Is there a way to turn off all cell radios yet leave wi-fi on? - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have switched from Sprint to Verizon and I now have 2 unused HTC EVOS (both rooted). I would like to do one of two things.
1. Is it possible to flash a rom that turns off all radios except for Wi-Fi and maybe GPS? The cell radios kill my battery, and I'd like to maybe use these as Android iPod touches, for media playback and games. If I do this they will never need cell access, so I'd like to turn that off like Airplane mode, while leaving wi-fi on.
2. The second option would be to flash these phones to a pay as you go service like trac-phone. That way the kids would have a pay as you go phone.
If anyone has information on how to do either of these that would be great, keep in mind that the phone numbers these phones have been moved to Verizon, so if someone has info on option 2, I would need a phone number on the phones, maybe google voice or something.
Thanks for any info!
Brian "ThePCTech"

You can always enable Airplane mode and then enable WiFi. I do that all the time (with my old Hero) I know that it also work with my Evo (on MikG). You have to do it in the right order. Enabling Airplane mode will disable WiFi. You then have to enable WiFi while Airplane mode is on. I am not sure if there is a ROM that will allow you to permanently set the phone this way. It is also possible that rebooting the phone may require you to manually re-enable WiFi when it comes back up in Airplane mode.

There is no Rom that is so minimalistic that it has no radios etc or that has the radios off when you flash. Basically any Rom you have, you are going to have to do this, read below:
Hello Brian "ThePCTech" the answer to your first question about being able to turn off your mobile carriers service. The answer is yes. Go to your settings and go to WiFi, scroll down and you should have two options to turn off mobile network, un-check both of them. Go back to your settings and find your GPS and un-check it. Go back to settings to WiFi and turn it on. Now, you only have WiFi enabled and everything else on your phone is off.
If I answered any of your questions and you feel that I deserve a +1 on my THANKS button, click it

You can turn off or un check "Mobile Network".
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

Does this turn off all cell radios? Data and voice?
Brian

just go airplane mode. lots of newer roms have the ability to disable the network icon showing in the status bar as well.

Related

[Q] Motorola Defy: Cell standby drain,airplane mode yes, wifi lan yes, wifi callin no

