Wifi SmartAction question

[Thegreatone3]

I loved SmartActions on my OG Droid Razr and one of my favorites was to have mobile data shut-off (action) when I was connected to WiFi (trigger).

When I try to set this rule on my M, I can set connected to WiFi as a trigger, but setting mobile data is then grayed out as an action. Am I missing something here? This seems like it would be a very basic rule for most. Thanks.

 

[nickriviera12]

Not sure why it won't work on your phone; I have that very rule working on my M (trigger=connected to any wifi, action=mobile data off).

I did notice when looking at the rule that the mobile data option is greyed out, but only because it is already set as an action. Are you sure it isn't already set as an action?

 

[Thegreatone3]

Actions are blank when I attempt to set mobile data. Weird.

 

[WAldenIV]

Wifi automatically disables mobile data.

 

[nickriviera12]

Hmmm...I see there is a SmartActions update available for my phone...maybe the latest version of SmartActions doesn't allow that as a choice?

I did some testing though, and my battery life doesn't seem to be any different with the rule (trigger=connected to wifi, action=mobile data off) turned on or off. I assumed that if I was connected to wifi the phone would automatically use the wifi connection instead of mobile data whenever it could, but I created the SmartAction rule just to be certain. The only time it has interfered with usage is when I receive or send pictures in text messages- then the mobile data has to be on even if I am connected to wifi.

 

[Thegreatone3]

Wifi automatically disables mobile data.

Well, that makes sense. However, the "3G" or "4G LTE" remains up in the status bar when I have WiFi on and they disappear when I toggle off mobile data manually in settings.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Thegreatone3]

Thanks for the testing, Nick. I had this set up to make sure I wasn't using mobile data (on a limited plan) and to save battery life. I just figured that severing the mobile data connection outright would make a difference for the battery. Perhaps it's only a miniscule amount.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[nickriviera12]

When I have the SmartAction rule on, and I am connected to wifi, my 3G or 4G LTE icons at the top disappear. And when the rule is off, the 3G or 4G LTE icons are present when connected to wifi.

So I guess mobile data is not automatically turned off when connected to wifi. I'm not sure why you can't make a rule on your phone, unless the latest version of smartaction doesn't allow it. But at least from my testing, having mobile data on (see below for additional rule) doesn't seem to sap the battery as compared to having it disabled when on wifi.

I get pretty decent battery life by having a discharging rule (trigger=not charging, actions=automatic screen brightness and background data only when using my phone) and a display off rule (trigger=display off, actions=GPS off, mobile data off). Granted I'm not a power user, but with these two rules I never run out of juice during my work day. So I guess you could see if you could at least make a screen off mobile data off rule unless you need programs like email to be syncing in the background when display is off.