[iPad] Wifi and cellular data on at the same time! QUESTION

KiranB · Dec 9, 2012, 05:12 PM

Hi guys I have a quick question which has probably been answered before ... On my ipad when I have mobile data active at the same time as wifi ... Is it wifi that is used or the mobile data??

Thanks

paulbennett95 · Dec 9, 2012, 05:19 PM

Wifi is used if it is available.

jaydee24601 · Dec 9, 2012, 05:22 PM

I actually just asked my Verizon rep and she said the wireless data is used if it's activated on the iPads!

iSensei · Dec 9, 2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee24601

I actually just asked my Verizon rep and she said the wireless data is used if it's activated on the iPads!

She's dumb...if you're at home...wifi is always used first...if a power outage...whatever (you get the point) happens THEN and only THEN it connects to the cellular network.

jaydee24601 · Dec 9, 2012, 05:27 PM

So I could basically leave both on unless I'm trying to save battery?!

KiranB · Dec 9, 2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee24601

So I could basically leave both on unless I'm trying to save battery?!

My thoughts too ...

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Quote:

Originally Posted by iSensei

She's dumb...if you're at home...wifi is always used first...if a power outage...whatever (you get the point) happens THEN and only THEN it connects to the cellular network.

I usually turn mobile data off at home as i assume leaving data and wifi on at the same time may be battery intensive? .. But I didn't know what exactly took priority when they are both left on?

MT0227 · Dec 10, 2012, 11:26 AM

With ATT WiFi takes priority over mobile Data if you can establish a WiFi connection...else mobile data will be used.

I have all of mine and my children's iDevices set-up this way to reduce the un-necesary consumption of my mobile data limits.

darngooddesign · Dec 10, 2012, 11:27 AM

If you see the WiFi symbol, you are not using cellular data.

bbeagle · Dec 10, 2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiranB

I usually turn mobile data off at home as i assume leaving data and wifi on at the same time may be battery intensive? .. But I didn't know what exactly took priority when they are both left on?

You should actually do the opposite.

If the iPad gets a wifi signal, it will NOT look for a cell signal. Once it loses the wifi signal, then it will look for a 3G/4G signal.

If you're away from home, in a place with no wifi, the 3G/4G will be active, but the iPad is continually looking for the non-existent wifi signal, and will use more battery.

MT0227 · Dec 10, 2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbeagle

You should actually do the opposite.

If the iPad gets a wifi signal, it will NOT look for a cell signal. Once it loses the wifi signal, then it will look for a 3G/4G signal.

If you're away from home, in a place with no wifi, the 3G/4G will be active, but the iPad is continually looking for the non-existent wifi signal, and will use more battery.

I'd make make sure "Ask to Join Networks" is also off

KiranB · Dec 10, 2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbeagle

You should actually do the opposite.

If the iPad gets a wifi signal, it will NOT look for a cell signal. Once it loses the wifi signal, then it will look for a 3G/4G signal.

If you're away from home, in a place with no wifi, the 3G/4G will be active, but the iPad is continually looking for the non-existent wifi signal, and will use more battery.

Ok so I should leave the mobile data on aswell as the wifi?? ... So therefore when I leave the house or wifi signal drops there is always a 3G connection available to allow me to carry on use?

Is that what you mean? .. When wifi and data are on does the ipad only use the wifi then? Until of course you leave a wifi area,and then it begins to use your data allowance?

Hope this makes sense

bbeagle · Dec 11, 2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiranB

Ok so I should leave the mobile data on aswell as the wifi?? ... So therefore when I leave the house or wifi signal drops there is always a 3G connection available to allow me to carry on use?

At Home: Leave both 3G and Wifi ON. Your phone will use Wifi, and only look for a 3G signal if it loses a Wifi signal.

On the Road: Leave 3G ON, and turn Wifi OFF. This will help your battery, because while on 3G, your phone is CONSTANTLY looking for a Wifi signal to use instead of 3G.

So, all you're doing is that when you leave your house, you turn wifi off, and when you get home, turn wifi on.

GraphicsGeek · Dec 11, 2012, 11:43 AM

OMG, the battery is not going to be drained in 2 seconds by having both on. OP, just leave both on and stop worrying about it. If there is wifi around, itll try and connect to that network first. If not, AND your cellular plan is active, itll connect to 3G/4G/LTE. It does not use that much battery for it to check if there's wifi every once in a while. Leave both on and you'll be fine. The only time I turn wifi off is if the wifi is slower or the signal is weaker than 3G/4G/LTE, which can happen alot with public hotspots.

KiranB · Dec 11, 2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraphicsGeek

OMG, the battery is not going to be drained in 2 seconds by having both on. OP, just leave both on and stop worrying about it. If there is wifi around, itll try and connect to that network first. If not, AND your cellular plan is active, itll connect to 3G/4G/LTE. It does not use that much battery for it to check if there's wifi every once in a while. Leave both on and you'll be fine. The only time I turn wifi off is if the wifi is slower or the signal is weaker than 3G/4G/LTE, which can happen alot with public hotspots.

Thanks! Appreciate it

Dec 9, 2012, 05:12 PM	#1
KiranB macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Birmingham UK	Wifi and cellular data on at the same time! QUESTION Hi guys I have a quick question which has probably been answered before ... On my ipad when I have mobile data active at the same time as wifi ... Is it wifi that is used or the mobile data?? Thanks
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 11:26 AM	#7
MT0227 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009	With ATT WiFi takes priority over mobile Data if you can establish a WiFi connection...else mobile data will be used. I have all of mine and my children's iDevices set-up this way to reduce the un-necesary consumption of my mobile data limits. __________________ 17" MBP 2.8 C2D (Hi-Res) \| 24" iMac 2.96 C2D \| iMac DV PPC 750 "G3" \| Macintosh SE/20 \| 64GB iPad (WiFi) \| iPhone 4 \| iPod 80GB Gen 5 \| Airport Extreme \| Airport Express X 2
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 11:27 AM	#8
darngooddesign macrumors 604 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA	If you see the WiFi symbol, you are not using cellular data. __________________ Lego Apple Store
	1

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Dec 9, 2012, 05:19 PM	#2
paulbennett95 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long Island, NY	Wifi is used if it is available.
	1

Dec 9, 2012, 05:22 PM	#3
jaydee24601 macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	I actually just asked my Verizon rep and she said the wireless data is used if it's activated on the iPads!
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 05:27 PM	#5
jaydee24601 macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	So I could basically leave both on unless I'm trying to save battery?!
	0

Dec 11, 2012, 11:43 AM	#13
GraphicsGeek macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2008	OMG, the battery is not going to be drained in 2 seconds by having both on. OP, just leave both on and stop worrying about it. If there is wifi around, itll try and connect to that network first. If not, AND your cellular plan is active, itll connect to 3G/4G/LTE. It does not use that much battery for it to check if there's wifi every once in a while. Leave both on and you'll be fine. The only time I turn wifi off is if the wifi is slower or the signal is weaker than 3G/4G/LTE, which can happen alot with public hotspots.
	2