Database Users

Avoiding Data Charges

My wife and I are going to Europe for a month this summer and we would like to bring our phones to use as portable wifi devices. What is the best way to guarantee that we get no data/text messaging/phone charges?
Ideally we could just remove the sim card but I heard you can't use the device when you do this (even for wifi). Is this true even if we have sim unlocked the device? Do we have to install ADP1 for this trip to do this?
I also read that we could change the APN to something invalid and that would prevent data charges but what if someone text messages us?
Thanks

As long as your device is activated, as in you are not prompted to sign into your Google account when you turn on the phone, you will be fine. Just take the SIM out of the phone when you arrive.

you could always disable the radios. There are ways to turn off cell radios and leave wifi or even turn of data all together but leave the cell radio on.

Rekna said:
My wife and I are going to Europe for a month this summer and we would like to bring our phones to use as portable wifi devices. What is the best way to guarantee that we get no data/text messaging/phone charges?
Ideally we could just remove the sim card but I heard you can't use the device when you do this (even for wifi). Is this true even if we have sim unlocked the device? Do we have to install ADP1 for this trip to do this?
I also read that we could change the APN to something invalid and that would prevent data charges but what if someone text messages us?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app on the market that lets you disable/enable your APN settings with a simple tap or two. Search for APN.

it is called APNDroid, its brilliant! Really easy to use. One click to disable APN's, click again to re-enable them!

I'm on prepaid right now so I'm trying to not use data at all. However, even with apndroid and turning off all 3g/data, I was still losing money in my prepaid account. The only thing that I could do to stop the random charges is to uninstall any apps that require internet access (last.fm, skype, etc).
Just a warning for anyone travelling - it looks like 3rd party apps can access data even if you disable it on the g1. You can google reports of people getting charged crazy amounts of roaming data charges even after turning off their data.

I had problem last month where i unlocked my g1 to use with the 3 network, worked great and i was very happy. I did not realise however that the g1 was for whatever reason using the 3g internet rather than my wifi, for some reason or another it continuously was charging me for data i thought i was getting form my wifi! over £100 the g1 cost me in that little incident.
My advice to you is either take out your sim or use the apn blocker. I would not even put your sim in when in another country!

Does anyone see any fault in this plan of mine to avoid data charges after buying the phone (I'm going to get it today or tomorrow).
The phone is already unlocked.
1) Borrow my friend's sim with a data plan. and register phone
2) Do not fill in correct APN info upon setup (so I can't be charged data)
3) Put in my sim
4) Spend 10 hours reading these forums and trying to install custom firmware/tinkering with the phone etc.
5) Download APNdroid, run it 24/7, then enjoy my dataless phone while I browse wifi all night downloading cool apps and tweaking my phone.

Sorry this is a bit later but for anyone who is looking for an asnwere to this i found one -
Here is how you turn off data service on your G1:
------------------------------------------------
1. Use Anycut to create a shortcut to "Testing"
2. Click on Testing.
3. Click on Phone Information
4. Hit Menu button
5. Click on More
6. Click on Disable data connection
This turns off all data access. Note that GPRS service switches to "disconnected".
Now you should have a phone that does voice calls, but no data access.
Wi-fi still works which is great.

try txtFeeder.com to avoid data charges
I am not sure what your planning doing with your phone, but you should try txtFeeder.com - a free mobile feed aggregator to avoid data charges. It'll let you keep up with news, weather, or whatever site you normally read, on your mobile, without paying data charges. it works really well.

try txtFeeder.com to avoid data charges
I am not sure what your planning doing with your phone, but you should try txtFeeder.com - a free mobile feed aggregator to avoid data charges. It'll let you keep up with news, weather, or whatever site you normally read, on your mobile, without paying data charges. it works really well.

Aria Amazon ATT trouble

Hey guys I bought an Aria(no commitment) off Amazon a couple days back...
Yah I'm a student not willing to pay for data plan and I want to use it for developing some nice apps in the FUTURE(main reason I bought it)... When I called Att, they said you can't use this device without a data plan. Then, I put the SIM card back into my old Razr phone so they wont charge me the data plan. I turn on the Aria without the SIM Card and everything surprsingly works over WIFI but now I cant make any calls... Here are my questions:
1) Is there anyway ATT can still charge me for DATA considering I took the SIM Card and I'm using wifi(I know this is stupid but Im still scared)?
2) Is there anyway I can use this with voice only on aTT?
3)Other than the fact I can't make phone calls(which isimportant), the phone is okay for developing?
Thanks for reading this...
A hopeful student...

