can I use my smart phone JUST as a phone?

grai

Someone gave me a San Fransisco Android smart phone for Xmas which I wanted to use but continue as a pay-as-you-go Orange customer as I can't afford a monthly contract and don't particularly need one

I switched it on and it ate £30 of credit in 10 seconds so I have put the SIM card back into my old mobile

I assume it is switching itself onto the internet and eating the money at a rate of pounds per second

I want to use it because it was a present and my friend will be asking how I am getting on with it and I don't want to say it has been in the box since Christmas Day!

Is there a way I can just use it as a mobile phone and not a mini computer that I don't need?

I've read the manual but there is no instruction referring to this - presumably as the companies don't want people doing this as their money is in the contracts

Some clear instructions as to what buttons to press to switch off the internet would be good

or if you think this is even possible

thanks

grumbler

grai wrote: »

I've read the manual but there is no instruction referring to this - presumably as the companies don't want people doing this as their money is in the contracts

Yes, especially if it is Orange and a manual printed by Orange.

Some clear instructions as to what buttons to press to switch off the internet would be good.

Settings >> Wireless & networks >> Mobile network (Use phone for data connection when Wi-Fi is unavailable) >> Untick.

If you have WiFi you can connect it to your router and it will not cost you anything.


How much minutes do you use at Orange and how much do you pay? There are good PAYG and sim-only deals around for about £10 that include mobile data.

starrybee wrote: »

I don't have an Android phone, but you need to be looking for an option in your settings/connections somewhere that will say 'turn roaming off'
That should switch internet off.

This was an incorrect advice. "Roaming" normally means abroad.

corbyboy

I have a San Francisco and I can assure it didn't eat £30 in seconds. No phone operator charges that much. In fact Orange's daily internet charge is capped at £2 per day.

Here is how you disable all internet functionality. Open up the menu and click Settings, Wireless & Networks and Mobile Networks.
Uncheck Data enabled, Data roaming and Enable always-on mobile data
Back in the settings menu click Accounts & sync. Uncheck Background data and Auto-sync.

This should disable all internet access.

Im_just_careful

About 9 months ago my Orange San Francisco managed to eat £10 in credit (although this was entirely due to my own stupidity - I forgot how much "Free" data I had).

It took me perhaps 30 minutes of streaming radio to use the £10.

Otherwise the advice about disabling Data is fine.

You probably know this but Orange do 100MB of "free" data on one PAYG tarrif but there are much better data deals around.

There are free unlocks for the Orange San Francisco available online.

http://sanfranciscoandroid.co.uk/ is a useful resource.

grai

thanks for that - now I have to pluck upthe courage to put the SIM card back in!

(can you tell I hate technology??)

thanks for the info
xx

grumbler

I think you can change settings before putting the sim back.

Im_just_careful

A few tips:-

1) You can change to "Dolphin" on PAYG (on any phone) then top up by £10 to get 100 MB of "Free" data.

2) You need to create a Google account to sign in. I had a Googlemail account which did the job.

3) When you change the SIM you need to enter the Google account password.

4) Any bought apps seem to follow the account.

5) Get a case which covers the screen.

grai

"1) You can change to "Dolphin" on PAYG (on any phone) then top up by £10 to get 100 MB of "Free" data.

2) You need to create a Google account to sign in. I had a Googlemail account which did the job.

3) When you change the SIM you need to enter the Google account password"

I did all this - or at least my friend who got me the phone did - around Christmas time

but the day after I fed in 3 X £10 within the space of 5 minutes and each time it disappeared and told me I didnt have credit

I kept feeding in tenners to try to fathom why it was eating the money

I don't want to do that again! Not for an internet service I dont really need or want

I have been sending text messages today but so far no-one has answered so I still don't know if the smart phone is operating as simply a mobile

if the worst comes to the worst I'll just give it back to my mate and he can give it to someone who will use it - at the moment I much prefer my ancient mobile phone! but thats perhaps because I need to familiarise myself with the smart phone

Im_just_careful

I find the loss of £30 in a short time very puzzling.

Are you able to get your account balance by phoning up with the SIM in another phone ?

Did you get the text confirmation you get on a top up (from memory, I haven't used Orange for a while) ?

If you turn off mobile data the phone won't spend your money and you can phone 453 and get your balance.

Mine used a few pence when I first had it from the initial top up before I could buy a data pack (£5 for 250MB). This was irritating but not in the same league as your loss.

I do wonder if there was a problem with the top ups.

grai

its hard to say what caused the loss of the £30 because I am completely ignorant about the workings of the phone - I'm overwhelmed by how complicated the features are

It's predictive texting is really good compared to a mobile - altho the pressing your finger on the screen rather than an actual real button makes it more difficult to operate and it is constantly bringing up the wrong letter so its swings and roundabouts

(why not just have real buttons?) I just find many of these features technology for technology's sake and not as efficient as the old fashioned method of pressing buttons

are we asking if these features are an improvement? or just impressive technologically?

thanks for your interest - so far the phone is behaving like my old mobile and not eating money so the internet does seem to be switched off

maybe as I learn the features I'll fall in love with the smart phone and wonder how I did without it! at the moment though I feel negative about it and miss my "real" mobile phone!

grumbler

grai wrote: »

i...
It's predictive texting is really good compared to a mobile - altho the pressing your finger on the screen rather than an actual real button makes it more difficult to operate and it is constantly bringing up the wrong letter so its swings and roundabouts

(why not just have real buttons?) I just find many of these features technology for technology's sake and not as efficient as the old fashioned method of pressing buttons

are we asking if these features are an improvement? or just impressive technologically?...

You may want to try Swipe keyboard if it's not installed yet: