Hi,
I just got this white Skyrocket phone with 200MB data plan.
I heard that when connected to 4G, the phone uses data allowance from the data package, whereas if connected to WIFI (like at home), the data usage doesn't come off my AT&T data allowance.
So I want to disconnect from 4G and connect to my WIFI when I am at home.
At the store, the just told me to make sure that WIFI is showing as on on the top bar (or when you swipe that bar down). They said if WIFI is showing on, it means that the phone is using WIFI connection.
However, I see that at the same time when WIFI is showing on, the "4G" icon is also showing on and looking active! So- they are both looking active! That's why I wonder which connection is my Skyrocket actually using?
It looks like the data I use on WIFI also comes out of my data plan because the data packet is on.
So I had an idea, went to settings-wireless-mobile networks and unchecked "Use Data Packet".
When the above was unchecked, 4G icon disappeared and I could see only WIFI icon on the top bar, which would be good - however, the problem is that now I cannot connect to internet. (I turned the phone on and off- no change)
Does it mean that there is no way on Skyrocket to bypass AT&T data allowance and whether I use 4G or my own WIFI, there is no free internet access on this phone?
Or is there something else I can do to make sure I am connected just to my WIFI and data is free?
I would appreciate your help.
Thank you
This isnt the skyrocket forum.
wrong forum.. don't know about Skyrocket.. this is Galaxy S II SGH-i777
But you can always check by running some speedtest if you know how fast your wifi is.. or just go to settings and make sure it says connected.. or turn off your data when you're not using it.
Grab a program like traffic monitor. It'll show where your apps are getting data from and how much they're using.
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Sometimes apps like the market actually use your mobile data connection so both icons will show. From your phone dialer enter *3282# and hit call. It will send you a text letting you know how much data you've used.
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Related
Heey,
I just ordered a Samsung Galaxy SII, but I still have a question...
Is there a way to know if you have Wifi enabled and it is connected, that the phones is only using Wifi and not 3G. Because I have a 1GB data plan and when I use my phone at home I want it to only use Wifi and not 3G, so I can use 3G when I'm on the go.
I hope someone can help me.
Thanks in advance!
Yes you can see it (no 3g in the notification bar)
So when I get outside without Wifi, that 3G icon will show up and use 3G. And when I go home it will switch from 3G to Wifi?
Yes
10char
Thanks a lot!
This tread can be closed.
As explained earlier, status bar shows how the phone is connected to internet. By default phone uses wifi if it is on.
I uses "3G watchdog" to keep record of my mobile data usage, this app is simply great.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
3G Watchdog, hmm sound like a useful app to see if I'm over my data limit.
Thanks!
I am on bionix 1.3.1 and have noticed that whenever I turn my wifi on it seems to not allow me data access. My web browser will not connect to a page, market won't load, and any downloads that were in progress will fail. it's as if turning on the wifi is overriding my data connection and blocking it. It says that it's connected in the menu though. Any advice?
Thanks
Edit: I just noticed when looking at my phone stats, that when I turn on my wifi my mobile network state says disconnected, and it connects again when wifi is turned off.
Also, I have an airport extreme and a mac, perhaps that is my problem. I've scoured the internet and found a bunch of info about this problem, but haven't found anything that works yet.
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Im sure someone will correct me if Im wrong but if you switch from wifi to 3g while downloading the download usually will fail because you were using only wifi to download the content and when that turned off it doesn't just switch to using 3g you have to manually retry the download using 3g .... when wifi and 3g are on wifi doesn't speed up the 3g instead it does the internet related work and the 3g does the text and phone call related work
that makes sense, thanks. as for the connection problem, it is definitely mac related. my wifi seems to work on other networks. I just need to figure out how to make it work with the airport. It's just weird to me that it says it's connected and shows signal bars, but won't access the internet.
jstein222 said:
that makes sense, thanks. as for the connection problem, it is definitely mac related. my wifi seems to work on other networks. I just need to figure out how to make it work with the airport. It's just weird to me that it says it's connected and shows signal bars, but won't access the internet.
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so is the new problem that the airport extreme won't give wifi to your phone or that its not working at all
According to my phone I am connected via wifi to my network from the airport, however, the phone cannot access any internet functions when connected. When I disable wifi, it works fine with 3g or edge. It seems to be something with the settings on my airport, not the phone itself.
jstein222 said:
According to my phone I am connected via wifi to my network from the airport, however, the phone cannot access any internet functions when connected. When I disable wifi, it works fine with 3g or edge. It seems to be something with the settings on my airport, not the phone itself.
