For all the people that need their battery for a day or more I wanted to add the instructions on how to disable 3G.
Go into the dialer and type in *#*#197328640#*#*
Select "Debug Screen" on the menu
then hit "Phone Control"
then "UE State Control"
"Change RAT to GSM" will turn off 3G access and will leave your DATA on 2G.
This will save lots of battery especially for those who have low 3G signals.
Please note that rebooting the phone or even turning on "Airplane mode" will reverse these changes.
This means you will have to change the settings again (this is also the fastest way to cancel the changes and go back to 3G).
Thanks a ton for this. I'm sure it was in another thread, but I always saw mixed reports and hadn't tried it myself.
I have a 3-4 bar EDGE signal in my office, but only a 0-3 3G signal, so this will be a lifesaver.
However, as soon as there's a ROM that adds the force 2G option that should be there back into settings (and removes any other locks AT&T put in the software), I'll probably go that direction just because it is a pretty clunky way to do something that should be an option as is.
I have something to add to this. If you use a reboot or airplane mode to turn 3G back on, the next time you go to turn 3G off, you may need to re-enable 3G (WCDMA) before changing back to GSM. Apparently, the setting didn't get changed in the debug menu even though I got switched to 3G, so I had to put it back on 3G first.
Is this still the only way to disable 3G but leave 2G enabled on the Captivate? The apps in the Market are still all or nothing (3G or no data connection at all).
Thanks!
3G, 2G disabling?
Is there a way to disable the 3G/2G altogether but still use wireless?
You can always put it in airplane mode and then turn WiFi on if you don't want to use the AT&T network at all.
Related
I noticed there isn't an option like on the HTC devices that let you choose WIFI ONLY or MOBILE + WIFI. It appears they took that out completely on the Samsung Roms? Is there anyway to disable DATA all the time? I'm in a wifi access point 24/7 literally. Sorry folks, only thing im curious about.
I would like to know also. None of the apps I have tried have worked yet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Did you try to remove AT&T APN in Settings? It will not be able to connect to 3G without APN.
If you do not want to lose your APN nsettings, create new one, dummy, without any real data inside, and make it default one. Same results.
Another thought, if you have your Wi-Fi turned on all the time, your 3G connection should be switched down automatically. At least it works like this on N1. I am just thinking of bying Captivate, if it will have good custom ROM with Froyo, not taking it with all AT&T bloatware on board and Android 2.1
in the market check out the apps APNdroid and quick settings. Both have toggles for data connection
You can also put it in airplane mode and them just turn wifi on.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
tonysunshine said:
in the market check out the apps APNdroid and quick settings. Both have toggles for data connection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dude I picked that up works Great on Captivate. I'd rather use something like that than enabling wifi 24/7 to eat more battery etc.
I've tried downloading a number of free apps (including APNdroid) to turn off mobile data on my Captivate, but none of them seems to work. All the widgets give the impression that it is off, but I can still open the browser and navigate to websites. Am I doing something wrong, or is it just not possible to fully disable mobile data access on a Captivate?
Yeah you're right
@alobotnad
Hey you're right, APNdroid does nothing it doesn't even shut down the 3G icon on my device now and yes it still connects either way like you said.
Apndroid works fine on my captivate!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
hazard96 said:
Apndroid works fine on my captivate!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see the 2G icon when you run it?
On my Captivate APNdroid only partially works. Let me explain. If WiFi is on I can disconnect 3G using the APNdroid widget (then if I turn off WiFi and try to surf the web I can't.) However turning 3G back on is more complex. I can turn it back on using the widget if I m connect already to a WiFi network and it will turn 3G on when I turn off WiFi. HOWEVER you must be connected to a WiFi network to turn 3G back on not being connected to a network means the APNdroid button doesn't work. The only solution I found to turn on 3G if I wasn't connected to a WiFi network was to turn on 3G through the APNdroid widget and then restart the phone.
On the other hand I am currently using Juice Defender and their 3G WiFi widget works without having to jump through all those hoops.
@icedfire101
Thanks for the info. I downloaded the free version of JuiceDefender today and so far I am happy with the results.
Samsung Captivate 3G Toggle Solution
After all the digging and searching around, I found two apps that work perfectly on Samsung Captivate for toggling mobile data (3G)
- Juicedefender (it has a widget you can use to toggle 3G quickly)
- SMODA Widget (It doesnt have too many 5 star ratings but works fine on my samsung captivate).
My phone is rooted but I believe it is not a requirement of either of the above apps. Hope this info is useful for other captivate owners.
