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Using Wireless instead of data plan

G

gamul1

Android Enthusiast
Hi - I just got a new Samsung Note 3, and with that I had to change my Verizon data plan from unlimited to a 2 gig a month plan. I never cared in the past if my device was on wireless or not with the unlimited but now I want to make sure that when I am connected to WiFi that my device is using that and not the data plan.

If I am connected to the WiFi network, and the data plan is active - do I need to do anything to make sure it is using the WiFi and not the data plan? Do I need to manually shut off the data plan? Is there a setting somewhere to tell it to do this?

Sorry for the ignorance, I just never had to worry about it before.

Thanks!
 
As i understand it it uses Wi-Fi if it's connected before using data connection. To be sure you could always just turn off mobile data when connected to Wi-Fi. But i don't think its necessary. Personally i don't switch it off. I spend most of my time connected to Wi-Fi and my data usage is pretty low.
 
Thats what I think too - that using WiFi is default. I am just looking to be sure because 2gig is not much really so I want to make sure I save it for when I need it.
 
I tend to turn off mobile data at home. And don't leave it on when I'm not near a wifi connection. If I need or want to dl something or want to use the internet I'll turn it on. I only have 1.5g and in the 4 months I've had the phone I haven't gone over it yet.
 
There is absolutely no need to turn off your 4G when connected to WiFi. If you are on WiFi, the phone will use WiFi. Period. In fact, unless your phone is broken, you should notice that the 4G symbol (or 3G, or 2G, or EDGE if you live in the middle of nowhere) actually disappears completely when you are connected to WiFi. That is because the phone turns off the data radio to conserve power. It never uses both radios unless you are tethering.
 
I do it just as a safety measure. And it gives me a reminder to check. I'm not allowed to carry my phone for my job and find If I leave wifi and mobile data on it will drain my battery. This way I can leave it for 12 hours and not have to worry about it being flat when I get back to my car.
 
Stang70Fastback said:
There is absolutely no need to turn off your 4G when connected to WiFi. If you are on WiFi, the phone will use WiFi. Period. In fact, unless your phone is broken, you should notice that the 4G symbol (or 3G, or 2G, or EDGE if you live in the middle of nowhere) actually disappears completely when you are connected to WiFi. That is because the phone turns off the data radio to conserve power. It never uses both radios unless you are tethering.
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Actually it does use Data every now and again randomly.

I have noticed this, my device isn't broken, it has happened on every Android device I have ever owned.

It isn't a lot it's more just like a trickle, like maybe 100kb here and there. I am assuming maybe the Wifi cut out for a few seconds and it switched over or something like that.

I like the better safe than sorry route of turning off data altogether. :)
 
Stang70Fastback said:
There is absolutely no need to turn off your 4G when connected to WiFi. If you are on WiFi, the phone will use WiFi. Period. In fact, unless your phone is broken, you should notice that the 4G symbol (or 3G, or 2G, or EDGE if you live in the middle of nowhere) actually disappears completely when you are connected to WiFi. That is because the phone turns off the data radio to conserve power. It never uses both radios unless you are tethering.
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Ultimately, this is the answer I was looking for and what I suspected. In the first 5 days since I got the phone, the only data used on the plan was before I could get the WiFi set up as the phone was loading my settings. Since then it has been on WiFi and the data usage has not changed.

Although, the suggestion by Digital Controller is also good. Better safe than sorry.

Dumb question follow up. If you shut off the Data does that impact getting/making phone calls at all? Even if you leave the house and drive off? Logically I would not expect these to be related and the answer to be no - but I thought I would ask just in case.

Thanks!
 
Digital controller is correct, a slight trickle of mobile data is used when on WiFi. Usually this is not a problem. Turning mobile data off will stop that, but it is not really necessary. Turning it off will not affect phone calls or text messages at all. It will affect MMS (multi media messages) however.
 
dynomot said:
Digital controller is correct, a slight trickle of mobile data is used when on WiFi. Usually this is not a problem. Turning mobile data off will stop that, but it is not really necessary. Turning it off will not affect phone calls or text messages at all. It will affect MMS (multi media messages) however.
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Thanks Dynomot! If I start seeing an issue with trickle data adding up I will shut off the data and only turn it on if we really need it.

We do not use MMS at all. We barely even use text messaging.

We use the phone for data a lot but we find that we are using it at home, at the office or at a friends house (where we can connect to their WiFi) most of the time. We do however use the data plan when driving occasionally. Most notably we use Google Navigation from time to time to get some where. I wonder how much that will use.

Thanks everyone for the help/answers!
 
Google maps to navigate will use a fair bit of data. I don't use it myself very often (I use Sygic), but I belive you can cache the map data to use off line.

