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hi all
so I am going out of the country later this week and had a simple silly question. I want to be able to use wifi on my phone for late night email checks. I do not want to accept calls or send text or use any data over the network.
are these the settings I need:
wifi - on (duh!)
mobile network - off
data roaming - connect to data services when roaming - off
Is there a setting for roaming for regular calls? I do not see it. note this is with a rooted inspire using rcmixkingdom.
thanks
aeneas3 said:
hi all
so I am going out of the country later this week and had a simple silly question. I want to be able to use wifi on my phone for late night email checks. I do not want to accept calls or send text or use any data over the network.
are these the settings I need:
wifi - on (duh!)
mobile network - off
data roaming - connect to data services when roaming - off
Is there a setting for roaming for regular calls? I do not see it. note this is with a rooted inspire using rcmixkingdom.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and answer your questions, but I would still recommend you contact your mobile provider and confirm first. This is from my personal experience.
BE PREPARED ... THIS IS A LONG REPLY
Whenever you leave your service area, the area covered by your mobile provider's network, you enter what we call "roaming." Two things can now happen. Either your phone will not work at all in terms of calls or data, or everything will work. It depends on what agreement you have with your provider. With me, for example, I had long ago called my provider and asked them to NOT allow my phone to operate if I went "roaming." Then, suddenly, when I visited the U.S. last week, I realized that my phone wasn't working and remembered what I had told my provider. A quick phone call to them corrected the issue.
All that being said, if you are set up to roam with your provider, you need to consider a few of things.
One, you need consider where you're going. If you're in Canada, and you're traveling to the U.S., roaming charges may be somewhat expensive. If you're doing the reverse, visiting Canada from the U.S., the same would probably apply. However, if you're going overseas, your roaming charges could be quite expensive, as much as several dollars per minute, depending on the country. Data can also be expensive. For example, with my provider (Rogers - Canada), I have 500MB of data with my monthly plan; however, when I visited the U.S., my plan no longer applied, and I would be charged 3-cents per KB, or a whopping $3.00 per MB. I ended up buying a 10MB extra service fee for $10.00.
Okay, let's consider what you want to do.
If you only want to use WiFi, it will work perfectly if you have the WiFi name and password (if applicable). If you do NOT want to be able to take calls, send texts, or use data, you MUST TURN THEM OFF. Keep in mind, too, that certain programs may automatically access Data for up-dating, such as weather, stocks, sports scores, currency exchange rates, etc. You can turn off this automatic function, which I would suggest. I don't know exactly where this function is on your phone, but you'll have to check it out. This applies to the SYNC function as well. Turn OFF sync to make sure it doesn't accidentally access Data.
Now, for your other question re local phone calls. Once you leave your service area, your phone either works, or it doesn't. There is no other choice. If you don't want to accept calls from home, or make long distance calls, then you have to turn off roaming. If roaming is off, you cannot make local calls either.
Also, keep in mind that if you did make local calls, they would all be considered long distance because, as far as your provider is concerned, your phone's area code is static. If you leave your area code, ALL calls become long distance even though, if you're in another country, and you only want to make a phone call across the street, it will still be a long distance call. Think of it this way, billing begins the moment you press call on your phone, yet in this case, that call effectively begins from you home area code. Therefore, to make a call across the street, it would be identical to making the same call from you home, plus roaming charges.
There is one work-around for the local call issue. You could buy time from a local provider in the country where you will be travelling. This may end up being quite inexpensive. Think of it as a pay-as-you-go plan, if they offer it. So, you would simply remove your existing SIM card and replace it with a new one from the provider in the new country. Use it for local stuff. It may even include data, who knows?
When I visit China, which is rather often, I have a "pay-as-you-go" SIM card which I have with me when I visit. I always keep a balance on the account so they don't cancel it. Then, when I arrive, I make the SIM switch, and voila! Cheap local calls.