Most of the other APN / 3G toggle apps on the market try to put a suffix on the APN names in settings. On the samsung captivate this works only with a restart/reboot. Meaning if you disable 3G using the app it would put a suffix like 'disabled' or something to the APN name. But your phone still has the 3G connection using the original APN settings. Only after you restart the phone does it see the 'disabled' APN name and is not able to use and hence no 3G. Vice versa when you want to enable 3G back - needs restart.
I dont know what process the above 2 apps use but they work instantly on my samsung captivate. No need to restart or click a bunch of other settings. They work perfectly and as simple as it should be.
Concepts behind Reliable 3G Toggling on Captivate
First time poster, hope its not immediately dismissed as TLDR.
For the quick-and-dirty just read the “Reliable Data Disabling”.
I am an advocate for understanding concepts. Solutions, hacks and work-arounds have their place, but, if we can understand more about how and why those solutions work, we might be able to repurpose those ideas and use those ideas to make better applications.
Upload and Download of data coming from the cellular network (as opposed to wifi) is likely determined by which network adapter the network connections are making use of. This might be determined by the android sub-system, by looking at the details of currently open sockets; or by lower-level processes looking at the addresses associated with Rx/Tx data. There are several other ways this could be achieved, and I am sure there are countless people who know exactly how that little 3g icon gets on screen; I am merely laying the groundwork to point out that the Captivate (and possibly the Samsung ROM specifically) is apparently more adept at retaining these residual 3g connections than other Android ROMs.
Let’s assume background data opens a series of sockets to communicate with all of the servers that a person’s phone will sync with. By obfuscating the APN like APNDroid does, we are changing the source of the configuration settings, but connections which are "kept-alive" would not check for new settings. This is why those connections remain open after we activate APNDroid. From this idea we derive at least two strategies that work:
Reliable Data Disabling:
Once an APN obfuscator has effectively disabled 3g by spoofing APN information, you can follow up the data-shutdown with the one-two punch of either disabling the cellular radio, or by intelligently terminating connections that don’t match the current APN paradigm. My understanding is there are no apps that take advantage of the latter.
Disabling the radio: Those who have a shortcut-to-activity application, one might feel compelled to use the “Testing” activity to disable the cellular radio, but, the contents of Testing can be dangerous. It is possible to cause problems with your phone using the Phone Information section of "Testing".
The Captivate is nice and fast, enabling flight-mode and disabling it after 10 seconds terminates all residual data-connections 95% of the time.
1. Activate APNDroid (or other APN Obfusctor)
2. Activate Flight Mode (or disable cellular radio some other way)
3 Disable Flight Mode (or reactivate cellular radio)
----
In the past 2 weeks I have discovered that when I re-enable my data, the 3g icon comes back right away but my phone makes no attempt to create new connections using the restored settings. The only solution I have found (so far) is to reboot the phone which only works about half the time. I have not stepped through the problem with the android debugger.
Has anyone else noticed this?
i use smartbar , it turns on/off data and does much more.
Best way to turn off 3g data in samsung captivate
To disable data connection.
In phone menu type *#*#4636#*#*
a menu will appear. In that click "phone information".
click the option button (which is the bottom left button you have in phone).
In that go to "more" option.
inside that click "disable data connection".
Thats it 3g icon will not appear up there in phone. but you can use wi-fi.
To enable it .
do the same thing above . but at the final moment you will be shown a menu with option "enable data connection".
clicking it wont immediately enable data connection. you have to restart your phone.
If you dont want to restart your phone .
then go to settings->wireless and networks->mobile networks->access point names.
there should be apn called "ATT WAP".
Click the more option button at the bottom left and click "reset to default".
Thats it. Now your 3g icon will appear at the top (provided wi-fi is turned off).
tonberry1031 said:
1. Activate APNDroid (or other APN Obfusctor)
2. Activate Flight Mode (or disable cellular radio some other way)
3 Disable Flight Mode (or reactivate cellular radio)
----
In the past 2 weeks I have discovered that when I re-enable my data, the 3g icon comes back right away but my phone makes no attempt to create new connections using the restored settings. The only solution I have found (so far) is to reboot the phone which only works about half the time. I have not stepped through the problem with the android debugger.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good post. You are correct that the captivate will indeed hold onto the valid connection even after modifying the APN. Flight mode toggling will sever the connection forcing it to use the modified settings which should prevent it from reconnecting to data.