wokay123 said:
Hey guys I bought an Aria(no commitment) off Amazon a couple days back...
Yah I'm a student not willing to pay for data plan and I want to use it for developing some nice apps in the FUTURE(main reason I bought it)... When I called Att, they said you can't use this device without a data plan. Then, I put the SIM card back into my old Razr phone so they wont charge me the data plan. I turn on the Aria without the SIM Card and everything surprsingly works over WIFI but now I cant make any calls... Here are my questions:
1) Is there anyway ATT can still charge me for DATA considering I took the SIM Card and I'm using wifi(I know this is stupid but Im still scared)?
2) Is there anyway I can use this with voice only on aTT?
3)Other than the fact I can't make phone calls(which isimportant), the phone is okay for developing?
Thanks for reading this...
A hopeful student...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I don't know. Other people have reported that AT&T is scanning for IMEIs and that they've had a smartphone data plan added onto their bill. Maybe they are, maybe they're aren't.
I have a Aria with no Data plan on AT&T and so far I haven't had any problems using the old SIM from my Blackberry (which I also did not have a data plan for).
2. A few things I've done to disable data, but keep voice and sms:
I. Uncheck the box for "Connect to the Internet" under Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile network.
II. I downloaded an app called APNdroid from the market which essentially messes up your APN settings (simply by adding an -APNDroid suffix to each APN entry) and thus, disables your cellular data.
III. Turn off 3G access (this may also save battery life if I remember correctly). This is done by entering *#*#4636#*#* as if you are going to dial a phone number, going to "Phone Information" and then changing the "Set preferred network type:" dropbox to "GSM only"
3. I don't know. You can probably develop for the phone as there are Development options under the Settings.

I've done some research somewhat related to your questions, and from what I've gathered is that AT&T can eventually pinpoint exactly what phone you're using within 3 months of service. Whether they have your IMEI or not, your phone (whether it be a cellphone or smartphone) will show up in their database eventually.
In any case, you should probably do exactly what oahceasgnikgneas suggests.

Thank you
Thank you guys for ur replies.... Ill try this out...

if you only use the phone for wifi with no active sim inserted, they cannot detect it at all, as the phone isn't on their network using their data.

Vibrant and NO data plan but 3G/E signal?

My wife fone does not subscribe to data plan. But sometimes, she got 3G/E signal display on the phone. Will Tmobile automatically add data plan to her phone? is she getting charged to browse the internet? Is there a way to disable this? Thanks.

nguyenmd said:
My wife fone does not subscribe to data plan. But sometimes, she got 3G/E signal display on the phone. Will Tmobile automatically add data plan to her phone? is she getting charged to browse the internet? Is there a way to disable this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did she get a plan without data? Its a requirement for the android devices.
I'm sure tmobile will automatically add it.
Yes they will charge. Either 30 bucks a month for per meg. I had someone that tried to do this with Verizon and he got a bill for 300 bucks.
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)

Those 3G/E are normal even if you dont have data plan
Disable with "APNdroid" from the market. After you disable 3G/Edge/Gprs data connection make sure you reboot so it actually disables it...you will no longer see 3G/E BTW Expect even better battery life after doing so.
laristech said:
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't touch sync its still very useful even if just using Wifi

Not sure what you will get charged but a data plan is NOT required on this phone. On other android devices it has been but for some reason this one can be used as a "dumb" phone. Store employees may tell you otherwise so they can get the commission.

joshthewaster said:
Not sure what you will get charged but a data plan is NOT required on this phone. On other android devices it has been but for some reason this one can be used as a "dumb" phone. Store employees may tell you otherwise so they can get the commission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen people INSIST up and down that you can't run smartphones without a data plan or the carrier will add them. They told me the same thing about AT&T and guess what? My wife runs her iphone 2g without one (edge disabled) and nary a problem.

mk262 said:
I've seen people INSIST up and down that you can't run smartphones without a data plan or the carrier will add them. They told me the same thing about AT&T and guess what? My wife runs her iphone 2g without one (edge disabled) and nary a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used my nexus and then my vibrant as prepaid with no problems...I went into the store and paid full price for vibrant and told them i had a tmobile prepaid sim card i was going to use...they dont care.
But now i have a $60 month plan so i can use my smart phone for what its intended for

yep, no problem with my even more + plan sans data. been using it that way since i got my g1, and they have not said anything.