Peter
If ALL you want is data for email and internet, turn airplane mode ON (I use a power widget to have this close at my fingers, but you can long push the power button and the option is there as well as in menu>settings>wireless & networks) then turn wifi back on.
Airplane kills all radios, then you have the option to turn wifi only on (specifically for those airlines that provide wifi).
thanks guys! I figured I was going to call AT&T today to make sure but stealthpsycho - airplane + wifi will work wonders. I just tested it out at home and it is beautiful I am going to turn off roaming by calling just to make sure as well. In case I need to reboot and forget that airplane mode is not on.
thanks again!
Went to Vietnam a few weeks ago. Turning on airplane mode and then turning wifi back on does the trick you want.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
W00t! I gots a thx!!!
You're very welcome. I use this trick a lot at the school where I work, b/c I have no cell signal and I want to prevent cell searching. It's also a useful trick if you want to install market apps that AT&T blocks (I.E. PDAnet)
Easy way I go to Japan all I do is take out the sim. Wifi on.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
My scenario is a little unique
I run this phone unlocked on AT&T without data. I actually have a data block on my plan, so my phone doesn't use any extraneous data from apps I can't control when I'm out of a wifi hotspot
My only problem is, I DO have unlimited texting, which also includes picture messaging. But if I block data, I can't receive picture messages.
Is there any way to block data but still be able to receive picture messages?
I'm trying to use this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeffdonahue.smozzy&hl=en
It is a great concept and would definitely become popular with some love.
Nice way to save data in a pinch too, or forgo the data plan all together if you don't use it much.
But I haven't been able to figure out how to have picture messaging enabled with data blocked.
Short and long answers to your question
gtmaster303 said:
My scenario is a little unique
I run this phone unlocked on AT&T without data. I actually have a data block on my plan, so my phone doesn't use any extraneous data from apps I can't control when I'm out of a wifi hotspot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unique is a bit of an understatement, given that most carriers require a data plan in order to purchase a smartphone in the first place.
gtmaster303 said:
My only problem is, I DO have unlimited texting, which also includes picture messaging. But if I block data, I can't receive picture messages.
Is there any way to block data but still be able to receive picture messages?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer, AFAIK, yes. SMS (text) and MMS (multimedia messages) work fine over the standard cellular connection. They don't require wi-fi or the carrier's data network to be active.
To elucidate: I'm on T-Mobile, and though I signed up for the mandatory 2 GB data plan, I rarely use it because I control how my phone accesses wi-fi and T-Mo's data network. In Settings|Wireless & networks, Wi-Fi is off unless I need to use it, be it my home connection or a free provider like Panera while I'm at the restaurant. Likewise Mobile network is set to off, as well as Settings|Accounts & sync|Background data and Auto-sync (separate settings). I use the Extended Controls app for a detailed widget that includes wi-fi and data network toggles for when I need to use these capabilities. My husband is hearing impaired, so we communicate a great deal using SMS and MMS; and we've not had any difficulty with wi-fi and data network switched off.
In closing, it's to your benefit to thoroughly read the manual for the MT4GS. This information and more can be found there. Here's a link for the pdf from T-Mobile (the manual is by HTC, though): http://support.t-mobile.com/servlet...2-102-2-3529/mytouch-4g-slide-user-manual.pdf
Hope the above info helps --
--
KingCheetah
KingCheetah said:
Unique is a bit of an understatement, given that most carriers require a data plan in order to purchase a smartphone in the first place.
Short answer, AFAIK, yes. SMS (text) and MMS (multimedia messages) work fine over the standard cellular connection. They don't require wi-fi or the carrier's data network to be active.
To elucidate: I'm on T-Mobile, and though I signed up for the mandatory 2 GB data plan, I rarely use it because I control how my phone accesses wi-fi and T-Mo's data network. In Settings|Wireless & networks, Wi-Fi is off unless I need to use it, be it my home connection or a free provider like Panera while I'm at the restaurant. Likewise Mobile network is set to off, as well as Settings|Accounts & sync|Background data and Auto-sync (separate settings). I use the Extended Controls app for a detailed widget that includes wi-fi and data network toggles for when I need to use these capabilities. My husband is hearing impaired, so we communicate a great deal using SMS and MMS; and we've not had any difficulty with wi-fi and data network switched off.
