How do I get my phone to use wifi instead of dataconnection

[xwb]

I've got a cheap samsung Android phone which I use very occasionally so it is on Pay As You Go. Sometimes, I switch on the data connection when I'm using the sat nav. If I forget to switch the data connection off, even when I'm in a house where I'm connected to wifi, it insists on using the data connection and just wipes out all the credit.

It is doing absolutely nothing except attempting to update applications every n seconds. I haven't figured out how to switch that off completely yet - I can switch it off for most of the apps but on some, there is no such option.

How can I tell an Android phone: if there is wifi, use it. Only use data connection if it isn't there.

 

[xwb]

I was looking up some other forums as well. One of them recommended using a firewall. Not sure how well that works on a phone with a crap processor but I'll give it a try

 

[genomon]

There are apps to do this. My provider has one called WiFi Now, but there are others in the Play Store.

Beir bua agus beannacht!

 

[rclarke250]

You go into settings, and go to wireless and other networks, and turn off data, or turn on data saving. there should also be a way to setup a widget to allow you access to that from the home screen, mine does from the top drop down menu. There should also be a way to turn off automatic updating of apps, at least there is on mine. On the play store, search for data off or 3g off, it will give you plenty of free control apps to see if one will work with your phone.

 

[xwb]

Actually, what I want to do is to get the phone to use wifi in preference to the data connection. It seems to do it the other way round - it uses expensive data when there is free wifi. Is it google's way of keeping phone providers happy by wacking up your phone bill?

I don't mind if it uses the data when it needs to but if there is free wifi around, why is it still using data? I'll see if wifi now works on my phone.