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How to stop auto download of email attachments? [important whilst roaming]

Sorry have searched but cant find a suitable answer.

Hi all, just brought a iphone 3g in Hong Kong using "3" - the exclusive service provider here. Have updated to 2.2 already.

I have noticed that my email attachments [using pop3] download automatically when I goto "mail". Is there an option to only download those attachments that I want [like windows mobile offer?].

I have subscribed to an unlimited data plan in Hong Kong, so this isnt really a problem whilst I am in Hong Kong, but when I travel overseas I do want to check email [body text only] without having the iphone download all attachments for me automatically whenever I go into mail. This will be extremely expensive whilst roaming.

Any help would be useful otherwise I have to go back to my "ancient" Dopod 838, when I go overseas, which would be annoying.

Thanks in advance.

[I am yet to take the iphone overseas]

iphone 3g, Other OS

Posted on Jan 10, 2009 6:41 PM

Reply
9 replies

Jan 11, 2009 12:43 AM in response to bobtheknight

a)if attachments (like images) are big download is not "automatic": ou must tap over the attachment icon to download it.
b)in network options you can find a toggle setting to disable data traffic when you are outside your country, so only when you want you can sync your mail
c)there is also another solution: under email settings define the amount of rows of email you wat to see in mailbox folder: in this way you have a preview of mail and you do not need to open it.
I think that exactly what you are looking for (an option to disable that) do not exists yet and i thing never, because it's not an Apple problem and because generally options are not so detailed.
This options exists in third part unofficial application, but it's not approved from Apple.

Jan 11, 2009 5:42 AM in response to omarz

hi,

I use hotmail on my pc to send an email with a 500kb excel file attachment, this is sent my iphone email.

When I click on mail on the home menu of the iphone, it goes straight to inbox automatically and begins downloading, first the mail appears with 2 lines of preview [my setting], then after 5 secs the paperclip appears indicating an attachment. This is what I mean by automatically downloading all files. i have yet to press anything.

I know it has downloaded the whole attachment automatically as I check the usuage.

[I have tried this with excel and jpeg files]

Jan 11, 2009 7:25 AM in response to bobtheknight

The paperclip indicting an attachment is included with a received message does not mean the attachment has been downloaded with the message.

When I'm connected to the internet via the cellular network and receive an email with a large attachment, I must select download on the attached file in order for the attachment to be downloaded. Smaller attached files will be downloaded automatically, but I'm not sure about the size of a file that determines if an attachment is downloaded or not downloaded with the message.

There is not an option to download or not download an attachment except for when an attached file is over a certain size and includes download on the attached file - which is optional when reading the message.

Jan 11, 2009 6:04 PM in response to Allan Sampson

quote "The paperclip indicting an attachment is included with a received message does not mean the attachment has been downloaded with the message. "

I assumed this until I checked my usuage before going into the email with the attachment. The usuage indicates that the attachment has been downloaded.

e.g. I send an email with attachment from pc to my iphone. I go into inbox on the iphone and the little paperclip appears. At this stage I do not click on the message, instead I hit home>setting>general>usage; and the "received" data goes up the same size/amount of kb as the attachment, therefore I assume the attachment has been downloaded automatically.

On another note, I have read on some forums the "arrow" to download email attachments, once the email message is opened points down. My arrow points to the right. Is this normal?

Jan 11, 2009 6:15 PM in response to bobtheknight

Are you saying any and all attachments are downloaded automatically, regardless the size of the attachment or attachments?

If so, I don't experience the same - copied from my previous post.

When I'm connected to the internet via the cellular network and receive an email with a large attachment, I must select download on the attached file in order for the attachment to be downloaded. Smaller attached files will be downloaded automatically, but I'm not sure about the size of a file that determines if an attachment is downloaded or not downloaded with the message.

Jan 11, 2009 6:29 PM in response to Allan Sampson

yes, according to the way I am using it, as briefly described above.

For example: I expect my data usage to only go up after opening the email and then selecting download attachment. But in fact the usage meter goes up just by clicking the "mail" app. The machine just updates itself and downloads everything as soon as I hit mail.

Now I am not sure whether its because I am in Hong Kong and using the exclusive provider here "three". Are they that clever to only activate a normal experience whilst I am abroad? I doubt that.

This is a massive concern as I travel alot and dont want my roaming bill to hit silly amounts. My normal usage whilst roaming, perhaps like many, is to simply read the body text and reply, without opening attachments.

thanks

Jan 11, 2009 6:52 PM in response to bobtheknight

I'm not sure what is different or why, but I do not experience the same when connected to the cellular network. An attachment under a certain size (smaller size attachments) are downloaded with the message or are available when I open the message, but an attachment that is large or if there are multiple attachments such as multiple photos attached to a message, I must select download on each attachment for each to download.

Even if an attachment is not downloaded with a message, a small amount of data will be used to download the message header and the number of preview lines selected for each received message.

Apr 6, 2009 4:17 AM in response to bobtheknight

bobtheknight: Did you ever get this worked out? I'm curious because I have the same problem. I am also in Hong Kong, by the way.

I use CSL's 3G packaging with APAC roaming and have had some horrendous bills while traveling for work, because I get a lot of attachments normally with my mail, as part of my job, and I can't figure out how to check mail without download attachments. As a result, I can't use one of the iPhone's most valuable features without running up a big bill.

This is very frustrating, and if you've found a solution, I'd love to hear about it.

-Normandy

Jun 1, 2009 6:04 AM in response to N. Madden

When I travel for work and read e-mail (using no other data services) it downloads 1-20 megabytes each time I check my mail, even if I don't read it. At GBP 6 per Mb this can rack up hundreds of pounds to just check whether I have a few lines of text to read.

The iPhone downloads ridiculous amounts of data and it seems this cannot be stopped because it is designed for the US non-business market - those who are trying to replace their Blackberry just have to deal with it (and they do, because it is normally their boss who pays). I can't believe Apple's supposed solution is to turn off data alltogether. Idiots.

If you pay your bill yourself my advice is to get a blackberry or proper device for e-mails and just turn data off on the iPhone (and use it for what it is good at, namely letting girls play with the games and/or as a skimming stone).

How to stop auto download of email attachments? [important whilst roaming]

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