How to Turn On or Off Cellular Data Connection in Windows Phone 8
InformationWhenever you do anything on your phone that requires a network connection, such as send and receive email, get social networking feeds, visit websites, or download apps, your phone automatically connects to a cellular data network to transmit the information. If you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, the Wi-Fi network connection is used instead.
The data plan you have through your mobile operator sets how much data your phone can use over a network connection. If you go over this amount, you may be charged extra. So it is strongly recommend that you think about how much you'll use a network connection and get a data plan that meets your needs.
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off the cellular data connectivity for your Windows Phone 8.
The data plan you have through your mobile operator sets how much data your phone can use over a network connection. If you go over this amount, you may be charged extra. So it is strongly recommend that you think about how much you'll use a network connection and get a data plan that meets your needs.
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off the cellular data connectivity for your Windows Phone 8.
NoteIf you turn on Airplane mode, it will turn off the cellular connection, Wi-Fi, FM radio, Bluetooth, and near field communication (NFC) sharing on your phone simultaneously. While you have Airplane mode turned on, you can still turn on Wi-Fi, FM radio, Bluetooth, and NFC sharing separately. Cellular remains off until you turn Airplane mode off.
While you have cellular data connection turned on, you will see it's icon (ex: 4G, LTE, etc...) on the status bar at the top of your phone like below.
While you have cellular data connection turned on, you will see it's icon (ex: 4G, LTE, etc...) on the status bar at the top of your phone like below.
Here's How:
1. On your Windows Phone 8, open the app list, and tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
2. Tap on cellular in system settings. (see screenshot below)
3. Do step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do.
4. To Turn On your Cellular Data Connection
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Tap on the field under Data connection, and select on. (see screenshot below)
B) If you had Airplane mode turned on, then tap on yes to turn off airplane mode and turn on cellular data. (see screenshot below)
C) Set your other cellular settings to how you want them, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 4A)
NoteCellular settings let you control the cellular data connection for your phone.
Note
Note: The settings that appear vary by mobile operator.
[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-650][TR][TD]Setting
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[TD]
Description
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[TR][TD]
For limited
Wi-Fi connectivity
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[TD]
Determines if your phone will use cellular data instead of Wi-Fi when it's connected to a Wi-Fi network with limited connectivity—for example, when your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network but can't connect to the Internet with that connection.
- Use cellular data = If Wi-Fi connectivity is limited, your phone will use cellular data, and you can continue to do things on your phone that require an Internet connection. This will use your data plan and may incur charges.
- Don't use cellular data = Your cellular data won't be used if Wi-Fi connectivity is limited. When this happens, you won't be able to do things on your phone that use the Internet.
To have this setting, your phone must be running Windows Phone software version 8.0.10211.204 or later.
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Voice roaming options
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[TD]
Determines if you can make calls and send text messages when your phone is outside your mobile operator's network. Leaving it set to Don't roam can help prevent some voice roaming charges. When it's set to this, you can't make calls or send text messages when your phone is in a roaming area, but you can still get calls and receive text messages. Check your phone plan for details about how and when additional charges might be incurred.
If you do allow roaming, you can make calls and send text messages outside your mobile operator's network. Depending on your phone plan, you might pay more for these calls and text messages. You can choose which kind of roaming you want to allow— Domestic or Domestic+international roaming.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Data roaming options
[/TD]
[TD]
Determines if your data connection stays on when the phone is outside your mobile operator's network. Leaving it set to Don't roam can help prevent data roaming charges.
If you set it to Roam, you can use cellular data when your phone is in a roaming area. Depending on your phone plan, you might pay more for data you use when roaming. Some mobile operators let you specify what kind of data roaming you want to allow—Domestic or Domestic+international roaming.
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[TR][TD]
Restrict background data
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[TD]
Reduces the amount of background data used under certain conditions, such as when you're roaming. Many apps and features update at regular intervals without requiring you to take action—for example, a mail app may check a mail server every few minutes to see if you have new messages in your inbox. Any data used in this way is called background data and can be an issue if you're trying to avoid going over your data limit.
- Always restrict background data = Your phone will restrict the use of background data.
- Restrict background data when roaming = Your phone will restrict the use of background data when your phone is in a roaming area.
If you turn on either of these settings, your phone will wait for a Wi-Fi connection to perform background tasks.
Notes
Notes
- Restricting background data may prevent some things from happening automatically, including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) incoming call notifications, email syncing, background uploads and downloads, and Live Tile updates. If you choose to restrict background data, you'll need to do these things manually.
- To restrict background data, your phone needs to have Windows Phone software version 8.0.10501.127 or later.
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5. To Turn Off your Cellular Data Connection
A) Tap on the field under Data connection, select off, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 4A)
6. When finished, you can return to your Start screen if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Turn On or Off Airplane Mode in Windows Phone 8
- How to Turn On or Off Wi-Fi Network Connection in Windows Phone 8
- How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Windows Phone 8
- How to Set Up Internet Sharing (tethering) of Cellular Data Connection in Windows Phone 8
- How to Turn On or Off Bluetooth in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Turn On or Off Bluetooth in Windows Phone 8 and 8.1
- How to Use Data Sense App to Manage your Data Usage on Windows Phone 8.1
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