iPhone Tweak to turn off cellular data while connected to wifi?

[Cybiker]

I know I saw a tweak while browsing a few days ago that would turn off cellular data automatically while connected to wifi but I cannot find it now. I've found BattSaver but it's not compatible with iOS 6 and I'm pretty sure it''s not that one.

I assume this tweak also forces wifi to stay connected while locked and if not are there any tweaks out there that do this?

Thanks!

 

[hafr]

I know I saw a tweak while browsing a few days ago that would turn off cellular data automatically while connected to wifi but I cannot find it now.

I assume this tweak also forces wifi to stay connected while locked and if not are there any tweaks out there that do this?

Thanks!

What would be the point in that? If your wifi is active, the cellular data transfer will be inactive either way. The reason why you'd want to turn off wifi when using cellular data is because the wifi is constantly looking for networks to connect to, but your cellular data always uses the carrier - to which you're already connected. So... Yeah. I don't get why such a tweak would be of any value Like removing your windshield wipers when it's not raining

 

[Cybiker]

What would be the point in that? If your wifi is active, the cellular data transfer will be inactive either way. The reason why you'd want to turn off wifi when using cellular data is because the wifi is constantly looking for networks to connect to, but your cellular data always uses the carrier - to which you're already connected. So... Yeah. I don't get why such a tweak would be of any value Like removing your windshield wipers when it's not raining

Turning off the cellular data radio would save battery life. You don't really need that radio on while you are connected to wifi.

 

[slowsupra]

Wouldn't you lose the ability to receive calls/texts while on wifi or does the iPhone automatically do VOIP? It should already turn off LTE.

 

[bmms8]

Wouldn't you lose the ability to receive calls/texts while on wifi or does the iPhone automatically do VOIP? It should already turn off LTE.

it would only turn off data. when i am connected to wifi i will sometimes turn off data for the reason being i can still text, i use wifi for iMessage and internet, mail, etc. the only reason to have data on while on wifi (for me) is when i receive a picture message from a non iMessage user or if there if i have a voicemail.

 

[slowsupra]

it would only turn off data. when i am connected to wifi i will sometimes turn off data for the reason being i can still text, i use wifi for iMessage and internet, mail, etc. the only reason to have data on while on wifi (for me) is when i receive a picture message from a non iMessage user or if there if i have a voicemail.

I doubt it helps much if any if you're not actually turning the radio off (and losing voice). The 3g radio would still need to be powered/on to handle voice and the phone already deactivates data through 3g/LTE while wifi is active so turning the data off via option seems redundant.

 

[hafr]

Turning off the cellular data radio would save battery life. You don't really need that radio on while you are connected to wifi.

There would be no conservation of battery life to turn off cellular data whilst on wifi, since cellular data isn't being used when wifi is active. Unless you're talking about flight mode with wifi turned on?

 

[dlmart2]

Battsaver.

 

[lucastatic]

There would be no conservation of battery life to turn off cellular data whilst on wifi, since cellular data isn't being used when wifi is active. Unless you're talking about flight mode with wifi turned on?

Actually there will be a lot of saved energy.

You're under the impression that the cellular data radio goes completely dormant when you're connected to and using wifi, which isn't necessarily true. The cellular radio still has to maintain a cellular data connection whilst on wifi, even if it isn't being used for data. It does this so when you jump off wifi you immediately have a cellular data connection. Sure it won't be used for data while on wifi, but it has to be maintained while on wifi and that drains battery. It drains even more battery if your cellular signal is weak, and/or if there are multiple network speeds available (3G/4G/LTE). It may find one signal stronger at times, switch to that, and then find another signal to be stronger, and then switch to that, etc etc... all these broken, refreshed, changed cellular connections are happening whether or not you're on wifi.

For the longest time when in my home I've turned wifi ON and cellular, bluetooth, and location OFF (as I have no need for those radios to be on while I'm at home). This DOES manifest in longer battery life.

I discovered BatteryDoctorPro through following @CydiaRepos. Glad I did. It's a phenomenal app, incredibly made. Also features a pull down menu with toggles, and built in "profiles." (tap on the top right corner of the status bar for the pull down menu which includes access to toggles and profiles. or tap the springboard app icon for the full package.) I could always "feel" the longer battery life, but BatteryDoctorPro actually gives you the numbers. Which is awesome. I've screencapped a few configurations to show the difference, according to BatteryDoctorPro, toggling things off makes.

Note that the Data toggle encompasses Edge, 3G/4G, and LTE. The 3G toggle has to be on to use anything other than Edge, however. (that's why the battery life drops so dramatically when the 3G toggle is on. Edge doesn't really use that much juice, but the others do).

(edit: don't pay attention to the Mode Setting, Outdoor, Indoor, Alarm stuff. I just used the Alarm profile to demonstrate the changes each of these radios makes to the expected battery life. For the record my Alarm profile only has Data on.)

