Facebook. In contact with. Trips. Preparation. Internet professions. Self-development
Site search

How to set up mobile Internet on Android: instructions and life hacks. How to set up mobile Internet on Android: instructions and life hacks Is it possible to disable 3G

Any modern smartphone based on Android provides the ability to access the Internet. As a rule, this is done using 4G and Wi-Fi technologies. However, it is often necessary to use 3G, and not everyone knows how to enable or disable this function. This is what will be discussed in our article.

There are two ways to enable 3G on a smartphone. In the first case, the connection type of your smartphone is configured, and in the second, the standard way to enable data transfer is considered.

Method 1: Choosing 3G technology

If you do not have a 3G connection displayed on the top bar of your phone, it is possible that you are outside of this coverage area. 3G network is not supported in such places. If you are sure that the necessary coverage has been installed in your settlement, then follow this algorithm:

After that, an Internet connection should be established. This is indicated by the icon on the upper right side of your phone. If there is nothing there or another symbol is displayed, then go to the second method.

Not all smartphones display a 3G or 4G icon in the upper right of the screen. In most cases, these are the letters E, G, H and H +. The last two are for 3G connectivity.

Method 2: data transfer

It is possible that data transmission is disabled on your phone. It is quite easy to enable it to access the Internet. To do this, you must follow this algorithm:

You can also complete this procedure through the phone settings.

Frivolous attitude towards 3G and mobile Internet, as you know, can lead to exceeding the limits provided for by the current tariff plan and, as a result, loss of money.

In this article, we'll show you how to turn off 3G and mobile data on iPhone. However, in order to avoid confusion with the terms, first, let's figure out what mobile data, 3G and data roaming (data roaming) are.

As simple example mobile transmission data can be taken Mobile Internet.

If you turn off the mobile data function in your smartphone, then after that you will no longer be able to browse the web pages from it or use it, which requires a network connection to work.

Of course, some programs like Email, Calendar or Contacts can function offline, but only in a limited mode.

By the way, if you turn off the mobile data transfer function on the iPhone, this will not mean that the Internet will no longer be available at all. In this case, you can connect to the Network via Wi-Fi, and the smartphone will normally perform all network tasks.

The quality of the 3G connection affects the speed of the mobile Internet. If your iPhone has this option (for iPhone 4S and older, learn more about technical features iPhone see www.easytrade.com.ua), then you can turn off 3G mode and thus switch to 2G - a somewhat more economical standard, but also much slower in terms of data transfer.

By disabling data transmission over 3G, you can, for example, extend the battery life of the smartphone (i.e. save battery power), while the iPhone can be used for telephone conversations and data transmission (including Internet access) via EDGE or GPRS modules, if any.

Data Roaming is important when you are in another country using your iPhone without reconnecting to your local operator. In this case, your native operator will automatically charge much more money from your account for mobile Internet and telephone calls, if you do not have any special tariff and if you have not forgotten to switch to it before traveling abroad. One way or another, but in order not to be surprised later on the amounts in the operator's accounts, the option of data transfer in roaming can be disabled in advance, and to view your mail and access the Network, they often use free ones, of which there are plenty in civilized countries.

And now about how how to turn off 3G connection and mobile data on iPhone .

Note that when compiling this guide, we used a smartphone with iOS 6, however, on earlier versions of the system, the settings are very similar, therefore, similar operations can be performed on older iPhones.

- Step 1
From the main menu, go to Settings. If you can't get into the settings menu in this way, then go to the search (Spotlight) and simply enter "settings".

How to turn off 3G, mobile data and data roaming on iPhone- Step 2
In the "Settings" select "General" and then "Cellular data" (Mobile Data). In early iOS versions this tab may be called “Networks”.

How to turn off 3G, mobile data and data roaming on iPhone- Step 3
Turn off (or turn on) 3G with the corresponding slider.

It should be borne in mind here that if your mobile operator only supports 3G, then you most likely will not see the option to disable this standard in your iPhone at all, i.e. you cannot turn it off either.

In the same window, you can also disable the mobile data function, after which you can only connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Data roaming is enabled or disabled in the same way.

