I could never get a clear-cut answer from the differences of both of these. I could also never get the advantages/ disadvantages of having them on or off.
The closest thing I could find was this:
Tom Cruise said:
Okay, I did some testing and thought others may find the results useful. I should clarify that none of this applies if you have notifications disabled in any of the individual application settings or have misconfigured something else. I have "Auto-sync" enabled (Settings > Accounts & sync > Auto-sync). All testing was done with Wifi off and the phone set to idle/sleep.
Note: The settings discussed above can be found here:
- Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Enable always-on mobile data
- Settings > Accounts & sync > Background data
- Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Network
Test 1: Always-on mobile data ON / Background data ON
- Push Gmail works properly
- Push Exchange mail works properly
Test 2: Always-on mobile data OFF/ Background data ON
- Push Gmail works properly
- Push Exchange mail works properly
Test 3: Always-on mobile data ON / Background data OFF
- Push Gmail does not work
- Push Exchange mail works properly
Test 4: Always-on mobile data OFF / Background data OFF
- Push Gmail does not work
- Push Exchange mail works properly
Test 5: Always-on mobile data OFF / Background data OFF / Mobile network off
- Push Gmail does not work
- Push Exchange does not work
Additional comments:
- Regardless of the above settings, incoming phone calls and SMS messages were received properly.
- I have my phone set to have Google Voice handle all voicemail, and this too worked properly regardless of the above settings.
- Disabling Always-on mobile data in itself seems to make a big difference in battery life. I have this off and Background data on. So far, everything I use seems to work properly with these settings, and battery life is plenty for me to get through a day with frequent use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever since I've owned an Android device, I've always kept both of them check marked. But, out of curiosity, I unchecked "Always-on mobile data" on my S4G right now to see what kind of extra battery life I will get.
The only things I constantly want synced are my Exchange account, Gmail, and weather, so I'm hoping unchecking "Always-On Mobile Data" won't screw that up.
I just wanted to see what your opinion/ knowledge says on this whole Background Data vs. Always-On Mobile Data discussion.
Background data has to be ON to receive push gmails, whatsapps,etc internet background services...
Mobile Data always-on may not be checked...
zoro_op said:
Background data has to be ON to receive push gmails, whatsapps,etc internet background services...
Mobile Data always-on may not be checked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any benefit to having mobile data always on?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
I'll just add that if you turn off "Background Data" Market will not work.
Related
Hey I managed to get Peep working over 3g by removing the proxy setting for my connection.
I use my HD2 on T-mobile and the connection wizard automatically puts in settings for proxy for you.
I found that If you go to Settings > wireless controls > menu > Connections
Click setup my proxy server and untick "This network uses a proxy server to connect to the internet" option
this then worked perfectly - I can't say for other networks as I only use T-mobile.
if it doesn't work for you - just delete the existing connection. go to settings > wireless controls > setup a data connection. and your settings will be back to normal.
That's just T-Mobile UK being idiots... Pity it doesn't remove the YouTube blocking...
Wow this works!
Thank you, now I can twitter without wifi
l3v5y said:
That's just T-Mobile UK being idiots... Pity it doesn't remove the YouTube blocking...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youtube works fine for me on t-mobile. You need to register on their site and remove the adult content block.
rovex said:
Youtube works fine for me on t-mobile. You need to register on their site and remove the adult content block.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is that it requires a credit card, of which I do not have (you know, what with being under 18...).
I'll just have to wait...
Does it? i dont have one, i just deactivated it and youtube works, simple as that. Maybe it depends how you bought the phone, but my account assumes im 18 since i had to be to get the contract in the first place.
Thanks, fixed it for me , was still wondering why I couldn't use Peep over HSDPA/3G
Big thanks, forgot to check that proxy thing..
spvc500 said:
if it doesn't work for you - just delete the existing connection. go to settings > wireless controls > setup a data connection. and your settings will be back to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unchecking the 'use proxy' option did not work for me - how can I delete the existing connection? All I can do it seems is either manage the connection or add a new one.
I'm on T-Mobile as well and although Opera and some other programs such as Yomomedia work fine over 3G, the HTC applications including email and Peep just do not update unless there is wifi. I tried updating the 'operator database' settings and it told me that my settings were up to date.
Update - I now have GMail working on 3G, this is how:
- Enabled exchange relationship with GMail in ActiveSync (http://www.google.com/mobile/sync/)
- Enabled Directpush in wireless settings
- Enabled 'Sync while roaming' in account settings for my outlook email account (on the device).
