Family Allowances does not work for modern phones.
FamilyMode is too reliant on a app to install on a child phone, that can be quickly bypassed in several ways. Turn off VPN, Turn off/on ScreenTime, etc.
Is the only option really to manually switch the account from Magenta to No Data for multiple lines? I would gladly pay for FamilyMode if it even worked correctly.
All I want to do, is turn off Data for 12am-6am at night.
+15
There should be an option within your account to turn off data. I don’t believe this can be set to a schedule, but you should be able to do this within your my.t-mobile.com account under usage. If you choose to do this though, you also have to consider they might be able to use WiFi from your home or a neighbors to still connect during the time you disable their data.
+14
Unfortunately the only way to truly take data away is to take the phones away for that time period. As syaoran posted they will still have access to wifi.
Not concerned over WiFi as that is manageable, and we don’t have any neighbors close enough to hop on.
I am mainly concerned over constantly turning Data on and off from the plans, if that might cause a problem with the account.
We simply want to have the kids “take a break” 12am-7am from the internet. They need the phones for school info and calls.
I am in this same situation. Did you ever figure out how to do this? I can take the phone away but I’d rather have technology do it for me.
Not concerned over WiFi as that is manageable, and we don’t have any neighbors close enough to hop on.
I am mainly concerned over constantly turning Data on and off from the plans, if that might cause a problem with the account.
We simply want to have the kids “take a break” 12am-7am from the internet. They need the phones for school info and calls.
This feature was available for me in ATT. I was able to data on/off for kids with click of a button from my phone. This is really missing in t-mobile
To all who are participating on this blog and to those parents as myself, after going through a lot of stressful moments with my kids about the phones usage, especially data and trying to activate Screen Time (For iPhone users), kids are very smart these days, especially with technology. They are not afraid to make mistakes while researching how to get YouTube working while on Screen Time. As parents we still want to communicate (Talk or Text) with our kids while they are not physically with us. This reply is for users who are under T-Mobile plan (Not sure if other providers will have this feature):
STEP 1: After you login, select Account from the top left menu of your screen, as shown below:
STEP 2: Click on the phone/line you would like to disable the data:
STEP 3: Click on the line plan, Then, click on Manage Add-Ons:
Once you are on this screen as shown above, you have the option to select No Data and click Save. This feature will disable the data for that line and as you can see on my data plan, that service is already free as part of it. Make sure you check for that when you want to disable it. I spoke to T-Mobile support, and they mentioned this is a new feature offered with the latest update of the T-Mobile account UI. Meaning, we (Account Owners) have the option to turn it on/off.
In summary, I have found this to be the best way to turn on/off data for my kid’s phones. I hope this helps and you find useful. For users who have different providers, check with their support team or browse through your account and see if you can find it. Now, go and play.
Thank you. I am glad it could help you and you have a piece of mind now like I do
To all who are participating on this blog and to those parents as myself, after going through a lot of stressful moments with my kids about the phones usage, especially data and trying to activate Screen Time (For iPhone users), kids are very smart these days, especially with technology. They are not afraid to make mistakes while researching how to get YouTube working while on Screen Time. As parents we still want to communicate (Talk or Text) with our kids while they are not physically with us. This reply is for users who are under T-Mobile plan (Not sure if other providers will have this feature):
STEP 1: After you login, select Account from the top left menu of your screen, as shown below:
STEP 2: Click on the phone/line you would like to disable the data:
STEP 3: Click on the line plan, Then, click on Manage Add-Ons:
Once you are on this screen as shown above, you have the option to select No Data and click Save. This feature will disable the data for that line and as you can see on my data plan, that service is already free as part of it. Make sure you check for that when you want to disable it. I spoke to T-Mobile support, and they mentioned this is a new feature offered with the latest update of the T-Mobile account UI. Meaning, we (Account Owners) have the option to turn it on/off.
