Help Need help with Mobile Data

[Patrick8215]

I just bought my S3 yesterday from Verizon. I am coming from an LG Ally and if you're familiar with that terrible device, you know what a huge improvement this is. I love the phone so far but I'm having one problem.

I have a small data plan. I think it's 2gb. I'm not one of you guys who is on my phone constantly. I might check facebook once in a while at work or if I'm out with friends and there's a question no one can answer, we'll google it. I generally try to avoid using the data plan unless I need it or really want to.

Anyway, on my Ally, I had an option called "background data" and I turned it off. I only turned it on when I needed to install a new app. Otherwise, the phone worked just the same.

On the S3, I have mobile data turned off but if someone sends me a pic message, I cannot see it unless I turn mobile data back on.

Is there a way to do this? A way just to get picture messages but not all of the silly data waste running in the background?

Truth be told, I don't know exactly how much data is used and for what yet and I'm so afraid of incurring overages. Thank you in advance.

 

[Szadzik]

The best way, si to first test how much data wuold be used if you kept it on.

Go to Settings> Data usage and set up a limit of 2GB. Keep all data on and after a few days see how much gets used and whether it is actually worth to turn it off at all. I have a small data plan too, and do not think 2GB would not be enough for the usage scenario you are describing.

 

[Patrick8215]

That's a good idea.

 

[GTWalling]

Also use WiFi as much as you can. I use WiFi at several places. Home, work, some restaurants and local Pubs.

 

[happyarthur79]

2gb a small data plan?
Here in the UK I only get 1gb inclusive per month and hardly ever go near my limit. I use my phone for checking Facebook, Twitter, here;-) my bank, youtube and various other forums. I also stream Internet radio while in the car via TuneIn and still don't get near 1gb per month. 2gb should be more than ample for the odd Facebook and Internet search surely? Use the inbuilt data manager to try and accurately measure your usage.

 

[Patrick8215]

Also use WiFi as much as you can. I use WiFi at several places. Home, work, some restaurants and local Pubs.

I do this mostly at home and when at friends houses if they'll allow me. I am much too paranoid to do it at a public hotspot.

 

[Patrick8215]

2gb a small data plan?
Here in the UK I only get 1gb inclusive per month and hardly ever go near my limit. I use my phone for checking Facebook, Twitter, here;-) my bank, youtube and various other forums. I also stream Internet radio while in the car via TuneIn and still don't get near 1gb per month. 2gb should be more than ample for the odd Facebook and Internet search surely? Use the inbuilt data manager to try and accurately measure your usage.

I am a bit paranoid about going over. I have set up the data manager to keep track of how much data I actually use. I think right now it's set to two days. I also put a 1.9gb limit with a 1.7gb or so warning.

I'm going to play it by ear and see what I can get away with.

 

[Lato9905]

I have 2gb as well and use my data recklessly and still don't go over. Never stream music or movies and you will be good. I bet if you looked at your statement every month you only use like 300 mb.

 

[John P]

What Szadzik said about setting a data limit on the phone settings is very good advice.
Alternatively or aswell as - You could contact your carrier and ask that they stop your data connection when the limit is reached, I have done that in the past and it makes absolutely sure that you will never exceed your limit.

 

[ADRz]

I have a small data plan. I think it's 2gb.

.

2GB is not a small data plan. In fact, even with moderate use, you may not get to 2GB. All you have to do is utilize wi-fi whenever you can and put a warning in your phone to buzz you when you are approaching this limit. 2 GB is more than enough for the vast majority of users except those who want to see full length movies in their phone.

 

[Patrick8215]

Very interesting. Here is a stupid question. I have my gmail account. How often will my phone sync to gmail? Is there a way to set it only do it every hour or so?

 

[Szadzik]

Very interesting. Here is a stupid question. I have my gmail account. How often will my phone sync to gmail? Is there a way to set it only do it every hour or so?

GMail app does not pull emails. It is the server that pushes them when it gets a new email, so GMail has not settings for syncing frequency, it is a much more power efficient solution than what you are referring to.