Have just purchased Motorola Defy.
Have no cellular signal at home. No problem, can run on wifi for internet and also use wifi for calling; Defy feature built in.
Cell standby draining battery excessively, ( 90-100% no signal)= ( 40-50% bat drain). If I use the airplane mode to stop cellular search can use wifi for internet but it disables the wifi calling feature ( known as UMA for blackberries).
Is there an app for the Motorola Defy that will disable cell searching for signal but allow both internet and calling wifi usage??
I am not computer programming savvy at all, you guys are the geniuses.
Love the phone hate this particular cell standby catch 22.
Thanks.
I haven't used this app before but I believe this is what you need, it called "Airplane Mode Wi-Fi Tool"
Here is the description of the app
This tool will help you manage your android phone to connect to Wifi networks (Wireless Internet, or Wi-fi) while on Airplane Mode.
This tool works with any version of Android, including 2.0+, however, it is only necessary if you have a device with Android 1.5-1.6. Android 2.0+ allows Wifi to be toggled while on AP Mode.
Airplane mode by default disables calling in/out, period
Thanks for your reply. I downloaded this app and it does enhance the Airplane mode capabilities but does not resolve the issue of being able to turn off cell standby while still being able to use both wifi internet and wifi calling.
Since I am not on a plane but am, instead, at home I believe what is needed is an app that directly addresses the cell standby searching issue and leaves the wifi settings to behave as intended; enabling the cell phone to fully function via wifi for both internet and calling when there is no cellular signal available, without a ridiculously and unnecessarily huge burden being put on the battery for a completely moot point...
If such an app does not exist then I believe there will be a demand for one and I ,for one, would be happy to donate for such an app.
Again, thank you for your reply.
mtoblr said:
Since I am not on a plane but am, instead, at home
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed the application to see how it works.
When you open the application for the first time there is an instruction how to use the app. Obviously, it was designed to work in real world when one is on airplane. However, if you keep scrolling down the instruction page and read the FAQ section (B) then it tells you how you can configure it to use your wireless settings instead.
I hope that solves your problem.
This is easy: *#*#4636#*#* Go into menu, turn Radio off (toggle ON/OFF in this hidden menu). With radio off both wifi and wifi calling stay active. (USA T-MO)
scrannel said:
This is easy: *#*#4636#*#* Go into menu, turn Radio off (toggle ON/OFF in this hidden menu). With radio off both wifi and wifi calling stay active. (USA T-MO)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was aware of your solution before but I thought that would disable the wireless signal as well otherwise I would have mentioned it. I did a test while my wifi was on and disabled the radio option and the wireless stayed connected.
Thank you for your solution.
CSharpHeaven said:
I was aware of your solution before but I thought that would disable the wireless signal as well otherwise I would have mentioned it. I did a test while my wifi was on and disabled the radio option and the wireless stayed connected.
Thank you for your solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but unlike airplane mode it does not shut down wifi calling. BTW, I do not understand the power drain issue. I leave my radio on while working all day, but using wifi with the wifi calling app set to wifi preferred and am seeing no heavy drain. Maybe -- under that same menu -- one should check to see that the "preferred network type is "GSM only." When wifi calling is disabled (even if wifi is active) the phone should default to GSM auto (PRL). I have noticed occasionally it will stay in GSM auto (PRL) with wifi calling on and that might cause a drain, but not sure.
Further to the discussions in this thread I just noticed after restarting my phone (off & on) the Mobile Data feature is enabled again.
There is another menu option called 'disable on boot'. Disabling data on boot did not work once I restarted my phone to test it but the menu showed the feature was still enabled unlike 'Disable Mobile Data'.
This is easy: *#*#4636#*#* Go into menu, turn Radio off (toggle ON/OFF in this hidden
Thank you very much for this info. I was unaware of the hidden menu and this does indeed solve my problem. I will also try the GSM only setting first with radio on to see if that resolves the drainage issue.
I'm completely new to android and this forum and think both are great.
Thanks again.
mtoblr said:
Thank you very much for this info. I was unaware of the hidden menu and this does indeed solve my problem. I will also try the GSM only setting first with radio on to see if that resolves the drainage issue.
I'm completely new to android and this forum and think both are great.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"GSM only" should be the default when you are running wifi + wifi calling. Set your preferences in the wifi calling app to either wifi preferred or wifi only. Maybe that will stop your phone from searching for cell signals. However, if you kill the radio using the hidden menu it will for sure stop it from searching for a signal. So, if you are still getting drain, it's something else.
scrannel said:
This is easy: *#*#4636#*#* Go into menu, turn Radio off (toggle ON/OFF in this hidden menu). With radio off both wifi and wifi calling stay active. (USA T-MO)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like with the new OTA update you can't do this anymore.

[Q] Radio off ADW pathway for WiFi calling

Does anyone know the the 'Turn off radio' app pathway for a custom ADW shortcut? This is when you create a custom ADW shortcut, and you choose 'Pick your activity'.
I turn off the radio in my office because I have no reception, but I do have WiFi, so I made my calls through that. To keep the antenna from draining the battery as it's constantly searching for a network, I wanted to turn this off. The only way I know of it the *#*#4636#*#* > Phone Info > Turn radio off, which is fairly tedious. It would be much easier if I could get to the menu or even toggle the radio from my home screen.
Note that T-Mo WiFi calling doesn't work in airplane mode for some reason, so I can't use a power widget.
Custom shortcut > Pick your activity > Activities > Settings > Phone info(.RadioInfo)
Wifi calling is turned on for me but if you shut the radio off in settings it looks like it won't work because it thinks it's in airplane mode.
Very strange, I can't call out (I get a message: 'To place a call, first turn off Airplane mode.'), but my phone can still receive calls. The T-Mo WiFi calling app also stays on 'Ready!' rather than switching off like when I'm in official Airplane mode.
Anyone else know what else airplane mode touches that radio off doesn't? Seems weird that receiving works but calling out doesn't. Works great for me since I can just use my landline for outgoing calls and still have my cell on for emergencies.
Hm, seems this method is a bit iffy. After I set the Radio to off, I still have WiFi calling for a bit, but eventually I lose the connection (haven't got an exact time at the moment), and I get an error in the TMO app saying that it can't read the SIM even though I can still browse the internet. When I turn the radio back on, the app regains connectivity through wifi again.
junkbots said:
Does anyone know the the 'Turn off radio' app pathway for a custom ADW shortcut? This is when you create a custom ADW shortcut, and you choose 'Pick your activity'.
I turn off the radio in my office because I have no reception, but I do have WiFi, so I made my calls through that. To keep the antenna from draining the battery as it's constantly searching for a network, I wanted to turn this off. The only way I know of it the *#*#4636#*#* > Phone Info > Turn radio off, which is fairly tedious. It would be much easier if I could get to the menu or even toggle the radio from my home screen.
Note that T-Mo WiFi calling doesn't work in airplane mode for some reason, so I can't use a power widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know when you make a WIFI call the "bars" drop to none meaning its not really receiving or searching for signal. Its using WIFI calling exclusively as far as I can tell.
I dont really think its actively searching for signal while WIFI calling is active and connected.

