iPlayer on Android

alexirambert · 23-04-2015, 19:06

I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick!

So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless?

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexirambert

I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick!

So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless?

I can't speak for the Android version. I guess someone else here can but on my iPhone iPlayer app there are no mobile data settings in the app itself.
There is however iPlayer settings in the main iPhone settings list and this allows you to toggle "use mobile data" on and off.
Settings / BBC iPlayer / Use Mobile Data.

lightspeed2398 · 23-04-2015, 19:16

There's nothing native on Android to do this, not even in the rooted "app ops" option. As Devon points out it's very easy to do on iOS.

If you root there'll probably be an Xposed Module or Root App to do it but that's not the point. Considering the amount of users on restricted data tariffs it's surprising that iPlayer didn't fire off a warning and Android didn't warn you.

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 19:27

I have to say.. that is really bizarre.
I would also point out that for all the slating iOS gets, I do like the fact that main settings for apps are completely separate.
I'm not an Android hater, I just prefer iOS but having to set up emails accounts day in day out I find Android really annoying in that half the settings are in the main OS settings and the rest are in the mail app/s.
With iOS it's ALL in the main settings.
iOS... a mobile OS for simple people like me!!
Hahahahaha

EDIT: For balance, iOS's SMTP configuration settings are a right pain in the arse!!!

lightspeed2398 · 23-04-2015, 19:30

Without derailing the thread too much I agree with you that fragmentation of everything on Android is a real problem. This is too much of a generalisation but in general Android phones have the kitchen sink thrown in as a feature but sometimes they overlook the features that users actually want (Samsung I'm looking at you) like this example. As well as that the adoption of 5.0 Lollipop (5.1.1 now) has been absolutely shocking.

emz15 · 23-04-2015, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexirambert

I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick!

So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless?

You can download the programme over wifi and then watch it ofline

lightspeed2398 · 23-04-2015, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by emz15

You can download the programme over wifi and then watch it ofline

That would work for pre-shown programs but it wouldn't work for scenarios where someone wants to watch TV live like the OP.

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

Without derailing the thread too much I agree with you that fragmentation of everything on Android is a real problem. This is too much of a generalisation but in general Android phones have the kitchen sink thrown in as a feature but sometimes they overlook the features that users actually want (Samsung I'm looking at you) like this example. As well as that the adoption of 5.0 Lollipop (5.1.1 now) has been absolutely shocking.

That Sir, is probably the best description I have heard.
Fragmentation is the word.
The OS is really good, it's just not thought through enough in many places.
On the other hand iOS is good at all the day to day stuff but occasionally you just go... for God's sake Apple... what the hell were you thinking!!!!
Hahahaha

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

That would work for pre-shown programs but it wouldn't work for scenarios where someone wants to watch TV live like the OP.

I was going to say that but I won't now!

jchamier · 23-04-2015, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexirambert

So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless?

I have a Moto G 4G as well on 4.4.4 - and I think the only option is to set up a data limit so that the OS will stop all 3G/4G data at a low level. You can then go in and up the limit if you want.

I suspect the apps don't get told if they're on cellular data, or wifi unless they specifically ask - or the BBC didn't code it.

Why not contact the BBC about it ?

lightspeed2398 · 23-04-2015, 20:14

The apps can see what type of network service they're running on, Android exposes that information through an API. The BBC must not have programmed it. They do give a warning at the beginning when you start a program but if you accidentally drop wifi then it does nothing.

d123 · 23-04-2015, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

The BBC must not have programmed it.

Which seems strange as the BBC did program that setting in the iOS app.

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 20:44

The BBC obviously hate Android...... and Jeremy Clarkson.
I am stopping my TV Licence DD right now!!!
Hahahahahaha

jchamier · 23-04-2015, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

Which seems strange as the BBC did program that setting in the iOS app.

Maybe there is something in the apple programmers tools that does this for them that isn't in the android tools they're targeting? Perhaps the app is still targeting Android 2.x which was quite early?

Devilduck · 23-04-2015, 20:47

Just turn off mobile data whilst streaming!

Stupid iplayer app

DevonBloke · 23-04-2015, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devilduck

Just turn off mobile data whilst streaming!