laristech said:
How did she get a plan without data? Its a requirement for the android devices.
I'm sure tmobile will automatically add it.
Yes they will charge. Either 30 bucks a month for per meg. I had someone that tried to do this with Verizon and he got a bill for 300 bucks.
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not true. its not required to have a data plan with an android phone. I talked to a tmobile rep and he said if you buy the android from them by either upgrading or starting a service then you do. but if you bring a tmobile android to them to start up service you dont have to have a data plan. although its really pointless to have an android phone without a data plan.

thanks for the replies guys. I download APN Droid and that took care of the concern. Thanks.

nguyenmd said:
thanks for the replies guys. I download APN Droid and that took care of the concern. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont need to download any apps. just go to mobile network, select APN setting and change the epc.tmobile.com to some arbitrary characters like "24532lk34j23l45ju204213" and hit the "menu" button and save. then turn off background sync at all time (unless you turn on wifi for android market donwload apps and gmail or apps that requires internet) and then reboot the phone.
the phone will will still shows 3G/E but u wont be able to get on internet as the APN setting has changed. T-mobile wont charge you data plan for this even though they got the IMEI detected. Ciao!

njfpolyr6 said:
you dont need to download any apps. just go to mobile network, select APN setting and change the epc.tmobile.com to some arbitrary characters like "24532lk34j23l45ju204213" and hit the "menu" button and save. then turn off background sync at all time (unless you turn on wifi for android market donwload apps and gmail or apps that requires internet) and then reboot the phone.
the phone will will still shows 3G/E but u wont be able to get on internet as the APN setting has changed. T-mobile wont charge you data plan for this even though they got the IMEI detected. Ciao!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea remove epc.tmobile.com and for some reason you want it back but you forgot what it was so you go searching online because your forgot to write it down...you get the point
You really think that's easier than just getting APNdroid click to disable, click to enable. And why would he want to and disable background sync im sure he will use wifi.
BTW when you use your "method" and still see 3G/E your phone might not be able to connect to tmobile but it is still searching for those signals ultimately wasting battery

I don't have a data plan and I haven't disabled the APN settings. Whenever I go onto the browser without WiFi it shows me a T-Mobile page that just says that I need a data plan use the internet. It has never charged me. But I do have an unlimited text message plan and I can send picture messages just fine. Just an FYI.

I have used several android phones with out a data plan. We have a family plan, and so all I needed to do was use the sim card for a line that did not have a plan. It actually works well, and were I not waiting for the ota for froyo, I would be tempted to drop my data plan and I use my phone extensively.
If I recall correctly, the only applications that I could not use when out and about were the browser based apps. Initially, the thought of not being able to user google maps would have been enough of a reason not to drop the data plan, but with my trip to canada, that was cured with a $20 download of Co pilot. I am generally using my phone where I have wifi access. Nonetheless, I still was able to get email updates with out a data plan.
In essence, with out a data plan you can still access email, messaging, and use many if not most of your downloaded applications. If you need constant access to FB, you tube, twitter and the likes, you will not easily be able to drop you data line.
Note that I was able to get my wife's phone upgraded to a my touch slide on t-mobile and was not required to add a data plan. I did, but it was weeks after I already had it up and running which was possible because it provided an option to configure wifi before having to have the google account configured (unlike the G1).
Just fyi those those interested.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

T-Mobile will NEVER add a data plan to your line, especially without your knowledge.
I've been using a smartphone with my plan without data for years now.

Wifi calling on t-mobile g1 check out my video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYS8Gxvo9f0
wifi calling apk on the link below:
http://www.4shared.com/get/PCd_a-oA/WiFiCalling.html

real or fake? someone tested?

doesnt work... says invalid SIM.
tried with vodafone and tmobile sim but both no success

Works for me, downloaded to sdcard, installed via ASTRO, no problem

AndroidHAX said:
Works for me, downloaded to sdcard, installed via ASTRO, no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the app works.. but the calling not.. says invalid sim at the app. so cant do anything.
can you call via wifi?
but wth do you want to call via wifi?
it costs money too. and extra connection.
why will you use wifi when you can call 24/7 with your sim all day ?

nickislauw said:
the app works.. but the calling not.. says invalid sim at the app. so cant do anything.
can you call via wifi?
but wth do you want to call via wifi?
it costs money too. and extra connection.
why will you use wifi when you can call 24/7 with your sim all day ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just called my house using it, im assuming it called using wifi because it skipped over "Call With Google Voice?" pop up that i set it to do everytime i call. I dont even use all my minutes so i probably wont be all over this app but atleast i have it