In closing, it's to your benefit to thoroughly read the manual for the MT4GS. This information and more can be found there. Here's a link for the pdf from T-Mobile (the manual is by HTC, though): http://support.t-mobile.com/servlet...2-102-2-3529/mytouch-4g-slide-user-manual.pdf
Hope the above info helps --
--
KingCheetah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can run any phone on your carrier without data, as long as they can't recognize what it is (i.e. an unlocked phone from a different carrier)
But back to my question, AT&T tech support has told me that data needs to be enabled in order for me to receive MMS as part of my unlimited texting. On a non-smartphone, that would be no problem because there are no apps that constantly pull data in the background. If I disable mobile data on my phone, will my MMS still work? That's what I'm trying to do. Otherwise there's no way for me to avoid pay per use data charges, because my phone will keep pulling data
gtmaster303 said:
If I disable mobile data on my phone, will my MMS still work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not try and see what happens, then let us know?
Sent from a digital distance.
I've been able to receive mms by disabling data, and deleting the "data" apn. Keep the mms apn, since if you delete that, you will not receive mms.
I have the connect to internet setting disabled, and have been able to receive MMS.
Blue6IX said:
Why not try and see what happens, then let us know?
Sent from a digital distance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, I did, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong. It didn't work for me, that's why I asked
idlechatter said:
I've been able to receive mms by disabling data, and deleting the "data" apn. Keep the mms apn, since if you delete that, you will not receive mms.
I have the connect to internet setting disabled, and have been able to receive MMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I know which is which?
I have about 8 APNs
I have attached screenshots of the list
The second picture is the same list, but just includes the other half of the APNs.
If you could let me know which one to delete, that would be great
Delete all Wap.cingular apns, leave the others. You must have data pay per use at a minimum to use mms because mms messaging functions over the data network. This is the same on all carriers. It's just how mms works. On Att, the data used as part of mms messaging is included in your messaging plan and will not charge your data pay per use.
Hope this helps!
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using XDA
pantheis said:
Delete all Wap.cingular apns, leave the others. You must have data pay per use at a minimum to use mms because mms messaging functions over the data network. This is the same on all carriers. It's just how mms works. On Att, the data used as part of mms messaging is included in your messaging plan and will not charge your data pay per use.
Hope this helps!
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
So if I enable data on my phone now, apps won't rack up data, will they?
MMS is a part of AT&T messaging, even though it uses data, you are correct.
I just don't want the rest of my phone pulling for pay per use data
I have 4G, can send/receive texts, but I can't make calls. The circle with a line through it is next to my 4G icon in the top right.
Didn't do anything to the phone, this just happened randomly.
I've tried flashing back to stock, updating radios, etc. Nothing works. Pulled SIM card, battery, etc.
Any ideas?
It's possibly a bad SIM or a bad CDMA radio. It's far more likely the first, but I actually had the CDMA radio go bad in my first Charge. Keep in mind that the LTE network is data only, and it still needs a connection to the CDMA to have voice service. Since they're separate radios, you can have the LTE data connection without the CDMA voice connection.
Same exact thing happened to me. Seems like part of the hardware shorts out or something. Had to get a refurb.
Here's the part I don't understand.
Normal operation of phone: regardless of whether data is on or off, I can send/receive texts and calls.
Now: can't ever send or receive calls; can only send/receive texts when data is ON.
WTF?
SMS has traditionally operated by piggybacking the messages into the control information that the cell phone signals use as part of their normal background chatter that was previously wasted (using a variant of the ALOHA protocol for those interested). The European carriers devised it as a way to allow customers to utilize some unused bandwidth as a cheaper alternative to calling
My assumption, based on recent observation, is that carriers are now using ALOHA *or* data to transmit SMS, depending on what's available. This is likely due to an over-saturation of the channels used to carry SMS, or possibly a preparatory move for the transition to all IP, but that's just speculation on my part. Regardless, observations such as your would tend to support the use of two different channels.