Stupid iplayer app

Fiddly but.. good call!

jchamier · 23-04-2015, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Fiddly but.. good call!

yeah, no quick setting for that, unlike WiFi, but only two taps.

lightspeed2398 · 23-04-2015, 20:53

The app targets Gingerbread (still got about 7% of users on at this moment).

I've just checked in the settings of the BBC iPlayer for Android app and there's nothing related to mobile data. It's always been strange on Android, you still have to download the separate BBC Media Player application for it to play something.

omnidirectional · 23-04-2015, 21:51

There's nothing to stop the BBC adding "stream over Wifi only"/"allow 3G/4G streaming" options, apps like SkyGo already offer something like that.

alexirambert · 24-04-2015, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by omnidirectional

There's nothing to stop the BBC adding "stream over Wifi only"/"allow 3G/4G streaming" options

That would be perfect, it's exactly what I was looking for except it doesn't seem to exist. I use Auto-Backup to send photos to my Google account storage and that has a simple setting 'Backup over Wifi only'

Anyway thanks for all your replies. If this feature ever becomes available please someone leave a note here

d123 · 24-04-2015, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexirambert

That would be perfect, it's exactly what I was looking for except it doesn't seem to exist. I use Auto-Backup to send photos to my Google account storage and that has a simple setting 'Backup over Wifi only'

Anyway thanks for all your replies. If this feature ever becomes available please someone leave a note here

They ask for feedback on Twitter @bbciplayer or Facebook www.facebook.com/bbciplayer.

Maybe send them messages by both?

alexirambert · 24-04-2015, 10:11

Yep, I have also used https://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/forms? and referenced this thread

23-04-2015, 19:06	#1
alexirambert Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 124	iPlayer on Android I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick! So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless?

23-04-2015, 19:12	#2
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by alexirambert I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick! So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless? I can't speak for the Android version. I guess someone else here can but on my iPhone iPlayer app there are no mobile data settings in the app itself. There is however iPlayer settings in the main iPhone settings list and this allows you to toggle "use mobile data" on and off. Settings / BBC iPlayer / Use Mobile Data.

23-04-2015, 19:16	#3
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	There's nothing native on Android to do this, not even in the rooted "app ops" option. As Devon points out it's very easy to do on iOS. If you root there'll probably be an Xposed Module or Root App to do it but that's not the point. Considering the amount of users on restricted data tariffs it's surprising that iPlayer didn't fire off a warning and Android didn't warn you.

23-04-2015, 19:27	#4
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	I have to say.. that is really bizarre. I would also point out that for all the slating iOS gets, I do like the fact that main settings for apps are completely separate. I'm not an Android hater, I just prefer iOS but having to set up emails accounts day in day out I find Android really annoying in that half the settings are in the main OS settings and the rest are in the mail app/s. With iOS it's ALL in the main settings. iOS... a mobile OS for simple people like me!! Hahahahaha EDIT: For balance, iOS's SMTP configuration settings are a right pain in the arse!!!

23-04-2015, 19:30	#5
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Without derailing the thread too much I agree with you that fragmentation of everything on Android is a real problem. This is too much of a generalisation but in general Android phones have the kitchen sink thrown in as a feature but sometimes they overlook the features that users actually want (Samsung I'm looking at you) like this example. As well as that the adoption of 5.0 Lollipop (5.1.1 now) has been absolutely shocking.

23-04-2015, 19:32	#6
emz15 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 31,711	Quote: Originally Posted by alexirambert I was streaming live BBCTV over The Cloud wifi in the pub earlier today when at some point, without me realising, my phone lost connection to the wifi and started using the phone's 4G connection instead. This obviously burnt through my data allowance pretty damn quick! So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless? You can download the programme over wifi and then watch it ofline

23-04-2015, 19:38	#7
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Quote: Originally Posted by emz15 You can download the programme over wifi and then watch it ofline That would work for pre-shown programs but it wouldn't work for scenarios where someone wants to watch TV live like the OP.