How to turn off 3G, mobile data and data roaming on iPhone- Step 4
If you scroll down the screen, you can also see a set of options for limiting mobile data, which can also be useful. Most applications usually warn the user that the smartphone is about to perform a certain task, which involves connecting to the Network and transferring a large amount of data. However, it must be remembered that not all mobile programs care so much about the user's wallet, many generate solid traffic, not particularly interested in the opinion of their owner.

The Internet is as vital a need on a mobile device as it is on a PC. The network modes are different - from practically unused 2G to 5G, the development of which is just underway. The mobile Internet can be configured or disabled in several ways: it all depends on the capabilities of your gadget and the settings of the network itself.

What is the difference between mobile Internet in networks of different generations

Many set up an automatic network mode (2G / 3G / 4G) and freely travel around cities and regions as if nothing had happened. However, there are differences in speed.

In practice, 2G Internet has already become so slow that it is used "out of hunger" when there is no 3G / 4G coverage, but you still need to work. Today 2G is almost zero speed due to congestion with subscribers. GPRS / EDGE packet data does not have priority over services for which the GSM voice channel is used (calls, SMS, USSD commands like * 100 # and other services). Many people keep the 2G network switched on only because it "eats" less battery power. If you are indifferent to battery consumption, feel free to turn on 3G or 4G forcibly. In an amicable way, it would be time to close the GSM / 2G standards - there is no more sense from them than from 3G, and the radio resource is spent less efficiently. The speed reserve of a GSM / EDGE base station is only no more than 10 Mbit / s, which is divided between subscribers (each of them accounts for no more than 200 kbit / s).

3G, in contrast to 2G, provides real speed from hundreds of kilobits to units of megabits per device - with unlimited traffic on the tariff, almost all the needs of a modern user are solved. 3G network is available in all cities of the country and in many localities. Data is transferred constantly, regardless of calls and SMS. The performance margin of one sector of the "tower" is up to 42 Mbit / s (this speed is divided between subscribers). Higher-speed 3G technologies (84, 168 and 336 Mbit / s for reception and up to 72 Mbit / s for transmission) have been developed - but their massive introduction has been canceled in many countries due to the rapid growth in the popularity of 4G. MTS, Beeline and MegaFon have very good 3G coverage throughout Russia in cities and towns. Actively building a 3G network "Tele2", which was among the last to receive a 3G license. The network already exists in many places in the regions where this operator is present.

However, 4G coverage is not available everywhere. Development of the VoLTE service (transmission of IP voice over LTE networks) - in fact, an analogue of IP telephony in broadband wire networks - to this day, these are only promises from operators, but the 4G network works even faster than 3G - up to 20 Mbps you will get it for sure, and with such a speed, any problems can be solved in the network. The bandwidth of one 4G "tower" is 75-300 Mbps - but the subscriber gets a much lower speed: here the same division between devices. The best 4G coverage in Russia today is provided by cellular providers MTS and Beeline. Next are MegaFon and Yota - while Tele2 has the smallest 4G zone.

On the YOTA website, blue indicates 3G, blue - 4G, bright blue - planned 4G coverage

Development of 5G is already underway, and telecom operators are conducting tests - including in Russia. The network will actually provide up to 100 Mbit / s per subscriber (the performance margin of one base station will be from units of gigabits per second), which will allow the subscriber to refuse the services of city providers or use the latter at facilities where, according to the regulations, the use of any wireless networks forbidden. The first commercial 5G networks will not appear until 2020 at the earliest.

How to set up cellular internet on Android devices

You need to go through a series of procedures for the Internet to work on your Android device.

Connecting or checking the status of the service

Before connecting to the Internet on your smartphone, first of all, make sure that the service of access to packet data networks is active on the SIM card. Previously, this service was called "GPRS-Internet", then its further continuation - "3G-Internet" appeared, then it was simply referred to as "Mobile Internet". To connect it, USSD blitz commands can be used (for example, for Beeline it is * 110 * 181 #).

Operators do not require anything special to access the Network via 4G, so the instructions for 3G and 4G are almost the same.