Normal email accounts still do not update on 3G (IMAP/POP), only the exchange system seems to work.
HTC Peep/Twitter is still not working unless there is a Wifi connection or USB to PC connection. If I try and 'update now' on 3G it says that the network is not available. I can confirm the network is available and have checked the 'download data while roaming' box in Peep settings.
Any ideas?
So, just removing the proxy didn't work for me. I found an option to update the connection database. I did this (downloads from HTC I guess) and then disabled the proxy. That fixed my Peep connection
The update the connection database, goto settings, wireless, data, menu, update database.
I hope anyone can help me with the problems i am having with HTC Peep,
Some of the time it works fine while updating. other times i get a connection error.. but thats not the worst problem. i was wondering if anyone could help me find a register setting or tweak that would set a maximum limit to the amount of tweets in htc peep, the ammount of errors and loading time of the tab seems to increase when the ammount of tweets become more and more. for now the only solution i have found to speed it up again is hard reset and i dont like that if anyone could help me i would be really greatfull!
why my HTC diamond 2 windows 6.5 auto use and auto enable my data connection?
i want it to ask me first, is there is any way to do that and control it?
and when am having wifi connection sometimes it opens the data connection too!!
Kindly help
The reasons mainly because you have made some automatic update unintentionally. In most cases, functions needs you to enable automactic update include:
- Windows Live (force data connection even if WiFi is turned on)
- E-Mail Clients
Which in HTC Sense include:
- Weather
- Twitter
- Facebook in People tab
[Q] Android System showing Data Sent&Received even when all data networks are off?
I'm sorry, this topic has probably been brought up before, but Im just wondering since my data network connection is disabled even from my mobile operator it self. No 3G or GPRS are working, APN name has been fundled with, so therefore there is no way for my phone to be connected to the internet unless I use Wifi.
On the 2.3, the android system lists a whole list of system apps associated with it such as Crash Monitor, SemcHDMI control service, customized settings, diagnostic tool, download agent, account and sync setting, status bar, fmrx services, google backup transport etc and etc, and it shows that there are Data Sent and Data Received in which this number just increases out of no where. Now I'm probably paranoid by the word Data Sent and Received, because I doubled check with my mobile operator and it is assured that my data connections are all disconnected, from operator and from my phone as well.
So excatly where are these system apps sending these datas to? and where are these system apps receiving their datas from?
Wifi's not on, yet these numbers continue to increase. Not a whole lot, but it increases. Traffic Info application also shows no data usage from internet, but data usage from system apps.
Can anyone confirm this?
SE Xperia Arc user
So I've done some research on this and couldn't find a clear answer. There are two types of data toggle widgets you can use to turn data on/off . One type will actually enable/disable mobile data. The other type will change the APN settings (for instance, Elixir widget adds/removes '-elixir' suffix to the APN settings) to indirectly control data feed on phone, but the mobile data stays on all the time.
My question is, would these data widgets that alter APN settings save battery? I'm guessing they wouldn't because data actually stays on and the phone would keep searching for data signal...
If the APN is disabled or can not connect because the information is invalid due to a name change, there is no data connection.
Either way, your battery will benefit significantly.
Device Settings Guide, Tips & Discussions
Part 1 - Connections
If you're new to this series or want to see the index, please read Post #2 first.
Wi-Fi
Click on Gear icon besides any network:
View supported Network speed and security
Auto reconnect: If on, automatically connects to this network when Wi-Fi is ON. Switch it off for backup Wi-Fi i.e. you can keep it ON for 5 GHz network and OFF for 2.4 GHz so that it always connects to 5 GHz automatically.
Manage Router: Opens up the router admin page by going to your Gateway IP Address.
IP Settings: Choose from DHCP or Static. If you want to use custom DNS, you have to use Static IP. If you want to know the Network info like IP, Gateway or Subnet Mask, choose Static once and note the displayed info.
Proxy: Set manual or auto-config proxy here.
Click advanced to show:
View device's MAC address and allocated IPv6/IPv4. Learn about MAC and IPs here.
Metered Network: If you set a connection as metered, you or device can restrict background processes, big downloads and save data.
Randomized MAC: Devices are supposed to have a permanent MAC but this could be used to track you. From Android 10, you get an option to use randomized MAC each time your device connects to Wi-Fi. You can disable this if you use MAC Filtering on your router.
QR Scan (icon on top-right): Connect to Wi-Fi without entering password. Use a device that is already connected to the network and scan the QR code displayed by the former.
