New Nexus S Owner. How to turn off 3G/Data to avoid charges

[OnlySkillz]

Whats up everyone. First time ever owning an Android, and first time ever owning a phone. So my first ever phone is the Nexus S, and loving it so far, I think it's a great first phone (I prefer it over the Galaxy S2 which I was testing).

Anyway, I don't have a data plan, but want to avoid the charges since my network (Koodo) offers a flexible data plan. So how do I completely turn it OFF and avoid ever using it? I'm talking about even not using it in apps, weather, GPS, etc. ?

I noticed upon first boot, when they ask for google account and all that - was I using 3G? I'm pretty sure I was, as it was searching for my account and was trying to log me in.

Anyhow, I just want to turn off all 3G/Data. Thanks!! Android is great.

 

[razvan06]

Well to turn off your 3G/wi-fi/bluetooth/gps etc ,go to settings >>

-first is 3G : Wireless & network > Mobile networks > [mark] Use only 2G networks & [unmark] Data enabled + international data roaming + national data roaming
-second wi-fi : mark/unmark in settings to turn on/off
-third bluetooth : same as "wi-fi"
-4th GPS : after settings ,go to Location & security > [unmark] Use GPS satellites

To disable apps data charge ,you have to go to each app in settings and disable for ex. : auto-refresh in "Weather settings" for "Fancy Widget".
-there is no global option to disable all refresh/data requests of apps.

 

[B2L]

Well to turn off your 3G/wi-fi/bluetooth/gps etc ,go to settings >>

-first is 3G : Wireless & network > Mobile networks > [mark] Use only 2G networks & [unmark] Data enabled + international data roaming + national data roaming
-second wi-fi : mark/unmark in settings to turn on/off
-third bluetooth : same as "wi-fi"
-4th GPS : after settings ,go to Location & security > [unmark] Use GPS satellites

To disable apps data charge ,you have to go to each app in settings and disable for ex. : auto-refresh in "Weather settings" for "Fancy Widget".
-there is no global option to disable all refresh/data requests of apps.

There are also apps to disable data in the Market if you want to make things easy.

 

[OnlySkillz]

Yeah, sorry for the misunderstanding, I DO want wifi to be on and used when it's available, but when it is NOT, then nothing else should be used such as 3G, etc.


And YES, I have installed 'Quick Settings' and turned off:
1) Mobile data (APN) --- Data: OFF, MMS: OFF
2) Mobile data
3) GPS receiver

If I have these 3 turned off at all times, am I safe from any data usage from apps?


I also installed '3G Watchdog', which currently still shows 0.0% used Data on the top left notification icon. BTW - I still have 'Background Data' on, which I hope doesn't collect data even when I'm off wifi.

 

[quantumrand]

Yeah, sorry for the misunderstanding, I DO want wifi to be on and used when it's available, but when it is NOT, then nothing else should be used such as 3G, etc.


And YES, I have installed 'Quick Settings' and turned off:
1) Mobile data (APN) --- Data: OFF, MMS: OFF
2) Mobile data
3) GPS receiver

If I have these 3 turned off at all times, am I safe from any data usage from apps?


I also installed '3G Watchdog', which currently still shows 0.0% used Data on the top left notification icon. BTW - I still have 'Background Data' on, which I hope doesn't collect data even when I'm off wifi.

As long as you go into Menu>Settings>Wireless and Networks>Mobile Network and make sure that the "Data Enabled" checkbox is unchecked, the phone won't use any cellular data.

 

[RavenFox]

And here is the app that does it.
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.maicas.android.apnoo&feature=order_history

Not everyone wants to take those steps. With a press 3G is off and text & phone calls can still be made. Press gain again 3G data is enabled.

Wifi, blutooth and GPS can all be turned off to screens over to the left from the homescreen. There is a widget that's already there on first use of the phone.

 

[OnlySkillz]

^I tried that at first, but was confused as I had no clue whether APN was on/off or what it was.