Internet gadget settings

To set up cellular internet, do the following:

  1. Enter the mobile data settings via the "Settings" - "More" - "Mobile data" command. Please select desired function to configure the parameters of cellular networks
  2. If you live near a border, make sure data roaming is turned off.
  3. Configure your preferred networks. This step can come in handy, for example, if you use the Internet from Tele2 and will soon go to a region where it is not available in Russia (Internet from Tele2, according to the latest innovations in the field of tariffs of this network, works at "home prices" in " Beeline "throughout Russia). In many other cases, you can skip this step. The first on the list should be networks with home roaming rates.
  4. Choose 3G or 4G technology. It depends on which one your smartphone or tablet supports. An example of choosing a technology on an Archos 70b Xenon Color tablet without 4G
  5. Configure the entry point (APN) by going to the appropriate item. Usually, the cellular provider sends the APN settings and when the SIM card is replaced, the settings are automatically loaded and switched to the desired APN settings. Choose an APN specifically for Internet access
  6. If auto-registration of APN did not happen, select any of the existing ones (or create a new APN profile) and write in it your settings recommended by the operator. Selectable APN parameter is editable
  7. The main thing is to make sure that your device is allowed to use cellular data at all. Give the command "Settings" - "Data transmission", go to the "Operator" tab (let it be Beeline) and make sure that cellular data is turned on. If you do not enable the topmost slider, there will be no Internet access
  8. If your plan is not completely unlimited, you can set a traffic limit, when approaching which, the Android system will notify you with a message in the very top line of the screen. When the limit is reached, the device will automatically suspend access to the network - according to the schedule for which the Android traffic scheduler was configured.
  9. If your gadget supports two SIM cards, do not forget to set the priority of the data SIM card on which unlimited is active. Even if there are no other SIM cards in the device, the Android system will give you confirmation even for this single inserted SIM card. In the window for selecting a SIM card for the Internet, the number and numbers of installed SIM cards are indicated

The abundance of parameters (default servers, port number, name and password for logging into the APN server, proxy settings, etc.) on almost any gadget - based on Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows - is given in case all of a sudden any of the operators will change their settings tomorrow and will require the entry of all these parameters or some of them. Today, Russian operators work with little or no settings - or they only require the APN server to be specified.

APN settings for different operators

Manual entry of APN addresses can help if, for some reason, the autoinstallation of the required APN failed.

Table: APN entry points for different operators

Internet access without settings

Most operators use access without settings: even if you have incorrect or incomplete connection settings, you can already go online without fear that your tariff will not work. Once upon a time it was extremely important to register the correct settings specifically for the Internet Access service, and not for WAP. But, since WAP as a service has practically died, access to network resources may be on an unconfigured gadget. Nevertheless, operators send their subscribers APN settings for the Internet and for MMS - they are in no hurry to refuse MMS, and the cost of MMS messages in last years greatly decreased. The user only needs to check whether the entry point has been chosen specifically for the Internet service. In some cases, the choice of APN Internet occurs automatically on a command from the operator himself.

Being in the 3G / 4G coverage area, the gadget will automatically switch to the appropriate network - 3G or 4G, if the automatic network mode is selected. Both technologies are good enough for high-speed mobile internet.

Video: Setting Up Internet on an Android Device

How to disable internet access on Android

Disconnecting the Internet is done in two ways:

  • through the operator - blocking the service of access to the Network on the SIM card (for example, this can be done with " personal account»On the operator's website or by calling the subscriber service from another device);
  • programmatically - directly on the device itself.

In addition to disabling the "Mobile data" slider in the already familiar data transfer submenu, other methods are used. Each of them can be used separately from the others - and the result is guaranteed: data transmission will become impossible.

Disconnecting the internet in the settings menu

The easiest way to turn off the internet on Android is to turn off data transfer. This can be done by sliding down the notification shade and clicking on the icon of your SIM card, and then moving the slider to the inactive position.

Click on your network icon to enter data management mode

You can also get to the mobile Internet management menu through the "Settings".

Video: how to turn off the Internet on your phone

Operation of the device in airplane mode


In flight mode, you can turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and continue using the Internet from other devices - the cellular network mode will not turn on and cellular internet will still not be available until you cancel airplane mode.

Controlling Packet Data Using Traffic Limits

You can lower the bar for the total traffic limit even below the value to which its consumption by the gadget has reached, in the already familiar submenu of mobile data. The Internet on the device will pause immediately.

