Develop Bugs

Anyone can answer about data connection?

When I read the HTC Desire user manual, it said that I need to turn on the "Data Connection" setting to have internet connection.
Well, this is understandable ... but, does it has automatic connection on demand?
On Windows Mobile, I dont have to specifically turn on data connection. Whenever an app is trying to reach the internet, it will turn on the data connection automatically.
And of course, it will turn-off the data connection automatically as well, when there is no internet network activity.
Does this also the same in Android?

It should turn on automaticly when you try to use online services...
But you can turn it on in Wireless & Network

You have to option to turn mobile data off, that is why it specifies that you need a data connection.
If you do not turn it off, apps that require internet access will use it with no further interaction.

By default MENU -> Settings -> Wireless & networks -> Mobile network was off on my device, meaning it would not connect to internet via 3G (I could still make/receive calls). However, I chose to use WiFi for set-up when I first started the phone, so maybe that's why.
Anyway, I guess that is the setting they are talking about.

Thanks for your information, but that raise a question:
When I switch off the data connection and also switch off the background data option.
Will the HTC Weather widget (and other similar widget) still work with auto-updating periodically?
Zappza said:
You have to option to turn mobile data off, that is why it specifies that you need a data connection.
If you do not turn it off, apps that require internet access will use it with no further interaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

gogol said:
Thanks for your information, but that raise a question:
When I switch off the data connection and also switch off the background data option.
Will the HTC Weather widget (and other similar widget) still work with auto-updating periodically?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO... they need either 3G or WiFi connection to update...

So, that means ... those apps cannot wake up (turn-on) the data connection automatically if needed (on-demand) ...
pantera70 said:
NO... they need either 3G or WiFi connection to update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I do remember the old days of the HTC Hero which had the option of background data usage. I think that was more to do with the version of Android than anything else. I recently had the Nexus One and on the new 2.1 version of Android, you can either switch data on or off, no automated connections on data usage.

When the phone is sleeping (screen off) nearly everything is powered down anyway, even if the data connection is 'on'. Apps will wake the device (an power up radios as required) to do their updates when they need to.

gogol said:
So, that means ... those apps cannot wake up (turn-on) the data connection automatically if needed (on-demand) ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole idea of being able to turn your mobile data connection off is to disable mobile data completely. This is a very good option if you are roaming in a foreign country or don't have a fixed data plan.
If you leave the mobile data connection to enabled, applications will "turn-on" the data connection if needed (on-demand). In other words, if the mobile data connection is enabled, the mobile data connection will be in standby, waiting for applications to request use of the connection.
Hope this clarifies it for you, as you appeared to misunderstand my last post.

Ok then
I think it has different meaning compared to the Windows Mobile.
In the COMM MANAGER, there is "Data Connection" toggle which normally is OFF. And this does not mean that the device cannot use 3G data connection.
While on Android, its data connection toggle setting means to enable or disable 3G data connection completely.
I think that is the difference, if we look from Windows Mobile point of view.
Thanks.
Zappza said:
The whole idea of being able to turn your mobile data connection off is to disable mobile data completely. This is a very good option if you are roaming in a foreign country or don't have a fixed data plan.
If you leave the mobile data connection to enabled, applications will "turn-on" the data connection if needed (on-demand). In other words, if the mobile data connection is enabled, the mobile data connection will be in standby, waiting for applications to request use of the connection.
Hope this clarifies it for you, as you appeared to misunderstand my last post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Turning the data connection on or off

Hi,
If I read the HTC Desire manual page 128:
Code:
[B][U]Turning the data connection on or off[/U][/B]
...
Press HOME > MENU and then tap Settings > Wireless & networks.
Select the Mobile network check box to turn on the data connection; clear the check box
to turn off the data connection.
We can simply check/uncheck the above option to turn on or off the data connection.
Did you get any problem for turning it back on (from off) ???
Because I read the old HTC Hero (which has this option as well) has problem with this.
When you turn off data, and turn it on again, the phone cannot use data connection unless you soft-reboot.
Reference:
http://code.google.com/p/apndroid/issues/detail?id=33#c10

No probs with mine

I've used this method since last Saturday, saves so much battery on my Desire and when I want the net, I can turn it back on easily enough or if at home just use Wi-Fi.
No problems getting it to turn back on again.

