[Q] WiFi // Observatory - Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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?

Related

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.

Wifi Calling

Does the Wifi Calling app save more battery? I've noticed the network signal turns off when I enable Wifi Calling
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Yes, saves LOTS of battery. Big difference when wifi calling is on.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Expanding on OP:
Does WiFi automatically supersede data as well? And if so, is there battery saving in that case?
alpharomero said:
Expanding on OP:
Does WiFi automatically supersede data as well? And if so, is there battery saving in that case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you turn on WiFi, all data goes through WiFi assuming that there is a good signal on it (aka if WiFi is so bad there is no data throughput, the phone will turn mobile data back on). The phone will always choose WiFi and turn off mobile data. Some/most people say that this saves battery because the phone isn't always searching for mobile data. I'd say that this is more true if you're in a situation where there is poor/low 3G reception but good WiFi reception. I almost never use WiFi because I get full bars and good 3G speed at home. I see no reason to use WiFi in this situation as my phone isn't searching for better networks.
As far as WiFi Calling goes, in the settings of the app you can choose to have the phone "Prefer WiFi"/"Prefer Cellular"/"WiFi Only". Same thing here. If I use WiFi calling, I choose "Prefer WiFi" because if for some reason my WiFi goes down while I'm not using the phone I want the mobile network to come on so I can receive calls without having to toggle back. A situation I could see where "WiFi Only" would be applicable is if you're traveling and want to use WiFi for calls if you have a data-only prepay SIM, or if you're in an area with only Roaming coverage and you would want to just use WiFi to make calls.

[Q] WiFi networking - advice needed

I am completely ignorant of the WiFi configuration and purpose on this phone. Can anyone help?
1) I have an unlimited data plan. Should I care about using WiFi at all?
2) If I have a 4G/3G signal loss, will WiFi automatically kick in to sustain a signal?
3) I currently have no WiFi networks attached, and a scan returns nothing.
Should I be attaching WiFi networks manually. If so, how?
4) Should I just allow my battery optimizer app to disable WiFi?
mds54 said:
I am completely ignorant of the WiFi configuration and purpose on this phone. Can anyone help?
1) I have an unlimited data plan. Should I care about using WiFi at all?
2) If I have a 4G/3G signal loss, will WiFi automatically kick in to sustain a signal?
3) I currently have no WiFi networks attached, and a scan returns nothing.
Should I be attaching WiFi networks manually. If so, how?
4) Should I just allow my battery optimizer app to disable WiFi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) That's upto you. If your speeds suck, or are in a terrible reception area (switching between 4G and 3G a lot, or stuck in 3G), then Wifi can be faster.
2) If you lose 3G/4G data, it may not connect to wifi unless your configured network is nearby. Normally, wifi will be always connected unless you're out of range of that particular signal.
3) Make sure Wifi is switched on. (switch will be blue in the on position). If you don't see any networks, then there are none. You may have to add networks manually, but thats because its not broadcasting its SSID (ie making itself visible), but thats usually in like a corporate environment.
4) I have noticed that being on Wifi saves me some battery than being on 4G, but your results may vary.
I can only offer advice on the first one. I also have unlimited data but I use wifi whenever possible. Wifi doubles my battery life. Using 4g all the time kills it way too quickly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
mds54 said:
I am completely ignorant of the WiFi configuration and purpose on this phone. Can anyone help?
1) I have an unlimited data plan. Should I care about using WiFi at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're happy with your speeds then no. WiFi does save battery though.
2) If I have a 4G/3G signal loss, will WiFi automatically kick in to sustain a signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, because WiFi isn't always on (or shouldn't be), and won't automatically turn on. You'll have to turn it on manually if 3G/4G isn't available.
3) I currently have no WiFi networks attached, and a scan returns nothing. Should I be attaching WiFi networks manually. If so, how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there's no WiFi around you, then there's no WiFi around you... The only reason you'd have to manually enter a network is if you're at home and aren't broadcasting your SSID, so you won't pick it up on a scan. You should elaborate more on this.
These comments make me think you don't understand how WiFi works....
4) Should I just allow my battery optimizer app to disable WiFi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery optimizer apps don't always know what's best. Usually how they work is they'll turn off WiFi when you get out of range of your house or other specific location (via GPS). Then enable when they "know" you're at home (again, by GPS). Usually its easier to just have a toggle widget for WiFi and turn it on when you're at home if you want it.
I think this additional info may be useful:
Wifi is not a feature of your phone service through your provider. It is a completely different technology that replaces, not amplifies, your 3g/4g connection when it is on and connected. When you are using your phone's data connection, you are connected to the internet through your phone provider, which is also functioning as your Internet Service Provider (in your case, Verizon).
A wifi signal only exists when a wireless device is broadcasting it locally. Most often this is a wireless router in someone's home, office, or a store that offers wifi for its customers. In this case, your internet connection goes through the router, then to a hard-wired internet connection off to whatever ISP the service is paid for through.
It is a much shorter-range technology than your cell service. As such, while your phone will eat through your battery boosting its signal if it can't connect to a cell tower, your phone will use much less energy looking for wifi signals.
If you are absolutely sure that you will not be connecting to wifi networks in your daily travels, you should turn wifi off and not worry about it. If you have an existing wifi connection at home/work, then leaving wifi on and letting it connect will save you battery when you are within range. The idle drain of wifi when it is looking for networks is fairly low, so if you are going to be spending large amounts of time in wifi zones, you might as well just always leave it on.
If your phone shows no wifi available by a scan, chances are very slim that there is a non-broadcast network that you would be able to connect to manually; someone is keeping it hidden and it is most likely password-protected as well. Most private networks will be visible to a scan, but are probably password protected. You will need to connect to these manually; your phone will not alert you to their presence. Your phone will automatically let you know if there is an unprotected network in range. By default, if wifi is enabled, it will automatically connect to any network that comes into range that you have already connected to.
Wow, you guys are good! Thanks!