AndroidHAX said:
i just called my house using it, im assuming it called using wifi because it skipped over "Call With Google Voice?" pop up that i set it to do everytime i call. I dont even use all my minutes so i probably wont be all over this app but atleast i have it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wifi calling costs many though?
i read on that app it just costs as much as cellulair data.
so why in earth will people use wifi calling? they can just call without wifi. its called a PLAN

I get invalid sim as well I am on vodafone and not |T-Mobile..
Maybe you could change it to work on Vodafone?

i have tmobile, maybe thats why? might have to do with the APN or something

yay this is good but the thing I see is that if you are calling it may be going to the t-mobile servers ofc if thats the case only t-mobile sims may be able to get unless we edit the apk or spoof our sim but then also im guessing the wifi calling costs so not sure how this would work xD nice though

totally non sense. how can someone call using wifi or whatever internet source you may have to any cellular or telephone number untill you don't have some service provider etc... if this wifi calling is working over the internet, what application is it using?
seems totally fake or irrelavent

This apps works because i put the phone in airplain mode and use wifi only.
If you guys having problem then maybe it your phone. But, my phone is working, be glad that you have wifi calling.
This an oct 22,2008 phone not even the iphone 3g has this feature.
I have t-mobile usa provider phone.

add119 said:
This apps works because i put the phone in airplain mode and use wifi only.
If you guys having problem then maybe it your phone. But, my phone is working, be glad that you have wifi calling.
This an oct 22,2008 phone not even the iphone 3g has this feature.
I have t-mobile usa provider phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i find this hard to believe since when i put mine into airplane mode to test it it said "wifi calling not available in airplane mode". Ive been trying to edit the .apk and see if i can get rid of that but no luck so far, so how are u doing it?

My bad it doesnt do wifi calling on airplane mode my bad. It does wifi calling on wifi though..

add119 said:
My bad it doesnt do wifi calling on airplane mode my bad. It does do wifi though..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
quite right, you think we can get a workaround?

I dont know im going to buy a new phone because i miss adobe flash content so much. I know this is out of topic but i miss my original droid before it got messed up.
G1 is nice when it was a backup phone in 2010. My main phone in 2008/2009 most of the time, until i sold my cliq. But, now i just want a phone with higher specs.
I try playing gameloft games HD/3D games that isnt working because of processor we have.
This developer now a days is coding their apps to make it work with 3.5 inches and beyond, with higher frame,Power vr ship specs.
I love my g1, but im going to buy either g2 or hd 7.
I think i speak for everyone having an phone for to long loses it power in long run.
And, wifi calling on this app only work with T-mobile sim card and wifi of course.

There is a wifi app.
it was ripped off the G2 and ported to the vibrant, so it is possible.
however its not that good.
it was taken out of most roms on the vibrant because of its buggyness/uslessness.
it drains battery pretty bad even when not running.
it uses minutes even when calling through wifi (the only purpose of the app is to get clear signal in places where there is none for tmobile customers and not to save on minutes)
Its just kinda buggy overall.
hopefully they'll release a cleaner app in the future, but for now its pointless if you get decent signal at home.

Honestly, this apps work fine to me. Im just disappointed that the developer now a days isnt supporting older device by coding the apps to higher specs phone.

Wanted to get an android phone with wifi calling capability for a friend who is currently in Iraq. My budget will not allow me to a buy a g2/mt4g, and a g1 seems like the cheapest option so this is where I began looking. So if I added an extra line on my family plan, grabbed a g1, rooted and installed this app would my friend be able to make calls as long as he has a wifi connection? Can anyone confirm this works without any access to the tmobile network?

zielin said:
Wanted to get an android phone with wifi calling capability for a friend who is currently in Iraq. My budget will not allow me to a buy a g2/mt4g, and a g1 seems like the cheapest option so this is where I began looking. So if I added an extra line on my family plan, grabbed a g1, rooted and installed this app would my friend be able to make calls as long as he has a wifi connection? Can anyone confirm this works without any access to the tmobile network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about on the g1, but on other phones it works, but it still uses t-mobile minutes.
so you can be away from the t-mobile network, but you still need to have a t-mobile plan and minutes.
its basicaly for those who have horrible signal at home, but do have a wifi connection.

Which version of the Galaxy Tab should I get?

