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New iOS 9.3 tweak will help prevent you from racking up overage charges

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 9:11PM EST
iOS 9.3 WiFi Assist

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Apple

earlier this week released the first beta of iOS 9.3, an update that introduced a number of new and interesting features, including expanded 3D Touch functionality, improved security options, and Night Shift.

You can check out a detailed rundown of iOS 9.3’s new features over here, but for now we thought we’d highlight a recently discovered and welcome addition to the iOS settings tab.

DON’T MISS: 10 hidden iPhone tricks that will speed up your phone and extend your battery life

Originally spotted by MacRumors, the latest iOS beta now makes it extremely easy for users to see how much data they’re using when Wi-Fi Assist is enabled.

Originally introduced as part of iOS 9, Wi-Fi Assist is designed to help users maintain a strong connection by automatically switching to cellular data when an active Wi-Fi connection becomes weak. While a clever idea, some users quickly noticed their devices, unbeknownst to them, began consuming huge amounts of data via cellular, resulting in exorbitant overage charges. Not helping matters was the fact that Wi-Fi Assist is turned on by default.

With the iOS 9.3 beta, the Wi-Fi Assist toggle now displays a data usage figure to help users more ably keep tabs on how much data they’re using when the feature is operational.

As a final point, and because there’s been a lot of confusion surrounding when Wi-Fi Assist goes into effect, we should point out that the feature never springs into action when a device is in roaming, downloading content in the background, or using streaming audio or video apps from third parties.

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.