Is it possible to block cellular data using an app?

[varmartins]

Like the title says I would like to know if it is possible for an app to block all cellular data use. If so, how would I go about building such an app?

 

[Thom]

Welcome to Android Forums.

Under 4.4.4 you can useTasker actions of ...
Mobile Data Off to stop mobile data
WiFi Off to stop WiFi data

Under 4.4.4 you can use Tasker actions of ...
Mobile Data On to start mobile data
WiFi On to start WiFi data

... Thom

 

[codesplice]

If you're looking for info on how to build such an app, you'd probably be better off asking for details in the Application Development subforum.

This subforum (Android Applications) is for users to discuss existing apps.

Good luck!

 

[varmartins]

Sorry for that, I'll post it there now.

Thanks

 

[steiny180]

Like the title says I would like to know if it is possible for an app to block all cellular data use. If so, how would I go about building such an app?

The app has already been built.

Automateit will allow you to turn Data off and on using shortcuts on your home screen.

All you need to do is define rules with a "manual trigger" and a Data on or off action.

You can then create shortcuts to these rules on your home screen.

Pretty slick for a free app. I use it all the time.

-Dave

 

[dvhttn]

And you obviously realise you can just turn 'mobile data' to OFF?

Dave

 

[steiny180]

And you obviously realise you can just turn 'mobile data' to OFF?

Dave

Automateit home page shortcut is quicker for us older lazy people...

 

[funkylogik]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.miabit.android.dataonoff one of many. I just searched "data off"

 

[Slug]

Note that, since Android 5.x, third-party apps are unable to toggle mobile data on unrooted devices.

 

[Thom]

... also ... since 5.1 third-party apps on un-rooted devices can turn WiFi off but cannot turn WiFi On.

So after 5.1 is ... third-party apps on un-rooted devices cannot ...

Mobile Data Off
Mobile Data On
WiFi On​

... Thom

 

[funkylogik]

Oh man I keep forgetting about the bad parts of lollipop

 

[Thom]

Tightening the security.

... Th0m

 

[Thom]

I just discovered that under 5.1 a third-party app (Tasker) on an un-rooted phone can turn WiFi Off and On.

I went to WiFi | settings | Advanced and turn o everything but ...

Scanning always available
Avoid bad Wi-Fi connections​

... and I can now toggle WiFi using Tasker.

(This is very important to me because I have a pair of Tasker profiles that turn WiFi off when I am away from the office and turn it back on when I return. This stops my phone from attempting to connect to WiFi networks ... like in a customer's office.)

... Thom

 

[funkylogik]

So how does Tasker get this permission? Is it a root feature?

 

[Thom]

No ... it seems to be a glitch in the system WiFi control. I have now set everything in ... WiFi | Settings | Advanced ... back to the way they were and I can still toggle WiFi On and Off through Tasker on a never-been-root-ed Droid Turbo 64GB.

I just reproduced the problem on another phone (Droid Maxx running 4.4.4). There is no issue with 5.1. The issue was with the previous release of Tasker. When I upgraded to the most recent release of Tasker the problem disappeared and I could Toggle WiFi on and off.

So ... with the most recent release of Tasker I can toggle WiFi on 4.4.4 and 5.1.

... Thom