If you lower the limit below the traffic, access to the mobile Internet will disappear

Prohibiting batch data from the Android engineering menu

If you prohibit access to the Internet using the engineering menu, communication is blocked in the standards of all networks supported in your country. This will prevent the gadget from finding any networks at all - not the essence, 2G, 3G or 4G. This is the most sophisticated method for sophisticated Android users.

  1. Call the engineering menu Android dialing commands * # * # 3646633 # * # * using the dial pad of the "Phone" application. As soon as you enter the last character of the command * # * # 3646633 # * # * - the engineering menu will open
  2. Give the command Telephony - Band Mode. To turn off data transmission, you can turn off the frequency bands in a given country
  3. Go to the menu for one of the SIM cards. In the Band Mode item, select one of the SIM-cards from the list, if you have several
  4. Mark one band 2G, 3G and 4G, which are not supported in your country, press the Set key and close the engineering menu. Include ranges of other countries, for example USA
  5. After restarting, the gadget will not be able to find any of the available networks. To return to normal operation with cellular networks, go back to the same engineering submenu and turn on the previously operating 2G / 3G / 4G frequency bands.

To prevent another person from using the Internet from your SIM card, set up parental controls in Android. This measure does not apply to disabling Internet access through the operator's subscription service. You can also set up parental controls through "Settings" - "Users" - "Add user".

Video: Setting up Parental Mode in Android

Clearing the APN profile on the device

Deleting APN settings from the gadget will not help if network access is active on the SIM card without settings. When you insert another SIM-card or "poke" the same SIM, the operator will send you its APN settings to your device - and will automatically select the APN Internet entry point. This is done for convenience - so that the user can immediately use the mobile Internet. Therefore, removing the APN does not make sense. Use other methods to restrict or turn off the Internet on the device.

What to do if the mobile Internet does not work on the device

There are many reasons why the mobile Internet does not work on an Android device - both on the subscriber's side and on the operator's side. Also, problems can be caused by malfunctions in the device itself.

Causes of problems on the subscriber's side

Mobile internet may not work due to some:


In the latter case, double-check the Android settings according to the instructions above, or reset the device using the hidden Reset button, after copying important data and pulling out the memory card (if any) from the gadget.

Video: what to do if the mobile Internet does not work

System causes of network problems on Android

The Android system is also fraught with some problems that can interfere with network access.

Problems with Android files

The system files of drivers and libraries responsible for the "modem firmware" (the operation of the gadget's cellular radio modules) can be deleted by the user in the following cases:

  • careless actions with the Root procedure ("crooked" Root application);
  • hasty actions with third-party file managers;
  • inadequate user work with files in the / system / folder.

The result is unpredictable tablet behavior in seemingly normal conditions. So, it is possible that even with a manual search for networks, not all networks are displayed (or none), although their coverage is declared by operators and confirmed by other smartphones and tablets - not necessarily with Android - at the same point on the map where you are.

Android viruses and unverified programs

It is possible to install applications not verified by the Google Play service that have added a malicious extension (virus, spammer, SMS sender to short numbers etc.). A virus attack on Android crashes vital Android system processes and services.

If the item "Allow the installation of applications from unknown sources" is active, there is a high probability of picking up a virus from an unprotected site

Android device compatibility errors

"Custom" Android version working, but the built-in cellular modem is unstable or refuses to start (incompatible modem firmware). If a different version of the Android kernel or firmware is installed, the device will not only not go online, but it will not start at all. Service center assistance may be required.

Causes of network problems on the operator's side

A cellular provider, like any data transmission network, can also throw any of the "surprises" to its subscribers:

  • there is no 3G / 4G coverage in this area (for example, a mountain range, regions of the Far North);
  • the 3G / 4G network is overloaded (the abundance of subscribers, the peak of activity, the operator is ahead of the unlimited traffic market);
  • frequent auto-restart of the base station due to overload and freezes (protection of modern BS from traffic overload);
  • problems with the "transport" network - the optical cable of the BS or the trunk is broken during careless work near it;
  • re-launch, forced testing ("run") of the network in your area;
  • a sharp decrease in the signal level of 3G / 4G due to a power outage;
  • burnout of terminal blocks of BS as a result of lightning strikes in bad weather in the "tower" (rarely, but possibly even with the available protection against thunderstorms);
  • frequent reboots, slowdown of the BS speed due to interference caused by a thunderstorm;
  • modernization at the BS or a section of the transport network: replacement of equipment and other planned work carried out by the specialists of the operator company.