Is it possible for applications to bypass Data Transmission switch and Roaming block?
I have been traveling abroad recently and even though I have Roaming Data disabled and Data Transmission disabled in the system I still got charged for data transmission.
I have travelled with it before last two trips and have not seen the problem.
Since I had similar situation last time I was traveling, I made sure that those settings are off couple of times over the course of the trip.
When I check data usage (Settings -> Data Usage) for that period is practically zero, but there are some Google apps listed for that period: Internet, Kids Mode, Youtube, Smart Remote, and Google Movies BUT they all list 0kB for usage and I'm not using neither KidsMode nor Smart Remote.
It does not look like operator related since I got charges from several countries.
Any ideas what might be going on? I will file a complaint for the charges with my operator (not counting on positive response there), but I still would like to use my phone when travelling, but if blocking data transmission is not enough to prevent roaming charges - what is?
For reference my phone is European Galaxy S5, running Stock, not rooted, 4.4.2 Android
thanks in advance,
Kubak
Data off from settings will surely off any transmission. No app is allowed to bypass that setting. Dont know if you are talking about check on data roaming, you should just off the data.
There could some problem with the data switching. Since your phone is not rooted it shoudn't happen but some apps may be doing this. Try flight mode/airplane mode. If problem still does not go OR if you want your data on Try the app permission management.
Settings-->Security-->App permission management.
Thanks for the replies guys!
To clarify - I have been always using the Roaming data off setting when traveling. And it worked until my last two trips.
On previous one I did not disable data since the setting always worked before. When I got charged for data, I made sure I additionally switch off the Data and keep it off during my trip.
The data usage meter on the phone shows 0.0 kB with several Google apps listed (as mentioned initially) they are all set to restricted mode - no background data.
It looks that IF there was any transmission it was small - one of the operators on route charged just 1kB, but ATT was happy to charge me 50kB up and down every time this happened?
The Airplane mode can be a solution but will pretty much "kill" the phone - I would still like to be able to be reachable under that number.
I was a bit suspicious of Llama app fiddling with data, but even that should not bypass the Roaming setting (and there would be a lot of data being transferred)
And the problematic part is I don't think I can check data usage with my operator in real time - I just learn from my monthly bill...
So it looks like "something" is bypassing the "no data in roaming setting" - but what?
Any suggestions are welcome
I had the same experience recently and I've figured it out. Even if your roaming function is turned off there are VOIP apps that can bypass your roaming and you will get charged for data. Facebook calls, Whatsapp calls and IMO calls are a few. I noticed the last time when I was travelling through the States (with my roaming off) that when a fb call rang my phone (I did not answer), every frickin' fb notification for the week came through during the duration of the ringing (remember ... I did not answer / connect to call), and I got dinged for 4 bucks for every one. The only way to get around it is to have phone on airplane mode or delete / uninstall the apps while you are away.
I'd like to force my Pixel 7 to disconnect from any mobile network, without using airplane mode. Do you know a way to achieve this?
Reason for asking this: I will travel abroad and use a secondary SIM to provide me with data, while using my primary SIM with voWiFi (or Backup calling). That'd would keep me reachable on my phone number and allow me to make calls/SMS @home at local rates.
The reason for having my primary SIM disconnected from any mobile network is due to the fact that my primary carrier will charge me for calls/SMS depending on the latest place I got connected to a mobile network. They charge roaming fees even when you're using voWiFi in airplane mode! I have tested this already on a previous trip.
One way would be to select a network manually, or a network that I know it won't connect. However, if I turn on and off airplane mode (to take a flight), the phone will connect to the latest network it connected successfully to.