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That's surprising maybe this means apple products are biased
My Amaze is having some serious Mobile data (4g/2g) connectivity issues. The problem is this:
1. When turning the screen on, the notification bar shows no mobile data connection, regardless of how many bars I have. Mobile data connection is always enabled under quick settings, but for some reason the phone still can't establish a connection for quite some time, or until toggling mobile data on/off a few times.
2. After finally getting a connection, the phone has further problems connecting. Even though 4g/3g/2g icon is present on notification bar and mobile data is enabled in quick settings, using browser will return only "page not found" errors, and apps will not function properly due to them not having a network connection (foursquare and spotify most especially). Looking at the 4g icon on the notification bar, I can see the "up" arrow flashing as if the phone is sending data, but the "down arrow" is dead as a doornail, not lighting up or receiving anything back. This happens regardless of how many bars I have.
3. On the rare occasion that the phone's mobile data connection does work, it's super slow and acts more like 2g than 4g. Simple web pages take anywhere from around 30 seconds to a minute to load, and spotify cannot stream a song without having to buffer constantly.
Does anyone know how to fix this issue? Or had experience with it? Just in case your wondering, I haven't gone over my 5gb data plan yet (see attached image).
Issue resolved.
Apparently this problem is a combination of 2 glitches:
1. When upgrading to a new phone, despite how much data you used in your plan during the billing cycle, on the T-Mobile My Account website, the widget which shows how much data you've used will only reflect the data you've used on the currently activated device. Before I upgraded to the Amaze, I had exceeded my 5gb limit on my Nexus One and was being throttled by T-mobile to lower speeds. My next billing cycle doesn't start until Dec 27th, so despite the fact that I've only used about 70mb on my new Amaze, the 6 gb I already used on my Nexus One still counts for this month's billing cycle even though the T-Mobile website doesn't reflect it.
2. When throttling, the Amaze, which by default is set to WCDMA/GSM auto, is supposed to automatically switch itself off of 4g and only allow 3g/2g connections. It doesn't. For some reason, it stays with the 4g connection even though the connection is, at best, intermittent. This is the cause of the "page not found" errors and app network errors I was having.
So, for anyone else who is wondering how to remedy this, the fix is simple. Go into Settings>Wireless & Networks>Mobile Networks>Network Mode, then tap "GSM only". This will cut off the problematic 4g connection while still allowing for 3g/2g connections. While noticeably slower (especially where I live, since the Florida panhandle only has 2g and 4g, no 3g), the mobile data connection is solid. Have yet to have any connection errors or experience any intermittency. Still, can't wait until the 27th when I can test out the full power of the 4g connection.
3 out of 4 times my phone fails to disconnect the mobile data network when I connect to WiFi. This is draining my battery unnecessarily.
What could be causing this unless I can fix it so it is automatic I will have to stop using wifi so it doesn't waste power keeping both connections going.
I am running a 2.3.6 rom.
Do you toggle the connections or just enable/disable WiFi? When you enable WiFi and connects, does the 3G icon (the two arrows) appear next to the WiFi icon?
my phone does both I have a program that shuts it completely off when I go to work then back on when i get home based on time.the rest of the time it is on even if I go away which then it just disconnects but wifi is still on.
I have not paid enough attention to when it happens but when it does I have both the wifi icon and the data arrows at the same time.
shadowofdarkness said:
I have a program that ...
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Click to collapse
I think you just answered your own question
What program are you using? Might a suggest a change for Juice Defender for example? or many others that do the same thing...
Just thought I'd share something that is really working for me in terms of battery life:
Create a smart action that disables cellular data whenever you are connected to a WiFi network.
I have been consistently getting 12+ hours of battery with moderate to heavy use when on only on WiFi.
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely try this.
pdefazio said:
Just thought I'd share something that is really working for me in terms of battery life:
Create a smart action that disables cellular data whenever you are connected to a WiFi network.
I have been consistently getting 12+ hours of battery with moderate to heavy use when on only on WiFi.
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I have the same setup. Also have an action when I turn my screen off it disables wifi, background sync, cell data, and GPS. 12+ hrs here also.
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I was thinking about setting something like that up, but was worried about interference with calls & SMS & junk... Any problems to report?
\\Carved into this thread by my RAZR//
http://android-gz.com
bebeau25 said:
I have the same setup. Also have an action when I turn my screen off it disables wifi, background sync, cell data, and GPS. 12+ hrs here also.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
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Why would you turn data off when screen is off??? Don't make sense doing that.
On mine data turns off the moment I connect to WiFi and that is the way it is supposed to work. Do you see a H, E, or whatever data icon next to the bars when you connect to WiFi? If not, it means data is already off. Why use the smart action then?
