No Data Toggle switch on 8.1

[Keith Wallace]

Yup, same for me.

I honestly don't know how they could have excluded this. It's actually quite mindblowing that of all things data toggling was left out.

I suppose it depends on your willingness to make 3-4 taps. I mean, you can grab any number of apps and pin your data connectivity to your Start screen. Then, you tap the tile, you'[re at the setting, then you turn it on/off as needed. I've got all of that stuff in a tile, through Nokia's App Folder tile. It really doesn't take more than about 3 seconds to get my data on or off, so I don't really feel like it's a big deal to be missing it.

 

[NikCR7]

Are you kidding me? No data toggle! And airplane mode made it on the list.

 

[Zeem Frostmaw]

I suppose it depends on your willingness to make 3-4 taps. I mean, you can grab any number of apps and pin your data connectivity to your Start screen. Then, you tap the tile, you'[re at the setting, then you turn it on/off as needed. I've got all of that stuff in a tile, through Nokia's App Folder tile. It really doesn't take more than about 3 seconds to get my data on or off, so I don't really feel like it's a big deal to be missing it.

The same can be said for all the toggles though. It might not be a big deal having it absent, but it's a crucially missed opportunity not having it as a toggle option.

 

[Narathan]

Whats all the hassle about? Don't forget they added "WiFi Sense" into 8.1. Thats probably why you don't see a toggle.

Source: Windows Phone 8.1 Wi-Fi Sense aims to douse mobile data - SlashGear

This allows the phone to sign into hotspots automatically and all that jazz, including your saved networks, and thus disables cellulaire data traffic. Pretty nifty!

And to be honest I think this is perfectly fine the way it is being done. If you *really* need to cut down on data consumption, use the improved Data Sense to control your background apps behaviour and and save battery by switching to 2G like some other people suggested. It just baffles me why people still want a toggle when MS automated the whole process... I mean this is just a fine example of innovation right here.

And if you need your sleep, just use "Quiet Hours" where you can control your notifications and call options. It's not directly related to the topic, but I saw a few people mentioning this being one of the reasons they wanted a toggle. Or for roaming. Just don't enable that to start with, if you go overseas.

 

[A895]

Whats all the hassle about? Don't forget they added "WiFi Sense" into 8.1. Thats probably why you don't see a toggle.

Source: Windows Phone 8.1 Wi-Fi Sense aims to douse mobile data - SlashGear

This allows the phone to sign into hotspots automatically and all that jazz, including your saved networks, and thus disables cellulaire data traffic. Pretty nifty!

And to be honest I think this is perfectly fine the way it is being done. If you *really* need to cut down on data consumption, use the improved Data Sense to control your background apps behaviour and and save battery by switching to 2G like some other people suggested. It just baffles me why people still want a toggle when MS automated the whole process... I mean this is just a fine example of innovation right here.

And if you need your sleep, just use "Quiet Hours" where you can control your notifications and call options. It's not directly related to the topic, but I saw a few people mentioning this being one of the reasons they wanted a toggle. Or for roaming. Just don't enable that to start with, if you go overseas.

That still does not turn data all the way off instead of just switching to 2G. Its not just for data consumption, with data off you save more battery.

Sent from my XT907 using Mobile Nations mobile app

 

[CGA1]

Wait, isnt data toggle the same as "3g toggle?" If no I dont know what you are talking about.

By "data toggle" I imagined the 3G connection (my own paid internet).

It's not the same, data toggle would turn off all data traffic (except wifi). A 2G/3G/4G toggle would change what kind of network you're on without turning off the data traffic.

 

[linking1990]

Yes, I can confirm that the WiFi button on the action centre is merely a shortcut to the WiFi settings page. Other things like airplane mode, screen rotation lock, and Bluetooth are actual toggles though. Baffles me as to why MS did this. And the lack of mobile data toggle is disappointing.

Microsoft can be really dumb at times I swear!

