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Goal: Automatically switch to Use only 2G networks without opening Mobile Networks Settings dialog and checking the box manually
I know that this is not possible on stock, but is there any way to accomplish this for root users or with any of the mentioned apps or otherwise:
I do not want to disable APN, and I've already used APNdroid to much dismay. There is a bug for Nexus One users when restoring APN settings that leaves mobile data disabled.
I've used the apps mentioned in the thread title to automate my phones settings (ringer volume, GPS on/off, bluetooth on when phone ringing, data syncing, etc.), and now I simply want to disable 3G radio connection whenever certain conditions are met and have my network type as "GSM only"
I've searched through different forums here and sorted through a litany of Google search results, so please no lmgtfy because "2G only" returns no results in this section and no relevant results elsewhere; "2g only auto" nothing; "2g only automatic" nothing, but you can flame if you post a solution
fourinthoughts said:
...I simply want to disable 3G radio connection and have my network type as "GSM only" whenever I'm connected to WiFi, and I want to automate this so that I don't forget to do it manually at night when I'm not using my phone.
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Click to collapse
If you don't mind me asking - what is the reason for it? When you switch WiFi on, the data is turned off anyway. So why?
Jack_R1 said:
If you don't mind me asking - what is the reason for it? When you switch WiFi on, the data is turned off anyway. So why?
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Click to collapse
Yes, when your device is connected to WiFi the GPRS service for data is disabled. However, the 3G band radio in your phone is still being used which consumes more power than the global GSM band radio that is used when connected to the EDGE network type. This is always true whether you are connected to WiFi or not. (correct me if I'm wrong)
Regardless, the answer to this would help a lot of android users. This is not specifically tailored for me, because the entire OP relates to battery performance which should be an important issue for all Nexus One users. If this task could be automated it would dramatically improve battery performance during off-peak use (nighttime, work, meetings, etc.) by improving execution and eliminating forgetfulness. Automating this adds to the user experience and would just make your phone that much more enjoyable, period.
I'm simply amazed that I can't find a resolution to accomplishing this.
fourinthoughts said:
Yes, when your device is connected to WiFi the GPRS service for data is disabled. However, the 3G band radio in your phone is still being used which consumes more power than the global GSM band radio that is used when connected to the EDGE network type. This is always true whether you are connected to WiFi or not. (correct me if I'm wrong)
Regardless, the answer to this would help a lot of android users. This is not specifically tailored for me, because the entire OP relates to battery performance which should be an important issue for all Nexus One users. If this task could be automated it would dramatically improve battery performance during off-peak use (nighttime, work, meetings, etc.) by improving execution and eliminating forgetfulness. Automating this adds to the user experience and would just make your phone that much more enjoyable, period.
I'm simply amazed that I can't find a resolution to accomplishing this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cellular standby / talk time power doesn't vary much between GSM and UMTS, the difference is less than ~20% in both modes in case of Nexus, judging by official specs. I'll check your assumption that UMTS connectivity isn't dropped to GSM when WiFi connects (most probably correct), but the power gain isn't significant in places that have proper UMTS connectivity (which is not the case for the whole world, I know).
The easiest way I can think of would be to use SwitchPro widget, for example (or any other free widget that has the same functionality), and instead of pressing only "WiFi On" button, press 2 buttons - "WiFi On" and "2G/3G connection" (the same as pressing the "Use 2G networks only" checkbox).
I would suppose that such a plug-in or setting might be available for Locale/Profiles/etc.
2 things that I've found:
1) The connection indeed stays UMTS.
2) Android system prevents the programs from toggling 2G/3G mode, it's only allowed manually. The widgets I've seen only take you to the correct Settings submenu, but you have to click the checkbox yourself.
Thank you Jack_R1,
I appreciate the replies and the confirmation. That is the conlussion that I have been stuck with for a while. I had assumed that there may be a way to control this with superuser permissions.
I guess I'm going to have to dust off my Java, contact some app developers, and start exploring how to come up with a solution myself.
I apreciate your feedback.
You're welcome.
I suppose that this thread might be useful:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=736095
What you're looking for might also be one of the lower level system functions, requiring system permissions, not only root.
Might be worth contacting Cyanogen's team or Enomther, to make an option for it on ROM level and incorporate in the next AOSP-based ROMs.
Jack_R1 said:
You're welcome.
I suppose that this thread might be useful:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=736095
What you're looking for might also be one of the lower level system functions, requiring system permissions, not only root.