23-04-2015, 19:38	#8
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by lightspeed2398 Without derailing the thread too much I agree with you that fragmentation of everything on Android is a real problem. This is too much of a generalisation but in general Android phones have the kitchen sink thrown in as a feature but sometimes they overlook the features that users actually want (Samsung I'm looking at you) like this example. As well as that the adoption of 5.0 Lollipop (5.1.1 now) has been absolutely shocking. That Sir, is probably the best description I have heard. Fragmentation is the word. The OS is really good, it's just not thought through enough in many places. On the other hand iOS is good at all the day to day stuff but occasionally you just go... for God's sake Apple... what the hell were you thinking!!!! Hahahaha

23-04-2015, 19:43	#9
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by lightspeed2398 That would work for pre-shown programs but it wouldn't work for scenarios where someone wants to watch TV live like the OP. I was going to say that but I won't now!

23-04-2015, 20:08	#10
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by alexirambert So my question: Is it possible to disable streaming over a mobile network so that iPlayer only works over wifi - or at least warns me if it is switching from wifi to mobile network? Phone is a Moto G running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. I've fiddled around with phone settings and the app itself but can't see anything suitable. In Data Usage it says I can Restrict Background Data - though all usage seems to be in the Foreground anyway so that's pointless? I have a Moto G 4G as well on 4.4.4 - and I think the only option is to set up a data limit so that the OS will stop all 3G/4G data at a low level. You can then go in and up the limit if you want. I suspect the apps don't get told if they're on cellular data, or wifi unless they specifically ask - or the BBC didn't code it. Why not contact the BBC about it ?

23-04-2015, 20:14	#11
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	The apps can see what type of network service they're running on, Android exposes that information through an API. The BBC must not have programmed it. They do give a warning at the beginning when you start a program but if you accidentally drop wifi then it does nothing.

23-04-2015, 20:36	#12
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by lightspeed2398 The BBC must not have programmed it. Which seems strange as the BBC did program that setting in the iOS app.

23-04-2015, 20:44	#13
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	The BBC obviously hate Android...... and Jeremy Clarkson. I am stopping my TV Licence DD right now!!! Hahahahahaha

23-04-2015, 20:47	#14
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 Which seems strange as the BBC did program that setting in the iOS app. Maybe there is something in the apple programmers tools that does this for them that isn't in the android tools they're targeting? Perhaps the app is still targeting Android 2.x which was quite early?

23-04-2015, 20:47	#15
Devilduck Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 43	Just turn off mobile data whilst streaming! Stupid iplayer app

23-04-2015, 20:49	#16
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by Devilduck Just turn off mobile data whilst streaming! Stupid iplayer app Fiddly but.. good call!

23-04-2015, 20:51	#17
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Fiddly but.. good call! yeah, no quick setting for that, unlike WiFi, but only two taps.

23-04-2015, 20:53	#18
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	The app targets Gingerbread (still got about 7% of users on at this moment). I've just checked in the settings of the BBC iPlayer for Android app and there's nothing related to mobile data. It's always been strange on Android, you still have to download the separate BBC Media Player application for it to play something.

23-04-2015, 21:51	#19
omnidirectional Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,879	There's nothing to stop the BBC adding "stream over Wifi only"/"allow 3G/4G streaming" options, apps like SkyGo already offer something like that.

24-04-2015, 09:43	#20
alexirambert Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 124	Quote: Originally Posted by omnidirectional There's nothing to stop the BBC adding "stream over Wifi only"/"allow 3G/4G streaming" options That would be perfect, it's exactly what I was looking for except it doesn't seem to exist. I use Auto-Backup to send photos to my Google account storage and that has a simple setting 'Backup over Wifi only' Anyway thanks for all your replies. If this feature ever becomes available please someone leave a note here

24-04-2015, 09:54	#21
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by alexirambert That would be perfect, it's exactly what I was looking for except it doesn't seem to exist. I use Auto-Backup to send photos to my Google account storage and that has a simple setting 'Backup over Wifi only' Anyway thanks for all your replies. If this feature ever becomes available please someone leave a note here They ask for feedback on Twitter @bbciplayer or Facebook www.facebook.com/bbciplayer. Maybe send them messages by both?

DS Forums

iPlayer on Android

24-04-2015, 10:11	#22
alexirambert Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 124	Yep, I have also used https://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/forms? and referenced this thread