When on Wifi, cell signal switches from 4G and I lose all bars

So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
apols said:
So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
djpingpong said:
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the response, but I've already had wifi calling off.. because that feature was basically useless (could not rely on it ever).
My wife Note3 got the same problem, set cellular network preferred and then turn off wi-fi calling. Lose all cell signal bars. When no cell signal, caller ID became funny, like 718-123-4567;oli=63 212-123-4567;oli=00, had no idea.
My own note3 had the same setting, but everything fine. full cell signal bar. Try to google it, no glue!!!
Then I returned my wife note3 and get another one, everything fine.
I had the same problem. When I was on wifi I had no signals. I got a new sim card and the problem is now gone.
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app
danstarr said:
I had the same problem. When I was on wifi I had no signals. I got a new sim card and the problem is now gone.
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app
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Click to collapse
i dont think thats the issue, and why do you care because if you call someone it should be able to call and once you need to switch back to tmo it will w/o issue.
XxLostSoulxX said:
i dont think thats the issue, and why do you care because if you call someone it should be able to call and once you need to switch back to tmo it will w/o issue.
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Click to collapse
Uhh... it certainly doesn't switch back to t-mobile without issue. I drop the call. I haven't had a single call work the entire time while leaving my wifi on in my home.
Clearly, when it's on wifi, even if you have wifi calling turned off, it switches to some other network specifications, which appear to barely work where I live. The problem likely lies in the fact that when you turn wifi calling off, it does not switch your cellular network preferences back to normal properly, Instead, when wifi calling is off and you're still on wifi, it just doesn't route things through wifi, but doesn't actually change your mobile network settings back properly.
apols said:
Uhh... it certainly doesn't switch back to t-mobile without issue. I drop the call. I haven't had a single call work the entire time while leaving my wifi on in my home.
Clearly, when it's on wifi, even if you have wifi calling turned off, it switches to some other network specifications, which appear to barely work where I live. The problem likely lies in the fact that when you turn wifi calling off, it does not switch your cellular network preferences back to normal properly, Instead, when wifi calling is off and you're still on wifi, it just doesn't route things through wifi, but doesn't actually change your mobile network settings back properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well here's a question do you leave mobile data on even though you're connected to WiFi? As i have no problem because i have bars even when connected to WiFi because i leave mobile data on and have WiFi calling turned off. even if WiFi calling is turned off, and i turn WiFi off it switched to T-Mo network in seconds and i'm able to call someone so yeah no issue. you clearly have a problem with something or its the network where you live.
i'm not trying to be rude but it just doesn't make sense to me that you're having issues with something that shouldn't be a problem.
XxLostSoulxX said:
well here's a question do you leave mobile data on even though you're connected to WiFi? As i have no problem because i have bars even when connected to WiFi because i leave mobile data on and have WiFi calling turned off. even if WiFi calling is turned off, and i turn WiFi off it switched to T-Mo network in seconds and i'm able to call someone so yeah no issue. you clearly have a problem with something or its the network where you live.
i'm not trying to be rude but it just doesn't make sense to me that you're having issues with something that shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do leave mobile data on, all the time, continued issue.
djpingpong said:
If you go into your wireless settings, you can uncheck Wifi Calling so that if you do connect to Wifi, you will retain your regular amount of calling bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't actually work currently on the Note 3. there is a bug where any time you have wifi on the cellular entenna turns off regardless of the state of your wifi calling on a very large number of Note 3's. Lost Soul clearly hasn't been reading on the threads here. there are many on this topic. We get that you don't have the issue LostSoul, but that doesn't mean it isn't an issue.
HughesNet said:
This doesn't actually work currently on the Note 3. there is a bug where any time you have wifi on the cellular entenna turns off regardless of the state of your wifi calling on a very large number of Note 3's. Lost Soul clearly hasn't been reading on the threads here. there are many on this topic. We get that you don't have the issue LostSoul, but that doesn't mean it isn't an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Hughes,
I have found that when it enters that state, that if I go and turn wifi calling on and then set it to mobile-network preferred, it turns the cellular modem back on, at least for a little while. Can you point me in the direction of a more robust thread where others are discussing the issue?
apols said:
So when I'm on wifi in my house, my phone appears to switch to edge or something and I lose most connectivity (goes from 4 bars to none). Enough to initiate a call, but simple head turning will cause me to drop. If I turn off wifi, I get 4G back and full bars and no dropped calls.
Wifi calling is too inconsistent to rely on, and this basically makes my phone unusable. I don't want to keep wifi off, as it's a lot faster and I only get 2.5Gbs of high speed data to use a month.
I'm also in the middle of a major city with great coverage 4G coverage, as long as I'm not on wifi....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem on stock rom. Flash wicked rom earlier this morning, signal bars now showing bars instead of no bars on stock rom. been testing it all day long, signal bars still showing. Didn't change any settings. Just disable wifi calling.
sic_lic1o1 said:
I had the same problem on stock rom. Flash wicked rom earlier this morning, signal bars now showing bars instead of no bars on stock rom. been testing it all day long, signal bars still showing. Didn't change any settings. Just disable wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've flashed a rom as well and it appears as it might be fixed... hope so.. my phone is useless if it can't function as a phone while on wifi.
I had same issue. Called TMo and had them unregister my wifi calling, and got bars back immediately. I had wifi calling turned off, but it seemed to be the default regardless. I could only receive and make calls with wifi turned off...but it all works fine now.
That didn't work for me
debz said:
I had same issue. Called TMo and had them unregister my wifi calling, and got bars back immediately. I had wifi calling turned off, but it seemed to be the default regardless. I could only receive and make calls with wifi turned off...but it all works fine now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Tmo four times and asked them to unregister wifi calling. They said that it wasn't even turned on for my account then that it doesn't matter what is or isn't turned on. The phone is going to run calls, text over whatever wireless connection it thinks is appropriate. When you have a strong wifi connection, it chooses that connection regardless of wifi calling being turned off or on. I set the wifi calling preference to cellular networks and it still does the same thing.
I'm pretty pissed off about it. Anyone fix this?
Not true. I shut off Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobiles site and bars came back. Had the exact same problem.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Difference between Smart Switch and Wifi Calling....and performance questions

