iPhone connects via cellular data network instead of WiFi network

[Arcadio]

I'm paying for internet service on my iPhone by the Mb. So if there is a wifi network, I would rather use that instead of the cellular data network. The problem is that my iPhone prefers the T-mobile data network over the Wifi.

Is there a way to set Wifi as the preferred way to connect to the internet?

Edit: I got the old iPhone 3G.

 

[TheStu]

Do you have the phone set to notify you when you are in an open network? YOu need to tell it to connect to a new network, so if you have it notify you, then you can do so.

If you have used the network before, then it should switch to WiFi auto-magically.

 

[Arcadio]

Do you have the phone set to notify you when you are in an open network? YOu need to tell it to connect to a new network, so if you have it notify you, then you can do so.

If you have used the network before, then it should switch to WiFi auto-magically.

It used to switch to WiFi mode automatically, but it stopped doing so a while ago. If I check the Wi-Fi settings, it says it's connected to my wifi network, but when I browse the internet I don't see the Wifi icon on the top-left corner. All I see is the big 'E' which I guess it means that I'm using the cellular data network.

 

[mmntech]

So Wifi is definitely turned on in the phone and you've got the correct password for it. Should work. Try going into the general settings menu and reset the network settings. Sets everything back to default. Then try it.

 

[nickbits]

I've only had that problem with "flakey" access points.

 

[Arcadio]

So Wifi is definitely turned on in the phone and you've got the correct password for it. Should work. Try going into the general settings menu and reset the network settings. Sets everything back to default. Then try it.

That didn't work. I should mention that the WiFi access point is only inches away. The problem is not the router or the wifi password.

 

[Mark R]

That didn't work. I should mention that the WiFi access point is only inches away. The problem is not the router or the wifi password.

Is the wi-fi point checked in the settings -> wifi menu?

If the phone is connected to the AP point, then it will appear checked. However, you will not get the Wifi icon in the status bar, unless the phone gets an IP address and an internet connection.

E.g. I have a secondary AP at home, connected to a wired LAN - then to an ADSL router. If I disconnect the LAN cable, then the phone will still connect to the AP, but without usable internet connection, it will continue to send data via its cellular connection.

There is a second issue with the iPhone. When the iPhone is in standby (screen off), then the wifi module in the phone is disabled. If the phone needs to send data when it is in standby (e.g. e-mail checking, push notifications, etc.) then the data can only go via cellular. [The iPhone 4 has a new power management system, which allows the wifi module to be switched on when in standby, in preference to using cellular data - but the 3GS and previous models, are stuck with cellular only in standby mode].

 

[KH85]

Try 'Forget this Network'

In the WiFi setting click the arrow next to the network name and then forget this network...

And then sign into the network again...

Also is the iPhone jailbroken? This happened alot for me when mine was jailbroken!

 

[Arcadio]

There is a checkmark next to the name of my Wifi network. The problem occurs with any Wifi network. I've tried it with more than 3 networks, and it still doesn't work. The iphone is jailbroken, maybe that's the problem, but it was working a few weeks ago

 

[KH85]

When mine was jailbroken it had alot of issues with wireless networks.... i have no idea why though - try a restore and re jailbreak (if you need it jailbroken)

It was jailbroken on several occasions, sometimes it was fine sometimes it was a pain, a friend had a jailbroken ipod touch that had a similar problem!

Good luck

 

[gorcorps]

Jailbreak it, install sbsettings, turn off network data when not used.