How do I turn off the "cellular data is turned off for "podcasts"" message?

You are not alone in this very annoying and stupid problem. It makes it worse when you get a equally stupid response like the one from "anilsudhakaran". This is one of those issues that no matter how many times we ask the question and show that something needs to be fixed but get nothing but silence from apple.

This particular problem is acutally become a driving hazard because you want to be able to listen to a podcast or audio book in the car but keep having to respond with more taps to this ridiculuous popup message before you can do anyhting else with the phone.

APPLE FIX THIS!

Here's the feedback I just sent to http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html. I referenced this community

discussion:

Hello- I am sure by now you've become aware of the discussion at [https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5433258?answerId=23354865022#23354865022] about the annoying 'data off' reminders in iOS7 for users who intentionally shut data off on certain or all apps.

Turning off all data is not a solution as this restricts users from tracking stolen devices using Find my iPhone... until the thief of that device happens haphazardly to log in to a wifi network somewhere, likely only temporarily.

Keeping data on but restricting apps (for those of us who have limited data plans and accidentally leave the streaming radio app running when we leave the house) is a great feature in iOS7, but having to deal with the [reminder + OK] multiple times a day makes for a very choppy user experience. Thanks Apple. We love you guys.

Here is the official response from Apple Support (taken from a chat conversation I had with them...my responses are in blue). The gist is the same as always. And they gave me this link to submit, which I know we all have used, but here it is again: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

I was transferred to a manager or someone at some point, and was told that that link is how "real change" happens. Anyway, disappointing as usual, but here's excerpts from the conversation if you would like Apple's official take on the matter:

Sorry for the delay. Thanks for letting me know! This popup is intended to let you know that you are using an application that requires access to your data and that you have it turned off. If you have applications that are allowed to run in the background when they attempt to refresh it can cause the messages to reappear. This message can only be disabled by either not using the application while on cellular data or by enabling cellular data for the specific application.

An application that "requires" access to my data...that I pay for? Really? Don't I get to decide that?

I can definitely see where you are coming from! However many application do require an active connection to the internet in order to function properly, when told to run without access to a data connection they let you know that a connection is needed to function properly.

really, "Settings" needs data to run properly?

Please give me a few moments to look into this further.

I want to thank you so much for you patience! [name redacted} I have spoken with my Senior Advisor Ben, regarding your issue, and feel they will be able to assist further. Would it be okay if I transfer you to them?

Now chatting with Ben, case #[redacted]

Thanks for contacting AppleCare chat support. Please give me a moment to look over your information.

Okay. I misunderstood that you were not connected to wifi at the time. In that case thats perfectly normal. Many apps need an active network connection whether it be cellular or wifi to function. If you’re getting the message it means that app is trying to perform some function either up front or in the background. There is no way to disable that, unless you want to make sure the app is closed, or delete it.

There is no way to turn off an app notifying you that it needs to be connected to a network, if it uses a network.

Can you please then tell me why stock applications - directly from Apple - like "Settings " and "Photos," need access to my cellular data at all times on my iPhone? And then, can you tell me why these exact same applications apparently run perfectly fine on my iPad and my wife’s iPod Touch 5 without cellular data and without being connected to the internet? This message never pops up on those devices, which do not have cellular data, so what is the difference? Why do they need cellular data on my phone and not on my iPad?

The phone is designed to have a constant internet connection to utilize all of its features. There is nothing wrong with turning those options off, but you’re going to see those messages if the feature or app is trying to dos something that requires an active connection and doesn’t have one.

So...let me get this straight, you think it's perfectly fine for the "Settings" app to tell me to turn on Cellular data ever single time I access it? You think that it makes sense to remind me of that...constantly?

Yes I think its perfectly fine and okay for it to tell you that cellular data is off when a component normally needs it.