The way I disabled my data connection before froyo (all hail froyo data power- button toggle) was to make a shortcut to my APNs and I made a "disabled" APN that was just called disabled. I would have to select it and then toggle flight mode to disable, but reconnecting was as simple and just selecting the real APN and it would immediately reconnect. Never had to restart phone to reconnect, except when using programs from the market.
mettup said:
To disable data connection.
In phone menu type *#*#4636#*#*
a menu will appear. In that click "phone information".
click the option button (which is the bottom left button you have in phone).
In that go to "more" option.
inside that click "disable data connection".
Thats it 3g icon will not appear up there in phone. but you can use wi-fi.
To enable it .
do the same thing above . but at the final moment you will be shown a menu with option "enable data connection".
clicking it wont immediately enable data connection. you have to restart your phone.
If you dont want to restart your phone .
then go to settings->wireless and networks->mobile networks->access point names.
there should be apn called "ATT WAP".
Click the more option button at the bottom left and click "reset to default".
Thats it. Now your 3g icon will appear at the top (provided wi-fi is turned off).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how well does this work?
I'm going to Europe tomorrow and I don't want to be eaten alive on roaming data.
Thanks,
Super
Quick Settings in market, works great on my captivate.
Superguy said:
So how well does this work?
I'm going to Europe tomorrow and I don't want to be eaten alive on roaming data.
Thanks,
Super
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on what countries you're visiting and for how long, you might consider getting a prepaid local SIM card from that country. I've done that in a couple of different countries and was able to get prepaid data deals for a $2-$3 a day. Will vary greatly depending on country and carrier. And, of course, your phone will have to be carrier-unlocked to use the SIM card.
The thunderbolt had this and it was nice.
Basically when I'm at work I'm in a fringe 4g area. If I leave the phone in 3g/4g auto mode then it constantly switches between the two and it destroys my battery. Not only that but it makes 4g basically unusable for me as it never stays on long enough to do anything with it.
On the thunderbolt by going into the phone info settings you could select LTE only mode.
On the Charge you only have the options of going CDMA only or CDMA/LTE auto. There is no LTE only option.
Is this something that can be corrected by an app or rom or kernel or is it built into the radio software?
I used the phone info app that worked great on the thunderbolt and on the charge it just comes up with a bunch of options like WCDMA only, GSM only and such and as far as I can tell none of them actually do anything.
Hopefully someone knows the answer to this because I like tethering to my tablets at work but if I can't have consistent 4g then I'm gonna be forced to return to my tbolt which is a shame because I like this charge alot better.
I haven't pucked up a Charge yet, but most Sammy phones let you for some fine grain tuning if the radio and other system settings via a menu accessed by a dialer code.
You could try *#*#197328640#*#* (is debug mode) and dig in from there.
Sent from Thunderbolt
distortedloop said:
I haven't pucked up a Charge yet, but most Sammy phones let you for some fine grain tuning if the radio and other system settings via a menu accessed by a dialer code.
You could try *#*#197328640#*#* (is debug mode) and dig in from there.
Sent from Thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already tried that, it doesn't work on the charge. It just dials and you get the "Welcome to Verizon wireless, your call cannot be completed as dialed" message.
I believe if you go settings ->wireless and network->mobile networks->system selection change it to CDMA mode will disable LTE.
you can try dialing "*#*#4636#*#*" that takes me to a hidden menu on the thunderbolt. If it works, from that menu select "phone Information" then select LTE only. or if you want to disable 4g (Helps battery in non 4g areas) you can select "CDMA auto(prl)"
thetwiztidfreak said:
you can try dialing "*#*#4636#*#*" that takes me to a hidden menu on the thunderbolt. If it works, from that menu select "phone Information" then select LTE only. or if you want to disable 4g (Helps battery in non 4g areas) you can select "CDMA auto(prl)"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beat me to it
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Thanks but did you guys even read my original post?
For starters, I'm not trying to disable LTE... I'm trying to force LTE only.
Secondly, as I previously said, This phone does not have the same radio options that the thunderbolt does. There is no option for LTE only. I understand the difference between CDMA auto PRL, CDMA/LTE auto and LTE only. THE PROBLEM IS THIS PHONE DOES NOT HAVE AN LTE ONLY OPTION!
I tried the phone info app that works on the thunderbolt, the only options are all for WCDMA only, GSM only and CDMA only and various combinations of them. There is no LTE only. Besides, none of the options present in that menu actually change anything, only the 2 that are built into the wireless network settings do (CDMA only and CDMA/LTE Auto).
Not trying to be a **** but if you're gonna post something to try and answer a question or help someone at least make sure you read the question.
