[Q] Switch off cell / GSM module while keeping mobile data / WiFi - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have found many posts regarding keeping the phone module running while switching off the mobile data or WiFi modules of the Desire but my problem is the other way around. Since I never use my Desire as a phone but only for internet access via mobile data or WiFi, I would like to switch off ONLY the mobile phone capabilities (which drain the largest part of the power over the day). Is that possible at all?
Thanks for any hints!
frotty

Yes, you CAN keep WiFi ON while being in Airplane Mode (cell service turned off), but you can't keep mobile data on because it requires cell service in order to work.

Thanks a lot, TVTV. That clarifies it.
All the best
frotty

Related

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

Tip: Market app (wireless access)

As I mentioned in my earlier thread I recently bought a Motorola Defy. Like many other users that I read about before purchasing my first android smartphone I was not able to open Google Market app after a factory reset.
My hint is based on my own experience and I hope it serves someone else well with similar issue.
As I write this message I have no data plan on my contract and I intend to use wireless connection for emailing, internet browsing, and the Market app. Once I completed the initial setup I put my handset's network mode to 2G only. I was worried to be charged for accessing data on 3G.
I had no problem using the Market app initially over the wireless connection until I did a refactory reset to re-setup my handset properly second time round. It was then the Market app stopped working and not even a master reset resolves the problem and then I was considering to root the handset to remove certain folders as a solution to the problem.
Everytime I laucnhed the Market app it stuck at Terms and Services page. It then occurred to me to change the network mode to Automatic and switch off the wireless connection to see what would happen. Next time I laucnhed the Market app it took me straight to the market's home page. It took me two days to figure this out : (
Once I was in the market I switched the network mode back to 2G only and turned on the wireless again. Everything is working just fine now. For the porpose of this thread I powered off the handset and turned it on again to see if my last settings i.e. 2G only still launches the Market app successfully or not. I can confirm that the Market app works just fine over the wireless connection just fine with 2G only network mode.
BTW, the batter life of this handset is so impressive. I used it one and half day very extensively (over 20 times of restarting the handset alone) and I was very surprised lasted that long. On moderate use and proper battery management (no widgets, no 24 wireless connection), and putting it on air plane mode at nights I would get over 2.5 days before charging is required.
I can't wait for Android 2.2 release to make this handset even more productive for me : )
CSharpHeaven said:
As I write this message I have no data plan on my contract and I intend to use wireless connection for emailing, internet browsing, and the Market app. Once I completed the initial setup I put my handset's network mode to 2G only. I was worried to be charged for accessing data on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you may have a misconception of 2G versus 3G. They are different technologies. When your phone is in 2G mode, it uses one type of network for both voice and data. In 3G mode it uses another type which provides better voice quality and faster data speeds.
Either way your phone will still try to access data unless you turn off mobile data. If it's in 2G mode and you see the little "E" icon up in the notification area, it's still accessing mobile data - just at a slower rate.
cmstlist said:
I think you may have a misconception of 2G versus 3G. They are different technologies. When your phone is in 2G mode, it uses one type of network for both voice and data. In 3G mode it uses another type which provides better voice quality and faster data speeds.
Either way your phone will still try to access data unless you turn off mobile data. If it's in 2G mode and you see the little "E" icon up in the notification area, it's still accessing mobile data - just at a slower rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your inputs. I'm very new in the world of smartphones but learning fast.
I searched around to find out how to disable Mobile data and chosen this method *#*#4636#*#* and changed my network type to GSM for best coverage and battery life now. I can confirm the Masrket app still works with wireless connection.
Changing to GSM only does not disable mobile data.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
cmstlist said:
Changing to GSM only does not disable mobile data.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled the Mobile Data option by pressing the Settings button then More>Disable Mobile Data. It was then I noticed the options for changing my network type beyond just 2G and 3G.
CSharpHeaven said:
I disabled the Mobile Data option by pressing the Settings button then More>Disable Mobile Data. It was then I noticed the options for changing my network type beyond just 2G and 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did that work then? You no longer connect with mobile date, I'm asking because I have now ordered my Defy but like you don't have a network plan so need a workaround.
CSharpHeaven said:
I disabled the Mobile Data option by pressing the Settings button then More>Disable Mobile Data. It was then I noticed the options for changing my network type beyond just 2G and 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right ok, thanks for clarifying
In Froyo there is a mobile data toggle in the regular menus, and on all Sense phones too. Is there one on Blur phones? I guess not.
Another way to block data is to go to your APN list and fudge the entry (e.g. change epc.tmobile.com to epc.tmobile.com.nodata).
jk1234 said:
Did that work then? You no longer connect with mobile date, I'm asking because I have now ordered my Defy but like you don't have a network plan so need a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I can assure you I have successfully disabled Mobile Data by looking at the reception icon in notification bar that no longer displays G, H, E, and 3G at anytime.

Mobile data turns on when wifi turns off?

I've noticed that whenever I turn off my wifi connection, the mobile data connection automatically turns itself on. This is quite annoying as I usually have it turned off to conserve battery.
Is there any way to disable this?
Thanks in advance.
No as the Desire is a smart phone which always needs a connection to the Internet to update - it's working as designed
Well if the user specifically wants to turns off the APN connection and keep it off until manually turned on, I don't see why that's such a big ask. I only want to have control of my phone, not the other way around.
I use Honolulu Team's Extended Controls to switch both wi-fi and mobile data off when not required.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/extended-controls/com.extendedcontrols
Spannaa said:
I use Honolulu Team's Extended Controls to switch both wi-fi and mobile data off when not required.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/extended-controls/com.extendedcontrols
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also use this, but if I have wifi turned on for example (with mobile data turned off prior), when I turn off the wifi the mobile data immediately activates without my say so.
There must be some way to disable this automatic connecting.

[Q] WiFi hotspot issue on Desire

Hi,I've noticed that once the WiFi hotspot settings is turned on on my mobile,the phone itself tends to consume data at the same time as the other WiFi enabled device is accessing the data connection.is this a normal thing? Or is there a setting that'll prevent the phone from accessing data at the same time as my tablet or laptop.Cos with both device using the hotspot,more data tend to be consumed which means I'll have to top up my data plan earlier than expected.Thanks in advance.
The way in which it works is that your phone gets used as a modem. Since when you enable hotspots, the phone can only do 1 thing. Either be a hotspot or have a wifi connection, not both. So when you enable hotspot it disables the wifi and uses your mobile data instead, thus your phone being a modem... so to speak.
Sent from CM7

[Q] WiFi // Observatory

Sorry if this is a basic question. I have looked around but not got a direct answer.
With WiFi and mobile data both switched on, the Note will (I guess) always use the WiFi first.
If the WiFi is on the edge of coverage, will it switch back and forward between the two or stick to Mobile Data? Is there anything I can do to adjust this operation?
If the WiFi is off during sleep and I unlock and immediately check email, will Mobile Data be used right away or will it wait until after checking for a WiFi signal?

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