But the stuff I did in Quick Settings, is that fine and now am I safe from any data usage? I did a little test, by turning off the wifi in my home, and I had success - there was no internet connection, updating in the weather app, etc. in the phone. So am I 100% safe now? I think I am.


Alsoo, does GPS use data in this phone?

 

[heat57]

^I tried that at first, but was confused as I had no clue whether APN was on/off or what it was.

But the stuff I did in Quick Settings, is that fine and now am I safe from any data usage? I did a little test, by turning off the wifi in my home, and I had success - there was no internet connection, updating in the weather app, etc. in the phone. So am I 100% safe now? I think I am.


Alsoo, does GPS use data in this phone?

No - it does not use data over the service provider's network. GPS receives its signals from overhead satellites. Therefore, you can turn off your data on your Nexus and still use navigation software without data. The only exception is software that uses online maps and downloads them as required - this would apply to Google's navigation software. If you want navigation with total independence from data than you'll have to purchase third party navigation apps that come with all of the maps you need/want and will be installd on the USB storage of the Nexus. By-the-way, you can also leave WiFi running as it has nothing to do with your service data plan!

 

[RavenFox]

^I tried that at first, but was confused as I had no clue whether APN was on/off or what it was.

But the stuff I did in Quick Settings, is that fine and now am I safe from any data usage? I did a little test, by turning off the wifi in my home, and I had success - there was no internet connection, updating in the weather app, etc. in the phone. So am I 100% safe now? I think I am.


Alsoo, does GPS use data in this phone?

Not sure I understand you. Its a widget that shows you red when 3G is off and green when its on. After download just press on the home screen to add from the widget list.

 

[quantumrand]

No - it does not use data over the service provider's network. GPS receives its signals from overhead satellites. Therefore, you can turn off your data on your Nexus and still use navigation software without data. The only exception is software that uses online maps and downloads them as required - this would apply to Google's navigation software. If you want navigation with total independence from data than you'll have to purchase third party navigation apps that come with all of the maps you need/want and will be installd on the USB storage of the Nexus. By-the-way, you can also leave WiFi running as it has nothing to do with your service data plan!

GPS's in Smartphones are Assisted GPS modules. This means that they use data (either Wifi or Cellular) to sync their clocks with the satellites (the satellites are moving at relativistic speeds and therefore their clocks do not progress at normal speeds). All this does, though, is make positioning faster. Your GPS clocks can sync while on Wifi, but once they're several hours old, they'll start losing accuracy and satellite locks will take longer. GPS will still work even without data, but be prepared to wait several minutes for a strong lock.

 

[OnlySkillz]

OK. Well I've overcome the turning off 3G/data thing. Haven't used any since I toggled the settings.

I was out the other day, and opened maps, and surprisingly, it was working! Well I could hover over the map, that's about it. I did not have GPS or anything turned on. I guess it was just an offline map.

I got two more questions/requests:


1) I think I'll be going to the US soon. How do I turn off all mobile networks, so that I receive no calls/texts, etc. BUT only have Wifi on? I plan on going to my apps, and if available, use WIFI.


2) Is there an offline dictionary? I've searched for a few and none of them were offline (even though I searched 'offline')

thanks!

 

[quantumrand]

OK. Well I've overcome the turning off 3G/data thing. Haven't used any since I toggled the settings.

I was out the other day, and opened maps, and surprisingly, it was working! Well I could hover over the map, that's about it. I did not have GPS or anything turned on. I guess it was just an offline map.

I got two more questions/requests:


1) I think I'll be going to the US soon. How do I turn off all mobile networks, so that I receive no calls/texts, etc. BUT only have Wifi on? I plan on going to my apps, and if available, use WIFI.


2) Is there an offline dictionary? I've searched for a few and none of them were offline (even though I searched 'offline')

thanks!

Best way to accomplish #1 would be to take out your SIM card. I don't know about #2 though.

 

[OnlySkillz]

Best way to accomplish #1 would be to take out your SIM card. I don't know about #2 though.

JUST thought about the SIM card thing, had to come on the forum to edit my post but looks like you've already tackled it. Thanks.