Disable iPhone Data Use
Thanks to the new iPhone OS update, you can easily disable iPhone data usage when on a cellular network (this is separate from the ability to disable data roaming).
- Tap on “Settings”
- Tap on “General”
- Select and tap “Network”
- Tap the On/Off switch next to “Cellular Data” to disable cell data use
- Close Settings
Now your iPhone will no longer use cellular data. You can enable use just by tapping the on/off switch again.
Combining this with a periodic check of iPhone data use is a great way to avoid overage charges.
This is really important when trying to stay within the data usage constraints of the revised AT&T data plans, which you can read more about on our iPhone 4 price guide.
Note that this ability was included with the new iOS 4 update, so prior versions of the iPhone OS do not have the same functionality.

So does this mean that those of us who cannot justify the usage of data everyday, if even at all (because of our residence or whatever) can now justify purchasing an Iphone and not have to get the data plan, but rather just talk/text?
Thank you thank you thank you! I just turned cellular data off at 195.6 MB’s used with about 4 days to go until my next billing cycle. So basically my iPhone will be an over-glorified 2g cell phone for the next few days, tho it is definitely worth saving $15!!! I’ll just go easier on spreading out my data usage next month. Thanks again!
[...] I don’t mean only turning off data on the phone, I mean having a simple voice and SMS plan without any data plan at all. These voice [...]
even if iturn it off does that mean i still have to pay for it?
[...] into an iPod touch, letting you use wifi networks but avoid any potentially expensive voice or data roaming charges. stLight.options({ [...]
I wish they would have just a sms plan for Iphone. They have killed off the unlimited plans because they were losing money on people going over their data plans without having to pay for it. I know you can turn off the cell data but I wish the controls would be included in parental control so it requires a password to turn back on.