In summary, I have found this to be the best way to turn on/off data for my kid’s phones. I hope this helps and you find useful. For users who have different providers, check with their support team or browse through your account and see if you can find it. Now, go and play.
internet still works after doing this
@Mike: the internet works because they are connecting to a WiFi signal and thus getting data that way. What I did while my kids were home, I changed the wireless router password, update each device that uses wifi with the new password and I did not share it with my kids. As a result, no data at home neither. Problem solved at home and while you are in places they do not have wifi for free. Remember, the solution I provided was only in reference to the phone data plan only. And yes, it works. Now, make sure to logout of your account and log back in and check it to see if your changes took place. If you have trouble doing it yourself, then t recommend contact t-mobile support and they can help you. Now, go and play.
i think it might have to go with the VPN.. not sure maybe turn on the VPN as your phone may be doing opposite of what you want. I had this similar issue and i think i deleted the vpn and reset my network connections but I'm not sure reach out to the vpn maybe. also apps on phones have a lot of permissions such as staying connected and whatever they say in their clauses;! hope you get it fixed.
Juan-
When I go through all the steps to disable my daughter’s data, there’s a warning from T Mobile saying I am only able to suspend/turn data off twice per year. And there’s a second warning about it affecting my plan and I could be charged more. Have you run into problems with turning their data off more than a couple of times?
I’m switching to AT&T as soon as my agreement is up. AT&T has a super easy way to toggle data on and off for any phone in the account. With T-mobile, it’s a huge pain!
Juan-
When I go through all the steps to disable my daughter’s data, there’s a warning from T Mobile saying I am only able to suspend/turn data off twice per year. And there’s a second warning about it affecting my plan and I could be charged more. Have you run into problems with turning their data off more than a couple of times?
You don’t want the suspend option, I think you aren’t doing it right. Don’t click on ‘Suspend a line temporarily’. Keep scrolling down and click on ‘Manage add-ons’.
...
Juan thank you so much for posting this.
I find it completely insane that they now offer parental controls, and they only allow us to limit voice and text message times. Kids today don’t call each other or and they do most of their texting through apps. The main one we care about is data and we can’t setup a simple schedule to keep kids off the data at night...ridiculous.
Juan F instructions helped turn off data for my daughter’s phone. I do want to point out it takes about 5-10 mins for turning on and off.
I’m switching to AT&T as soon as my agreement is up. AT&T has a super easy way to toggle data on and off for any phone in the account. With T-mobile, it’s a huge pain!
Do you know if Verizon offers anything similar?
This solution, unfortunately, did not work for me. I selected my own phone as a test case, went through all the steps, the account indicates that I have no data, but… I still have a cellular connection and can still create a hotspot. I can’t explain that. It’s frustrating as I was hoping this solution would work. Any insights? Thank you.
This solution, unfortunately, did not work for me. I selected my own phone as a test case, went through all the steps, the account indicates that I have no data, but… I still have a cellular connection and can still create a hotspot. I can’t explain that. It’s frustrating as I was hoping this solution would work. Any insights? Thank you.
Did you figure this out?
We’ve been with TMobile for 15 years. I love TMobile and their new “un-carrier” way of supporting their customers. But this issue will be the one that makes me switch. The family controls only work for turning off voice and text which is useless for most parents these days. The real harm is having access to the internet when they should be sleeping. This is a big problem for parents these days.
I’ve tried their family controls a few times over the past 2 or 3 years and it just doesn't work for stopping data. If AT&T seriously has this figured out I will have to switch. And it is a shame because I love TMobile otherwise. If someone from TMobile can respond and tell me they are working on it would change my mind.
I tried blocking devices on my mobile internet router using the devices IP addresses. That didn't work!
Can T-mobile do something tangible for once? Or are they in cahoots with the porn and tech industry that seek to destroy the lives of screens through their products?
+15
I tried blocking devices on my mobile internet router using the devices IP addresses. That didn't work!
Can T-mobile do something tangible for once? Or are they in cahoots with the porn and tech industry that seek to destroy the lives of screens through their products?
Block the device by Mac Address, if that is possible. If you block the IP, the device just gets assigned another one.
Thanks for the tip albeit TMobile doesn't allow blocking by a specific number.
My apologies, I was unclear in my last post. I blocked the device by locating it using the IP address. TMobile has the IP address and Mac addresses as an identifier but will not allow me block using one or the other. It just blocks the device but device can still access wifi.
I have a child’s phone with a line previously set to “No Data.” Now they’ve grown up we’d like to re-enable data as with our other lines. However, there is no longer any other options besides “No Data.” Does anyone have experience re-enabling data from Addons > Monthly Data Plan? Support call?
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