just bought smart phone, have questions, many !

[mouse]

I have an android phone and it seems as though some connections are delt with differently to my old linux laptop.
3g and 4g are internet data coming through the mobile phone network ?
wifi is a short radio link between my phone and a router .
I use so easy so if i go to a cyta wifi hotspot can i log in for free ?
some naughty little apps have been using all my phone credit and i dont know which apps or what they have done with 30 euro of credit.
If I understood what all these apps did I suspect I would happily uninstall at least half of them or at least disable them.
Is messenger " sms", I dont use " ms or microsoft anything" my email is yahoo
I used to have an HP ipaq pda, a pocket pc, could I disable the phone and sms functions on smart phone( take out sim) and use it as a pocket pc and then have a basic nokia 1200 which i had before as my phone ?
as is obvious i am struggleing with this new technology and my kids are grown up and left home so i have no one to ask

[adyandkaren]

I have an android phone and it seems as though some connections are delt with differently to my old linux laptop.
3g and 4g are internet data coming through the mobile phone network ?
Correct
wifi is a short radio link between my phone and a router .
Also Correct
I use so easy so if i go to a cyta wifi hotspot can i log in for free ?
Think this is a no
some naughty little apps have been using all my phone credit and i dont know which apps or what they have done with 30 euro of credit.
If I understood what all these apps did I suspect I would happily uninstall at least half of them or at least disable them.
As its a new phone this will probably be updates as much as apps
Is messenger " sms", I dont use " ms or microsoft anything" my email is yahoo
SMS is Short Message Service, or 'text message'
I used to have an HP ipaq pda, a pocket pc, could I disable the phone and sms functions on smart phone( take out sim) and use it as a pocket pc and then have a basic nokia 1200 which i had before as my phone ?
You *could* just turn off mobile data if that is what is causing issues and use wifi only?
Settings > Under wireless and networks select More > Mobile networks > Untick Use packet data
as is obvious i am struggleing with this new technology and my kids are grown up and left home so i have no one to ask

See my comments in blue above. Hope this helps

[juliesewell]

I had some similar issues when I first turned to a smartphone too - a couple of years ago now. My credit was being used up by the day without me doing anything too....

There are ways to fix it though in your Settings - but without knowing the phone you have it's not so easy to point you in the right direction.

However, I found some very useful videos on YouTube which guided me on what should and shouldn't be switched on. I only ever use my phone on WiFi wherever there is a free spot (such as bars/restaurants etc) or at home via my own WiFi signal from the router. I put €20 of credit on my phone just before we went back to UK for a visit at the end of November last year and I had a bit already on there (around €8) at the time but I wanted to be sure I didn't run out in UK. I rarely make phone calls but text more than anything else. I still have €16 left in credit on my phone!

I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace. If you have something similar (my hubby has the Galaxy Pocket and the settings are pretty much the same), I would be happy to try to help.

Best suggestion is to search on YouTube for some of the videos and follow the instructions, pause when necessary and keep doing it until you feel more comfortable with it.

[Jim B]

For August I received a 75 Euro bill for my Contract Cyta; can only think I accidently switched on the Mobile Data.

Make sure the Data switch is in the off position.


Jim

[J B]

Settings
Data Usage
Mobile Data .... set it to 'OFF', it will still update stuff over wi-fi when you are 'at home'

[Bazzra]

AS stated above Data, or mobile date uses the 3G or 4G signal that make it into a normal phone for use outside. Turn it off. That is what costs the money.
I had a similar problem with new Nokia phone which used £25 credit in the morning I turned it on. Luckily I was in UK so went to Vodaphone shop and they took me through a few options and also credited £25 back to my phone. That is indeed service. Lots of messaging apps available such as Skype, Whatsapp etc which use your WiFi and are free (Usually). It is frequently easier to load an App to your PC to figure out how it works, (again Skype, Whatsapp) and then use it on your phone but bear in mind the way they operate may be slightly different. Enjoy, but I would say it is much easier to learn if you work with a friend or neighbour rather than trying it out long distance and in earnest.

[Anne&Mike]

MOBILE DATA set it to OFF. That's what is taking your credit. Use WIFI

Anne

[Brenmar]

I use so easy so if i go to a cyta wifi hotspot can i log in for free ?

Yes you can, but you need to have your phone registered with Cyta and you need to speak to their technical support who will set it up for you as you need a username and password, but once it is done you get free wifi.

They have some strange locations though for the hotspots. In Paphos many of them are in hotels or large developments like Elysia Park on Universal.

[mouse]

Sorry for the long delay in replying, internet up and down like yoyo.
Thankyou for all the good advice as following instsructions and ideas you have given me has led me to find new parts of my phone and os.
I really like my smart phone as it has so many "new" functions, well new to me.
when my internet goes dead I can switch my phone to "mobile hotspot" mode, whilst this is an expensive way to connect, if you need to reply to emails etc is worth the cost, also it means i can connect anywhere i have telephone signal, I was very excited when i discovered this new function only to later discover it has been available for a few years

[J B]

Of course .... you could reply to your e mails on your phone (I use the K9 app for e mails on my android phone)

... or is that a project for another day??

[mouse]

I have replied to an email on my phone, but the keyboard is small and inacurate and I find a proper keyboard and mouse so much nicer to use,i dont even use the horrid scratch pad on the laptop. I think whilst the spec of a cheap smart phone looks good there is no guide as to how good the touch screen is, I suspect mine is poor, but speed and functions on phone are excellent

[mouse]

Well I just cant get on with my smart phone to answer calls, it seems imposible to pick it up without invoking god knows what on the keyboard and also with the keylock on in my pocket all manner of things go on, it became so hot one day i took the battery out in fear it might fail due to over heating, and the other day so many settings had changed I had to do a factory reset to make the unit useable again. so I admitted defeat !!!!! went out and bought a "phone" nokia 225, very nice it is an up market version of my previous very basic monochrome nokia 1200, instantly I was able to make and receive phone calls again and doesnt do lots of weird things in my pocket either. so my smart phone is now a fun mini pc, cant call it pocket though
I may have failed with the new technology but at least I tried, im just not sure touch screen technology is for me