So my strategy is to connect manually to my home network at home, hoping the phone doesn't magically connect to a network. That's why, I'd like to really make sure that the phone can't connect to any mobile network, just to be sure it won't connect to a network while roaming. But only on the primary SIM. For the other SIM I do want to get connected.
For those wondering, my carrier is T-Mobile NL.
Try messing up the apn details on your sim when abroad. That will prevent connection
The issue is that messing with apn won't prevent the phone to register to a roaming network. That alone will tell my carrier where I am and charge roaming fees accordingly...
@jasalta387 Interesting problem for sure. Can you forward your calls to the secondary (travel) sim and use WhatsApp or Signal to call on wifi? Or leave an auto message giving your foreign number. Any time you connect to the primary network you will be charged, no two ways about it on an Android device. I do believe the iPhone has that capability however. Even if you receive a text on the primary you will trigger a roaming charge. Perhaps the only way to avoid that is turning off the sim entirely while traveling. See if they have an inexpensive international plan?
Indeed, iPhone can easily be disconnected from a cellular network by selecting one that doesn't register. That setting sticks even while cycling through airplane mode or a device reboot. On Pixel this is not the case. Pixel will register again, hence my issue.
I know I could rely on 3rd party apps or services or call forwarding. Problem is that I then need to redirect all people who could reach me to them somehow, while using wifi calling is just fine. Even SMS come and go through it. I just need to not make my carrier aware I'm overseas. Hence my question.
I could use a second device that provides me data and keep my phone all the time in airplane mode. This needs that I carry the two devices all the time with the logistics of charging two phones and all of that. I just want to do it all with my Pixel.
I was thinking one thing: I need to go to the US. Is 3G dead there for good? Because then I could tell my Pixel to use 3G and not allow 2G. That'd keep it away from any accidental network registration upon landing.
jasalta387 said:
Indeed, iPhone can easily be disconnected from a cellular network by selecting one that doesn't register. That setting sticks even while cycling through airplane mode or a device reboot. On Pixel this is not the case. Pixel will register again, hence my issue.
I know I could rely on 3rd party apps or services or call forwarding. Problem is that I then need to redirect all people who could reach me to them somehow, while using wifi calling is just fine. Even SMS come and go through it. I just need to not make my carrier aware I'm overseas. Hence my question.
I could use a second device that provides me data and keep my phone all the time in airplane mode. This needs that I carry the two devices all the time with the logistics of charging two phones and all of that. I just want to do it all with my Pixel.
I was thinking one thing: I need to go to the US. Is 3G dead there for good? Because then I could tell my Pixel to use 3G and not allow 2G. That'd keep it away from any accidental network registration upon landing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm intrigued by this and would love to find a solution for you. Oh yeah, 3G is dead across the US from all reports. So I'm trying to parse this scenario, let's see if I get this right. You want to have phone calls come into your primary phone line (Sim 1) but no network connectivity for data, right so far. Also you want SMS to the primary while roaming. The problem is that even if you don't get a phone call or text the connection to the network alone will trigger a billing instance, right so far again?
My daughter has an iPhone and turns off data on the sim but can get phone calls and text. As soon as she does though there is a daily billing charge of $10 because she's outside the US. I also think she can connect to wifi and make calls and text without a carrier network. But I'm not sure about. But that aside, how would you like it to work? Would you like it to connect to the network but not get charged unless you get a call or SMS? Because once a call comes in you're roaming charges will ensue. In airplane mode and strictly wifi there should be no charges but you say they bill you anyway right? Are you sure you didn't get a text or something to trigger the charge? I hope I'm reading this right.
My carrier bills calls and SMS based on the country of the latest connected cellular network. So if I don't connect to any network while I'm abroad my carrier will think I never left the country.
I don't want neither data nor calls/SMS on my primary SIM using cellular while abroad. I can get all calls and SMS via WiFi calling on that primary SIM. To get WiFi calling when I'm abroad I will use the data connection on my secondary SIM or any WiFi network.
