Can I turn off phone radio, but not WiFi?

Tinman · 07-18-2007, 02:45 PM

There are times when I don't need the phone radio to be on, but I do want WiFi. An example might be late at night watching a video, listening to tunes, or just browsing the Web. No need to waste battery power on the phone radio in those cases. And where I live is in only a "moderate" coverage area (lowest level on at&t coverage maps) so I suspect the phone radio might be using even more battery power than usual. So I'd like to turn it off occasionally--but only the phone.

I've tried turning on airplane mode and then turning forcing WiFi on. No go, as the iPhone doesn't seem to let me turn on WiFi without turning off airplane mode, thus turning the phone radio back on.

I can turn Bluetooth on and off independently, WiFi on and off independently, but not the phone. Anyone know how to do this?

--
Mike

TrippalHealicks · 07-18-2007, 02:52 PM

Just tested, Airplane mode DOES NOT work for this situation.
You CAN NOT turn on Airplane mode, without disabling WiFi.
Which is pretty much what i expected.

Tinman · 07-18-2007, 03:00 PM

Huh? I know that doesn't work. If it did I wouldn't be asking a question here. I also tried enabling airplane mode and then trying to re-enable WiFi. That didn't work either and is why I wrote "no go."

I am looking for a way that does work. Anyone know?

(To be clear I want to still use WiFi, but want to turn off the phone radio.)

--
Mike

TrippalHealicks · 07-18-2007, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Tinman

Huh? I know that doesn't work. If it did I wouldn't be asking a question here. I also tried enabling airplane mode and then trying to re-enable WiFi. That didn't work either and is why I wrote "no go."

I am looking for a way that does work. Anyone know?

(To be clear I want to still use WiFi, but want to turn off the phone radio.)

--
Mike

Sorry, man. Just trying to cut down your test time....
I'll be sure to avoid you in our forum, from now on. lol

Martlet · 07-18-2007, 04:08 PM

Two ways:

1) Cancel your data package with AT&T (if they'll let you).
2) Remove the SIM card (although this will also disable the voice phone).

Otherwise, no, you can't toggle the EDGE network off like you can the wi-fi and bluetooth radios.

Tinman · 07-18-2007, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by TrippalHealicks

Sorry, man. Just trying to cut down your test time....
I'll be sure to avoid you in our forum, from now on. lol

While I appreciate you trying to cut down on my test time you have to admit testing airplane mode alone is right up there with the suggestion to increase the volume level to increase volume level.

That said I did try airplane mode (alone) first, knowing it wouldn't work, just to be 100% certain.

It seemed "somewhat" logical that turning on WiFi manually after airplane mode shut it down might, just might, allow WiFi with no phone radio. But I didn't really expect that to work either.

I thought perhaps this wasn't possible due to combined radio chipsets. But that doesn't make sense since you can easily turn off BT and WiFi without turning off the phone.

As a joke I tried holding down the End key during call to see if it would work like my Treo. Nope. Ditto for pressing Call when not in a call.

--
Mike

Tinman · 07-18-2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Martlet

Two ways:

1) Cancel your data package with AT&T (if they'll let you).
2) Remove the SIM card (although this will also disable the voice phone).

Otherwise, no, you can't toggle the EDGE network off like you can the wi-fi and bluetooth radios.

Aha! I didn't think of taking out the SIM card. That indeed will work. Don't think I'll use it too much, but if I'm low on battery or something I just might.

And note that I want the phone radio off completely, voice and EDGE. Surprised you can't do this without turning off BT and WiFi too. I would have expected an option in Settings but perhaps they felt it wasn't something anyone would use (or might forget to turn back on?).

Oh well, the SIM card thing should work if there are no other options. Thanks for the suggestion.

--
Mike

minivini · 07-18-2007, 04:27 PM

It does seem like turning the phone on and off (airplane mode) would work independently of WiFi. What about the few airlines that allow WiFi (JetBlue?)? You have to leave your phone on to be able to use it, but then you are breaking FCC rules (and FAA, for that matter). This seems like something that should be addressed in a firmware update...

TrippalHealicks · 07-18-2007, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tinman

While I appreciate you trying to cut down on my test time you have to admit testing airplane mode alone is right up there with the suggestion to increase the volume level to increase volume level.

That said I did try airplane mode (alone) first, knowing it wouldn't work, just to be 100% certain.

It seemed "somewhat" logical that turning on WiFi manually after airplane mode shut it down might, just might, allow WiFi with no phone radio. But I didn't really expect that to work either.

I thought perhaps this wasn't possible due to combined radio chipsets. But that doesn't make sense since you can easily turn off BT and WiFi without turning off the phone.

As a joke I tried holding down the End key during call to see if it would work like my Treo. Nope. Ditto for pressing Call when not in a call.

--
Mike

Sorry, not really being one that travels on planes too much, i had a very limited understanding of the function of the "Airplane Mode". On top of that,
i don't think alot of phones before this one have had a WiFi adapter, making it kinda uncertain whether or not the WiFi adapter falls under the category of features that are disabled when Airplane Mode is active. This is actually the first phone i've owned with a WiFi adapter. How many have you owned, prior to this?

Tinman · 07-18-2007, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by minivini

It does seem like turning the phone on and off (airplane mode) would work independently of WiFi. What about the few airlines that allow WiFi (JetBlue?)? You have to leave your phone on to be able to use it, but then you are breaking FCC rules (and FAA, for that matter). This seems like something that should be addressed in a firmware update...

Yep I thought about WiFi equipped planes too. (Haven't actually been on one yet though, and I fly quite often.)

I can understand airplane mode shutting everything down, since normally that's what you want to do. And when the door is closed and the flight attendant is heading your way as you finish a call you want that thing shut down pronto.

But I still don't see why an option to turn off the phone isn't available.

--
Mike