Might be worth contacting Cyanogen's team or Enomther, to make an option for it on ROM level and incorporate in the next AOSP-based ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again. That post helped. The settings are not accessible in the current framework. When I get enough time this week I think I can start on getting this fixed for root users. I will take your advice and will contact some of the masters here who would know the libraries well.
in addition, one scenario could be:
At home, I do have pretty poor 3G connection with my service provider, so I would like to switch when I am near my WiFi to 2G mode
PseudoReal said:
in addition, one scenario could be:
At home, I do have pretty poor 3G connection with my service provider, so I would like to switch when I am near my WiFi to 2G mode
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Click to collapse
ditto for me.
Surprised that it is so difficult to toggle 2g/3g with tasker...
dew.man said:
ditto for me.
Surprised that it is so difficult to toggle 2g/3g with tasker...
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Click to collapse
And ditto again.
I have the same desire as the op. It must be possible to do since one can easily toggle 2G/3G from the power control widget in cm6. Maybe if there was an intent that was published tasker should be able to launch an app with that intent to accomplish this.
on a recent trip overseas, I was presented with a very weird situation. I bought a local sim and got a 3g data plan which was 3gb of 3g data and 200mb of 2g data (dont ask i have no idea why they are different). When I plugged it in i could do 3g data no problem but if 3g was turned on i could not make or receive calls. so like the op I wanted an automated way of switching between 2g only and 3g
I was able to do it on my nexus one and tasker with
Toggle 2G/3G
hope this helps you
-208
^ +1 best toggle I've seen and used.
Search for Toggle 2G in the main android forum.
Samsungs Android just comes with very hand functions: to stop wifi, to stop bluetooth, GSP or even to stop all radio connections via flight mode. But here's one they missed: Stopping ONLY GSM/WCDMA completely. I must say I have good WCDMA dataplans, but, when I am browsing via Wifi, why consume battery with the network? Since the phone is running vrey well via SIP, I have no reason to consume battery on GSM/WCDMA networks.
And don't you mind being unreachable if someone tries to call you?
I don't know if it's a bug or intended, but when I enable Wi-Fi AFTER enabling flight mode, I connect to Wi-Fi while flight mode continues to block all other radios.
Get APN onoff from CurveFish. It will shut off just carrier data, leaving you able to send and receive calls and texts.
Frostshock said:
I don't know if it's a bug or intended, but when I enable Wi-Fi AFTER enabling flight mode, I connect to Wi-Fi while flight mode continues to block all other radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a feature i used to use it some times, on all my Android devices it worked that way
with froyo u can disable data connection without an extra app
just press and hold for few seconds the off button and switch data off...
re
ppeccin said:
And don't you mind being unreachable if someone tries to call you?
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Click to collapse
He is calling me via Wifi, d'uhhh!
It's a f'kin smarthone! That's why they call it "smart". Haven't you heard about SIP?
works
Frostshock said:
I don't know if it's a bug or intended, but when I enable Wi-Fi AFTER enabling flight mode, I connect to Wi-Fi while flight mode continues to block all other radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also works for me, too bad I don't have bluetooth though.
Keatonm said:
Get APN onoff from CurveFish. It will shut off just carrier data, leaving you able to send and receive calls and texts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you don't understand, it's about disabling the whole carrier stuff. I receiva calls via VOIP, my carrier doesn't even have voice an that SIM.
D'uh, maybe I should make my text red so people would read it more carefully.
Well perhaps you need to calm down and not act so rudely to the people trying to help you. There is also a simple explanation for this. The GSM/WCDMA modes are essential to be kept on if any sort of data connection is required. Obviously, not if you don't require the HSPDA or 3G connection, you may enable flight mode and turn on wifi manually. This has also been mentioned above.
In the way you have stated it, perhaps you should attempt reading all of the replies.
Dial *#*#4636#*#* -> Choose "Phone information" -> Scroll down and there is a button to turn off the radio.
d'uh
*snipsnapchildishcrap*
thank you!
@litobro, I am pleased that there are people trying to help, but repeating the same information over and over again just makes me feel, well.. bad!
@NetCopAD, thank you very much, that is the solution, wouldn't have thought!
@Adevem, you are right. But I searched over the internet for over 2 days and, well, I thought there is no easy answer. It really makes me feel a little dumb, but noone knows everything.
But, maybe, just maybe, it we kindly ask a mod, he would move this thread where it should be, if this is not the right section.
I am already thinking at an app that could switch automatically between Wifi and WCDMA. That's because I either need wifi or WCDMA. Switching automatically to WCDMA if there's no wifi (lost signal) would be great and would save battery.
So, if wifi signal falls below -xx dbm it would stop wifi and enable radio. We would only have to monitor rssi.
Have you tried the airplane mode and then enabling wifi?
rav0r said:
Also works for me, too bad I don't have bluetooth though.
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Click to collapse
litobro said:
Have you tried the airplane mode and then enabling wifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway, using the service code is a better option. Although an application that automates everything would be great.
