How many iPhone users keep their data turned off?

[dvader123]

Which means you rely totally on wifi to use features like safari, mail, etc.

I ask because if you have data off then what do you do to get basic features that require data?

Specifically, I'm talking about voicemail notification which you can only get if you have data turned on. Being connected to wifi does not get you voicemail notification.

*Note: I am not talking about getting the voicemail. I'm talking about being notified that you have a voicemail message. I'm also not talking about visual voicemail which requires data. I'm talking about just getting the red dot on the voicemail tab in the phone app that tells you that you have a voicemail. This happens on iOS 8.1

If you miss a call and that person leaves a message then you'll never know that you have a voicemail unless you just happen to check you voicemail, but by then it might be days or weeks since the person left you that message. Just wondering what you guys do or maybe you don't care to know whether someone left you a voicemail.

 

[GmDude66]

Which means you rely totally on wifi to use features like safari, mail, etc.

I ask because if you have data off then what do you do to get basic features that require data?

Specifically, I'm talking about voicemail notification which you can only get if you have data turned on. Being connected to wifi does not get you voicemail notification.

*Note: I am not talking about getting the voicemail. I'm talking about being notified that you have a voicemail message. I'm also not talking about visual voicemail which requires data. I'm talking about just getting the red dot on the voicemail tab in the phone app that tells you that you have a voicemail. This happens on iOS 8.1

If you miss a call and that person leaves a message then you'll never know that you have a voicemail unless you just happen to check you voicemail, but by then it might be days or weeks since the person left you that message. Just wondering what you guys do or maybe you don't care to know whether someone left you a voicemail.

Data ALWAYS on, WiFi whenever it's available.

 

[deeddawg]

Why would you even bother turning data off unless travelling internationally?

Even the basic plans include enough data to handle system services and voicemail stuff if you avoid any data hungry stuff until you have wifi.

Data always on, wifi always on. Wifi connects up to work and home automatically.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Data always on, WiFi when possible. Not sure why you would turn off data.

 

[dvader123]

Data always on, WiFi when possible. Not sure why you would turn off data.

Because if you have the lowest data plan (Verizon 250MB/mo.), it could get used up if you go on Youtube in a non-wifi area.

There are many cases of where users report having wifi, but their phone used data instead. That can be a very expensive mistake.

I don't get why this is so hard to understand. Some people prefer the smallest data plan. That's why it's an option when you get a phone plan. There's also an option on the iphone that allows you to turn off data. People prefer that. They don't have to be connected to the internet all the time.

 

[Tobias Funke]

Why buy an iPhone?!

Just get a Nokia!

 

[deeddawg]

It was hard to understand because you left out a key detail: you prefer the smallest data plan and feel it's worth saving $15/mo in exchange for the hassle and implications of turning data on and off. ($15 is from comparing the $45 promo plan with 250MB data against the current $60 plan with 1GB data)

When you choose to do something that's pretty uncommon (think about the typical participant on MR) don't be surprised if that's not something that comes to people's mind.

 

[bushido]

Because if you have the lowest data plan (Verizon 250MB/mo.), it could get used up if you go on Youtube in a non-wifi area.

There are many cases of where users report having wifi, but their phone used data instead. That can be a very expensive mistake.

I don't get why this is so hard to understand. Some people prefer the smallest data plan. That's why it's an option when you get a phone plan. There's also an option on the iphone that allows you to turn off data. People prefer that. They don't have to be connected to the internet all the time.

200-500mb is the average here in germany but I never saw anyone turn off their data for that reason

 

[geoff5093]

Some people may also turn it off to save battery, especially when in poor signal areas. I have my phone configured to turn data off after 1 minute of the screen being off, and turn it back on when the display is on. I also have it periodically turn on every 15 minutes for 1 minute to get notifications, this way at work with horrible service my phone doesn't die by the time I get out of work.

There are many reasons, other than just not wanting to go over your monthly cap.

 

[dvader123]

Some people may also turn it off to save battery, especially when in poor signal areas. I have my phone configured to turn data off after 1 minute of the screen being off, and turn it back on when the display is on. I also have it periodically turn on every 15 minutes for 1 minute to get notifications, this way at work with horrible service my phone doesn't die by the time I get out of work.

There are many reasons, other than just not wanting to go over your monthly cap.

I agree that there are other reasons. Some people choose to have it turned off. Comments like "Why get an iphone" or "Get a nokia instead" speaks to the fact that people think everyone else is like them. People are different. They have their own preferences. No need to judge.

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It was hard to understand because you left out a key detail: you prefer the smallest data plan and feel it's worth saving $15/mo in exchange for the hassle and implications of turning data on and off. ($15 is from comparing the $45 promo plan with 250MB data against the current $60 plan with 1GB data)

When you choose to do something that's pretty uncommon (think about the typical participant on MR) don't be surprised if that's not something that comes to people's mind.

Who says it's a hassle? If people really care about how I use my iphone and feel that it's weird that I turn off data, then go ahead and pay for the extra data. I'll keep it on then.

 

[CEmajr]

Data always on, Wifi is used when available (if it's faster than my phone's LTE), otherwise I don't connect to Wifi either.

I don't see the point in owning an iPhone and keeping the data turned off. Might as well just get an iPod Touch and a dumb phone. It would probably be cheaper.

 

[eclipse01]

Love my unlimited data

 

[deeddawg]

Who says it's a hassle?

I do. For me, futzing around with turning data on and off would be annoying. If it's not a hassle to you, great.

If people really care about how I use my iphone...

If you're open to different opinions, don't ask "How many iPhone users keep their data turned off?"

