topic Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed in EE app and website

EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 09:06:13 GMT

I only took out EE as they assured me I can turn off the data whenever I want (I explained to EE it’s for when my son is at school) and EE told me it would turn off immediately. That’s clearly not true as there is a long delay. EE has hoodwinked me into taking out a SIM with them under false pretences. What else can I use to turn off data? iPhone settings is useless as he can use an extra ‘one minute’ PER APP every time I turn it off so that system is flawed. I need a plan C. Help!

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Schockwave — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:13:11 GMT

@NJA34 , EE are correct, you can do that under settings, but if you switch off via settings mobile settings, switch it off there, and using the EE App and clicking on the number for your son’s account, you can switch data off, and that should stop him using data.

Also try changing parental control for his number to under 13’s if not already done, in settings.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:15:15 GMT

Hi, yes I’ve been doing that on the app, but there’s a delay (up to 24 hours) and when I bought the SIM from EE I specifically explained what I needed it for and they said yes you can do that but they didn’t say there could be a 24 hour delay! Which defeats the whole point of it. I want to turn off data at 8.30am and turn it back on at 2.50pm when he walks home from school. I’m frustrated because EE didn’t say it could take up to 24 hours for the change to take place.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Schockwave — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:21:10 GMT

@NJA34 Sorry, I have no idea how to change that then, I suspect they did not realise that, and thought you may want it all the time, I have never done it myself nor will I so no idea.

Just to let you know that it does not stop calls, so he can still make and receive calls and text even with data switched off, he would either have to switch the phone off or put it on silence or do not disturb to not here or receive calls or text or make them.

It is just data that you are trying to switch off, not phone calls or text, when switching data off.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:23:27 GMT

Just data as he will access Snapchat and internet. Calls are fine as he won’t make them and he never uses texts. Thanks for your input. I appreciate your time replying.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Schockwave — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:26:15 GMT

@NJA34 , so why not have data switched off, and then when at home he can then use the internet for Snapchat and internet using wifi?

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:48:43 GMT

Because he goes out with his friends too when he’s at school and I need to see his location via an app and he communicates with his friendship group via snap. Also he’ll use the internet when he’s out and about for various things.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:49:12 GMT

I mean he goes out with his friends AFTER school!

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Chris_B — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:35:25 GMT

@NJA34 It’s a filter system through the network that has to reach the sim to disable data. No network can automatically just disable data straight the way. I’ve done this is the past is it’s usually minutes but both off and on but it’s not guaranteed to work like that.
You might be able to set the device up with parental controls so the device will automatically switch data off/on at set times. And it’s all locked under a password that you setup.
What device is it ?

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:39:18 GMT

Hi, it’s an iPhone XR. Parental settings on an iPhone are flawed too as he can get round that by getting 1 more minute per app every time he turns it on. Enough for him to get into trouble, get his phone taken away etc. He lacks impulse control so it doesn’t work just telling him to be compliant unfortunately! I’ve been looking at third party apps too to control the data feature but as yet I’ve not found one that is not glitchy and affordable

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Schockwave — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:16:24 GMT

@NJA34 , have you spoken to the school staff about this? Some schools now have it that phones are made to be put away during school times and then they can get them at the end of the day again, I have seen this on programs, but I would suggest you speak to the authorities and see what they say.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:24:52 GMT

That’s what he’s supposed to do but…that’s why I’m trying to find a technical solution. I’ll have to pay for a parenting app and hope he doesn’t crack the code!

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Chris_B — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:29:39 GMT

@NJA34 Are you also putting the apps behind parental control? not just data.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:33:43 GMT

Yes, well he can use say Snapchat out of school as that’s how all the teens communicate with one another but the iPhone ‘parental’ settings known as screen time is flawed. I can’t just say to him ‘don’t use it’ as he’s impulsive and they are all getting their phones out at times (except he’s the one who gets caught!). He is learning slowly but at 14 it goes in one ear and out the other. So I’m trying to take control of things. I tell him to use leave his phone at home but came police that and he needs his phone after school so we can stay in touch and other things. I’ve heard of some third party apps I could try. More money!

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Christopher_G — Sat, 24 May 2025 07:50:54 GMT

Hi @NJA34

Welcome to the community.

I know this is a very difficult thing to try and manage your son's phone. We have some brilliant advice on our parental controls help pages.

I understand that you're disappointed with the way the contract was sold to you. If you raise a complaint on our online form, a dedicated team will look into that and contact you to discuss it.

Chris

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

Schockwave — Sat, 24 May 2025 09:56:22 GMT

@NJA34 , you can go to settings scroll down on screen time and then screen time for family, you should be able to do it from there, I have just had a look thanks to the link that @Christopher_G has put, definitely worth taking a look there.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Sat, 24 May 2025 10:05:44 GMT

Yes I use iPhone screen time settings but it’s flawed. Every time you turn the phone back on it or ‘wake it up’ allows you get one more minute automatically per app so kids can get round this. Apple is aware of this flaw when I’ve spoken to them. So it doesn’t solve the problem at school.

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

EssexBoyEE — Sat, 24 May 2025 12:19:29 GMT

If your Tracking your Son's location via an App then surely your need Data to be Active on his phone for that to work?

Re: EE data turn off feature - mis-sold and flawed

NJA34 — Sat, 24 May 2025 15:17:27 GMT

Yes, but I don’t need to track him when he’s at school as he’s at school. My whole thread is nothing to do with that