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I saw several posts suggesting that leaving WiFi on where you have WiFi connection helps you to save the battery which I'm finding pretty strange. I thought WiFi actually drains battery faster then anything else. Are savings due to the fact that WiFi is more efficient then 3G or does it actually holds true that it saves battery?
All things being equal, Wi-Fi uses less power than 3G. Wi-Fi radio waves don't have to go as far, so they're easier to generate. When Wi-Fi is on, 3G is off, so you'll save power if you're actually transferring data.
A lot of programs will initiate data transfers by themselves when connected to Wi-Fi though, so perhaps that is why some will notice higher drain when Wi-Fi is on.
Also, if Wi-Fi is left on and you are on the move, your battery will drain since your phone is constantly searching for available networks.
Unless you've changed the settings, however, when your phone's screen it off it switches back to 3G to handle data.
artisticcheese said:
I saw several posts suggesting that leaving WiFi on where you have WiFi connection helps you to save the battery which I'm finding pretty strange. I thought WiFi actually drains battery faster then anything else. Are savings due to the fact that WiFi is more efficient then 3G or does it actually holds true that it saves battery?
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Yes, as Scotty said above me...
ScottyNuttz said:
All things being equal, Wi-Fi uses less power than 3G. Wi-Fi radio waves don't have to go as far, so they're easier to generate. When Wi-Fi is on, 3G is off, so you'll save power if you're actually transferring data.
Also, if Wi-Fi is left on and you are on the move, your battery will drain since your phone is constantly searching for available networks.
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This however, is untrue. At least for me. I run the leaked 2.2 and my WiFi is always on at home, my data connection is never active. I check this by dialing *3282# and hitting send.
ScottyNuttz said:
Unless you've changed the settings, however, when your phone's screen it off it switches back to 3G to handle data.
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When I have wifi switched on I lose around 5 to 10% an hour. With it off I lose 1 to 2%. I don't have anything set to sync differently via wifi. I only have a few apps that sync data and those are set to do so every 4 hours or so.
I have tried leaving it both on and off overnight to test this and every time I've left it off I woke up with a full battery. If I leave it on I have to charge again in the morning.
When I'm going out I turn wifi off so that my phone isn't constantly searching for signal.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
miztaken1312 said:
This however, is untrue. At least for me. I run the leaked 2.2 and my WiFi is always on at home, my data connection is never active. I check this by dialing *3282# and hitting send.
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In the Wi-Fi advanced settings (Hit Menu when in the normal wi-fi settings), there is a Wi-Fi Sleep Policy (which specifies when to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data)
By default, my device was set to 'When screen turns off'. the other options were 'Never when plugged in' or 'Never', I switched mine to 'Never'. You should notice that when you turn your screen on, the wifi icon doesn't show up right away. Of course, I'm on 2.1, so this may be different in 2.2, but check it out.
For me, I get no cell signal in the building at work so I need to keep wifi on. If I turn it off my battery drains fast from the 3g radio constantly trying to lock on a signal.
It depends in the quality of your 3G connection, but all things equal I have seen that using WiFi instead of 3G does save battery, when the WiFi is connected of course. Anytime a radio is constantly searching for a signal or trying to hold a weak signal, power usage tends to go up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
ScottyNuttz said:
All things being equal, Wi-Fi uses less power than 3G. Wi-Fi radio waves don't have to go as far, so they're easier to generate. When Wi-Fi is on, 3G is off, so you'll save power if you're actually transferring data.
A lot of programs will initiate data transfers by themselves when connected to Wi-Fi though, so perhaps that is why some will notice higher drain when Wi-Fi is on.
Also, if Wi-Fi is left on and you are on the move, your battery will drain since your phone is constantly searching for available networks.
Unless you've changed the settings, however, when your phone's screen it off it switches back to 3G to handle data.
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Check out Y5 Battery Saver.
This app turns your wifi on/off based on the cell towers that you are on. You just connect to wifi, enable the app, and it remembers what cell towers you were on while you were in range of that wifi location. as soon as you are off of those towers, it turns off wifi. to add new wifi locations, just disable the app, connect to the hot spot, and re-enable the app.
This gives you the best of both worlds. you get to save battery while you are using wifi and when you are out of range it doesn't continually search for new wifi networks to connect to.
