I'm new to the 4G scene having just got a Nougat Android device with 4G in Bangkok. On the pull down settings menu there is both a Mobile Data and a 4G icon that was switched on when I got phone so was eating away at my phone bill.

 

I can turn off mobile data icon but leave 4G icon on with Android. What does this mean, will 4G still work and eat into my phone bill with data turned off or does 4G only work when the mobile data is switched on? If 4G turns off with mobile data should I just leave the 4G icon on so I get 4G as and when I turn mobile data on? 

 

Which phone icons displayed in the status bar are set by each phone manufacturer.  Some like to display the 4G icon like it's a badge or hood ornament. Sometimes it's always displayed when registered on a 4G/LTE network.

 

If it's displayed a "Pull Down" status bar then the 4G icon may be giving you the choice of pre-selecting a 'preferred' network type (2G. 3G, LTE, or some variation) via a quick-setting, with 4G as the current preferred/recommended choice.

 

 

If the phone's DATA is turned off then that should be enough to prevent the phone from snaking on your phone credits.  

Though you might want to keep an eye open for that data icon in the status bar, to make sure the phone hasn't turned data back on.

 

Also... If you are an AIS / One-2-Call  SIM user you can turn DATA OFF/ON at the account level by dialing the quick USSD code: 

* 129 * 1 #      Data Use OFF

* 129 * 2 #      Data Use ON

 

Appreciate the feedback - learnt something.

What is the make/model? Which operator? Have you subscribed to any mobile data plan?

 

You want to disable mobile data? If so, go to Settings, Wireless & networks, Data usage, toggle Cellular data radio button to "off". (Stock Android 7.0 menu).

 

The 2-finger pull-down menu grid can be customized with whatever you want, the LTE/operator indicator is really just that, an indicator  does take you into the Cellular data sub-menu when pressed, and does allow toggling cellular data on-off . You can add the "Cellular data" icon, from the Edit menu, allowing instant access to the same option described above.

 

 

On 1/3/2017 at 3:06 PM, mtls2005 said:

What is the make/model? Which operator? Have you subscribed to any mobile data plan?

 

 

It's a Huawei Mate 9, with both True and DTAC prepaid SIM installed. There's a screen grab attached below. I was originally thinking that it was a generic Android thing, but I suppose based on everyone's good feedback here that it could be phone UI related. On my phone I can keep the 4G on and turn off the mobile data icon. Therefore I assume that 4G is an optional extra that gets activated only as required, and only 3G can be selected as well. Not sure why - but I guess as 4G would eat up any data allowance in a few seconds on a good high speed connection this is useful. Therefore with attached settings my data is all off, and should I switch it on, then 4G kicks in as well until I disable the 4G icon. I normally only use the phone on wifi connections and keep data off 99% of the time to keep the mobile SIM cost down.

Maybe look at the user's guide; it may explain all those icons?

 

My best guess now might be that you can turn mobile data on/off, and that 4G indicator simply means that your phone is communicating with a 4G-capable base station.

 

Obviously you could test various scenarios and figure out what those icons do.

 

Go to YouTube and search "using Huawei Mate 9"  Many videos available that will teach you everything you need to know about your phone.