 

[CGA111]

Microsoft can be really dumb at times I swear!

I'm getting less and less excited about this update the more I read.

 

[anony_mouse]

Or for roaming. Just don't enable that to start with, if you go overseas.

What if I want to use data when roaming just as necessary? For example, to send a Whatsapp message or check a map? It's really annoying to dive through the settings to enable and disable roaming continuously.
This is a serious issue for a lot of people. Crossing borders is something many people do daily. Please don't defend a plainly stupid decision by Microsoft (if it turns out to be true).

 

[anony_mouse]

If you *really* need to cut down on data consumption, use the improved Data Sense to control your background apps behaviour

Does this 'wifi/datasense' have different settings for your home network and for roaming? Can it distinguish between different roaming countries (for example, roaming within the EU is generally less expensive than roaming outside it, so I may want different behaviour depending which country I'm in)?

 

[broar94]

Microsoft can be really dumb at times I swear!

I think they wanted the user to select WiFI network if there are more than one hotspot. Thats why they have made it a shortcut instead of an actual toggle.

 

[mihirt7]

Yes, I can confirm that the WiFi button on the action centre is merely a shortcut to the WiFi settings page. Other things like airplane mode, screen rotation lock, and Bluetooth are actual toggles though. Baffles me as to why MS did this. And the lack of mobile data toggle is disappointing.

Well if you look in Android.. they have the same thing.. if you click on the wifi toggle it takes you to settings page.. and not turn on/off wifi.

Edit: I have a nexus 7 tablet running kitkat 4.4... judging from the responses above.. google can be just as dumb...!!!

 

[tgp]

Well if you look in Android.. they have the same thing.. if you click on the wifi toggle it takes you to settings page.. and not turn on/off wifi.

No, it's both. A tap takes you to WiFi settings, and a long press toggles it on/off.

 

[RCEstrimos0131]

I guess the toggle is left out due some pressure of the carriers. I believe that i once read something about that.

Btw i use only WiFi, most places have open WiFi and friends and relatives also. So i don't see the need of a data plan.

that would be for you.

still there's a need, as you're using a MOBILE means you may need data if your out of WiFi coverage,,

 

[RCEstrimos0131]

I frequently switch data on and off for several reasons, for example:
- my data plan is limited. I sometimes switch off data access to reduce unnecessary use.
- when roaming, I enable data only when I need it. To do this, I enable data roaming in the settings and toggle it on and off from the android notification bar.

If this is true, it's yet another stupid mistake by Microsoft. The 8.1 update looks like a serious disappointment.

I agree with you, I guess there'll be an update again

 

[eddlang]

Is this a universal WP8.1 thing? What if it's carrier/phone model related? People with unlocked non-carrier phones, care to check and report back?

 

[tofurice]

I'm on an unlocked lumia 1520 and unfortunately no data switch for me either. This is plain annoying. How hard could it possibly be to add a data switch button?

Is this a universal WP8.1 thing? What if it's carrier/phone model related? People with unlocked non-carrier phones, care to check and report back?

 

[John20212]

Never quite understood why someone who doesn't have a data plan would get a smartphone. Seems it would limit it's usefulness significantly.

It does not limit it at all, especially when you have offline maps from Nokia and other key offline features. On a pay as you go plan, while you can use data, it is more on a 'when absolutely needed' bases.

With wifi at home and work, I have never been limited by the lack of a data connection.

 

[KinasoShay]

For me this is bad because my school blocked some of the student phones from using wifi, me included for most students it doesn't make a difference because they just use their cellular data anyways. While I can't even turn mine on. I mean its weird for some apps it works but for others it won't like I can't use kik, Facebook, or Instagram, but snapchat works and getting on the internet does too sometimes. Ohh and my data is unlimited so I feel like that is just a waste...Why do I have unlimited data if I can't even use it when I want.

 

[spino1970]

Data use more battery.
End of the story.

Amen