Menu > Wi-Fi Direct: Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on a nearby device as well to transfer files wirelessly and fastly. Works best with Samsung Devices and it does NOT require connection to a Wi-Fi network. You get speeds maxed out at the supported wireless speed of your devices! It is a better and more secure alternative than ShareIT or JioSwitch.
Menu > Advanced:
Sync with Samsung Cloud: Backup your Wi-Fi usernames and passwords and use the same on synced devices.
Switch to mobile data: If your Wi-Fi network quality drops, use mobile internet directly even if Wi-Fi is still connected (needs Mobile Data to be ON). You can add (Wi-Fi) Network Exceptions to prevent switching. Get notified to Allow individual apps to switch to mobile data i.e. if WhatsApp is blocked on your college Wi-Fi, you can allow WhatsApp to use Mobile data while keep using the Wi-Fi!
Turn on Wi-Fi Automatically: Your device will automatically enable Wi-Fi where you use it frequently. For example, you or your device can turn off your Wi-Fi when you go out and you won't need to enable it again when you get back home (you can configure the frequent networks after they appear here). Tasker used to handle this job for me (try IFTTT for simpler setup) but now the OEM solution is more optimized.
Wi-Fi power saving mode: For example, if you get WhatsApp messages every 30 minutes on average, the device learns about this traffic pattern and can toggle Wi-Fi accordingly to fetch notifications every 30 minutes. I keep this disabled as my usage pattern is dynamic like most of you. Better use App Sleep or Hibernation Apps like Greenify to save battery. Learn more about this mode here.
Wi-Fi control history: View apps that have toggled Wi-Fi recently. You can figure out if there's any culprit app that is toggling your Wi-Fi frequently when you have explicitly turned it off/on.
Hotspot 2.0: Automatically connects to APs that support Hotspot 2.0 or 802.11u. Network providers are themselves upgrading existing Wi-Fi in public areas like airports and encryption is a must for Hotspot 2.0 so you can trust and rely on it while you don't have to manually guess the right network. Learn more about Hotspot 2.0 here.
WPS push button; WPS PIN Entry: (Pie doesn't support WPS but Google says it's coming back, Read here) Connect the device to WiFi by pushing WPS button on the router or entering WPS PIN in case these are enabled on the router. Learn about WPS here.
Install network certificates: Normally not needed. Some organizations would need you to install certificates to access their domains. Same as what you do on a PC to install certificates.
Wi-Fi Calling
(Formerly VoLTE calling) Uses Wi-Fi to transmit voice instead of the mobile network but they still appear to be done via your SIM or number. This saves your mobile plan and also beneficial when you have low mobile network inside your home but good Wi-Fi! You'll see the SIMs in case the carrier supports VoLTE calling. #JioWaale
Bluetooth
When the Bluetooth is ON, you can STOP/SCAN for nearby devices manually. Keep BT on for playing with the following settings.
Menu > Advanced:
Sync with Samsung Cloud: Note that this only sync Samsung devices like Galaxy Home Speakers and Galaxy Buds.
Music Share: Enables your friends (or else) to connect with a speaker connected to your phone without requiring you to unpair and them to pair with the speaker. Useful in cases like you want your car to be always connected to your device. However, on a trip, your friend wants to play music from his phone while you drive. Get more explanation here.
Ringtone sync: Sync the ringtone you set on your phone to the connected speaker. I did not know they played different tones!
Bluetooth control history: Similar to 'WiFi control history' above.
Block pairing requests: Block spammers to request pairing.
Bluetooth scan history: Shows apps that scanned for BT devices. Review this once in a while as Apps can scan even when the BT is off!
[Discontinued] Dual Audio: Enables your device to connect to 2 different audio devices and play the same audio on both of them. Samsung explains this here.
[Discontinued] Media volume sync: In case the connected audio device supports this, you can change the player's volume by your device's volume rockers by enabling this i.e. you don't have to manually raise the volume to the fullest on both your device and the connected player to get the highest volume possible for your house party.
[Discontinued] Phone visibility: (Moved to Separate section after Bluetooth in Pie, please tell if it works for BT as well) Allow devices (with Samsung Connect) to find your device for connection. You can disable it unless you live in a Smart Home or transfer files from other devices more often. Learn more about this mode here.