Does this mean I'll have to manually turn data off if I want to use wifi?
Reason why I ask is because I checked my net counter and all my data has come from the data (3G) portion of my phone whilst nothing via wifi.
Probably me being a bit naive as I thought once wifi was on the phone would know to use that automatically as opposed to 3G...
EDIT: Just had a look on my phone and under settings --> wireless and network --> mobile network (uses phone for data connection when wi-fi unavailable) is checked...so would I be correct in assuming that when wi-fi is available data won't be used??
and in Mobile Network Settings --> enable always-on mobile data (uses more power on some mobile networks) is checked (could this be the culprit?)...

Thanks for your feedback, that is certainly a good news.
Btw, does HTC provide a small widget to toggle this easily?
Or you must go through the settings -> Wireless Network -> ... ?
choccy31 said:
I've used this method since last Saturday, saves so much battery on my Desire and when I want the net, I can turn it back on easily enough or if at home just use Wi-Fi.
No problems getting it to turn back on again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

there is a widget you can add on your screen to do this (and others) goto widgets then scroll to settings hit the arrow on the right and you get several icons you can drop
airplane mode
bluetooth
gps
mobile network (data)
wifi

Press and hold the power button, it's an option on the quick list.

Data connection problem when coming back from Airplan mode...

I've stumbled on a strange issue.
If I switch the Desire to the Airplan mode when the Data connection is off (I use the appropriate HTC Data connection widget to do this), when I switch back to Airplan mode off, the phone is no more able to restore the data connection.
The only workaround found is to restart the phone.
Has anyone got the same experience?

Two questions.
1. When you say you switched off data connection, are you talking about syncing, wifi, mobile network, ... etc?
2. Why do you want to switch off data connection and turn on Airplane Mode? Doesn't Airplane Mode cater for shutting down all wireless?

1. I'm talking only about the "Data connection" option on "Wireless and networks" menu, that is switchable via a special HTC widget. Switching this option off, the phone is no more able to access to the GPRS provider. I often keep this option off to save battery life. I turn Data connection on, if I need to sync and access to Internet.
2. This is not the matter, just it happens. Eg. When I go to sleep, I turn the Airplane mode on, doesn't matter if the Data connection is on or off (it is possible that it is on) in order to avoid any disturbs (calls, sms, etc.).
I just wonder if this issue is a true bug of the phone:
1. Switch off Data connection
2. Switch on Airplane mode
3. Switch off Airlplane mode
4. Try to activate Data connection (for me it seems it's not possible without a reboot)

Had a similar problem which I wrote to HTC about: after the phone has been data connected via wifi and I leave the wifi network it often will not connect to data via mobile network (GPRS/3G), giving the message "connection failed" if I try to manually connect in the "mobile networks" section of the "wireless & networks" settings page.
It seems to have fixed itself now, and I think it's because I've since ticked the option to "enable always-on mobile data", which I had turned off to save battery. Give it a try.

yurikg said:
Had a similar problem which I wrote to HTC about: after the phone has been data connected via wifi and I leave the wifi network it often will not connect to data via mobile network (GPRS/3G), giving the message "connection failed" if I try to manually connect in the "mobile networks" section of the "wireless & networks" settings page.
It seems to have fixed itself now, and I think it's because I've since ticked the option to "enable always-on mobile data", which I had turned off to save battery. Give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks yurikg, but on my phone the "enable always-on mobile data" option is checked, anche there is no mobile network connection problem coming back from a Wifi connection.
The problem I shown is probably caused coming back from Airplane mode.

The other possibility is Juicedefender which apparently is known to cause problems recovering a mobile data connection (recent update may have fixed this):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=660706&highlight=juicedefender

yurikg said:
The other possibility is Juicedefender which apparently is known to cause problems recovering a mobile data connection (recent update may have fixed this):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=660706&highlight=juicedefender
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not juicedefender on my Desire...
I've in plan to do some other tests...

I have a problem with my Desire reconnecting to a mobile data connection too, but not when I come out of 'plane mode, its when I leave a Wifi covered area. It could be the same problem, triggered by anything that disables and then reactivates the data connection?
I have no solution yet, and I have contacted HTC support about it (still no reply). There is some discussion here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=656192

I seem to be having this problem too when coming off WiFi connection, unfortunately restarting the phone has not righted the issue...

I'm also having this problem with the connections. Fine on the wifi at work and at home but not switching over to the mobile network. Apart from that the phone seems awesome! Soooooo much better and more fun than the HD2.

OK, my phone appears to have no network connection whatsoever in fact...

Have the same problem as well. Coming from Wifi and to mobile network only - I do not get any data coverage. This is for the Desire and I had the same problem with Legend.
I hope this will be worked out ASAP.

Well, my problems all sorted. Turns out I had to manually input the APN for internet, took me by surprise since no phone I've owned since 2006 has needed that...