There are so many version of Galaxy Tab. Currently I have T-mobile and I have the HD2 as my phone. Of course my HD2 is modded like crazy and it has gone through so many ROM's/NANDS with both Android and WP7.
I love to tinker with gadgets.
Anyway, can you please tell me which version of the Galaxy Tab should I get so that I can hack it and put in different ROMS on it to maximize its potential.
On a side note: I currently have the $15 250MB/month data from T-mobile.
What advice do you have in terms of getting data for the Galaxy Tab? Should I just replace my HD2 with the Galaxy Tab and use the bluetooth head set to make and receive calls?

I use the tab without a data plan and tether of my evo using wirless tether for root unlimited on sprint network.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Is the T-mobile version is the easiest to hack?

Currently the TMO tab is seriously locked down in two areas:
1) TMO does not want you using a regular phone SIM in your Tab to get 3G data. They are filtering the Tabs by their IMEI number and will block all network access if you try to use a regular phone account - they want you to spend an additional $40 per month for a separate data plan.
2) The TMO tab has a crippled modem that will not allow voice through. If you flash a Euro ROM that has full phone capabilities, then the only modems that work for both voice and data are currently limited to EDGE speeds. (Rotohammer has created a partial solution that allows you to swap modems witout needing to connect to a PC, but you are still blocked by the IMEI filtering.)
Nobody has, as yet, found a clean complete solution to T-Mobile's restrictions - but the battle is not over yet!
Currently the best solution if you want to use the tab as a phone is to go 100% AT&T.
Alternatively, if all you want is data on your tab, each of the service providers has different levels of pricing and subsidies for their data plans - along with coverage and data speed.
The CDMA tabs come with 2GB internal memory, while the GSM tabs come with 16GB.
Other than that, you should look to balance total cost of ownership (data + device) against service quality. Each provider has a different emphasis.
Alternatively, you could wait for a WIFI Tab...
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App

woneill1701 said:
Currently the TMO tab is seriously locked down in two areas:
1) TMO does not want you using a regular phone SIM in your Tab to get 3G data. They are filtering the Tabs by their IMEI number and will block all network access if you try to use a regular phone account - they want you to spend an additional $40 per month for a separate data plan.
2) The TMO tab has a crippled modem that will not allow voice through. If you flash a Euro ROM that has full phone capabilities, then the only modems that work for both voice and data are currently limited to EDGE speeds. (Rotohammer has created a partial solution that allows you to swap modems witout needing to connect to a PC, but you are still blocked by the IMEI filtering.)
Nobody has, as yet, found a clean complete solution to T-Mobile's restrictions - but the battle is not over yet!
Currently the best solution if you want to use the tab as a phone is to go 100% AT&T.
Alternatively, if all you want is data on your tab, each of the service providers has different levels of pricing and subsidies for their data plans - along with coverage and data speed.
The CDMA tabs come with 2GB internal memory, while the GSM tabs come with 16GB.
Other than that, you should look to balance total cost of ownership (data + device) against service quality. Each provider has a different emphasis.
Alternatively, you could wait for a WIFI Tab...
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. That was really informative.
I was about to buy the T-mobile version from Craigslist becase it is selling a brand new one for $400. I was going to use it as a phone and using bluetooth earpiece for talking and calling.
However, having read your post, I think that I will not be able to buy it because I have T-mobile cell service.
That is so unfortunate.

Earthbrain said:
Is the T-mobile version is the easiest to hack?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hacks are identical for all gsm versions of the tab. The only difference is you have to select the modem that is appropriate for your carrier and region.

You mean to say you don't have WIFI on your Tab? Geez, and I thought us Aussies got it tough. Usually we get the **** deals but this time I'm smiling. Data and phone calls, 3G+and wifi. Now if we got a good data plan included by Telstra......

i was wondering if tango works on tmobile tab on wifi only with a bluetooth headset.

version
I've got a version question, What would I need to do to get an ATT sim working on a T Mobile Tab, also would I be able to get voice and data, and at what data speeds?
Thanks.

1) Unlock the SIM
2) Flash a Euro ROM
You would have voice and EDGE data speeds.
(There are already threads detailing both 1 and 2...)

woneill1701 said:
1) Unlock the SIM
2) Flash a Euro ROM
You would have voice and EDGE data speeds.
(There are already threads detailing both 1 and 2...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I use it on wifi only, without a sim will it still allow for wifi calling (tango) and would it be through build in mic or headset?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Cannot speak for Tango.
I use Skype on WiFi via a wired headset and/or speakerphone. Signal quality Skype-Skype and Skype-phone is generally very good. I have not tried a bluetooth headset. (Note: By default, some of the US tabs will not pair with bluetooth headset.)
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App

Thank you for your quick reply and thorough response.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App