Sync/Location Button - do these use data?

[Android Central Question]

Good Morning! I just finally switched from an IPhone to an LG V20. A couple of the main options on my phone are "Sync" "and "Location" (these icons are on the pull down menu from the top). I'm travelling internationally next week and I'm planning to put my phone in airplane mode and turn on the Wifi when available to save on data. (I've also signed up for the Verizon Travel Pass in case of emergency) but trying to avoid using when I can! My "Sync" and "Location" button are highlighted automatically. I notice when I put it on airplane mode, it disables the "Mobile Data" and Wifi automatically but NOT the "Sync" or "Location". Does anyone know if these two use data? (Will I get charged if leaving these on if I'm in airplane mode)? I know I'm being overly paranoid. THANK YOU!

 

[SpookDroid]

That depends on what you use (but the most general answer for a smartphone would be YES, they do use data). The Sync button is exactly that: a global SYNC toggle. If you turn it off, apps that follow the system rules (not all apps do, naughty them!) will not sync in the background unless you manually open the app and initiate a sync. With location, while the toggle on its own doesn't consume data per-se, apps that use location might (once the toggle is on, you give apps permission to poll for your location, and while most will only use GPS, they might try to get other data from the network, like additional map info and such).

If you put it into airplane mode, however, all connections are cut off (you can later turn WiFi on manually), so even if these toggles are on, no data will be used.