A few points to bear in mind -

• Derrick24 nowhere stated in his OP that he didn't want to use cellular data
• People trying to help can only work with what people actually decide to tell them
• anilsudhakaran reply was perfectly reasonable in that context
• Everyone helping here is just a fellow user
• Maybe try losing the attitude if you want help

I think I have found something to stop this annoying message. The only apps I use when not connected to the Internet are calender/notes/podcasts. I went settings/cellular then switched cellular data on. I then switched cellular on specifically for calender/notes/podcasts. Then I switched off just the main cellular data button at the top of the screen without turning off cellular for those individual apps. Just switching of the main cellular button means no cellular is activated for any of the apps even if it shows on for them individually. Then I go back into each of these apps and don't get this pop up anymore.

Thanks anilsudhakaran but.... The point is NOT to use cellular data and leave the option OFF...

I, too, am using my limited data plan sparingly. I am tired of most of my apps showing me the same message:

"Cellular Data is Turned Off for "Application"

You can turn on cellular data for this app in Settings."

Thanks iOS7... I did that for a reason. Stop reminding me everytime I open an app I selected NOT to allow Cellular Data.

Apple... Please create an option for "Don't Remind Me Again" or something... Or just remove the stupid notification all together. Thank you.

Thanks too steve210209, but that doesn't work either, and as xpertsnowcarver agrees with me it's just a ridculous problem for a function that never should have been created in the first place.

It's like turning a light on when you enter a room and the light bulb tells you every 2 minutes that's it's ON!

I also find this repeating warning incredibly annoying. I KNOW that cellular data is turned off for Podcasts, and I have done that for a good reason. Apple, please give us an option to make this annoying message go away!!!

This is annoying. I have many apps causing this issue. Even games, which don't need any cellular data, and which have no settings specific to the game are asking me to turn on cellular data for them! I turned off cellular data for a reason! Apple, please fix this!

APPLE REP: PLEASE CLOSE YOUR EYES! DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING!

OK is Apple gone? OK, I read somewhere a fix specific for Podcasts, but not for other apps. I am not certain this works, but I am trying it.

* Settings -> Cellular -> Cellular Data ON

* Settings -> Cellular -> Podcasts ON

* Settings -> PODCASTS -> Use Cellular data OFF

This only fixes Podcasts I think. It will not work for the other Apps causing this problem because they do not have specific settings in the Settings app.

RETURN APPLE REP

Your solution does seem to get rid of the message, but it also seems like the Podcast app ignores the "Use Cellular data OFF" setting and downloads podcasts via cellular anyway. It appears the only way to get it to truly stop using cellular is to turn it off under the cellular settings.

mikedt: Could you confirm that? As near as I can tell, with the PodCasts->UseCellularData off it might do some minimal communication, but my understanding is that it will block downloading the podcasts to save on the majority of the data on cellular. The person I heard this from said that it stopped the podcast download.

If I am completely wrong, I would not want to steer people in the wrong direction.

Just did it again. if I do these settings.

* Settings -> Cellular -> Cellular Data ON

* Settings -> Cellular -> Podcasts ON

* Settings -> PODCASTS -> Use Cellular data OFF

and go into Podcasts I can see the cellular data icon spin a little bit. Not a lot, but it's exchanging some amount of data.

And if I go into a particular podcast and click the download/cloud icon it will download the podcast. And I know it's not using wifi because I'm at work. So maybe the "Use Cellular data OFF" option only means it won't "automatically" update podcasts via cellular. I'm on AT&T btw.

Everyone experiencing this problem - keep posting here and try to send a message direct to apple. This is a ridiculous design problem and it's not with the apps. The problem is the OS!! Everyone developing operating systems for any device these days stupidly think that we all want to be connected 100% of the time. Part of it is for supposed convenience, but mostly it's for tracking us. These are our devices, not theirs, it's it no one's business how and where we use them. So there are only 2 options, don't use their products (I know, not going to happen) or continue bombarding them with these complaints. I have started my own campaign against any development company that secretly tracks us. I use software to block all online traffic and identifies which program and company is trying to connect to online servers without my permission. I then blast emails to every address I can find for those companies. I encourage everyone to do the same.