NFC and contactless payments
It's turned ON by default on a new phone so do turn it OFF first. Samsung Pay will turn that ON if needed. Samsung Pay uses only NFC now starting from S21. MST is discontinued though no other brand could use this for payments. In case you don't know about MST (patented by LoopPay), must-read here. More information on the discontinuation in the FAQ.
[Discontinued] Android Beam: Allows you to share stuff when you tap your phone with some other-phone-with-already-enabled-NFC.
Contactless payments (Formerly Tap and pay): Select the default app for Payments and Others. Your default app will open up when you, for instance, tap your phone on an NFC-enabled POS (of course you need NFC to remain ON beforehand).
Pay with currently open app: By enabling, if currently opened app supports payment, it will used instead of the default app above. I have kept it enabled because I don't want Samsung Pay to open up when I know I am going to use GPay!
[Discontinued] Default NFC Method: By default and normally needed, 'Auto select'. In case you are the curious breed, learn about the different options here.
Flight Mode
Disables your operator's network. Since enabling this will also disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth altogether, you can turn back these two on without toggling flight mode.
Mobile networks
Data roaming: Enable it if your carrier doesn't charge you for roaming or you're rich enough.
Network mode: By default, 'auto connect'. You can play with the options in case you're facing network mode changing issues or want to save battery (put to 2G only). If your region does not have 5G yet, you can go back to 4G/LTE to save battery!
Access Point Names: I recommend you to request or configure your operator's settings for the first time even if it had been automatically fetched. Nerdy guide here.
Network operators: Suggest usage?
Data usage
Data saver: Formerly known as 'Restrict background data'. Your background apps will stop using network data i.e. you'll receive WhatsApp notifications only when you open the app again. You can also whitelist apps in 'Allowed to use data while Data saver on'. This feature can help a lot in saving battery or making you check the phone less when you're hanging out with your girl. Me no girl so no enable!
Mobile data usage; Billing cycle and data warning: Do check this in a while to review the apps that use most of your mobile data (maybe you don't need those apps that much on mobile data); Change your operator billing cycle, set data warning and enable data limit in case your operator doesn't give you free GBs. The app options you change here will be reflected in the Data saver section above.
Mobile data only apps: You can choose apps that you only want to use mobile data. Useful in case your organization's Wi-Fi blocks some apps like WhatsApp. This is related to 'Allow individual apps to switch' in the Wi-Fi section.
Wi-Fi data usage; Restrict networks: Like mobile data, you can also review your Wi-Fi usage! Do review it once in a while to identify data-hungry apps that can affect battery and CPU as well. The apps you disable here for background usage will be blocked while Mobile Data is on OR the Wi-Fi is metered. Please confirm?
SIM card manager
Select Icon, Name and Network mode (described above) for the corresponding 'SIM slot' (not the SIM). Select preferred slot for calls, messaging and data. Learn about Smart Dual SIM here.
Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
Mobile Hotspot > Advanced:
Wi-Fi sharing: In addition to mobile data, you can also share your Wi-Fi. This can be helpful in case you don't want to reveal your network or its credentials or don't know about them. Also, your device can become a repeater for devices that are too far away from the Wi-Fi (keep your phone on charging).
Security: Use 'WPA2/WPA3-Personal' (Learn about wireless encryption here).
Timeout: Keep timeout low so that hotspot turns itself OFF earlier in case there's no client or change to 'Never Timeout' if you are going to need it for some time.
Hidden network: Enable 'Hide my device' to stop exposing your SSID.
Power saving mode: Similar to PMS in Wi-Fi Advanced. Keep Protected Management Frames (PMF) on by default and change in case the client doesn't support.
[Discontinued] Menu > Allowed Devices: Enter MAC addresses of clients you want only to connect to your hotspot. Same as MAC filtering in routers.
Mobile Hotspot > Auto Hotspot: You might get this ON by default. Turn it off! This enables your or family devices to share your internet connection via Hotspot. You know when you need it!
Bluetooth tethering; USB tethering; Ethernet tethering: Learn about BT/USB tethering here.
More connection settings
Advanced Calling & Messaging: Some iMessage kinda thing? Anyone?
Nearby device scanning: Although it uses Bluetooth Low Energy, I have it disabled. If you enable it, you get notifications for nearby devices like TVs that support connections through your device (will annoy you at airports).
Printing: Do download Google Cloud Print and any other printing plugin required by your or your organization's printer.
[Discontinued] MirrorLink: Learn more here.
[Discontinued] Download Booster: Uses both WiFi and LTE at the same time to download apps over 30MB from Play Store and Galaxy Apps. In case you want that app as soon as possible.