Wifi only & Disable GSM?

Guys I am going away with work for four months somewhere which will cost me fortune to use my phone. That said I want to take it with me use it as a tablet of sorts as I have access to wifi.
I know I can turn off mobile data, but can I disable the GSM modem too. Basically I want airplane mode but with wifi enabled. That way there is no chance of any costs been incurred.
Thanks
Don't know if it works for you, but I just tested like this:
- Go to Settings/Wireless & Networks/Mobile networks/Network operators
- Just select an operator different from the sim card you have
Wifi should still work.
I use a free app from market called airplane settings that allows you to select which radios to keep active when turning on airplane mode. It works with latest Runny v4 so should work for you.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Turn on Airplane mode, then turn on WiFi. Wifi should be turned on and gsm is still off
I do what i want, because I can.
Flussen said:
Turn on Airplane mode, then turn on WiFi. Wifi should be turned on and gsm is still off
I do what i want, because I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never thought to try that as figured airplane mode would have killed the wifi entirely. It seems to work so thanks!
What about just removing the SIM Card?
Cadocson said:
What about just removing the SIM Card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would perfer to keep it in, there is the availability to use my phone where I am going, just is very expensive, if need be I can then just turn it back on and make a quick call/send a text. Just dont want it standby all the time with the ability to cost me a fortune to recieve calls!
noisy_lightning said:
Never thought to try that as figured airplane mode would have killed the wifi entirely. It seems to work so thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must than be doing something wrong here. The moment I go into Airplane mode, my WiFi gets turned off and won't turn on untill I disable airplane mode. So what's the catch here.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
What you want is very easy just go to setting> wireless. And then take the mark away by data connection.
And if you want airplane mode with wifi enabled that's easy to: First put airplane mode on and after that switch wifi back on.
Yep, switch to Airplane-Mode and turn on Wifi.
I did that some weeks ago when I went to Israel and gonna do it again when i'll be in England this weekend.
Works like a charme
DN41
Remember to turn off your voicemail (you may have to talk to your provider), or youll be paying international rates for any calls you miss.
Sent from The App that Time Forgot.
JagDave said:
Remember to turn off your voicemail (you may have to talk to your provider), or youll be paying international rates for any calls you miss.
Sent from The App that Time Forgot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes indeed or else you will be charged if people speak into your voicemail. Well I already disabled it for a long time, I don't see the use off voicemail, people can better send an e-mail or text message.
DexterMorganNL said:
What you want is very easy just go to setting> wireless. And then take the mark away by data connection.
And if you want airplane mode with wifi enabled that's easy to: First put airplane mode on and after that switch wifi back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DN41 said:
Yep, switch to Airplane-Mode and turn on Wifi.
I did that some weeks ago when I went to Israel and gonna do it again when i'll be in England this weekend.
Works like a charme
DN41
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you guys running stock ROM's or costom ones.
I tested it yesterday several times, but when I go into Airplane mode, I can enable WiFi but it does not connect to known AccessPoints.
Also does not give me a list of found AccessPoints.
[edit]
Just because I wouldn't instantly disbelieve you guyes I tried it one more time, and a miracle happend.
It connected to the WiFi access point on Airplane mode.
So what you were saying is the correct way
Had forgotten about the voicemail part, thankfully I can phone it myself before i leave and disable it from the options menu so thats easy enough. Will just place a new message on it from me saying I am away and to contact me by email.
Thanks for the help though, I knew you guys would have a solution to this!
*#*#4636#*#*
1. Put *#*#4636#*#* into the Dialer (or use any application available on the Market like 4636 — takes you to the same service screen)
2. Choose Phone Information
3. Press Turn off radio
Thanks
noisy_lightning said:
Never thought to try that as figured airplane mode would have killed the wifi entirely. It seems to work so thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turning ON Airplane and Switching ON WiFi works like a charm.
Thanks..
I know its old thread but good for googlers. Airplane mode will not disable internal modem as you can still see its active under battery details straight red bar = weak or searching for signal. Its draining battery and its still able send/receive data. I read about flashing a script to completely turn it off and cut its power but it shows pie security error in terminal -.- I deleted dialer&related stuff from phone as its only used with VoiP so I can't access service menu. Do you still get red line in battery details and does the modem stays off after a reboot? Some devices you can actually physically remove the modem.