Incidentally the miniscule amount of mobile data used when on WiFi is according to my carrier (network - Vodafone UK) is them pinging your phone. Apparently, for me at any rate, Android registers it, but I am not using any of my data allowance by themm doing so. So all good. I'd contact your carrier to ask them, if it bothers you. I am on a slow day at work, and curious. Can't tell can you? :D
 
gamul1 said:
Thanks Dynomot! If I start seeing an issue with trickle data adding up I will shut off the data and only turn it on if we really need it.

We do not use MMS at all. We barely even use text messaging.

We use the phone for data a lot but we find that we are using it at home, at the office or at a friends house (where we can connect to their WiFi) most of the time. We do however use the data plan when driving occasionally. Most notably we use Google Navigation from time to time to get some where. I wonder how much that will use.

Thanks everyone for the help/answers!
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Hey glad to assist anytime.

You can also quickly toggle data on/off for MMS, that's what I usually do, works pretty well!

dynomot said:
Google maps to navigate will use a fair bit of data. I don't use it myself very often (I use Sygic), but I belive you can cache the map data to use off line.

Incidentally the miniscule amount of mobile data used when on WiFi is according to my carrier (network - Vodafone UK) is them pinging your phone. Apparently, for me at any rate, Android registers it, but I am not using any of my data allowance by themm doing so. So all good. I'd contact your carrier to ask them, if it bothers you. I am on a slow day at work, and curious. Can't tell can you? :D
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You can turn off Data after initiating the Maps Navigation and it will still navigate you to your destination.

I know this because when I was traveling to a secluded cabin in the woods with my SO about an hour our I lost all data and signal, but still had GPS, and the Navigation kept going it was really bizarre, but I wasn't going to complain.

The next time I used Navigation I tried just turning it off and it ended up working after it was off, seems like it just needs Data to initiate Nav.
 
Did Verizon stop offering the 6gb max plan to people giving up their unlimited data plans? I got that without having to sign up for the awful EDGE plan too and it gives me a lot of peace of mind.
 
kokiangel said:
Did Verizon stop offering the 6gb max plan to people giving up their unlimited data plans? I got that without having to sign up for the awful EDGE plan too and it gives me a lot of peace of mind.
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Nothing like that was offered to me. I was shown a tiered pricing level. 2gb for $20 per month, and then each GB was like $10 more per month with the 5gb plan costing $50 a month.

What a complete rip off. 2gb, even 5gb, is practically nothing. Next time my plan is up I may explore T-Mobile and their unlimited data plans. I considered them for a minute this time but their coverage is still spotty in places. Maybe next time it will be improved.
 
kokiangel said:
Did Verizon stop offering the 6gb max plan to people giving up their unlimited data plans? I got that without having to sign up for the awful EDGE plan too and it gives me a lot of peace of mind.
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The EDGE Plan isn't terrible, granted I am paying a lot of money, but the fact that I root and rom my phone so much that I pretty much need a new phone after a year is some peace of mind to be honest. :p
 
I don't mean to totally disparage the EDGE plan. There are people like you who like to get a new phone every year or even need to. I like to keep mine for at least two years and longer if possible so the EDGE plan is "awful" for me. But the 6GB MAX should have been offered to Gamul1 regardless since he gave up his unlimited data plan. Its $30 per month and that's a lot more peace of mind than a 2GB plan affords him.
 
kokiangel said:
I don't mean to totally disparage the EDGE plan. There are people like you who like to get a new phone every year or even need to. I like to keep mine for at least two years and longer if possible so the EDGE plan is "awful" for me. But the 6GB MAX should have been offered to Gamul1 regardless since he gave up his unlimited data plan. Its $30 per month and that's a lot more peace of mind than a 2GB plan affords him.
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Yeah I see where you are coming from. If anything I would suggest Gamul1 go into the nearest Verizon store or even call customer service and complain about this, even threaten to leave.
 
Digital Controller said:
Yeah I see where you are coming from. If anything I would suggest Gamul1 go into the nearest Verizon store or even call customer service and complain about this, even threaten to leave.
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Is it written down somewhere that this is an option? What leg would I have to stand on if I called? I had never heard of it before so am just not comfortable with if I should have received it or not. 6gb certainly would be better than the 2gb.

Thanks!
 
gamul1 said:
Is it written down somewhere that this is an option? What leg would I have to stand on if I called? I had never heard of it before so am just not comfortable with if I should have received it or not. 6gb certainly would be better than the 2gb.

Thanks!
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I would just complain that you were *forced* to give up your Unlimited and they gave you an unfair alternative.
 
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