ScottyNuttz said:
In the Wi-Fi advanced settings (Hit Menu when in the normal wi-fi settings), there is a Wi-Fi Sleep Policy (which specifies when to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data)
By default, my device was set to 'When screen turns off'. the other options were 'Never when plugged in' or 'Never', I switched mine to 'Never'. You should notice that when you turn your screen on, the wifi icon doesn't show up right away. Of course, I'm on 2.1, so this may be different in 2.2, but check it out.
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Whenever I turn my screen on, my wifi icon is right there. No delay in it showing up. I don't remember ever changing the sleep policy when I updated so I believe this is the default behavior for 2.2
drwx said:
Check out Y5 Battery Saver.
This app turns your wifi on/off based on the cell towers that you are on. You just connect to wifi, enable the app, and it remembers what cell towers you were on while you were in range of that wifi location. as soon as you are off of those towers, it turns off wifi. to add new wifi locations, just disable the app, connect to the hot spot, and re-enable the app.
This gives you the best of both worlds. you get to save battery while you are using wifi and when you are out of range it doesn't continually search for new wifi networks to connect to.
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+1 on Y5. There are a few other apps in the market that claim to do the same thing, but I think Y5 is by far the easiest to set up and works really well. Nice little utility so you don't have to keep remembering to turn off the wifi manually when you are out of range.
Now if I could just find a app that does the same for my bluetooth when it is near my car....but that I think is much harder to do without it actually polling.
Hopefully this isn't as noobish as it sounds. I am looking for a very specific app, I need an app that turns my 3G network off and turns it on perhaps every hour, just long enough for my e-mail to sync, then turns it off again. I have tried juice defender, which I assume worked but I couldn't test it because it turned the data back on everytime the screen was on. Sometimes I just want my phone to receive texts and calls and leave the data (and the battery) for when I need it.
I found another app, that supposedly didn't turn the network off but changed some verification settings, this app didn't work (I could still browse the internet and refresh email.)
I currently use quick settings in order to quickly turn my data off, but I would like something that did it automatically.
Some help would be nice, if you need any more info let me know.
So my phone just started showing this behavior like a day or two ago. It's doing it right now. Both my Wifi and 4G icons appear in the notification bar. The 4G icon isn't showing activity (the download and upload arrows are dimmed), BUT if I go to my "Phone Info" app, and go to Phone Information it shows:
GSM service: In service
GPRS service: Connected
Network Type: HSDPA
Before whenever I was on Wifi only the Wifi icon would show up, and Phone Info would show GPRS Service as : Disconnected, i.e. normal behavior. Now it appears there is a conflict somewhere and the 4G network is showing as connected even when wifi is on.
Now, I did make some changes recently:
1) Temp-rooted and pm disabled a bunch of bloatware - this was like 4 or 5 days ago and I didn't have the problem at all so I'm not sure if it's related.
2) I unchecked Wireless Settings > Mobile Networks > "Enable always on mobile data" - Thought it might save battery when in sleep mode.
I think the problem started after #2. I've since checked that option back on, restarted, airplane mode, battery pull etc., but it's still exhibiting the same behavior. I've never seen this happen on any of my past Android devices (a lot). If I go to the Quick Settings it shoes Mobile Network is OFF but it IS checked. It's really confusing. When you turn Wifi on, Mobile network should disconnect, but according to phone Info, mine is on and I've been getting "network issue, try again" in the Market, and "Network Communication issues" in the Speedtest app so clearly something is being affected.
This has been my ONLY problem with my Sensation thus far, and the fact that it JUST started doing this makes me wonder what I could have done to affect it.
Thoughts?
EDIT: Every once in awhile the 4G icon WILL disappear leaving only Wifi on, and Phone info shows GPRS service: Disconnected, but eventually the 4G/2G icon comes back and Phone info shows GPRS service: Connected, so it keeps trying/turning itself on even though my Wifi is connected. WTF!
If you're on a t mo device it's because of the my device app. Open and close it or end the process in system panel and it should fix the problem.
I believe this is somewhat normal...
I have voice only plan and disabled data through the *#*#INFO#*#* menus. The only way I can get data is through Wifi, which I always have enabled, regardless when I go to About Phone -> Network, I see mobile network type HSDPA.
