Limiting Data Usage

This conversation is exactly what I was looking for.  I have the exact same problem.  My older son has unlimited data grandfather plan on ATT and I do not want to end that one by switching to the shared family plan.  However, my younger teenage son does has limits and overages his data usage on the third day of the new cycle.  I would like to set a limit and am very disapointed that  ATT took that ability from the smart limits option.  I will have to reconsider getting that option since it does not provide what I am looking for.

As was mentioned if you have an Android Phone and likely the same for an iPhone, you may go into the data usage and set a limit.  This limit will turn off data on the phone, but remember this limit can be changed by the person holding the phone.  You have to trust your child will be responsible and recognize that this limit is set for a reason and doesn't change it.  You can also set a warning level so they know their limit is coming.  I have all the phones on our shared plan set to hard limit of 1/5th the total bucket, and warning at 1/10th the total bucket.  If you aren't half way through the month and you hit your warning you know you are in trouble.  If this is an individal line I would set it to 95% of the plan limit as there are some things that hit ATT that are not tracked as data usage by the phone. 

There are also ways that you could set this and then disallow it to be changed but it would require having multiple accounts on the device and gets messy, definitely not worth it in general.  

I've been dealing with this for months on my two teen daughter's phones.  They could give a crap about staying within the 15GB shared fam plan and regularly go crazy on data.

The result is that I have to MANUALLY monitor their usage and when they get close to our limits or use too much, I have to log in and manually suspend their data.   The problem is that also cuts their ability to make calls.  That's the entire reason they have phones.  To call mom or dad for school pickup, etc or emergency.  They see this as a license to be data hogs.

I wish ATT offered a data cap program that allowed parents to set an amount of data and when that phone/kid reached that limit, it automatically shuts it off unless the parent "overrides" it.  Now that would be a service I'd be willing to pay for so that I don't constantly have to monitor my teens usage.  ATT....are you out there....listening to what your customers want????

I'm on Chat right now with ATT and although the rep is pleasant enough.....it's taking forever.....trying to resolve some billing issues.  UGH

Tony

@SolarTim

is that what they are telling you?   Bull cookies.  Turning off data only effects mobile data.  Not talk or SMS text.  

It it would prevent FaceTime other than over wifi and iMessage which can default to SMS/regular text.  

BTW. You can turn off data without paying ATT an extra couple bucks a month, you just login, manage the line, and turn off data.  It takes a little longer, but it's FREE.

Switching to Verizon will probably cost you alot more per month than an overage will. 

You should be able to setup text or email messages when approaching data max. then manually turn off data.  The also offer an app for $5 a month per line charge to set limits. I am guessing it works on individual as well as share plans.

New plans offer unlimited when a Direct TV customer as well (not true unlimited like before though).

Get another carrier for the son cell that will limit him like pay as you go or another so called unlimited data line. 

or as mentioned by another , take the phone away!! 

@tranau151  Still does.  Just login to the My ATT app on your phone.  Follow picture directions.  Yes it turns on automatically with start of each bill cycle.  You will have to manually turn off.  Takes only a moment.