Apple (AAPL) on Sunday released a carrier update to the iPhone 5 to prevent the device from using Verizon’s (VZ) cellular network when connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Previously, users had reported some instances where the iPhone 5 was gobbling up data that counted against their monthly bandwidth cap even though they had turned on the phone’s Wi-Fi settings. The carrier update must be installed manually and the phone must be rebooted before the update can take effect. Apple’s full instructions for installing the update are posted below.
UPDATE: Verizon has provided a statement to The Loop explaining that “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.”
iPhone 5 (Verizon): About carrier settings update 13.1
Summary
An important new carrier settings update is now available for iPhone 5 on the Verizon Wireless network.
Products Affected
iPhone 5
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.