It seems like voice is going through the 3G/4G but not any data. Not sure why you do get the 4G popping up, I sure don't.
Sdobron said:
If you're on a t mo device it's because of the my device app. Open and close it or end the process in system panel and it should fix the problem.
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Thanks! I tracked down the second package name for "My Account" (one is for My Account, one is for My device), disabled and rebooted. So far so good; Wifi is connected, no 4G icon, and Phone info shows GPRS service: Disconnected as it should. I had already disabled one package but not the other. I can live w/o the My account feature for a bit and I'll keep an eye out to see if the problem returns.
bigmase521 said:
Thanks! I tracked down the second package name for "My Account" (one is for My Account, one is for My device), disabled and rebooted. So far so good; Wifi is connected, no 4G icon, and Phone info shows GPRS service: Disconnected as it should. I had already disabled one package but not the other. I can live w/o the My account feature for a bit and I'll keep an eye out to see if the problem returns.
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You phone will always connect to data whn using Tmobile apps such as my account app. Its because they need network data, not web data, to get their info like your usage, and billing. If you manually shut of data and turn wifi on and try to open the my account app, it will give you error.
Just because you turn Wifi on, it doesnt make the data shut off. It just connects to WIFI because its a stronger signal. It will still access the 4G data for netork required information. You can manually shut off mobile data and then turn on wifi if you want.
^This is true, I'm manually switching 4G off when connected to WiFi.
dubie76 said:
You phone will always connect to data whn using Tmobile apps such as my account app. Its because they need network data, not web data, to get their info like your usage, and billing. If you manually shut of data and turn wifi on and try to open the my account app, it will give you error.
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I realize this, however I was never trying to use the T-mobile apps.
dubie76 said:
Just because you turn Wifi on, it doesnt make the data shut off. It just connects to WIFI because its a stronger signal. It will still access the 4G data for netork required information. You can manually shut off mobile data and then turn on wifi if you want.
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Of course it does. What would be the point in having BOTH Wifi and 4g/3g/EDGE data on at the same time, all the time? That would be a HUGE drain on your battery if it were constantly using both radios and connected to/searching for both networks. When you turn Wifi on, the mobile data radio gets turned off. When you de-activate Wifi, mobile data turns back on. This is why you get much better battery life on Wifi because the 4g/3g radio gets turned off. Plus, both can't be connected at the same time or else there would be routing problems i.e., it would get confused as to which connection to use.
This is exactly what happened to my phone in that that both WERE on at the same time and it was causing no traffic to get in/out and I couldn't figure out why. Disabling the two t-mobile My Account packages solved it so it seems like
one was trying to connect in the background and couldn't but then froze the radio state. I'm not gonna re-enable the app to confirm but IIRC when you're on Wifi and fire up the My Account app, it either prompts you to turn off wifi, or it just disables wifi temporarily and fires up the mobile radio in the background, and re-enables when you're done.
Sdobron said:
If you're on a t mo device it's because of the my device app. Open and close it or end the process in system panel and it should fix the problem.
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Yep. If you keep the T-Mobile my account app running it will do that cause It needs the 4G/Data connection.
xamadeix said:
Yep. If you keep the T-Mobile my account app running it will do that cause It needs the 4G/Data connection.
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Right, but what I'm saying is that I wasn't running the app. It does run as a service though so I'm wondering if it was trying to connect on it's own in the background, though I'm not sure why. I haven't seen this behavior on any other devices including my Sensation before I disabled one of the My Account apps, but I'm almost positive at this point it was the culprit. Could be because I had only disabled one of them and not both. After I disabled the second, the problem went away.
Do you have WiFi sleep disabled?
If not, phone may revert to regular data until you start communicating and wake up your WiFi.
Just a thought.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
PaulGiz said:
Do you have WiFi sleep disabled?
If not, phone may revert to regular data until you start communicating and wake up your WiFi.