In the same boat as you. I actually get decent service on LTE at home, and virtually nothing on 3G... go figure, but it keeps trying.
navycow said:
In the same boat as you. I actually get decent service on LTE at home, and virtually nothing on 3G... go figure, but it keeps trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same problem as both you guys and this is so frustrating. when its connected to 4g i get between 8-10mb down. i also have a samsung mifi hotspot for verizon and it shows a strong 4g signal and gets over 10mb down consistently in the very same location.
i have no idea why my droid charge keeps switching between 4g and 3g. the funny thing is the only reason i really mind is because the 3g signal is horrible. if i was getting 2mb down on the 3g like i have seen at other locations i wouldnt mind at all.
yeah i have the same issue as well, i'm really not even sure what it's testing to decide to switch from 4g to 3g, i live about 100 yards from the verizon tower i'm connecting to and have full reception on both 4g and 3g but yet it still switches randomly between the 2, we really need a way to disable 3g
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Still nothing on this front? I'm afraid I'm gonna have to return my charge tomorrow then =(
No LTE only mode = no 4g for me.
I already did and canceled Verizon, I'll have to stick with sprint. I really loved the charge, and wanted to keep it and stay with Verizon , but my evo gets a full 4g signal both at home and work. Too bad, the charge was an awesome phone
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
It actually seems to be the way android handles 4G, either on purpose or just coincidentally.
I have the same issue at work with Sprint, 4G gives me 2-3 bars but there is NO 3G, but it turns 4G off when the screen is locked, so it sits there trying to get backups in 3G all day, spare parts lets you force wifi to stay on, surely there should be a similar switch for 4G a dev could find.
Any luck on this issue here? I have a feeling I'm in a fringe area where it could potentially switch me between networks quite often...
Is it safe to assume that an LTE-only option is impossible unless Samsung does something to enable this functionality out of their LTE chip (CMC220)?
Any updates on a LTE/4G only option?
I found out how to force LTE Only ...
Warning! If this bonks up your phone, don't blame me!
Use at your own risk!
Now that we got that out of the way, here is what I have found:
Enable the Hidden Menu option by entering the following code in your phone dialer: *#22745927
Enter an SPC of: 000000
Select: Hiddenmenu Enable
Select: OK (Your phone may reset after this)
To get to the "Force CMDA/LTE/Global" menu, enter the following code in your phone dialer: **583
If you press the LTE button, you will be fixed on the LTE network.
Reset your phone
Taaa-daa!
Note: You apparently need connectivity to the CDMA network to make phone calls & text messages (Thanks, chaoscentral!) Oh, well ...
To reset back to the normal LTE/CDMA automatic selection mode:
Go to the "Force CMDA/LTE/Global" menu by enter the following code in your phone dialer: **583
Press the CDMA button, which will re-enable your phone to default to the CDMA network.
Reset your phone
When your phone boots back up, go to: Settings >> Wireless & network >> Mobile networks >> System selection >> LTE automatic
Cheers!
just keep in mind LTE only mode means no phone calls or text messages. since those go over CDMA
Ah, I should've guessed they would make the phone code for this hidden menu option "LTE". Now I wish there was a way to only disable EV-DO 3G (leaving CDMA intact for phone calls/texts). Can't have it all I guess...
Thanks for this regardless!
PeterDLai said:
Ah, I should've guessed they would make the phone code for this hidden menu option "LTE". Now I wish there was a way to only disable EV-DO 3G (leaving CDMA intact for phone calls/texts). Can't have it all I guess...
Thanks for this regardless!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I tried goofing around with a few different options on the "LTE" theme, but nothing came up.
Then, I realized that I had loaded new ROMs since the last time I had enabled the Hidden Menus option, and figured out that my Hidden Menus were no longer enabled. Once I re-enabled the hidden menus, I tried *#LTE#* (which didn't work), and then **LTE, which did.
BTW, for anyone that has had problems making phone calls after following my original settings, I have updated the post on to how to get back to automatic LTE/CDMA.
Also, has anyone tried that **583 "Global" option yet? Verrrry Interesting!! (But, spooky!)**
Ain't messin' with your phone fun?
** Anyone who gets this reference wins one "Bippy".
So I finally jumped in and got the WanHu ROM installed with M's v5 patch. This thing is really nice now, hopefully it will stay that way even after I reinstall some of my apps.
One thing that I've noticed is that the ability to use only 2G networks is gone. It used to be an option under Settings » Wireless controls » Mobile networks. Any chance that may be coming back?
