Can you turn off phone calls and texts??

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can you turn off phone calls and texts??

I am traveling to Buenos Aires from the United States for a minimester.. I called my cellular carrier and they do not have a plan to save me money in regards to phone calls and texts. I have the app What'sApp so I can use a data plan they offered me to keep in contact while I am way, however I am still afraid of racking up charges in texts and phone calls. Is there any possible way to turn off phone calls and text and strictly use the data plan they have given me?

I have the iPhone 5. Thank you.

iPhone 5, iOS 6.0.2

Posted on Dec 30, 2012 2:54 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

272,400 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:00 PM in response to hhensl2

Correction - Julian is quite right about using WiFi. That contradicts a bit of what I incorrectly said - Airplane Mode does not necessarily turn off WhatsApp.

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Answer 2

Dec 30, 2012 2:58 PM in response to hhensl2

Put the phone into Airplane mode then turn WiFi back on, assuming its WiFi data you want to use. Using wireless data over the mobile network while roaming is likely to be even more expensive than calls and texts.

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Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

272,400 points

Dec 30, 2012 2:58 PM in response to hhensl2

You can turn off texts by Settings > Messages > Send as SMS "Off".

You cannot turn off your phone (short of Airplane Mode, which would also turn off WnatsApp), but you can set "Do Not Disturb".

Have a good trip!

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Answer 4

hhensl2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:05 PM in response to hhensl2

So the plan I set up was 100 megabites for 25 $ but if I go over it will continue with the plan and charge me another 25$ for another 100 megabites. I just tried the airplane mode with my roommate and turned the wifi on, however her text still came through, so I take it it didn't work? I'm really sorry I'm not that tech savvy.

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Answer 5

hhensl2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Julian Wright

yes it was another iPhone so that involve the data package and I will have no problem texting those with an iPhone while I'm there? I can have another friend message me while I turn it on. I really appreciate all the help.

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Answer 6

Dec 30, 2012 3:32 PM in response to Julian Wright

FYI, that won't work. AirPlane disables all radio communications.

The best way to do this is to divert all calls.

Go to Settings

Phone

call forwarding and switch to O

Type in your carriers default voicemail number. Because it is the default number for voicemail is an exception in their list you won't be charged for the diversion.

remember to switch this off when you get back.

Then go to messages turn off send as SMS and MMS.

That should avoid most of the charges. Its inevitable that you'll get some but hopefully if you're careful it will be minimal.

Have you thought of using a local sim while you're there, you're iMessage will still work and your home SIM and account will be inactive so you won't get any unforseen chardges?

Good luck

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Answer 7

Dec 30, 2012 3:32 PM in response to hhensl2

FYI, that won't work. AirPlane disables all radio communications.

The best way to do this is to divert all calls.

Go to Settings

Phone

call forwarding and switch to O

Type in your carriers default voicemail number. Because it is the default number for voicemail is an exception in their list you won't be charged for the diversion.

remember to switch this off when you get back.

Then go to messages turn off send as SMS and MMS.

That should avoid most of the charges. Its inevitable that you'll get some but hopefully if you're careful it will be minimal.

Have you thought of using a local sim while you're there, you're iMessage will still work and your home SIM and account will be inactive so you won't get any unforseen chardges?

Good luck

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 30, 2012 3:09 PM in response to hhensl2

Did your roommate text you from another iPhone? If so, it was most likely an iMessage, which uses WiFi not the phone network, so would still work in Airplane Mode with Wifi turned ask on.

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Answer 9

sberman

Level 10

272,400 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:10 PM in response to hhensl2

If your roommate has an Apple device and you have iMessage turned on, you might have received a (free) iMessage over WiFi, and not a text. Is the message blue? If so, it was an iMessage.

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Answer 10

sberman

Level 10

272,400 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:14 PM in response to hhensl2

If you're both in a WiFi zone, or your friend is in a cellular zone with a carrier that supports iMessage.

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