PSA: Doing a software update while abroad with roaming switched off will incur roaming charges

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › PSA: Doing a software update while abroad with roaming switched off will incur roaming charges

turtleattacks

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#316244 29-Sep-2024 12:58

Hi guys,

This has happened to me a few times now on this trip and I just realised why.

My iPhone upgraded to the newer build of iOS while I'm overseas with the roaming switched off.

I believe that every time it does update, and that iMessage needs to re-authenticate - it will incur a roaming cost.

So been a costly software update.

I messaged 2degrees about this about 4 days ago and they have not replied.

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gehenna

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#3287545 29-Sep-2024 13:17

iOS updates usually also require an update to the carrier config alongside the device software. Well, they did a decade ago when I was knowledgeable. If still the case then the carrier update probably needs to sync to validate and that may trigger a cost. I'm just making this up based on a history of context, my training data is old. Which makes me realise I should be less judgy about generative AI.

Jase2985

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#3287546 29-Sep-2024 13:24

dont do the update when roaming?

turtleattacks

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#3287547 29-Sep-2024 13:25

Jase2985:
dont do the update when roaming?

Yes, this is pretty much what I’m warning people about.

Did not know this before.

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Aaron2222

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#3288182 30-Sep-2024 13:44

This is definitely iOS's fault. iOS shouldn't be overriding roaming settings for any reason without user confirmation. If it needs to do anything over cellular after an update, it should warn the user before performing the update if roaming is disabled and it would otherwise be roaming.

Aaron2222

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#3290282 2-Oct-2024 21:50

Aaron2222:

This is definitely iOS's fault. iOS shouldn't be overriding roaming settings for any reason without user confirmation. If it needs to do anything over cellular after an update, it should warn the user before performing the update if roaming is disabled and it would otherwise be roaming.

It's been pointed out to me that the toggle is just for data roaming, not roaming in general. Meaning the iPhone didn't override roaming settings to activate iMessage.

Still surprising to the user though. A toggle for roaming or a warning for iMessage activation (or software updates if they'll trigger iMessage activation) when roaming wouldn't be a bad idea either.