Specific cases of Internet inoperability on Android

There are more than enough more specific reasons for the inoperable Internet on Android devices. The most common ones are taken as an example.

Data transfer does not turn on

Though operating system Android monitors the activity of SIM-cards and regularly "prescribes" all functions from them - calls, SMS and MMS, Internet settings - in its main settings, there may be cases when data transmission does not turn on. The reasons may be as follows:

  • you have assigned the wrong SIM-card (if there are two or more of them in the device), on which everything is ready for Internet access;
  • the presence of only one of the SIM-cards in the device;
  • crash or bug in Android version;
  • Broken SIM-card slot during its careless removal (now the selected SIM-card is not active);
  • your mobile device is locked under one operator - SIM cards of other operators refuse to work with mobile data.

Do the following (optional, depending on the situation):


Video: data transfer to Android does not turn on

Cellular data turns on but doesn't work

If the Internet settings are turned on, but do not work, again, the reason may lie both on the operator's side (network malfunctions or congestion on your part of the network) and on the subscriber's side (not paid on time, unlimited, etc.).

In this case, the indication of data transfer - markers G, E, 3G, (D / M) H (+), 4G (+) / LTE in the upper part - is present, but no traffic goes. Outgoing requests go away - the incoming data is not received, there is no response from the called server. The browser, when entering any site, says that it is impossible to open the site, and clients of social networks and other programs write: there is no Internet. Often cellular data does not pass due to very weak signal... Change your location.

G / E / H / 3G markers change frequently in Android notification bar

It is normal for G / E / H / 3G markers to change frequently. First you need to figure out what it is.

The 3G symbol is the 3G data transmission medium in the rest mode of the gadget (data is not used). The 3G marker is a WCDMA / UMTS network as such: the available low-level speed, from which the third generation of mobile communications began - 384 kbps (for reception and transmission separately).

H (HSPA), H + (HSPA +), DH + (DC-HSPA +), MH + (MC-HSPA +) are the stages of development of high-speed data exchange based on 3G / UMTS. These are multi-megabit technologies (3.6–336 Mbit / s, depending on the equipment of 3G base stations), thanks to which comfortable work on the Web is ensured through mobile data.

G (GPRS) and E (EDGE) are the stages of implementation and development of packet data transmission in legacy GSM / 2G cellular networks. GPRS supports speeds up to 115.2 kbps and EDGE up to 236.8 kbps per device.


Marker in the right upper corner shows the type of Internet connection in the notification bar

In 4G networks, the “4G” marker may change to “4G +” (LTE-Advanced). It is possible to replace LTE with LTE-A (or LTE +) - on the latest models of smartphones and tablets and in the web interface of modems and routers. We are talking about speeds of 75-10 and 150-300 Mbit / s, respectively.

Now we can answer the question why these letters change. Whenever a subscriber engages in data transmission, the base station provides him with the highest possible technological speed that it supports - despite fluctuations in the real (final) speed. So, if your 3G has changed to H +, consider it a good sign: your mobile internet is flying!

Video: how to make H + permanent, without E

How to avoid future problems

  1. In order to prevent similar problems in the future, carefully check from time to time the status of your tariff for unnecessary subscriptions and services, sometimes imposed by the operator - do not allow unscheduled debiting of funds and blocking the number. Pay for your unlimited on time.
  2. From time to time, check the 3G / 4G coverage map of the places where you often travel. In case of discrepancies, contact your operator. A good sign if the network coverage is improved somewhere. It is also helpful to keep track of his progress on the quality of the internet and its networks, but not necessarily.
  3. Be careful when manipulating Android system files and folders. Do not use applications from questionable sources. Do not install applications that block or restrict data transfer. In case of errors, reset or flash the gadget.
  4. Do not "poke" the SIM-card for every slightest reason - after several hundred rearrangements, the SIM-card may break, because it is a very fragile element. SIM replacement is most often done when more “tasty” conditions appear from another operator (another discount, promotion, new tariff).

V modern world cellular internet is provided by the operator automatically. If, when installing a new SIM-card, the Internet was not configured automatically, in any case, there are many ways to enable it - manually entering APN addresses, setting via "Mobile Data" and so on. You can turn off the Internet both through the same "Settings" and through airplane mode or parental control.