Checkingt here http://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/wifi/WifiManager.html
and here http://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/ServiceState.html#STATE_POWER_OFF
seems to provide the basics for an app that just comutes between wifi and carrier radio.
The app JuiceDefender might be helpfull.
NetCopAD said:
Dial *#*#4636#*#* -> Choose "Phone information" -> Scroll down and there is a button to turn off the radio.
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Click to collapse
How do I retain the chosen settings in this screen. For example, I would like to retain the option of only WCDMA.
hauseofraf said:
How do I retain the chosen settings in this screen. For example, I would like to retain the option of only WCDMA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can choose WCDMA only, in the standard settings menu of the phone. Look for mobile network settings.
NetCopAD said:
You can choose WCDMA only, in the standard settings menu of the phone. Look for mobile network settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing, how do I specifically select WCDMA? In the secret service menu, there is no "okay" button to retain your selected choices. "home button" doesn't work, rocker buttons don't work etc.
It's not in the secret menu. It's in the standard menu for mobile network settings.
Wireless and network -> Mobile network settings -> Network mode -> WCDMA only
NetCopAD said:
It's not in the secret menu. It's in the standard menu for mobile network settings.
Wireless and network -> Mobile network settings -> Network mode -> WCDMA only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing, I don't have that path on my i9000M. That's why I'm wondering how to retain this via the secret menu.
Hi everyone,
I remembered this from my Nokia E71 days. Everytime I would launch an application that required data, the phone would ask me which network to use of the available ones. Of course I had the choice to disable this, and restrict access to only one network such as wifi always or a wifi-first policy.
I am wondering if any of the droid apps/ROMs/mods offer this capability.
This is specifically to maintain a user controlled wifi/3g/nodata equilibrium to manage battery and costs better.
Any help would be much useful.
Thanks!
The firewall droidwall allows you to restrict apps to either wifi, 3g, or none. But it has to be configured in advance, no pop up functionality exists as far as I know.
Not really what I am looking for... But thanks.
Anyone else who can help?
BenKranged said:
The firewall droidwall allows you to restrict apps to either wifi, 3g, or none. But it has to be configured in advance, no pop up functionality exists as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use beautiful widget toggles to quickly turn on or off either wifi or network data. So, when I won't be using either one for a while, they can both be off.
wbcollins said:
I use beautiful widget toggles to quickly turn on or off either wifi or network data. So, when I won't be using either one for a while, they can both be off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, as a follow up, I have also used Juice defender to sort of manage this, though whether or not it actually saves more battery than it uses is quite debated. I just use the toggles on my home screen to do to manage this manually, though very quickly.
Im sure there are many people out there who bought their tab second hand on craigslist or ebay and ect.... thats my situation.
i have a galaxy vibrant, and am on the simple mobile unlimited plan. ($60 unlimited everything) so i dont use verizon because i tether to my tab using the vibrant. i noticed the radio taking up a good 8% of my battery after 3 hours of standby. so i wanted to disable this since i dont use it. after trying many different apps like apn on/off and others, i realized none work. then i found the solution to be ridiculously simple.
1. go to settings
2. go to wireless settings
3. Hit Airplane Mode ( But that kills wifi so damn)
4. go to wifi settings
5. Enable wifi (It enables wifi while still under airplane mode, thus killing the cdma radio)
there dilema resolved.
now im getting an extra 20% battery life over a full discharge. <3
good luck
Great Idea. THIS SHOULD BE A STICKY.
Just set up my Galaxy...
Thanks.
Good instructions for newbies, but an old topic. And you can't use bluetooth when you are in airplane mode.
Maybe switch.off mobile data. Also when not using toggle wifi off
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Or just dial *#*#4636#*#* and switch the radio off
I have to do after each reboot
Thanks guys!
You can also use the Airplane Mode Wi-Fi Tool app, I've been using it for awhile and it works perfectly. It sets it to airplane mode and allows you to use wi-fi in airplane mode. It also stays after reboot. It also allows you to use bluetooth in airplane mode, though I haven't tried this feature yet.
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.geekherd.airplanemode
Hey,
My battery life is really bad when i'm using Hspda (even when doing nothing, no fb sync in the background, just email (i'm on CM9 nightly, default kernel and JPG modem btw)), right now i only enable HSDPA when i need it, but i want to use whatsapp, so i need to have regular checks for messages. I'm looking for a power management app which can do this:
-enable data every 20 minutes
-only enable Edge every 20 minutes when my screen is off
i think this will result in a reasonable battery life. I've tried some power managers, but none of them allowed me to implement this schedule. Can someone advise me an app? Or a better solution for my battery problem.
i've ordered a polarcell 1800mah btw
Did you try a different modem ?
dal mio SGS con XDA
Juice defender, paid version, takes a while to get familiar, but well worth it, get paid version, massive amount off settings, or stick with basic presets
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
i've installed JPG modem. i did not notice any difference with the default jvu modem. any modem suggestions?