I know some people would probably think I'm crazy to be asking that, but in my experience the batter life was pretty much double that of what I was getting on 3G, so I'd use that mode sometimes.
Thanks for all the good work on the WanHu ROM.
You can turn off the 3g at Settings >> Wireless networks >> Data Network settings & there is also a 3g widget.
Hi,
At this point you only turn data on or off. You cannot switch from 3g to 2g.
I would like to have this feature to, because the radio at my work is very poor and the battery last much longer in 2g.
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App
switch 2g , 3g, and 2g/3g
if i have to change the default network setting (3, which mean 3g/2g auto), i can from here:
1. from the dialpad dial *#*#4636#*#*
2. from the popued menu, choose Phone Information
3. from "Set preffered network type" You can choose several options including:
"GSM auto (PRL)" (this is usually default and means 3g and failback to 2g, depending on signal
"WCDMA prefered" (this mean 3g and if there is no 3g, then 2g), this settings seems to wotk, but if you exit and return to the same menu it is changed
"WCDMA only" 3g only
"GMS only" 2g only
hope that helps.
p.s. I use Battery monitor application, which has shortcut to the Phone Information menu.
peshovec said:
if i have to change the default network setting (3, which mean 3g/2g auto), i can from here:
1. from the dialpad dial *#*#4636#*#*
2. from the popued menu, choose Phone Information
3. from "Set preffered network type" You can choose several options including:
"GSM auto (PRL)" (this is usually default and means 3g and failback to 2g, depending on signal
"WCDMA prefered" (this mean 3g and if there is no 3g, then 2g), this settings seems to wotk, but if you exit and return to the same menu it is changed
"WCDMA only" 3g only
"GMS only" 2g only
hope that helps.
p.s. I use Battery monitor application, which has shortcut to the Phone Information menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I was messing around in those menus and could not find a "GSM only" mode on my phone. I will look again, but all I remember were an "auto" mode, a "3g only" mode, and a bunch of CDMA stuff (which doesn't apply to our phones).
But I will look again and try out the battery monitor application program as that would be nicer than typing the key sequence everytime.
And just to expand my (rather small) knowledge of the android OS. The option to select only 2G under Settings » Wireless controls » Mobile networks, is that a framework thing that has to be added?
-J
Hi all,
I'm new to the Nexus S 4G root scene. I just flashed Miui yesterday, and I am getting no 3G. I couldn't find anyone else that was having this issue.
Everything else works, and I get 1x data, but not 3G. It's not the location because stock gets me full 3G service in the same location.
I flashed this kernel: http://www.peteralfonso.com/2011/08/download-nexus-s-263514-kernel.html?spref=tw
but it didn't fix anything.
Thanks for your help
Edit: After going out with my phone, I realized I do in fact have 3G reception, but it's very poor and constantly switches between 3G and 1x. I normally have very good reception with stock Android in my area. It doesn't stay connected to 3G for more than a few seconds at a time and switches back and forth between 3G and 1x
Have you set up the phone to use 3G at all?
Go to Settings, and find Mobile Network settings, and there should be one box that says something like 2g only.
You probably know what to do from there on.
dario3040 said:
Have you set up the phone to use 3G at all?
Go to Settings, and find Mobile Network settings, and there should be one box that says something like 2g only.
You probably know what to do from there on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Under "Mobile Network Settings" there is no option for that. Only "Data Enabled" which is turned to "on"
Mikooster said:
Under "Mobile Network Settings" there is no option for that. Only "Data Enabled" which is turned to "on"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says: Network type selection.
dario3040 said:
It says: Network type selection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help.
Maybe I'm just being dumb, but it's not there.
Settings > System > Mobile Network Settings
there are 4 choices:
Data Enabled (on), Always receive MMS (on), Data roaming (off), and System Select (automatic)
After going out with my phone, I realized I do in fact have 3G reception, but it's very poor and constantly switches between 3G and 1x. I normally have very good reception with stock Android in my area
Is't possible to insert a "data switch On/Off" in those already present in the ICS system tray notifications?
Dont think so. The closest thing is probably airplane mode.
Airplane mode is valid choice but i want preferably option for turn on/off mobile data connection only
Well i dont have a 3G device, so I cant confirm this but... You can turn on wlan while airplane mode is active, without disabling airplane. Doing that should keep your mobile connection off, while still allowing you to use wlan.
Its possible some custom rom have a 3G setting you can add to the toolbar. EOS got a lot of different options you can add, but as far as I can see, no 3G.