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laz232

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2016
719
1,375
At a café near you
I expected that iOS - Settings - Spotify - Mobile Data: off would override the app's internal settings and provide an OS level restriction on an app's data usage. (Note this is with latest iOS 14, not noticed or tested with earlier versions)

Yet despite this the app still use mobile network data (cellular data for US audience).

Why? Is this expected?

Edit: Latest Spotify app update + reboot and it appears to be resolved (iOS Mobile Data Usage shows that it was using data despite Use Mobile Data toggle being 'off')
 
Last edited:

one more

macrumors 68040
Aug 6, 2015
3,995
4,899
Earth
Check out Spotify’s own Settings > Sound Quality > Downloads at the very bottom and verify that Download Using Mobile Data is switched off?
 

laz232

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2016
719
1,375
At a café near you
Check out Spotify’s own Settings > Sound Quality > Downloads at the very bottom and verify that Download Using Mobile Data is switched off?

My question is why does the OS setting not override the app setting? I expect the OS to limit behavior - especially as it provides a single, unified and consistent interface.
 

akash.nu

macrumors G4
May 26, 2016
10,762
16,712
My question is why does the OS setting not override the app setting? I expect the OS to limit behavior - especially as it provides a single, unified and consistent interface.

How did you find out Spotify using data even after you’ve turned it off from settings?
 

laz232

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2016
719
1,375
At a café near you
How did you find out Spotify using data even after you’ve turned it off from settings?
Settings -> Mobile data (Spotify)

in addition, Spotify still allows Music Search and listening to songs (streaming) even when the App's Mobile Data setting is OFF in the iOS settings screen.

This should override the app's setting IMO (OS should override app)

NB wifi Assist is off
 

laz232

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2016
719
1,375
At a café near you
Settings -> Mobile data (Spotify)

in addition, Spotify still allows Music Search and listening to songs (streaming) even when the App's Mobile Data setting is OFF in the iOS settings screen.

This should override the app's setting IMO (OS should override app)

NB wifi Assist is off
noone else has this problem?
 

OneMike

macrumors 603
Oct 19, 2005
5,807
1,790
Tested out and the behavior was as expected for me.

With the iOS cellular data option turned off in settings. The app is not is using data and when I’m in the app I’m getting various no internet connection messages in the app.

Even tried starting someone random/new over wifi and immediately turning wifi off. No internet connection message is showing beyond whatever was loaded over wifi.
 

ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,624
Indonesia
Tried it on mine. iOS 14.4.2. Cellular data off, and spotify immediately says it's offline, and nothing much I can do.
 

laz232

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2016
719
1,375
At a café near you
Tried it on mine. iOS 14.4.2. Cellular data off, and spotify immediately says it's offline, and nothing much I can do.
Tested out and the behavior was as expected for me.

With the iOS cellular data option turned off in settings. The app is not is using data and when I’m in the app I’m getting various no internet connection messages in the app.

Even tried starting someone random/new over wifi and immediately turning wifi off. No internet connection message is showing beyond whatever was loaded over wifi.

Thanks - that is indeed the behavior I was expected (and used to get).

I definitely had 4G data usage, as shown in the iOS settings Mobile Data Usage, despite Mobile Data toggle disabled in the iOS Spotify App settings.

However, since latest update of the Spotify app (and / or reboot) it seems to work as expected again,
Disconcerting that it was able to circumvent the OS settings though.
 

ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,624
Indonesia
Thanks - that is indeed the behavior I was expected (and used to get).

I definitely had 4G data usage, as shown in the iOS settings Mobile Data Usage, despite Mobile Data toggle disabled in the iOS Spotify App settings.

However, since latest update of the Spotify app (and / or reboot) it seems to work as expected again,
Disconcerting that it was able to circumvent the OS settings though.
Good thing that the problem is resolved. Maybe it's iOS bug.
 
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