Using Tasker to Prevent Roaming

[RocketSurgeon]

Hey there, Tasker wizards!

I was wondering if any of you had any thoughts on a good way to have Tasker automatically disable 3G when I start roaming. I've been doing some Google-ing and haven't come across anything that would work the way I want it to. Basically, since I live right next to Canada, I'll grab their data service occasionally, and the little charges I get for that add up. Here is what I have so far:

Profile Name: Prevent Data Roaming
Context: Mobile Network ([ ] 2G, [x] 3G, [ ] 3G-HSPA,
[ ] 4G, [ ] Invert)

Task Name: Disable Data When Roaming
1. Mobile Data>Set>Off (If %ROAM ~ On)
2. Notify>Title>[I]Roaming - Disabling 3G[/I] (If %ROAM ~ On)
3. Mobile Data>Set>On (If %ROAM ~ Off)
4. Notify>Title>[I]Not Roaming - Re-Enabling 3G[/I]

(If %ROAM ~ Off)

Note that ROAM is a preset Tasker variable, not one that I've defined. Also, my Droid 3 isn't rooted, just fyi. This kind of works, but I know there has to be a cleaner and more effective way to do this. I only just got Tasker yesterday and I've been playing with it a bit, but I would really like to get this working so I don't have to worry about it.

Thanks!

 

[UncleMike]

One problem I imagine you'll run into is that you're disabling Mobile Data in your Enter Task, which will drop your data connection, which will cause the profile to become inactive, which will cause Tasker to enable Mobile Data... leaving you in a loop.

Isn't there a way to disable data roaming in your Android settings? If not, here's what I would try:

Profile: Prevent Data Roaming
Context: Variable Set %CELLID
Enter Task:
If %ROAM ~ on
Mobile Data Off
Else
Mobile Data On
End If

I was originally going to recommend using the %ROAM variable in the context, but discovered that it's not monitored by Tasker.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Can you explain the "Variable Set %CELLID" portion to me? I'm not sure what that's doing.

EDIT: In addition, will this play nicely with any other Profile that I might have that would turn 3G off? I want to make sure this isn't saying "Unless you are roaming, keep 3G on at all times."

And there is, but the way mine seems to work is that it asks me each time I start roaming if I want to enable data. Unfortunately, it won't disable data until I specifically tell it to, and since I usually run into this problem when I'm out sailing and my phone is belowdecks, I'm unable to tell it to stop. I've asked around with Verizon and they haven't given me any good way to prevent this from happening.

 

[UncleMike]

Can you explain the "Variable Set %CELLID" portion to me? I'm not sure what that's doing.

EDIT: In addition, will this play nicely with any other Profile that I might have that would turn 3G off? I want to make sure this isn't saying "Unless you are roaming, keep 3G on at all times."

And there is, but the way mine seems to work is that it asks me each time I start roaming if I want to enable data. Unfortunately, it won't disable data until I specifically tell it to, and since I usually run into this problem when I'm out sailing and my phone is belowdecks, I'm unable to tell it to stop. I've asked around with Verizon and they haven't given me any good way to prevent this from happening.

%CELLID is a built-in variable and refers to the ID of the cell tower you're currently connected to. With my suggested profile, each time you connect to a different tower it will turn data on or off depending on if you're roaming or not. As written it won'y play nice with any other profiles that turn data on or off (it doesn't appear that your profile does either). To avoid conflicts between this and other profiles you would have to use global variables or monitor the status of the other profiles using either %PENABLED or %PACTIVE, and then act accordingly.

 

[Raptor_Jesus]

As much as I like tasker, don't most phones these days have an "Enable roaming data" setting option? Mine does, and won't use data if I attach to a roaming carrier.

Hey there, Tasker wizards!

I was wondering if any of you had any thoughts on a good way to have Tasker automatically disable 3G when I start roaming. I've been doing some Google-ing and haven't come across anything that would work the way I want it to. Basically, since I live right next to Canada, I'll grab their data service occasionally, and the little charges I get for that add up. Here is what I have so far:

Profile Name: Prevent Data Roaming
Context: Mobile Network ([ ] 2G, [x] 3G, [ ] 3G-HSPA,
[ ] 4G, [ ] Invert)

Task Name: Disable Data When Roaming
1. Mobile Data>Set>Off (If %ROAM ~ On)
2. Notify>Title>[I]Roaming - Disabling 3G[/I] (If %ROAM ~ On)
3. Mobile Data>Set>On (If %ROAM ~ Off)
4. Notify>Title>[I]Not Roaming - Re-Enabling 3G[/I]

(If %ROAM ~ Off)

Note that ROAM is a preset Tasker variable, not one that I've defined. Also, my Droid 3 isn't rooted, just fyi. This kind of works, but I know there has to be a cleaner and more effective way to do this. I only just got Tasker yesterday and I've been playing with it a bit, but I would really like to get this working so I don't have to worry about it.

Thanks!