Can I turn data on only when calling

[Pbookuser2]

My Samsung A10e Android 9 is just an emergency phone used between Canada and USA. My wifes phone is Moto 2e Android 6. Both use Knowroaming SIMs. When in Canada, cell calls are expensive - US$0.58c/min. However, if we use Hangouts and data, cost is about 16c/min. In USA, no problem normal cell calls are 15c/min.

In order to use Hangouts and data, we need to turn data on and then off after call. I can do this, but I get some resistance from my other half If we leave data on while away from WIFI, a lot of data could presumably be used by other apps.

One thought was to switch to airplane mode all the time except when calling. But then we would not get incoming calls.

I looked for an app that could be on home screen that would make switching easier, but did not find one (at least for Marshmallow)

Those that buy data only plans must be faced with this?

Is there any way to have phone automatically turn data on and off when Hangouts is used?

Any suggestions welcomed.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I don't think it's possible. Way back in 2013/2014 when the Note 3 was my primary device I had an app that automatically turned the data on/off when my screen did the same. It was great for conserving battery.

Then Google updated Android and removed the ability for 3rd party apps to automatically toggle data, it was done in the name of "security". My app no longer worked and I've personally not seen such functionality return.

I hope someone can prove me wrong and provide a solution. It may also be possible by rooting the device.

 

[VidJunky]

Well I have a solution that might work... There are several automated apps for Android at the Play Store. I am not familiar with all of them so I can really only speak to one but I will say that there are some free ones that may do the same thing, it would just take playing with them and finding the one for you and your wife. Tasker is a paid app, I think it's under 3 bucks USD, that you can create profiles to do things like what you want. You can also create home screen toggles. There's tons of support for it both here on AC and on the web at Tasker wiki which will help you create profiles. At Tasker wiki many profiles have been created that can be downloaded or modified to fit your needs, this takes some of the learning curve out of the equation. Since you registered here you can go look at the Tasker Forums and even ask around for help before you decide if this is the answer for you. It can be a pretty powerful app with lots of uses.

Now like I was saying at the beginning, there are other automated apps on the PS and some may be able to do this but I haven't found one yet with the type of support you can find for Tasker. They will all have some kind of learning curve so it'll be all about finding what's right for you if you decide to go this direction.

On a side note; it sounds like the real issue is that your wife is the type to forget to turn off data. You could create a simple profile that could work like this;

If SMS sender = 123456789 and message = "off" then data = off

It won't look like that but that would be the gist of how it would work. Then by texting her the word "OFF" you could turn her data off, but anything else wouldn't meet the requirements and nothing would happen. Actually it could be any word if you're afraid you might use off in a text. Now I'm getting too carried away. Just thinking outside of the box is all.

 

[Pbookuser2]

Thanks - That is very interesting. I will look for the Tasker Forums and wiki.

 

[Pbookuser2]

I had a look at Tasker. It seems like a powerful utility. But a lot of learning required for just one application. I found a few toggles on Google Play that should work, but the ones I tried toggled the wrong data switch (marshmallow has two and Hangouts seems to want the roaming switch on) I will do a bit more work on that though.

Hard to understand why Android phones don't have a simple widget to turn data on/off. From what I have read, early ones did.

 

[B. Diddy]

There's no option for a mobile data toggle in the Quick Settings? I have one on my Pixel 3 XL running 10.

 

[VidJunky]

I had a look at Tasker. It seems like a powerful utility. But a lot of learning required for just one application.

It's only one application if you do nothing else with it, but you are partially correct, there is a learning curve. However again, many basic things have already been created and can be copied and pasted, so to speak, in your Tasker or tweaked to meet your needs. Once you get the basics it can be pretty intuitive to use, but I understand your feelings.

Best Wishes