My WiFi keeps turning itself back on!

Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere? When I manually turn WiFi off when I get to work I'll look down some time later and the phone will have turned WiFi back on by itself. I'm not sure how long this takes, but so far I'm having no luck finding a setting that would affect this. I didn't have this problem on my EVO 4G, so does anyone have any idea why this is happening. I've got a Sprint S3, btw.
Sprint Connection Optimizer I think is causing your problem...not sure where the setting is since my 32Gb is lost in Sprint/Samsung Limbo, but look under network settings I think.
Settings> more settings>mobile networks>automatic connections> uncheck sprint automatic connections
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA
Actually, I'll try that, but I think it may have actually been the "Network Notification" under the Wifi advanced settings. You can't change that setting when Wifi is off, but it remains checked if Wifi is manually turned off, so I wonder if there's a bug where Wifi will turn back on to to fulfill the network notification function.
So far, since turning that option off I haven't had the issue, but I'll keep an eye out. Either way, thanks for pointing out the Sprint Automatic Connections location, I couldn't find it to save my life. I'll leave it enabled for now, to see if the network notification setting actually fixes the issue.
Sprint Connections Optimizer
Here's a screenshot of how Sprint describes their Sprint Connections Optimizer. I wonder how much this monitors our use of WiFi Tether on rooted devices and reports it back to Sprint. Probably safer to leave unchecked until we know more from the developers on what it actually records and submits.
I'd love to see a thread on all the Sprint bloatware and which ones can be safely removed with Titanium Backup without disabling any major functionality like visual voice mail.
yea, i see this "solution" all over. it does not work, my optimizer is off, i go into menu with *#0011# and shut off wifi power mode. neither work, it just keeps coming on "while im driving" and kicks me off of my internet radio. any other suggestion im willing to try. i dont want to root this phone just to keep wifi off.
If you have any remembered wifi connections forget them so your phone can't auto connect and if the sprint optimizer connections has been disabled then it's weird that wifi keeps triggering. Because wifi shouldn't auto connect to found hotspots automatically.
ranmachan said:
yea, i see this "solution" all over. it does not work, my optimizer is off, i go into menu with *#0011# and shut off wifi power mode. neither work, it just keeps coming on "while im driving" and kicks me off of my internet radio. any other suggestion im willing to try. i dont want to root this phone just to keep wifi off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? If so, use Titanium Backup to freeze the connection optimizer.

[Q] Using Toro+ as a WiFi Device, Disabling Radios

I have completed my Sprint contract and have started using my Toro+ as a WiFi phone with a T-Mobile HotSpot. I want to disable the cell radios so that they are not using any battery. I do not want to use airplane mode as the icon will drive me crazy and Bluetooth doesn't seem to work. Can I possibly wipe the radios through ADB, or is there a dialer command like I found with the Nexus S 4G? Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
I have figured out that you can dial *#*#4636#*#*, choose phone information from the menu that pops up, then you can scroll down and turn off radios. That seems to be working, but is there anything else that may be more permanent?
jeremerw said:
I have figured out that you can dial *#*#4636#*#*, choose phone information from the menu that pops up, then you can scroll down and turn off radios. That seems to be working, but is there anything else that may be more permanent?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The radios are enabled again after a re-boot. There has to be a more permanent solution.
If the phone remembers airplane mode setting between reboots, you could install an app called Plane Mode Tweaker, and set it to leave wifi on

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