How many iPhone users keep their data turned off?

[dvader123]

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.

I agree with you, but then why do carriers offer 250MB or 500MB plans? Who are these plans supposed to target?

 

[CEmajr]

I agree with you, but then why do carriers offer 250MB or 500MB plans? Who are these plans supposed to target?

People who look at price before functionality. They sign a contract and get the phone, use it for a week, realize they need more data and then they change to a larger data plan. Either that or they pay extra for the overages.

 

[0000757]

I agree with you, but then why do carriers offer 250MB or 500MB plans? Who are these plans supposed to target?

Some people actually have iPhones or other smartphones and use that much, or even less.

My mom and I share 5GB of data on Verizon currently. We both have iPhones. If you look at our data consumption, easily 99% of the data used that month is from my line. My mom uses around 100-200MB monthly at most. All she uses her iPhone for is so she can get her email wherever she wants, take good pictures, have group texts with the family, and listen to music while she works out. She has 3 other apps that SOMETIMES get used - Shazam, Waze, and YouTube. She uses these apps about once every couple of months.

Not every single person consumes a lot of data on their phone.

 

[Delmar]

Data is always on & I rarely have access to WIFI.

 

[Lux12]

I only turn it off when im close to reaching my maximum capacity.

 

[stormchasejg]

Always on but then I have Unlimited 4G data so I don't need to worry about going over my limit.

 

[big samm]

No point for me to have a iphone with no data in it!! Always on and always will be...

 

[Abazigal]

1 gb / month is criminal. I think my phone easily averages 100 mb a day from the basic processes (mail, whatsapp, light browsing, background app refresh). I often come close to hitting the 3gb data cap (or just exceed it at times).

 

[Damolee]

Can someone clear this up.

If WIFI is enabled, does it disable data in the background?

Just thinking of battery life.

 

[Leenalisa]

You can disable cellular access and auto update on a per app basis in Settings to help stay under data limits.

 

[jeremiah239]

Unlimited LTE here, couldn't imagine having to worry about using my phone because I might go over my limit. Data always on wifi always on so I connect automatically at trusted networks.

 

[yui4]

I usually just leave LTE on as the wifi isn't that great at home and I'm on a 20gb data plan

 

[bushman4]

Why would you turn off your Data you're defeating the idea of a smartphone and turning it into a a dumb phone

 

[richwoodrocket]

I don't see why anybody would want to turn off data. If you're doing that, then just get an iPod touch.

 

[dvader123]

Why would you turn off your Data you're defeating the idea of a smartphone and turning it into a a dumb phone

Does your dumb phone get internet, mail, facebook, etc. with wifi?

I doubt it. Some people use their iphones with wifi exclusively. Believe it or not, some people do not need to be connected to the internet 24/7. In fact, I wonder if most people really need 24/7 internet connection.

 

[nostresshere]

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. ...

You started a poll for some unknown reason. It appears you had some reason, but did not want to share it. Therefore the poll was worthless and in fact could result in the WRONG answer to whatevery mystery question or concern you had.

P.S. -of course people are going to give an opinion.

 

[fingleburt]

Data turned on only when I'm out(to preserve battery life), wifi on when at home.

 

[Abazigal]

Does your dumb phone get internet, mail, facebook, etc. with wifi?



I doubt it. Some people use their iphones with wifi exclusively. Believe it or not, some people do not need to be connected to the internet 24/7. In fact, I wonder if most people really need 24/7 internet connection.

I may not need it (in that nothing untoward to happen to me if I don't check my email for a few hours), but I sure want to. The convenience of always being connected to the Internet is well worth the price of a data plan for me.

 

[Beards]

Does your dumb phone get internet, mail, facebook, etc. with wifi?

I doubt it. Some people use their iphones with wifi exclusively. Believe it or not, some people do not need to be connected to the internet 24/7. In fact, I wonder if most people really need 24/7 internet connection.

I am currently coming from an Android LG G3 to an iPhone 6+ and here in the UK for me I personally rarely use Data as everything including alerts, notifications, bubbles, ect ect are all received on Wifi. Apart from using the phone or text message service (which are both on 2D so don't require Data) I don't need a SIM card.
If I'm out and about most places I pass or call in have free Wifi so again negates the need for Data.

So, what I am reading here is with the iPhone this is different. It requires Data for badges and alerts etc. is that right?
Thanks.

 

[Yakibomb]

Data is always on

I've just gone and individually turned off some apps that are data hogs

 

[CYKBC]

I blew through 60gb of data last month. I guess the I heart radio, podcast downloads and ESPN streams add up?

I never worry about lte usage. Thank goodness for T-Mobile. I love you!!!!!

 

[Max(IT)]

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.

Not only for the iPhone, but every smartphone without data constantly enabled is a waste of money

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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.

Are you really going to buy a 700$ iPhone with a 250 Mb/mo. data plan ???

 

[0007776]

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.

Was that something that they changed to require data in iOS 8? I switched to Android recently but before that I had an iPhone, and I could always get a voicemail notification without data being on. Maybe it is just a carrier thing?

I have wifi most of the time so I rarely see the point of adding a data package to my phone when I have wifi 90% of the time that I need the internet.

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I don't see why anybody would want to turn off data. If you're doing that, then just get an iPod touch.

Your iPod touch doesn't receive phone calls, and some people want to use a phone but not carry around two devices.

 

[Max(IT)]

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.

Do you really pay 45$ for 250 Mb ???

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

Are you serious? I can hardly find a data plan below 1 Gb here in Italy.

 

[0007776]

Do you really pay 45$ for 250 Mb ???

The US has very expensive cell plans compared to the rest or the world. That's why when I'm there I usually go with the cheapest prepaid plan I can find without data and rely on wifi.