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

Yes. Since AT&T subsidizes most iPhones, and some people get whopping bills for inadvertent data use (yes I got walloped!), it stands to reason they have influenced the Apple Podcast coding. Some on this topic have advocated a "jailbreak" but I'm too scared to do that. This is such an effective way to hose people, and make them buy bigger data plans, that I bought some stock in AT&T! It hasn't gone up but pays a good dividend.

Worked! A logical solution since if the user being Restricted is not allowed to change the cell data usage settings, then there is no ability and therefore no need to notify them.

That worked for me (turning off control center access within apps) - the message didn't show up when I launched Instagram afterwards. Well... I thought it worked. As I was typing this post I launched the myAT&T app and got the message "Cellular Data is Turned Off for myAT&T"...

There should be an option within the "Cellular" settings to turn off messages / alerts reminding you of your purposeful decision to limit which apps can use cellular data. I AM USING WIFI - STOP TELLING ME ABOUT MY CELLULAR SETTINGS. Thank you.

I still get this message and I have notifications turned off (via notifications > podcasts).  I'm running the latest operating system (8.x) on my iPhone 5S.

You cannot turn that off

AT&T will never let go with this prompt, presumably since they have subsidized your purchase. The best thing to do is buy an independent app in the app store, for around $3. You won't be bothered anymore. Go by the ratings.

My iPhone 5s is not from AT&T, it is "plain vanilla". I still get the message. It is an iOS issue, not a carrier issue.

Thanks, DB.  I'm assuming you mean to tell me to buy the highest-rated podcast app and this problem will stop.  I'll try searching the web ahead of purchasing but would appreciate your clarifying if I got the wrong idea.

Kungming, I was told just one time cellular data was turned off for podcasts, tapped "ignore" and that was it. I don't believe there is only one way to stop the messages: buy an app. Hans D. the financial motive belongs to the carrier, not the OS system.

Thanks again.  I'm afraid I don't get any ignore button to come up, though.  We'd all rather solve the problem that way than by spending more money.  It's not a deal-breaker for me, though, to be fair.  It's just another annoying first world problem.

I even get the alert in some apps, like a flashlight app I'd added, which makes me wonder about the flashlight app! Regardless… give me the message once, or I could even handle it once a month, but not every single time I use the app.

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.

Wowwwwwww

Yeah, that guy isn't a dick is he..... hes a manager and doesn't even know his product? And why on earth would apps like SETTINGS really need to access the Internet apple? REALLY? Using the data allowance I PAY FOR? It really annoys me when you have a genuine problem but have to speak to an idiot who hasn't a clue..... Like when my internet was down, they told me to reset router, disconnect all phone cables from the wall.... I was like if I do that I'll lose the call...! They say "yes but you can call back".... Oh, thanks, I'll call YOU back eh! And then get through to ANOTHER person only to go through it all again..... turns out they were about as helpful as a snakebite and I worked the problem out myself....

anyway, I digress.......

The way I've found that works is to go into GENERAL, RESTRICTIONS (Setting a passcode if you haven't already) and the down to CELLULAR DATA USE. When in the next menu check "DONT ALLOW CHANGES".

since I've done that I haven't seen the message on my 5s Running ios8

I can't agree more on your ranting :-)

Unfortunately, stepping through the settings bit as described doesn't take care of the idiotic "turn on data to get podcasts" in the Podcast app...