iPadOS cellular data usage very high and Hexnode App Data Usage report is blankSolved

Participant
Discussion
2 days ago Jul 08, 2026

One of our Hexnode-managed iPads is showing unusually high cellular data usage for the month, well over 200 GB. We had a similar case earlier where repeated failed app installations caused massive data consumption, but this time the device action history does not show repeated app download attempts.

The device usage appears to be related to Google Chrome browsing. Network Data Usage Management is enabled in the iOS policy with mobile and Wi-Fi tracking turned on, but when I check Reports > Usage Insights > Data Usage > Apps, the app-specific report is empty.

I also expected the device to stop or restrict usage after crossing a set data limit, but that did not happen. Is there anything else that needs to be configured for app-level data reporting or cellular data limits on iPads?

Replies (3)

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Hexnode Expert
2 days ago Jul 08, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

Hello @shirleyc ,

For iPadOS devices, Hexnode can report network usage only when the required tracking conditions are met on the device.

If the app-specific Data Usage report is blank even though Network Data Usage Management is enabled, check the following on the iPad:

  1. Make sure the Hexnode UEM app is installed on the device.
  2. Open the Hexnode app at least once and ensure it is not force-closed.
  3. Go to Settings > Apps > Hexnode UEM and verify that Background App Refresh is enabled.
  4. Ensure Location Services for Hexnode is enabled and set to Always.

The Hexnode app needs to run in the background to collect and sync granular app-level network data. If it is force-closed, background refresh is disabled, or location permissions are restricted, the device-level report may still be visible while the app-level report remains empty.

To confirm what is consuming data on the iPad itself, check Mobile Data Usage on the device. The native iPadOS breakdown can show whether Chrome, System Services, or another process is responsible for the usage.

 

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Participant
1 day ago Jul 09, 2026
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Okayy I guess, the app was installed, but I’m not sure if it had been opened recently or if someone force-closed it. If Chrome is the source, is there a way to block mobile data only for Chrome?

Marked SolutionPending Review
Hexnode Expert
22 hours ago Jul 09, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

You can regulate cellular and roaming data consumption for individual apps by utilizing a Network Usage Rules policy. Please note that these rules only apply to managed applications, meaning Chrome must have been deployed or installed via the Hexnode UEM portal.

Here is the exact configuration workflow:

  1. Navigate to Policies > New Policy > Create a fully custom policy.
  2. Go to iOS > Expense Management > Network Usage Rules and click Configure.
  3. Click on +New network usage rule.
  4. Disable the Cellular data usage option to completely restrict the managed app from using mobile/cellular data.
  5. Select Google Chrome from the application list.
  6. Navigate to the Policy Targets tab, select the relevant device, and click Save.

Once this policy associates with the device, Chrome will be unable to access internet-based features unless the iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Regards,
Simon Scott
Hexnode UEM

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