When should and shouldn't I enable mobile data?

[FreezeTime]

I have read conflicting stories that I should turn off the mobile data option when I have access to wireless networks and enable the mobile web when I don't have access to them so I can save on battery life. Can someone clear this up for me?

[Extraordinary]

WiFi should use less power.

WiFi is generally faster.

But I rarely bother with WiFi.

I pay for data, might as well use it.

[ugafan]

I get the best battery life by turning off mobile data. When I need to access the web, I use wi-fi. I turn wi-fi off when I'm not using it.

I turn mobile data back on if I need to get online and there is no wi-fi access. I use 3G for this. In an earlier post I said I have 3G on, but I meant as opposed to 1x. My bad if I caused anyone confusion.

Using this method I only need to recharge twice a week. Your results may vary based on how much data you consume and what apps you're running.

Hope that helps.

[ONE80ONEDAY]

I pay for data, might as well use it.

Exactly! Also my home internet is cheap, slow, and always downloading something so it wouldn't help me at all. I've been playing with apps such as Green Power, Superpower, and JuiceDefender however I haven't quite figured out good settings yet.

[gvc]

I have read conflicting stories that I should turn off the mobile data option when I have access to wireless networks and enable the mobile web when I don't have access to them so I can save on battery life. Can someone clear this up for me?

from what I have read here and around other forums, use wifi if your around a known network as it drains the battery less, unless your in a spotty area and its always searching for a network, then it drains faster than searching for 3g. I have my wifi sleep policy set to never so the phone does not automatically switch to 3g when the screen timesout (when I am at home using my home network). I also use an app that knows your preferred network and will automatically turn off wifi when out of range so I dont manually have to go into settings to do it when I leave the house.

[FreezeTime]

Sweet thanks!

[noname21]

what app do you use? when it turns wifi off will it turn 3g on?

from what I have read here and around other forums, use wifi if your around a known network as it drains the battery less, unless your in a spotty area and its always searching for a network, then it drains faster than searching for 3g. I have my wifi sleep policy set to never so the phone does not automatically switch to 3g when the screen timesout (when I am at home using my home network). I also use an app that knows your preferred network and will automatically turn off wifi when out of range so I dont manually have to go into settings to do it when I leave the house.

Sent via the HowardForums Android app

[Sweeped]

Just cut it off when not using it...

@ above post

Settings > Wireless networks > wifi settings> hit menu > advanced > turn wifi policy to never

And

You can try juice defender which is what he might be referring to.

[gvc]

what app do you use? when it turns wifi off will it turn 3g on?

Y5-battery saver...http://market.android.com/details?id=pl.polidea.y5

[abodd]

i know its crazy but at home i have a charger so 3g is on, so is wifi. and when im on the go 3g is on no wifi. i use my data alot so for me 3g is a must and i feel like i can get a whole day from 5:30am- to 11:00pm, a charger is a great thing to have...

[dpaultx]

So . . . how do you turn off mobile data on the Intercept? Turning WiFi on/off is simple but the only way I can find to turn 3g off is to put it in Airplane mode. But then the phone doesn't work. Right?

I'm new to this smartphone thing and, while I love it, I'm tired of worrying about the durned battery all the time.

[Sweeped]

Ah, I dont think the option is there for unmodded phones.

You have to download a widget or something that does it for you.