As far as I'm concerned, it's your phone; use it however you see fit.

 

[caligurl]

i bought an iphone because i want to use ALL of its functions when i'm ready. i don't want the hassle of going into settings to turn on/off data.

if i didn't want all the functionality of an iphone and the data plan that goes along with it, i'd just buy a cheap flip phone.

data always on

 

[dvader123]

I do. For me, futzing around with turning data on and off would be annoying. If it's not a hassle to you, great.


If you're open to different opinions, don't ask "How many iPhone users keep their data turned off?"

As far as I'm concerned, it's your phone; use it however you see fit.

Sorry, but you miss the point. I was taking a poll. I could care less how people use their phone. The problem started when people started care how I used mine.

But I think you're right. I'm going to go ahead and buy the extra data. I was happy with the way I used my phone, but it's obvious that there's absolutely no point in owning an iphone if I keep data off.

I think I'll go ahead and get the unlimited data plan or perhaps the largest plan that they offer.

Thanks for the help. =)

 

[deeddawg]

Sorry, but you miss the point. I was taking a poll. I could care less how people use their phone.

LOL. Did you really think the people here wouldn't add commentary?

 

[dvader123]

LOL. Did you really think the people here wouldn't add commentary?

Ummm...no. SMH. But I guess you didn't understand what I said. It's okay.

 

[BensonTT]

Well doesn't leaving data on all the time drains the battery more? I only turn on data when am out, when I am at home, I turn on wifi and turn off data..

 

[firedept]

Data always on. WiFi when available. I pay for data, so I may as well use it.

 

[caligurl]

but it's obvious that there's absolutely no point in owning an iphone if I keep data off.

i'l take this one step further, even though you didn't ask

i read all the threads and articles about poor battery life and ideas of what to do to get more battery life. well, i personally think my batterly life stinx (and that was one of the reasons along with the size of the screen) that i bought a 6+

all those articles say turn this off, turn that off, turn everything OFF and you'll get better battery..... i always disregard 95% of their suggestions because i want to use my phone and ENJOY it... not futz around turning funtions on and off!

so good on you for getting a larger data plan (verizon doesn't have unlimited anymore, i don't believe) i think you'll enjoy no futzing with the on/off crap anymore!!! ENJOY!

 

[CEmajr]

Sorry, but you miss the point. I was taking a poll. I could care less how people use their phone. The problem started when people started care how I used mine.

But I think you're right. I'm going to go ahead and buy the extra data. I was happy with the way I used my phone, but it's obvious that there's absolutely no point in owning an iphone if I keep data off.

I think I'll go ahead and get the unlimited data plan or perhaps the largest plan that they offer.

Thanks for the help. =)

It's not even really about unlimited data either (at least not truly unlimited). The stuff that uses data in the background isn't significant enough to warrant an unlimited data plan.

When someone is paying Verizon for a paltry plan like 500MB or that charges extra for going over what it tells me is that person hasn't done proper research on the cellular plans available to them. With how fast these LTE networks are getting, such a pathetic data plan could be accidentally blasted through in a half hour. I'm not even sure why Verizon even bothers offering a data plan that low unless the sole purpose is to extract overage charges from users who go over. Even if one lives in a location that requires Verizon level coverage, they can easily go to Straightalk and get a $45 plan that offers unlimited data (throttled after 2GBs) and no overages and uses Verizon towers.

Turning data on and off on a regular basis to avoid overages is silly. It shows that you haven't done your due diligence when choosing a carrier and cell phone plan that meets your needs. You should be able to enjoy your iPhone and not have to be afraid to use most of its features outside your house because of overages on your small data plan. If you have to turn the main driving feature of a smartphone off then what's the point of having it?

There really is no point to owning an iPhone if you have to turn the data off regularly. Just get an iPod Touch and save yourself an extra $500+.

 

[deeddawg]

I guess you didn't understand what I said.

False. Be careful assuming lack of understanding; the reality is I just didn't care to continue the discussion after you started taking things personally when people were just stating their opinions and expressing surprise.

 

[scaredpoet]

Who says it's a hassle? If people really care about how I use my iphone and feel that it's weird that I turn off data, then go ahead and pay for the extra data. I'll keep it on then.

Fair enough, but then, why force the question? If you're setting up a thread where the motive is to poll membership for the No-Data-Users Club, why get defensive when people ask what the point is? Because that's exactly what's going to happen.

FYI: It looks like the cellular data requirement for VM indicator is a carrier-dependent thing. On T-Mobile, I can turn off both WiFi calling and Cellular data, and still get a VM notification (red dot) and the actual visual voicemail message, apparently sent over a regular WiFi connection.

And to put in my vote: cellular data always on, wifi when available. I'm on T-Mobile's unlimited plan (thanks referral program!) so there's no sense in turning it off. And even without unlimited, there are no overage charges, you just get throttled to 2G speeds. 2G speed is better than no speed.

 

[dvader123]

False. Be careful assuming lack of understanding; the reality is I just didn't care to continue the discussion after you started taking things personally when people were just stating their opinions and expressing surprise.

It's obvious that you do care, but I told you it's okay if you don't understand my point. Don't have to get so worked up about it. Why don't you do yourself a favor and take a deep breath, go outside, and enjoy the day.

 

[0000757]

Data always on.

If I have to pay more to use a smartphone because I require data, why would I get a smartphone if I'm not going to use that data? It would be extremely cheaper to just get a simple $10 or $15 card from Wal-Mart and a disposable LG or Samsung Flip Phone and use an iPod touch for everything else.