Free wifi and verizon data usage

[Gunnyboy]

When utilizing a free wifi hotspot at a restaurant or hotel, as an example, does this use up my gb's on my verizon data plan using my smartphone?

  Thanks for any help....................

[tikibar1]

Using wi-fi at restaurants/hotels/etc. does not use your VzW data plan/data allowance.  You may want to turn off mobile data when connected to wi-fi for long periods in case the wi-fi connection drops.

[boringusername]

Why does this still get asked in 2018? wi-fi is not part of Verizon's network. The only way it is if you're using your phone as a hotpot or have a Verizon hotpsot.

[bearone21]

because people don't know & ask!!

ya ever heard, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask???

[Gunnyboy]

Thanks Tiki,

I really appreciate this. New to smartphones and the android technology, so I'm a bit of an anachronism in world today. Goes with old age....

[boringusername]

Gunnyboy wrote:

Thanks Tiki,

I really appreciate this. New to smartphones and the android technology, so I'm a bit of an anachronism in world today. Goes with old age....

has nothing to do with android. All wi-fi is a wireless signal coming from a router to a device that has wi-fi antennas( such as a phone ). Most of the time the router is connected to a modem that is connected to internet access. of course if you're connected to that you;re not using Verizon's network you are connecting to someone else's ISP( internet service provider ). Your phone also has GPS and bluetooth which are also wireless technologies that also do not connect to Verizon's network

[sprmankalel]

I have to agree and disagree with you.

Of course you are correct on how WiFi works. However, by default, most newer devices are set to use mobile data if the WiFi signal is weak. Public WiFi connections can be very iffy and with this setting on, you do run the risk of using your mobile data unexpectedly.

[boringusername]

I was just explaining how wi-fi works the OP was asking( at least that's the way I inferred ) if wi-fi uses their Verizon data and of course it doesn't. As I said I'm shocked that in 2018 people are still confused over this and not just the OP because I've seen this confusion elsewhere even people I encounter in "real" life.

[sprmankalel]

Oh. I totally get it. I also have to explain these things to people sometimes.

I wanted to add a little extra information without making yours seem invalid.

[vzw_customer_support]

Gunnyboy, we are more than happy to assist you with any questions you do have on using your Android device with the Internet. We know how important it is to make sure that you are saving on your data allowance. When your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network like in a hotel or in a restaurant, you are not using your Verizon Wireless data allowance. However, sprmankalel is right. Certain Android devices do have a Setting you can adjust so that if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network that is not as strong as the Verizon network, your phone may connect back to the Verizon network by default. What kind of Android phone do you have? Are you receiving any indication that your phone is not staying connected to Wi-Fi? 

BrettA_VZW 

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Gunnyboy]

  Thanks to all for the information, especially with regard to turning off mobile data when using wifi.

[boringusername]

Gunnyboy wrote:

Thanks to all for the information, especially with regard to turning off mobile data when using wifi.

Especially if you have an iphone. Not dissing them. They are just really bad at shutting off wi-fi without you knowing.

[sprmankalel]

All phones can show that they're connected to WiFi and not actually be sing the WiFi data. It depends on that setting that automatically bounces you to the mobile connection if you're on a poor WiFi network. Granted, this was the FIRST setting (WiFi Assist) that I turned off on my iPhone 7 Plus when I got it. I think Androids now have this setting as well. It is terrible. You see the WiFi symbol, you're think you're good and you start streaming a movie then...BLAMO!!!...you used 3GB of mobile data because of this little setting that device manufacturers think is helpful. It would only be helpful if you got a pop-up saying that the WiFi was poor and the phone was switching to the mobile data.