Just had to put in the settings manually too. Seems there is an issue with some of them. Would put a link here but as i'm a newbie not allowed Just google vodafone apn settings for htc desire and hey presto

Same problem here, my Hero had it too. I found it did work when you switch to gsm only and back to 3g/gsm... Would love to hear good solutions.

Im also having the same problem.
If i try switching my connection from wifi to mobile data, my mobile data connection fails to work. A power cycle fixes the issue but if i try switching connections again, the problem returns.

Can I suggest to anyone still having problems getting their phone to switch to mobile data when leaving Wifi to view the following bug report on Google Code and to star it to help raise the priority with Google:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=2207&colspec=ID Type Status Owner Summary Stars
Thanks folks

[Q] Is there a way to disable data?

I just bought the Defy for my younger sister and was just wondering if there is a way to turn off the data since I only want her on wi-fi. I know there's apps out there like extended control but is there anything I can change in the settings? I did some searching but found nothing on the forum if I missed it can you guys point me the right direction? Thanks a bunch!

When in Europe I use an app called APNdroid from the market. It kills edge & 3G but leaves wifi and voice/text running. If you want to kill EVERYTHING but wifi, hit airplane mode then wifi.

I suppose it depends on your service provider, but if you set up nonsense information in your APN (i.e. it can't find a server) then it won't be able to access 3G data. I've set up 2 APNs on my phone, one to allow and one to turn it 'off'. Works like a charm.
Well, for me, anyhow.

+1 for APN renaming.
Sent from my MB525

Go to market, find this--> APNdroid
Install it & put on desktop.
This will help stop the Defy from using GPRS.
Edmond.

there are dialog in settings that allow to disable all mobile data transfers over gsm/umts networks

Settings > Data Manager > Data Delivery > All mobile Data (untick)

sarge78 said:
Settings > Data Manager > Data Delivery > All mobile Data (untick)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My T-Mo USA phone does not have that choice.

scrannel said:
My T-Mo USA phone does not have that choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I looked for that too but didn't find it so I'm just using the app. Thanks for all the help!

You can use the app"Droidwall",you can disable 2G,3G, and use only WIFI

You can try a battery saving app called "juicedefender".
The original function of it is turning off data when the screen is off, but you can use its widget to turn off data completely.

[Q] Concerns about data roaming

I hope I'm posting this in the proper category.
Namely, I'll be leaving my home country very soon and travel abroad and I will most certainly need to occasionally do SSH connection to my server over 3G, which leads me to data roaming. Now, data roaming at my carrier is super expensive, so I was wondering if there is a way to completely disable data while in roaming, but still be able to connect to 3G and EDGE when I explicitly tell the phone to do so (eg. for SSHing somewhere or checking in on Foursquare, refreshing Twitter timeline, etc).
I saw that there's an option to uncheck Data Roaming in Wireless & Network settings, but I would say that will completely turn off all data connections and NOT allow me to manually and explicitly initiate data connections. Is that true? Is there a way to make it connect to 3G only when I explicitly tell it to while remaining disconnected otherwise?

Allow all phone data settings on. Download APNdroid or similar (APN on off widget) from the market. Open app and set any preferences, then add widget to home screen. Activate by tapping on off on (or something like that). Green on, red off.
All it does is rename the APN settings so it "fails" to connect.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

petarpetrovic said:
I hope I'm posting this in the proper category.
I saw that there's an option to uncheck Data Roaming in Wireless & Network settings, but I would say that will completely turn off all data connections and NOT allow me to manually and explicitly initiate data connections. Is that true? Is there a way to make it connect to 3G only when I explicitly tell it to while remaining disconnected otherwise?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your quite correct in that it will stop data connections, but why not turn it back on when you want to connect?, the other possibly cheaper option would be to, as long as your phone is not networked locked, buy a local PAYG sim with data and use that in your phone when you want to use 3G

Buying local sim would be wise option....
Sent from my Desire HD

A local prepaid SIM is a good idea, far cheaper than using data roaming.
Additionally, to avoid background data usage, you might want to install Droidwall and allow only the SSH app to connect to the internet.

ghostofcain said:
Your quite correct in that it will stop data connections, but why not turn it back on when you want to connect?
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Click to collapse
Because I want only that one application to use the data connection when I want it to, without all other apps opening their own connections for sync and other stuff, since I have a lot of apps and accounts that sync in certain periods of time (this is an Android device, after all ).
frosty_ice said:
Additionally, to avoid background data usage, you might want to install Droidwall and allow only the SSH app to connect to the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I needed! Many thanks for the suggestion, I'll try it out!