With all radios off:

With WLAN (wifi) on:

With WLAN (wifi) and Data on (just Edge though because 3G is off):

With WLAN (wifi) and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):

With WLAN (wifi) off and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):

With just Data on (just Edge):

Check out the app. BatteryDoctorPro. It's absolutely stellar, the quality is through the roof:

 

[Carlanga]

I just don't buy that it gives you a big difference in battery life if any. Battery apps are never good, real testing in same environment and conditions is the only way to really test a difference in battery life in iOS.

 

[hafr]

Actually there will be a lot of saved energy.

You're under the impression that the cellular data radio goes completely dormant when you're connected to and using wifi, which isn't necessarily true. The cellular radio still has to maintain a cellular data connection whilst on wifi, even if it isn't being used for data. It does this so when you jump off wifi you immediately have a cellular data connection. Sure it won't be used for data while on wifi, but it has to be maintained while on wifi and that drains battery. It drains even more battery if your cellular signal is weak, and/or if there are multiple network speeds available (3G/4G/LTE). It may find one signal stronger at times, switch to that, and then find another signal to be stronger, and then switch to that, etc etc... all these broken, refreshed, changed cellular connections are happening whether or not you're on wifi.

For the longest time when in my home I've turned wifi ON and cellular, bluetooth, and location OFF (as I have no need for those radios to be on while I'm at home). This DOES manifest in longer battery life.

I discovered BatteryDoctorPro through following @CydiaRepos. Glad I did. It's a phenomenal app, incredibly made. Also features a pull down menu with toggles, and built in "profiles." (tap on the top right corner of the status bar for the pull down menu which includes access to toggles and profiles. or tap the springboard app icon for the full package.) I could always "feel" the longer battery life, but BatteryDoctorPro actually gives you the numbers. Which is awesome. I've screencapped a few configurations to show the difference, according to BatteryDoctorPro, toggling things off makes.

Note that the Data toggle encompasses Edge, 3G/4G, and LTE. The 3G toggle has to be on to use anything other than Edge, however. (that's why the battery life drops so dramatically when the 3G toggle is on. Edge doesn't really use that much juice, but the others do).

(edit: don't pay attention to the Mode Setting, Outdoor, Indoor, Alarm stuff. I just used the Alarm profile to demonstrate the changes each of these radios makes to the expected battery life. For the record my Alarm profile only has Data on.)

With all radios off:
Image

With WLAN (wifi) on:
Image

With WLAN (wifi) and Data on (just Edge though because 3G is off):
Image

With WLAN (wifi) and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):
Image

With WLAN (wifi) off and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):
Image

With just Data on (just Edge):
Image

Check out the app. BatteryDoctorPro. It's absolutely stellar, the quality is through the roof:
Image

I've never questioned turning 3G off saves energy, or that better connection is kinder to the battery. But I've been told that the cellular data connection is the same as having reception. So turning on/off cellular data wouldn't affect battery life as long as no data was being transferred. Guess I was told wrong then...

This app seems pretty cool, thanks for the tip. Very incognito

 

[slowsupra]

You're under the impression that the cellular data radio goes completely dormant when you're connected to and using wifi, which isn't necessarily true. The cellular radio still has to maintain a cellular data connection whilst on wifi, even if it isn't being used for data. It does this so when you jump off wifi you immediately have a cellular data connection. Sure it won't be used for data while on wifi, but it has to be maintained while on wifi and that drains battery. It drains even more battery if your cellular signal is weak, and/or if there are multiple network speeds available (3G/4G/LTE). It may find one signal stronger at times, switch to that, and then find another signal to be stronger, and then switch to that, etc etc... all these broken, refreshed, changed cellular connections are happening whether or not you're on wifi.

You're under the impression that turning data off via switch turns the radio off. The radio has to be maintained for voice whether or not data is active.

I just don't buy that it gives you a big difference in battery life if any. Battery apps are never good, real testing in same environment and conditions is the only way to really test a difference in battery life in iOS.

Sugar pills work for some people.

 

[GeorgieAcevedo]

Actually there will be a lot of saved energy.

You're under the impression that the cellular data radio goes completely dormant when you're connected to and using wifi, which isn't necessarily true. The cellular radio still has to maintain a cellular data connection whilst on wifi, even if it isn't being used for data. It does this so when you jump off wifi you immediately have a cellular data connection. Sure it won't be used for data while on wifi, but it has to be maintained while on wifi and that drains battery. It drains even more battery if your cellular signal is weak, and/or if there are multiple network speeds available (3G/4G/LTE). It may find one signal stronger at times, switch to that, and then find another signal to be stronger, and then switch to that, etc etc... all these broken, refreshed, changed cellular connections are happening whether or not you're on wifi.

For the longest time when in my home I've turned wifi ON and cellular, bluetooth, and location OFF (as I have no need for those radios to be on while I'm at home). This DOES manifest in longer battery life.

I discovered BatteryDoctorPro through following @CydiaRepos. Glad I did. It's a phenomenal app, incredibly made. Also features a pull down menu with toggles, and built in "profiles." (tap on the top right corner of the status bar for the pull down menu which includes access to toggles and profiles. or tap the springboard app icon for the full package.) I could always "feel" the longer battery life, but BatteryDoctorPro actually gives you the numbers. Which is awesome. I've screencapped a few configurations to show the difference, according to BatteryDoctorPro, toggling things off makes.

