Is it possible to only do Voice + Text (unlimited) and use data via wifi only?

wombat9

Is it possible to only do Voice + Text (unlimited) and use data via wifi only?
I bought a 2GB limit / month plan and need unlimited voice/text and want to use data via wifi only . Its mostly for certain social apps I use. I only connect via wifi if its available.
How do you configure to only do data via wifi only?

pml

wombat9 If I'm understanding your post, right, then you'd want to enable Data Saver.
It can be added as a quick tile.

treenutz68

wombat9

If I'm understanding correctly, you never want to use mobile data. If that is correct, you can turn off cellular data in the SIM settings and it will essentially only do voice/sms and have no data connection unless connected to wifi.

treenutz68

Specifically go to:

Settings -> Network & internet -> SIMs -> click on your SIM card name -> Mobile data (toggle it off)

wombat9

Thanks for detailed instructions!
Now I guess I can upgrade phone and use other data intense apps like streaming video on wifi only.
This will really help .
Minimal plans here in US are $15/month with 2GB but I would rarely use it.
I use a separate phone for google maps and sits right in my car with no google identiy attached to it.

treenutz68

wombat9

No problem! I don't know where you live, but you can check out the rates at silent.link to see if that may be a more cost effective way to access mobile data. It's fairly inexpensive in the US, but pretty expensive in many other countries...

On a somewhat related note, I prefer the way iPhone allows granular cellular data toggles per app on whether or not it is allowed to use mobile data. That way I can allow a couple of apps that I need mobile data for (like signal), but disallow mobile data for most apps to ensure nothing accidentally eats up my entire monthly data allotment.

treenutz68

wombat9

Also, just saw you mentioned you're in the US. If silent.link isn't what you're looking for, there are also a few other things I can recommend that are less than $15/month with 2GB. Check out https://infimobile.com/ and https://www.usmobile.com/get-started-bundles

They are less than $10/month if you pay for the year upfront. I've used them both with no issues, they piggyback off Verizon.

wombat9

Wow, never heard of such inexpensive plans for unlimited talk/text. I went with MINT because they had these 3 month cards at TARGET! Paid with cash so no way to trace.

Now Im thinking of getting a TARGET CREDIT CARD to buy a years worth for $8/month - 12 month plan esim!

Dan-cer

wombat9 I'm surprised it's so expensive in the US. Here in Germany (where many things usually are quite expensive) I have a monthly cancelable plan with allnet flat and 50 GB mobile data for under 19 €.

PaulDavis

In the UK we have a supplier who will give us a 1 month rolling contract, offering unlimited texts and mins, with 50gb for £9, or 15gb for £2, for the first 6 months. Once the offer comes to and end you just port out and back, and become a new customer. Again. Other plans are available. Unfortunately we are only allowed a maximum of 30gb for roaming in Europe, no matter how much we pay for.
So damned expensive here

Panda7878

I have only paid for talk and text, here in the USA. I refuse to get gouged by the cell companies that charge for data. I have had a cell phone since 1999 or so and never had a data plan. Anytime I need data, it's always wifi, whether it's at home, at work, at a restaurant, etc. When I tell people I only pay $13.76 a month, they immediately want to switch and then I tell them it's talk and text only, and it doesn't include data, they say "nevermind". I guess if you need it for your job, that's one thing, but I don't see why people pay an extra $40-$50/month for data. That just seems so strange and bizarre to me.

treenutz68

Panda7878

Late response here, but $13.76/month for only talk/text is kinda expensive. You can get a reasonable amount of data as well within that price range. For example, with US Mobile, you pay $10/month and get unlimited talk/text and 2gb of data/month. If you're willing to prepay a year, it goes down to $8/month and that even includes taxes/fees.

So yeah, I could see why ppl would be turned off about paying $13.76/month for just talk/text.

Panda7878

treenutz68

Unfortunately, where I live, there are lots of trees, so using a Verizon MVNO is my only real option, as both AT&T and T-Mobile a couple days a month, can go several hours with no coverage. Personally, I have no issue paying $14/month for just talk and text, when I hear stories of people paying $50, $60, or even more a month. Also, the people I told I paid only $14/month, walked away, because they also wanted data, it wasn't due to the price. Also, I did try US Mobile a few years ago, but didn't like the service, as I believe I was on T-Mobile, not Verizon. Maybe I will give them another try, thanks for the suggestion. I will check out the other Verizon MVNOs and see how the service and price compares to the company I am currently with.

treenutz68

Panda7878

Yeah, I'd give them another shot, you can choose to use the Verizon network on US mobile. That is what I've used for years.

Panda7878

I did find H20 Wireless for $60/Year ($5.00/Month), but they are on AT&T's Network. Although, if I use airplane mode on my phone and connect only thru wifi, it won't matter what network I go thru or how many trees are around. Thanks for giving me a reason to look around for cheaper talk and text only plans. Have a great day! :)