IP IHI II IL said:
I was thinking about setting something like that up, but was worried about interference with calls & SMS & junk... Any problems to report?
\\Carved into this thread by my RAZR//
http://android-gz.com
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Calls and SMS you should be fine with because they do not require a data connection.
Szadzik said:
On mine data turns off the moment I connect to WiFi and that is the way it is supposed to work. Do you see a H, E, or whatever data icon next to the bars when you connect to WiFi? If not, it means data is already off. Why use the smart action then?
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IIRC, although a WiFi data connection superceeds a cellular data connection when it is active, the 3G/4G radio is still alive even if it isn't involved in data transfers during that time..
I've certainly noticed improved battery life when on WiFi but explicitly turning the 3G/4G (mobile data) radio off.
jms_uk said:
IIRC, although a WiFi data connection superceeds a cellular data connection when it is active, the 3G/4G radio is still alive even if it isn't involved in data transfers during that time..
I've certainly noticed improved battery life when on WiFi but explicitly turning the 3G/4G (mobile data) radio off.
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+1
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The only problem i had with this was with MMS messages. can't send or receive MMS.
MrFrankfromCM said:
Why would you turn data off when screen is off??? Don't make sense doing that.
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How not?? Your screen is off and 3G/WiFi is killing your battery for no reason (unless you are downloading or background sync on for a reason), so why not have it off when screen is off and save battery. I still stick with JuiceDefender for this.
jms_uk said:
IIRC, although a WiFi data connection superceeds a cellular data connection when it is active, the 3G/4G radio is still alive even if it isn't involved in data transfers during that time..
I've certainly noticed improved battery life when on WiFi but explicitly turning the 3G/4G (mobile data) radio off.
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Click to collapse
1. Data radio is one and the same with your cellular calls radio, so unless you go into flight mode, it is going to be active.
2. If it is not sending or receiving data it is not using more energy than when data is disabled and cellular stays enabled.
Szadzik said:
1. Data radio is one and the same with your cellular calls radio, so unless you go into flight mode, it is going to be active.
2. If it is not sending or receiving data it is not using more energy than when data is disabled and cellular stays enabled.
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Interesting you say that, but I've noticed that as far as the what the phone's reporting via settings/toggle widgets etc.. "mobile data" is still active when WiFi is active (even if its status disappears from the notification bar and no actual mobile data activity is going on).. and, it can be explicitly turned off - leaving you still able to receive calls etc. Perhaps its not turning the
radio "off" per-se, but its definitely seems to be doing something over and above just letting WiFi take precidence for data transactions..
I've definitely noticed an improvement in battery life by doing this, over and above simply turning on and connecting to WiFi and NOT explicity turning mobile data off..
I also noticed that in some older versions/flavours of android (2.1, 2.2) the option to explicitly turn off "Mobile Data" wasn't present, relying instead (I assume) on what you've described above..
Szadzik said:
1. Data radio is one and the same with your cellular calls radio, so unless you go into flight mode, it is going to be active.
2. If it is not sending or receiving data it is not using more energy than when data is disabled and cellular stays enabled.
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I don't believe this is correct. I believe the Wi-Fi chip is independent of the cellular antenna. That is what I have seen in every tear down of the phone.
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pdefazio said:
I don't believe this is correct. I believe the Wi-Fi chip is independent of the cellular antenna. That is what I have seen in every tear down of the phone.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
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Where did I say WiFi radio and cellular radio are in one chip? I said DATA and CALLS chip is one and the same.
I thought that it would be better to bring back an old thread rather than start a new one.
I have a smart action as described in this thread that turns off cellular data whenever I am connected to wifi. However, the problem I have is that cellular data does not turn back on whenever I disconnect from wifi. I have to manually go into my settings and enable data. Has anyone else run into this?
buck i said:
I thought that it would be better to bring back an old thread rather than start a new one.
I have a smart action as described in this thread that turns off cellular data whenever I am connected to wifi. However, the problem I have is that cellular data does not turn back on whenever I disconnect from wifi. I have to manually go into my settings and enable data. Has anyone else run into this?
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I sorta have the same(ish) problem. Data can take a little while to activate after I'm disconnected from WiFi. Every once in a while, I need to turn airplane mode on and off in order for data to turn blue. The fact that MMS messages are disabled with this Smart Action is a little disappointing too, but I don't receive enough while I'm home to be super frustrated by it...
\\Carved into this thread by my RAZR//
http://android-gz.com
I think the problem is to do with Smart actions not returning your device back to the exact state it was in before the action was triggered.. Possibly also issues with other smart actions interfering with the state of other parameters..
I wonder why Moto didn't go with an 'exit action' approach used by apps like Tasker?