Because of the need to get the secondary SIM on, airplane mode doesn't help me. So I need my primary SIM to never to any cellular network while I'm abroad.
jasalta387 said:
My carrier bills calls and SMS based on the country of the latest connected cellular network. So if I don't connect to any network while I'm abroad my carrier will think I never left the country.
I don't want neither data nor calls/SMS on my primary SIM using cellular while abroad. I can get all calls and SMS via WiFi calling on that primary SIM. To get WiFi calling when I'm abroad I will use the data connection on my secondary SIM or any WiFi network.
Because of the need to get the secondary SIM on, airplane mode doesn't help me. So I need my primary SIM to never to any cellular network while I'm abroad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if you turn off the sim then even WiFi doesn't work on your primary number?
If the SIM is turned off, then you don't get WiFi calling
Try the 4636 menu
Choose the SIM you want from drop down
3 dot menu top right
Disable data connection
jasalta387 said:
If the SIM is turned off, then you don't get WiFi calling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to adjust the order of airplane mode / network /wifi on-off so as to not allow the sim to connect to the network but still allow wifi on the sim? So for instance, disable the sim, turn on airplane mode, turn on the sim and then enable wifi calling while in airplane mode, turn off airplane mode with data turned off on the sim. I can't believe with no data, calls, sms and only wifi the carrier will charge you roaming. That just doesn't seem right.
bobby janow said:
Is it possible to adjust the order of airplane mode / network /wifi on-off so as to not allow the sim to connect to the network but still allow wifi on the sim? So for instance, disable the sim, turn on airplane mode, turn on the sim and then enable wifi calling while in airplane mode, turn off airplane mode with data turned off on the sim. I can't believe with no data, calls, sms and only wifi the carrier will charge you roaming. That just doesn't seem right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@jasalta387
I don't know if you would follow this suggestion...
But in case you are interested in it, this sounds like something you could pull off automatically with something like MacroDroid or Tasker or some other automation app -- even without being rooted! But I concur, it doesn't make sense that a carrier charge roaming when there would be no data, calls, or sms but only wifi....I'm of the opinion (previously stated somewhere in the thread here) that you might've either misread the bill and/or accidentally "caught" a text or transferred a byte of data and it triggered...
Hey there, I know it sounds harsh that a carrier bills this way. It is verified and discussed in a local forum here (in Dutch) https://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/74880578#74880578
Of course, here there are a few things at play:
1- the carrier wants to have a clear way of communication and support. If you are abroad, those are the prices you pay for. That's it. You know it for sure. They don't want to have to explain how to turn on VoWIFI and explain how to make that working for every phone, or explain to you that you made a call thinking you were on VoWIFI while you weren't. Their approach is crystal clear.
2- the carrier makes some extra income this way. While travelling in the US: for every SMS sent they charge 0.51 EUR, calls placed 1.27 EUR, calls received 0.76 EUR and 2.50 EUR per MB of data. For data, they sell some passes that makes the price more reasonable. Note that unlimited plans for domestic data/calls here start at 25 EUR per month.
3- In The Netherlands (and for pretty much every country in EU) people rely quite a lot on 3rd party apps for calls and texting, especially when you are abroad. WhatsApp is the go-to service, even for domestic communication. People don't even bother using their home carrier when travelling outside of EU. They just remove (or disable) that SIM. So the high cost of roaming is usually left to business users for which companies pay or make better deals with the carriers.
One thing I didn't mention is that in NL, pretty much all carriers limit VoWIFI to Dutch IP addresses. To use VoWIFI you'd need to use a router that tunnels all IP traffic via a VPN that has an exit point in The Netherlands. That's how I conducted my test and verified that all activity using VoWIFI was billed using the same fares as if I was using a roaming cellular network.
I want to try this using a secondary SIM from a Dutch provider, which will give me the Dutch IP address. Backup Calling on my primary SIM will make that SIM to connect to VoWIFI. But to get my home fares, I really need to make sure that my primary SIM doesn't connect to any network while I'm travelling (hence my original request).