I'll try juicedefender tomorrow! thanks!
I use JVT ... try to turn off autosync band switch manually to 2G network... did you take a look at battery stats and CPU use?
dal mio SGS con XDA
speedfreak007 said:
i've installed JPG modem. i did not notice any difference with the default jvu modem. any modem suggestions?
I'll try juicedefender tomorrow! thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just use it on the advanced preset, it pings every 15 mins, you can train it to recognise your home wifi etc etc etc
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
In slim ICS u can set some settings at network and sync depending by screen state... you may try it....
dal mio SGS con XDA
tasker. Quite a steep learning curve but worth the effort.
on cm7-9 you can control whatever you want.
you can replicate everything that jd does and get even more control
google for tasker wiki for a few examples.
ok, i'll check tasker when i have the time (exams at the moment )
i've installed juice defender and played with the settings. The data connection will check enable every 15 minutes when my screen is off. But the data connection is permanently on when i'm using the phone. When i disable data with the toggles in the notification menu, the data is off when i'm using the phone, but won't enable every 15 minutes too.
i can't seem to find the following: enable data connection every 15 minutes regardless of the data toggle and the state of the phone AND i want to be able to use a toggle to enable data permanently when i want to surf the web for example. is this possible with juice defender? i can't find the right settings combination in order to achieve such behavior
thanks!
well, that's what I do to minimize battery drain, together with tasker.
a) mobile data. quite simple. I always keep mobile data on, 2g network only. This way I can always get real time notifications, emails, and so on. I use 3g only when I really need it. If you also have an aosp helper which allows network automation, you can condition 2g-3g depending on the app you are using. You don't need 3g for texting with whatsapp. 2g is more than enough.
b) gps. I keep always gps off, and use securesettings helper (free, but unfortunately it does not allow for 2g-3g switch, and you don't need it on cm7-9) along with tasker to enable it only with some apps. The rationale behind this is that some apps use gps for location purposes even if you do not want them to do, thus draining battery. So you force those apps to rely on wireless location only. This probably just a drop of juice, but it helps.
c) wifi. switch on/off depending on location with tasker.
d) sync. I always keep sync off, to get real time emails I do not use gmail app but use a gmail account on an exchange server instead. I use tasker to enable sync once in a while to get updates (contacts, calendar...).
e) night. I do not use airplane mode to save juice: I do not need real times or notifications, but I do want the phone to be on just in case some beautiful lady desperately needs to give me a call in the middle of the night. So I switch off mobile data and wifi, but I do not enable airplane mode. This is scheduled with tasker as well.
of course you can do much more, and create profiles that exactly match your needs.
that's it. This way I always have anything I need to be on when I really need it, I do not have to give up to get real time notifications or emails, and significantly increase battery life up to JD levels.
lcampori said:
well, that's what I do to minimize battery drain, together with tasker.
a) mobile data. quite simple. I always keep mobile data on, 2g network only. This way I can always get real time notifications, emails, and so on. I use 3g only when I really need it. If you also have an aosp helper which allows network automation, you can condition 2g-3g depending on the app you are using. You don't need 3g for texting with whatsapp. 2g is more than enough.
b) gps. I keep always gps off, and use securesettings helper (free, but unfortunately it does not allow for 2g-3g switch, and you don't need it on cm7-9) along with tasker to enable it only with some apps. The rationale behind this is that some apps use gps for location purposes even if you do not want them to do, thus draining battery. So you force those apps to rely on wireless location only. This probably just a drop of juice, but it helps.
c) wifi. switch on/off depending on location with tasker.
d) sync. I always keep sync off, to get real time emails I do not use gmail app but use a gmail account on an exchange server instead. I use tasker to enable sync once in a while to get updates (contacts, calendar...).
e) night. I do not use airplane mode to save juice: I do not need real times or notifications, but I do want the phone to be on just in case some beautiful lady desperately needs to give me a call in the middle of the night. So I switch off mobile data and wifi, but I do not enable airplane mode. This is scheduled with tasker as well.
of course you can do much more, and create profiles that exactly match your needs.
that's it. This way I always have anything I need to be on when I really need it, I do not have to give up to get real time notifications or emails, and significantly increase battery life up to JD levels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude, if someone writes a simple program to do this with just one click, he can make millions i'll definitely try tasker
speedfreak007 said:
dude, if someone writes a simple program to do this with just one click, he can make millions i'll definitely try tasker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well tasker is designed exactly to do that (well, no clicks at all once you set it up) but with plenty degrees of freedom to let anyone configure as wished.
If you need hints and tips, feel free to pm me.