How to Manage Network Data Usage on iOS Devices?

Network Data Usage Management for iOS enables organizations to monitor and regulate both mobile and Wi-Fi data consumption. By implementing these policies, administrators gain real-time visibility into device data patterns, allowing them to proactively manage costs and ensure compliance with corporate data usage standards.

1. Configuration Workflow

Requirement: Ensure the latest version of the Hexnode UEM app is installed on all target devices to facilitate accurate monitoring and data synchronization.

To establish a network data usage management policy:

1. Log in to the Hexnode UEM portal.
2. Navigate to Policies > New Policy > Create a fully custom policy > iOS > Expense Management > Network Data Usage Management and click Configure.

2. Technical Parameter Breakdown

3. Policy Association

To apply the configuration to your fleet:

1. Navigate to the Policy Targets tab.
2. Select the relevant Devices, Device Groups, Users, User Groups, or Domains/OUs.
3. Click Save.

For existing policies, you can also use the Manage > Associate Targets option from the main Policies list.

4. Access the Data

1. Individual Device Data Summary

To view real-time usage for a specific device:

• Navigate to Manage > Devices and select the target device.
• Click the Data Management sub-tab.
  • Overview: View total, mobile, and Wi-Fi data consumption at a glance.
  • Billing Cycles: Access historical usage data presented in a tabular format.
  • Export: Use the Export button to download the summary as a PDF or CSV file.

2. Centralized Data Management Reports

For a broader organizational view, navigate to the Reports tab. Hexnode offers three variants:

• Devices: A detailed list of data usage for every individual device.
• Device Groups: Summarizes consumption by group name and type (useful for department-level tracking).
• App Data (Exportable): Detailed consumption metrics for specific applications.

All reports can be manually downloaded as PDF or CSV files for offline analysis. You can also schedule reports to configure Hexnode to automatically email these reports to admins or users at specific intervals (daily, weekly, or monthly).

5. Troubleshooting & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does this policy block data usage?

   No. This specific policy is for monitoring and reporting. To restrict data usage for specific apps, you must use the Network Usage Rules policy

2. Can I monitor specific app data with this?

   This policy tracks total device-wide consumption. Detailed app-specific data is typically available in the Reports section of the Hexnode console if the device is correctly reporting.

3. What happens if the user is in a low-data mode?

   The UEM app will still attempt to sync usage data, though reporting frequency might be affected by iOS-level power or data-saving settings.

Troubleshooting

• Inconsistent Data Usage: MDM-reported data may differ slightly from carrier logs. Ensure the device has a stable internet connection for the Hexnode app to upload reports.
• Sync Not Occurring: Check that the device has Background App Refresh and Notifications enabled for the Hexnode UEM app in the iOS system settings.
• No Usage Visible: Verify that the “Monitor” toggles are enabled in the policy and that the policy has successfully transitioned to a “Success” state in the device’s Action History.