Why is ‘General” under ’System Services’ using excessive cellular data?

Andrew Stawarz wrote:

… my partner’s phone (identical model, broadly similar software installed, purchased 3 months later), doesn’t see the issue. …. Does seem to be an Apple issue.

Seems to prove your phone has the issue. Try turning off cellular data access for photos.

After hours of desperation and research, i THINK i’ve found the problem. Navigate to Settings > Apps > and check each and every app you don’t use and manually turn off “cellular data”. I’ve noticed “App store” automatic updates and cellular data were on although i have it off in “cellular data” and there are a TON of default apps we never use but are built-in and they ALL had cellular data ON. When I turned all of them off the “General” section disappeared from System services. I hope this was the problem!

Look at the bottom of the cellular settings and usage page below wherer it says Reset Statistice and see when it was last reset, it could be years ago and the 4.52GB may not look so bad.

EDIT: Never mind, I see your screenshots. On my iPhone, your screenshots in original post were not displaying properly.

When you tap the arrow facing right, what System Services are listed?

Were you able to find a solution? I have the same problem and would love to fix it!

That IS shocking! I have my data turned off completely, so I have a dumb phone when away from wifi….

Thanks for the info.

They did a bunch of remote tests: all were OK. They asked about VPN but I had none. Nothing about speedtest.

I know speedtests use a lot of Gb (but only if you use it).

BTW speed test apps and adblockers have been known to install VPN without your consent.

Only install apps you really need when you rebuild.

I once installed a metronome app that drained my battery in background. You would think that Apple would do more due diligence for their 30%

It's always the System Services/General, that is Apple's iOS (likely gathering data for AI training through cell data towers). Don't you love Apple?

I had Share iPhone Analytics turned off from the day I purchased the phone. System Services/General still spikes a few times every month, with GB of usage.

I've been struggling and researching the issue since last year. It's Apple, not your provider. If you restore from backup the problem resurfaces.

I also have automatic updates off and only allow downloads over WiFi, so it isn’t that either.

I have been having this problem long before apple intelligence existed. While this might be related to your problem it definitely is not mine.