3G is a third generation mobile communication technology that combines both high speed access to the Internet, and communication technology. 3G provides stable high speed internet access. However, this type of communication has one drawback, albeit a small one - it is a slightly higher energy consumption, and in some cases, very noticeable.

In order to save battery power, the user can turn off 3G on their phone or smartphone. How to do it?

Disable 3G on Android

Please note that 3G disconnection may differ slightly depending on the device and its firmware. We will show the first example on a device from Xiaomi.

We go into the settings. The first item is called "Mobile Network". We need it - tap on it.

On the next page, select "Network type".

Now we can choose the preferred type of network: only 2G (for energy saving), only 3G or preferably 3G.

The following example is smartphone based Samsung Galaxy with proprietary TouchWiz shell.

Go to the settings. Here is the menu. In the "Connections" tab, select the "Other networks" item.

In the next window - "Mobile networks".

Then - "Network mode".

In the window that opens, select "GSM only".

3G mode is disabled. As you can see, absolutely nothing complicated.

Many users have a question about how to enable 3g on Android. This can be done in several ways: using the menu quick access or through setting up an access point.

Internet on "Android": doing automatic configuration

Most modern mobile devices offer automatic network search and 3g connections. To do this, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Go to the device menu, click "Settings".
  2. Select the submenu "Wireless", and in it the line "Mobile network".
  3. Find the item "Telecom operators". After that, the search for mobile operators will begin. Find your provider and then select it.

After these manipulations, the smartphone should automatically download and activate all key settings. Then you need to enable data transfer. How to enable 3g on Android in a different way is described below.

We turn on the 3G-Internet on the smartphone through the quick access menu

If you know for sure that your tariff provides for the presence of mobile Internet, and when you enter the browser, not a single page is loaded, you should just turn on the Internet on Android. The standard settings of any gadget suggest the ability to quickly enable and disable 3g on Android. To do this, use a small instruction:

After that, you can easily access the Internet to install required applications... How to turn off 3G? Just click on the icon again.

Access point setting

In some cases, the above manipulations do not give any effect, respectively, the Internet is not turned on. Here you will have to manually create a three ji connection point. If you are interested in how to enable 3G connection on Android and create an APN access point for Tele2, MTS or any other operator, then be sure to read this instruction, namely:

  1. Go to the settings of your smartphone. Find the corresponding shortcut in the main menu.
  2. Find the connection section in them (as a rule, it contains the items turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). Select the line "Other networks".
  3. Go to the submenu mobile networks.
  4. In this section, you must check the box next to "Mobile data". After that, open the "Network mode" item and select the "WCDMA / GSM (automatic connection)" option. If the Internet does not work, then you will need to create a new access point manually.
  5. Configuring APN. How do I set up the Internet here? Go to the "Access points" menu, and then create a new one (click on the "+" icon or call the submenu with the function key of the smartphone).
  6. After that, you need to fill in some fields. To configure "Tele2" to "Android", fill in the "Access Point" field - internet.teleru (do not enter your username and password). For MTS, enter the following parameters: the access point is internet.mts.ru, and the username and password are mts. Setting up the Internet "Megafon" on "Android" involves similar actions. Just enter one word as hotspot, username and password - megafon.

After filling in all the fields, of course, you should save the created access point and activate it. Once the point is established, activate the transfer via mobile data (if it is not already enabled), and then try to go to any site. As a rule, a working 3g activates the corresponding icon in the upper toolbar. How to disable? Here you can use the first method or also in the settings mobile networks uncheck the corresponding item.

What if there is still no network access? First, you need to make sure that there are available funds on your account or that the tariff provides for the availability of available megabytes of traffic. Otherwise (even with correct setting all items) go to social networks or any other Internet resource you will not succeed.

Also make sure that you are in the coverage area and the operator actually provides this service. There are rare exceptions that only 2g is available in certain places.

None of the methods helped

If you set all the parameters correctly, but you still get access to the global web, we recommend that you contact the operator. The companies employ highly qualified specialists who will always tell you how you can turn on 3g on Android. To do this, you must first write down the full name of the model of your phone on a piece of paper, You can find out this in the documentation for your smartphone. This information will significantly help the operator, respectively, speed up his work.