Note that the Data toggle encompasses Edge, 3G/4G, and LTE. The 3G toggle has to be on to use anything other than Edge, however. (that's why the battery life drops so dramatically when the 3G toggle is on. Edge doesn't really use that much juice, but the others do).

(edit: don't pay attention to the Mode Setting, Outdoor, Indoor, Alarm stuff. I just used the Alarm profile to demonstrate the changes each of these radios makes to the expected battery life. For the record my Alarm profile only has Data on.)

With all radios off:
Image

With WLAN (wifi) on:
Image

With WLAN (wifi) and Data on (just Edge though because 3G is off):
Image

With WLAN (wifi) and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):
Image

With WLAN (wifi) off and Data and 3G on (Edge + 3G/4G/LTE):
Image

With just Data on (just Edge):
Image

Check out the app. BatteryDoctorPro. It's absolutely stellar, the quality is through the roof:
Image

Thank you so much!! Just tried it. The options it has are great!!

 

[imagineadam]

Sorry to dig up and old thread but since LTE just launched in my market I've been OCDing about my battery life. So I've read all these posts and no one seems to agree about turning off cell data to save battery when at home on wifi.

I still have the battery doctor pro version where I can toggle all the way down to the edge network if I want. Does anybody know for sure if it is worth it to toggle down to edge when I'm on wifi at home? Will it actually save any battery? Should I shut off cell data completely and run it through wifi only?

The phone turns off wifi when sleeping when cell data is turned on. I'm guessing it takes less power to hold on to a cell signal than wifi. I have a cell tower literally like 3 blocks away that gives me pretty much full signal on all 3 networks (edge/umts/lte). Should I just leave everything turned on and be done with it? Or would I actually gain a good hour or so of usage turning off unnecessary radios? Anybody have a real answer? Thanks in advance!

 

[eyoungren]

I can't speak to the specifics of the debate here. But I'll say this. I'm using Smart3G+LTE which shuts off my 3G and LTE radios whenever a WiFi network I have access to comes into range. When I leave the WiFi network it turns the 3G and LTE radios back on. I can also set it to go down to 1xRTT when not using specific apps.

There's also Auto3G which does the same thing, but that's GSM only I believe (I may be wrong).

My battery life is very good. Don't know if that helps you or not.

 

[Grolubao]

I can't speak to the specifics of the debate here. But I'll say this. I'm using Smart3G+LTE which shuts off my 3G and LTE radios whenever a WiFi network I have access to comes into range. When I leave the WiFi network it turns the 3G and LTE radios back on. I can also set it to go down to 1xRTT when not using specific apps.

There's also Auto3G which does the same thing, but that's GSM only I believe (I may be wrong).

My battery life is very good. Don't know if that helps you or not.

Sorry to resurrect this thread. Is there something similar, meaning as simple as this, but for ios 7?

 

[eyoungren]

Sorry to resurrect this thread. Is there something similar, meaning as simple as this, but for ios 7?

Sorry, no idea. I'm still on iOS 6.x. You could try Activator actions for joining and leaving a network but that's kind of clunky and only one action at a time.

 

[hafr]

Sorry to resurrect this thread. Is there something similar, meaning as simple as this, but for ios 7?

Yes. Activator.

I don't know what the previous poster is talking about though, because you can have multiple actions performed when joining/leaving a wifi network, and it's completely automatic after the initial setup.

 

[eyoungren]

Yes. Activator.

I don't know what the previous poster is talking about though, because you can have multiple actions performed when joining/leaving a wifi network, and it's completely automatic after the initial setup.

I know you can add additional "Join Network" actions in Activator. But I see no additional "Leave Network" actions. If you'd be kind enough to point out where I can apply that?

 

[HenryLong]

Sorry to resurrect this thread. Is there something similar, meaning as simple as this, but for ios 7?

You can configure in Activator to turn off 3G when connected to WiFi as well as turn it back on when leaving WiFi. Don't know about LTE since I don't have.

 

[bmms8]

You can configure in Activator to turn off 3G when connected to WiFi as well as turn it back on when leaving WiFi. Don't know about LTE since I don't have.

It works with LTE as well, just as you described. Use this posters advice to get what you need.

 

[eyoungren]

You can configure in Activator to turn off 3G when connected to WiFi as well as turn it back on when leaving WiFi. Don't know about LTE since I don't have.

Oh, OK. I get it. You can add your action, then back up and then add another action, back up again and so on.

I was coming from the point of view of trying to assign multiple actions at once. When you do that the checkmark keeps moving to the new assignment.

 

[Grolubao]

You can configure in Activator to turn off 3G when connected to WiFi as well as turn it back on when leaving WiFi. Don't know about LTE since I don't have.

This works perfectly, thanks a lot! Didn't know you could configure such actions in activator.

Thanks again!