll be when I got it. But last year I changed from Virgin -> O2 when they forced the switch and then O2 -> to get the 50GB deal (and better coverage). 

One thing I forgot to answer sorry is that I’ve been here since the 2nd August and will be here until 1st Sept. By complete coincidence my allowances refresh on the 2nd Sept! So basically 99.9% of this month’s usage will be in Greece. 

I still can’t believe I’ve used only 44GB roaming since 2018 though. I do have a £50 limit on my phone so if worst comes to the worst I’ll run into that, but I’d prefer to move to a local eSIM before hitting that. 

[Peter_W]

Cheers, @py9mrg 😊

One thing that could be worth giving a try is sending AL to 150 to see if it mentions how much you've used so far.

Just as a heads up too, if you were to hit the fair use amount we would let you know before any charges kick in.

Peter

[py9mrg]

Thanks, Peter. That’s nice to know. I’ll hold fire until then for now then. Usage has apparently gone up 0.2GB even just in this time with these messages and a bit of Reddit so I’m seriously doubting that data statistic! 

Thanks for your advice and have a lovely day. 

edit: forgot to say the text to 150 just gave an overview saying no current charges etc, not the actual usage.

[Peter_W]

Cheers @py9mrg, enjoy the rest of your time in Greece!

Don't forget you can also amend your spend cap at any point via our text service and app if you want to be absolutely sure about not going over. 

You can find all of the details you need on our help pages here.

Peter