Just a thought.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
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Nope, sleep policy is set to "Never" and wifi sticks fine. Still happened even with screen on so wifi was def. awake. I fixed it by disabling the T-Mo My Account apps so I'm cool but maybe it can help someone else if they have the same problem. It's really weird, never seen it happen before. I wish I took a video of it before I disabled the apps. Thanks guys.
bigmase521 said:
Right, but what I'm saying is that I wasn't running the app. It does run as a service though so I'm wondering if it was trying to connect on it's own in the background, though I'm not sure why. I haven't seen this behavior on any other devices including my Sensation before I disabled one of the My Account apps, but I'm almost positive at this point it was the culprit. Could be because I had only disabled one of them and not both. After I disabled the second, the problem went away.
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It's poor coding in the app. Nothing you're doing wrong.
Hello everyone,
I'm using HTC Desire S (Android 2.3.3). I've been having a weird problem lately. When my screen goes off, I stop getting notifications after 10 minutes or so. I've never experienced such a problem before. My phone was running smoothly. I used to get notifications from Whatsapp even when my phone was on sleeping mode... I started not to get notifications from any application unless I turn the screen on and wait for 5 minutes or directly click on the application wait for it to establish connection with my mobile data. I guess my mobile data dies when my phone is on sleeping mode or something. I'm not sure though because my mobile data connection is always on but somehow applications lose connection with my mobile data until my phone wakes up. Can you help me with that? I've installed an application called Juice Defender awhile ago but I deleted it since it messed up my phone. I also tried to reset my phone but still no luck... Is there anything I can do?
Thanks
do you use "Juice Defender" ?
if so, try to disable it... i had the same problem (with other device... not the Desire S) and it been solved by disabling "Juice Defender"
Not sure what could be causing that if it persists after a factory reset.
Have you looked at using Tasker instead of juice defender? I also found juice defender quite buggy, and it was in searching for an alternative that I found tasker. I think it has a free trial period. Instal a plugin called synker. Your can then set tasker to periodically force a sync of your accounts. My profile forces a sync for
2 minutes every 15 minutes, then turns auto sync off (if my screen is off). Works well and saves battery too.
Taker is quite tricky to get used to, so if you struggle, get those two installed then send me a PM and I'll send you the tasker profile. Import it and your problem will be solved!
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
ive had a simaliar issue
wifi and data go off randomly when in sleep mode
im on stock 2.3.5 and not rooted
no juicedefender apps
On my DS after the phone is left asleep overnight - I never turn it off as it's my alarm clock - I frequently get "NO SERVICE" and have to reboot.
Never got to the bottom of it either....
I have an Atrix 2. It has been replaced twice by AT&T due to this problem. I have factory reset each phone and tried every battery mode, data saver, sleep policy and wifi channel.
The problem:
The wifi turns off by itself! not sleep, off! As in the checked box is unchecked. The phone does it during use and when not being used. The timing between instances is random. The wifi sometimes stays on for hours. Other times it wont last five minutes. I have 4 other wifi devices connected by wifi to my secured router.
Note: I travel across the country for work and the problem occurs at airports, hotels, mcdonalds, ect.
I have called Motorola and their only option is to send it to the with no replacement. I could use some help. I have been searching online and others with this problem dont persist, they simply state that unsecuring their router fixed the problem. That is not an option for me as the routers are not mine.
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I recently noticed this problem started after I installed the ATT Smart Wi-FI app. Mine will connect then turn off, wait a second turn back on then I get the WIFI networks avail message and I check it and it's not connecting to the network til I tell it too then it will stay connected all day.
I"ve had my atrix 2 for about a little over a month. It's doing the same thing. Wifi will randomly shut off. I have to go into the settings to turn it back on. It will work fine for a little while then just shuts off again. Does anyone know if this seems to be hardware or software related. I've tried different apps and WiFi sleep settings to no avail. I really like the atrix but this is kind of annoying.
I have the same issue also, except I have top reboot my phone for wifi to work again.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App
i have the same problem, it's not my wifi connection, but the actual wifi setting turns off whenever i turn off my screen and yes, i've set the wifi sleep policy to "never", so that's not the problem. i've also tried "never when plugged in" and "when screen turns off" and i still get the same problem. i was thinking about going to at&t and asking them about it but decided to come here first.
(a white iphone 4 is looking better and better ) can anyone help?
I had this problem but after I disabled the power saver option under battery and data (set it back to performance) it went away and Wi-Fi works perfect.
Tried different battery saver settings as well, nothing changed.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App