I've read (and THINK I understand) what smart switch is supposed to do (going all the way back to the Note4.
And it seems like the complete opposite of what wifi calling does.
Anyone care to explain the difference or real reasons one is used over the other?
Also on a related note, in the developer options category there is an option to turn on "Aggressive Wi-Fi cell h.."
With the explanation "switch from wifi to mobile networks more quickly when wifi signal is weak"
Kind of self explanatory and my question would be real work use. If you have unlimited data, any reason you would NOT want to check this?
Unless this just sounds great, but doesn't work well......
Thoughts?
vtcats said:
I've read (and THINK I understand) what smart switch is supposed to do (going all the way back to the Note4.
And it seems like the complete opposite of what wifi calling does.
Anyone care to explain the difference or real reasons one is used over the other?
Also on a related note, in the developer options category there is an option to turn on "Aggressive Wi-Fi cell h.."
With the explanation "switch from wifi to mobile networks more quickly when wifi signal is weak"
Kind of self explanatory and my question would be real work use. If you have unlimited data, any reason you would NOT want to check this?
Unless this just sounds great, but doesn't work well......
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart switch imports the data from your old phone when you switch to a Samsung phone; WiFi calling routes voice traffic over WiFi when available.
Sorry, I meant to say Smart NETWORK Switch. It says your phone will be connected to a mobile network if Wifi becomes unstable.
And Wi-fi calling kinda of says the exact opposite. If mobile becomes unstable, it will switch to Wifi......
Anyone?
Many times.. even when the wifi signal is weak, as long as wifi is turned on, the phone will remain connected to it. This especially happens when you are just pulling out of your house and you are trying to get to google maps for directions or something.. but because the phone is still connected to your home wifi, it'll remain so and since the connection is weak, you won't be able to browse or anything and google maps may say "no network connection".
I believe what Smart Network Switch does, is that in such cases, it'll immediately switch to mobile data.
androidbuff123 said:
Many times.. even when the wifi signal is weak, as long as wifi is turned on, the phone will remain connected to it. This especially happens when you are just pulling out of your house and you are trying to get to google maps for directions or something.. but because the phone is still connected to your home wifi, it'll remain so and since the connection is weak, you won't be able to browse or anything and google maps may say "no network connection".
I believe what Smart Network Switch does, is that in such cases, it'll immediately switch to mobile data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This happens to me every morning in my driveway trying to route Waze. I get a weak wifi signal that the phone hangs onto and I get a no network error from Waze.

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