Taking an iPhone - how to avoid data charges?

[Conservative Hippie]

This is more of a techie question, but I'm sure someone has done it! We'd like to take an iphone just for the music, but avoid any data/roaming charges. Is there a way to turn the "phone" part off and just keep the "ipod" part?

 

[DVC_Chris]

You have several options. The most secure is to go into settings and put it into Airplane mode. That prevents it from reaching any cellular or wifi network. There is another option to have International Data Roaming turned off. This would enable you to still make and receive calls and access wifi, but apps that do automatic data retrieval would not connect to a cellular network to do so unless it was your particular carrier.

 

[reimero]

Yes. Under "Settings" there's an option to turn on "airplane mode." This shuts down the cell phone/data/wi-fi portion of the phone. You can tell if it's activated because the signal bar should get replaced with a picture of an airplane. Hope this helps!

 

[jimmiemcinpa]

I go to utilities, settings, general, network and turn off cellualar data and data roaming.

I also can just turn the utilities, settings and swith the airplane mode to on.

I think either way works.

Jim

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Thanks! I thought it would be airplane mode, but I wasn't sure.

 

[mmmears]

Settings -- General -- Network -- Cellular Data needs to be in the "off" position.

This will give you all the phone functionality (like calling people) you can have with no cellular data charges. It will still let you log on to a free wifi if you can find one.

Airplane mode is the easiest but you wont be able to make any calls that way.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

As people have mentioned there are basically two options--I usually keep my phone on (so not using airplane mode) and turn the data off for emergencies. BUT be aware that if you turn your phone on at any time in Europe and it connects with a cell tower, you will be charged for calls that go into your voice mail (and maybe even texts, not sure about that), even if you turn the phone off immediately, until you are back in the states and connect to another tower. This might not be a big deal if you don't have a lot of people who leave you messages, but AT&Ts rate is $1.29 a minute for calls in europe so keep it in mind.

 

[mnrhannah07]

I would suggest airplane mode as well, but I just turn my htc evo off so I know for sure I wont get any charges...