VPN: Configure your VPNs here in case you have. I use Psiphon. You can also manually configure profiles as you do on PC.
Ethernet: Yes, you can use a wired connection on your device too. Discussions here.
Private DNS: Supports DNS over HTTP/TCP and I recommend reading about this here. I use 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com.
Series - Full Menu Guide Explained
Series - Device Settings Menu Guide
Hey XDA! I just got free from the initial setup of my Galaxy S22 Ultra. I don't know how many of you do this but I'm one of a kind that gives a considerable amount of time to explore every setting, feature and every single option whenever I get a new device or even when I factory reset the existing one. It's been years since I have started with this curiosity and I have never found an 'all-in-one' menu guide to explain each and every option in the device. Yes, you could also simply google the option you want to know about but how about compiling all of them in one guide? I don't know if this experiment would work or not but here's I am starting with this. I have spent the past three weeks taking out time whenever I could to compile this guide.
There are a couple of reasons I had decided upon to start with this series. Firstly, I want to help newbies (or even experienced) out there to explore and know about every feature or option your device could offer. I have seen many duplicate threads that are created every day to query fellow users even about an individual but unfamiliar option in the settings. I intend to do my bit to clear this clutter and help potential askers to get answers beforehand. Secondly, this guide could serve as a manual in case you want to find or get briefed about an option. You could then simply 'Find in a page' over the threads or simply use XDA's 'search in the thread' option to save your time. Thirdly, since I've broken the settings into different threads, this could help users engage and discuss over a particular device's super-menu and spread their knowledge, come up with new ideas and explore more of their devices. Fourthly, this series is not constrained to Note9 only. The settings on every Android device out there is similar and you would be able to find any common to your device settings here as well. Fifthly, since I have provided links and sources to some options, this can serve as directory map as well. Sixthly, this guide consists of tips for many options that you won't probably find normally.
This guide is intended and recommended to be read by anyone at least once. If you're reading a thread for the first, I recommend you to open up the corresponding settings in your phone and read the settings description in case there is. All the threads are arranged in the same order as the settings would come up. You could then simply read out my description of the same, my selected configuration and hyperlinks to some articles or videos in case you're the curious breed. This guide is strongly recommended after a fresh start. I want you all to give some time to explore each and every option your device can offer.
Hope this experiment lives up to the marks. Both criticism and appreciation are greatly needed and appreciated. Please comment.
I've tried to explain each option you could find by going deep into any setting. No matter whatever links I have provided, I will feel grateful if you want me to explain any feature more than I have done already. Please ask questions related to any settings. Do provide me suggestions and your take on my configuration. Please provide me with more guides and articles for a particular feature. I want to have the precious contribution of XDA members in this guide. Discussion over any feature, setting, your configuration, did-you-knows and anything else is greatly appreciated. This is a newbie-friendly place so don't hesitate to ask questions - besides the fellow XDA members, I'm always here for you.
Regards,
Paras Lehana
Index
Part 1 - Connections
Part 2 - Sounds and vibration, Notifications, Wallpaper and themes
Part 3 - Display, Lock screen, Biometrics and security
Part 4 - Advanced features, Device maintenance, Apps
Part 5 - Cloud and accounts, Google, Accessibility, General management, Software update, User manual, About phone, Developer options
FAQs
Why did Samsung discontinue MST for Samsung Pay? (Contributed by @sansart)
Ans: With big card companies like Mastercard ditching Magnetic Stripes due to security concerns, Samsung could be taking a step in this direction. Starting with Galaxy S21, Samsung discontinued MST and, in a statement, it added: "Due to the rapid adoption of near field communication (NFC) technology by consumers and businesses, beginning with devices launched in 2021, Samsung Pay will focus its support on NFC transactions, across the Galaxy portfolio. While future devices will no longer include magnetic stripe technology (MST), customers with previous, compatible Galaxy devices will be able to continue using Samsung Pay, including MST." (Source: The Verge)
Mastercard nicely explains about ditching Magnetic Stripes here: Swiping left on magnetic stripes
Good read, thanks! I think your NFC section needs updating though, Samsung no longer uses MST.
Updated. FAQ too. Thank you for contributing!
Since S22U is my upgrade after spending over 3 years with Note 9, I was doubting about the MST thing after the payment failed once. Now I have read about it. Thanks again!
sansart said:
Good read, thanks! I think your NFC section needs updating though, Samsung no longer uses MST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse