HT201299: About cellular data settings and usage on your iPhone and iPad

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KPSR

Q: If cellular data is turned off, can notifications use data?

If cellular data is turned off, can push notifications use data?

 

In other words, if I'm traveling in Europe with a US AT&T phone, will I get push notifications that use data if cellular data is off?

 

(I have my voice mail forwarded to a US number so I won't recieve calls.)

 

Do I have to disable all push notifications individually?

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jul 8, 2012 6:21 PM

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Q: If cellular data is turned off, can notifications use data?

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  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 6:26 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:26 PM in response to KPSR

    With Cellular Data turned off, you can't send or receive any data via a carrier's cellular network. This includes notifications.

     

    You can also turn on Airplane mode followed by turning on wi-fi access. All other iPhone radios will be off.

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 6:31 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:31 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    Thanks for  your reply. I'm traveling in Europe with my locked AT&T iPhone 4S and my plan is to unconditionally forward my voice mail to my Google Voice number and have GV send me (free) SMS notifications/transcriptions. When I get to WiFi I'll be able to listen to voice mail also forwarded to my email (GV transcriptions are not very good!) Bottom line is my phone won't ring.

     

    I just want to confirm if I turn off cellular data that I won't use any data...period. Is there anything else I have to do?

  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 6:36 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:36 PM in response to KPSR

    You're welcome.

     

    Already answered.

     

    You can turn on Airplane mode followed by turning on wi-fi access. All iPhone radios will be off except for wi-fi, but this will prevent you from sending/receiving SMS.

     

    How will you get free SMS notifcations? Do you mean by email?

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 6:38 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:38 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    I don't plan on using airplane mode. I want to recieve texts. Why would I need to turn on airplane mode if I've turned off cellular data?

  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 6:45 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:45 PM in response to KPSR

    To ensure the phone radio is off for calls, SMS/MMS, and data, which some are interested in to prevent placing and receiving calls and SMS at international roaming rates.

     

    The SMS you receive will not be free when roaming internationally. You will be charged international roaming rates for SMS by AT&T.

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 6:50 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 6:50 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    I have it directly from AT&T that incoming texts are free. So, again, why would I need to use airplane mode to prevent data usage if I turn off cellular data?

     

    Excerpt from chat with AT&T:

     

    Julio H: We offer (50 text messages) with a $10.00 Monthly Charge, overages are $0.40 per text sent, (200 text messages) with a $30.00 Monthly Charge, overages are $0.35 per text sent, (500 text messages) with a $50.00 Monthly Charge, overages are $0.25 per text sent.

    Glen K: So incoming SMS are free?

    Glen K: I have unlimited family texting.

    Julio H : Correct.

  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 7:01 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:01 PM in response to KPSR

    Once again, this turns the phone radio off. Cellular Data turned off should prevent any data access via the cellular network but Airplane mode turns the phone radio off making it impossible.

     

    If this chat with AT&T was in regards to text messaging when roaming internationally, you're covered in regards to texts, but I would keep a copy to have on hand upon your return when you get the bill a month or two later just in case.

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 7:04 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:04 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    Do you know who can answer my original post?

     

    If cellular data is turned off, can push notifications use data?

     

    In other words, if I'm traveling in Europe with a US AT&T phone, will I get push notifications that use data if cellular data is off?

     

    (I have my voice mail forwarded to a US number so I won't recieve calls.)

     

    Do I have to disable all push notifications individually?

  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 7:07 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:07 PM in response to KPSR

    If cellular data is turned off, can push notifications use data?

     

    Already answered.

     

    In other words, if I'm traveling in Europe with a US AT&T phone, will I get push notifications that use data if cellular data is off?

     

    See above.

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 7:12 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:12 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    You say, "With Cellular Data turned off, you can't send or receive any data via a carrier's cellular network. This includes notifications."

     

    Well, I can recieve texts with cellular data turned off. Text aren't cellular data? I'd say texts are data. Please enlighten me. I'm just trying to learn here.

     

    I ask again, do push notifications use data that I'll be billed for when cellular data is turned off?

     

    If you don't know, I'll accept that as an answer and look elsewhere. I just want to know.

  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 7:20 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:20 PM in response to KPSR

    Well, I can recieve texts with cellular data turned off. Text aren't cellular data? I'd say texts are data. Please enlighten me. I'm just trying to learn here.

     

    SMS (text only) is not exchanged via the carrier's cellular data or internet network. SMS is exchanged via the same network as calls. Long before there were smart phones, "dumb" phones that didn't have internet access via the carrier's cellular data or internet network could exchange SMS.

     

    MMS (text with photos/video) with the iPhone is exchanged via the carrier's cellular data or internet network.

     

    I ask again, do push notifications use data that I'll be billed for when cellular data is turned off?

     

    Already answered, but I'll answer it once again - NO.

  • by KPSR,

    KPSR KPSR Jul 8, 2012 7:21 PM in response to Allan Sampson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:21 PM in response to Allan Sampson

    OK, that I understand. Edge handles voice and SMS.

     

    But my original question still stands. (I appreciate you hanging with me here. I don't mean to pester you, just trying to learn something.)

     

    ...if I'm traveling in Europe with a US AT&T phone, will I get push notifications that use data if cellular data is off?

  • by Allan Sampson,Solvedanswer

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Jul 8, 2012 7:27 PM in response to KPSR
    Level 10 (123,464 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 7:27 PM in response to KPSR

    OK, that I understand. Edge handles voice and SMS.


    GPRS, EDGE, 3G, and LTE handle voice and SMS.

     

    The same with the CDMA network equivalents.

     

    SMS is a poor man's email - poor for the user but a cash cow for cell phone carriers.

     

    ...if I'm traveling in Europe with a US AT&T phone, will I get push notifications that use data if cellular data is off?

     

    For the last time - NO.