Disable Samsung Smart Network Switch - Save Data Usage
Samsung's Smart Network Switch: A Detailed Look
Imagine a scenario: you are enjoying a beverage at a café, utilizing public Wi-Fi on your smartphone. Suddenly, the Wi-Fi signal becomes unreliable. Fortunately, Samsung devices equipped with the Smart Network Switch feature seamlessly transition to a mobile data connection when Wi-Fi connectivity weakens.
Essentially, when a compromised Wi-Fi signal is detected, the phone maintains a connection but leverages mobile data until the Wi-Fi network stabilizes. While beneficial, this feature isn’t without potential drawbacks.
Data Usage Considerations
Related: How to Monitor (and Reduce) Your Data Usage on Android
Activating Smart Network Switch will inevitably lead to increased mobile data consumption. For users prioritizing data conservation to minimize expenses, this feature may prove disadvantageous.
Because the phone doesn’t fully disconnect from the Wi-Fi network, it continues to indicate an active Wi-Fi connection, even while utilizing mobile data. Consequently, determining when Wi-Fi or mobile data is in use becomes difficult, potentially resulting in unexpectedly high data charges.
If this concerns you, the following instructions detail how to deactivate the feature.
Disabling Smart Network Switch: A Step-by-Step Guide
First, access the Settings menu by swiping down from the top of the screen to reveal the Notification shade, then tapping the cog icon.
Within this menu, locate and select the “Wi-Fi” option.
In the upper right corner of the Wi-Fi menu, a button labeled “MORE” is present. Tap this button, and then choose “Smart network switch.”
A dialog box will appear, explaining the functionality of Smart Network Switch and presenting two choices: “On” and “Off.” Select the option that aligns with your preferences, which will automatically close the dialog box.
The process is now complete.
Additional Issues and Workarounds
Beyond increased data usage, Smart Network Switch can interfere with device setup procedures, such as configuring a Chromecast. The Chromecast relies on Wi-Fi for initial setup, but doesn't independently provide data connectivity.
The phone may interpret this as a weak connection and switch to mobile data, disrupting the setup process. To resolve this, temporarily disable Smart Network Switch during Chromecast configuration, then re-enable it afterward. This provides a straightforward solution.
Troubleshooting with Chromecast
- The phone detects a weak connection during Chromecast setup.
- The phone switches to mobile data.
- The setup process is cancelled.
Simply disable Smart Network Switch before beginning the Chromecast setup.