Help Can I disable internet or synching etc?

[Smileyguy3000]

Can I disable the internet or synching of things like calendar and contacts?

My internet access is very expensive so I'd like to control when it's on or off.

 

[Riksu8]

You can disable syncing from Settings -> Data Synchronization. Disabling "the internet" is a bit more severe, why do you have a smartphone if you don't want internet connection? You can remove APNs but this seriously cripples your phone so it's not recommended. There's an option to only use 2G networks though, if that helps: just check "use only 2G networks" in Settings -> Wireless controls -> Mobile networks.

 

[Smileyguy3000]

why do you have a smartphone if you don't want internet connection?

I sort of bought i by accident. I asked which phone had wifi and the salesman pointed me to the galaxy. He said it had a google OS but I had no idea about the dependancy on synching and all that! I probably should be arguing for a refund but I like its other features, good quality sound and it was half the price of an iphone.

If I disable APNs is it easy to re-enable (and what are APNs?)

I only want to disable my mobile carrier internet access temporarily and use wifi when I can (at work) because my internet access from the mobile carrier is so expensive.

 

[Mr.DNA]

When wifi is on, your data connection (3G/2G/etc) is automatically suspended. Additionally, you can use apps like APNdroid to easily kill/restore your data connection on demand.

 

[Riksu8]

I sort of bought i by accident. I asked which phone had wifi and the salesman pointed me to the galaxy. He said it had a google OS but I had no idea about the dependancy on synching and all that! I probably should be arguing for a refund but I like its other features, good quality sound and it was half the price of an iphone.

If I disable APNs is it easy to re-enable (and what are APNs?)

I only want to disable my mobile carrier internet access temporarily and use wifi when I can (at work) because my internet access from the mobile carrier is so expensive.

I have no idea how you can accidentally buy a phone But it's all good, I personally believe you've made a good purchase, even if it's a huge pain from time to time.

An APN is an Access Point Name, which is your connection to your mobile network provider. For example, I have two APNs, one for data usage (3G, Edge, gprs) and one for MMS messages. You can add, edit or remove these by will from Settings -> Wireless controls -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. I've had some problems with these though, losing the APNs cuts me fully from making data connections (unless I'm on wifi) and sending MMS, that's why I said it's not recommended. If you want to try it though, please WRITE DOWN THE APN INFO BEFORE REMOVING IT. I haven't found a disable button anywhere, so it's either edit or remove. Please write down the info so you won't have trouble adding them there again like I did.

If you have wifi on all the time and are in a wifi zone you won't need to remove any APNs. Wifi always overrides the mobile data networks.

Edit: Bah, I'm a slow writer today.

 

[mrqs]

you can use apps like APNdroid to easily kill/restore your data connection on demand.

put simply, this is what you want

 

[dryhte]

put simply, this is what you want

Yup. Additionally, disabling the APN until you want/need it has the side effect that your battery lasts way longer

 

[ryko]

WiSync can be used as well, the pay version can be programmed to sync at different times in the day or when wifi is on. The non paying works well but with manuel settings.

 

[Naruvam]

Quick settings from market has apn blocking also along with other usefull shortcuts so i'd pick that over apndroid

 

[nekys]

Delete the APN or make a fake APN so you can switch over. This is what I do when I reach my data plan limits.

Settings > Wireless Controls > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names
Delete your provider APN profile or
Make a new one with just APN adress like "dummy.com".

 

[porga]

I just add one extra letter on end of apn addres and erase it when i need connection...

 

[dryhte]

I just add one extra letter on end of apn addres and erase it when i need connection...

That's at least 10 actions, probably a bit more...

APNdroid is a widget (like, you can have it on screen) which does just that: add 'apndroid' to your APN. It doesn't do much, but what it does, it does perfectly One install and one finger tap to enable or disable mobile internet.

 

[Smileyguy3000]

Awesome - thanks guys. you've pretty much convinced me to keep the phone (as long as I can get an offline calendar - yes I know - another forum topic) and I can use my contacts without them trying to f$%^& synch all the time!

ONE MORE QUESTION - Will APN droid (and Quicksettings) just as quickly revert to my original APN settings when I want the net back on?

PS - I mean I CHOSE the phone by accident - went to buy the Samsung F480i but asked which one had wifi hence the Galaxy.

 

[mrqs]

Awesome - thanks guys. you've pretty much convinced me to keep the phone (as long as I can get an offline calendar - yes I know - another forum topic) and I can use my contacts without them trying to f$%^& synch all the time!

i'm pretty sure you can use the default google calendar even if you've disabled data connections, it just won't sync to the cloud until you get a connection one way or another (?)
(of course you can also turn off syncing altogether, so it won't do that even when you have a connection)

ONE MORE QUESTION - Will APN droid (and Quicksettings) just as quickly revert to my original APN settings when I want the net back on?

yes - what it does when you disable the apn is add a dummy string to the end of your apn name, rendering it useless; when you enable the apn again, it removes that string

 

[Smileyguy3000]

Thanks It looks like I just need a gmail account to set up the calendar then.

Maybe I can just disable autosynching for the calendar?

 

[Smileyguy3000]

Thanks all. I have found "Quick Settings" perfect for what I want.

The Google Calendar also works once I switch off Data Synchronisation and for some reason I think i had to switch off ackground Data?

 

[mickerick]

hi guys, just purchased a galaxy s phone and came across this forum llooking for info on disabling internet connnection also. my reason is that my grandson always picks up the phone too play games and inadvertantely locks onto the net hence big bills. i followed the advice here and installed quick settings and can now turn on/off internet connection when i want. my question is that i notice i have two icons on top left of screen like two little jockeys (i think) are they related to quick settings? thanks in advance for reply