Please give us back the option to disable Sync on Power

[Syke]

I've never tried because I think it's worth to invest 1 MB of my 200 MB monthly mobile quota in being synched with the chain as much as possible. But since you're so convinced about the usecase - why don't you try?

I wish it was that light on data. At this moment, Android is showing Bitcoin has downloaded 5.65MB out of the 66MB so far this billing cycle. That's a little heavy for a limited data plan. It's really painful when I go roaming internationally.

[Mike Hearn]

Any data at all is painful when roaming, that's why Android disables data access by default.

At the moment I'm showing about 4.5mb of data used so far in August, so that doesn't sound totally off the mark. It could probably be optimised further, it's just never been a focus. What kind of data plan do you have? I guess most people have between 500-1000mb per month these days, on contract, so about 5mb would be 0.5%-1% of total transfer usage. Again, it could be improved, but there are bigger problems with the app right now.

[Syke]

Any data at all is painful when roaming, that's why Android disables data access by default.

Ok, for this use case, restricting background data would do it. It doesn't eliminate wifi usage, but that isn't as important. I just have to remember to disable background data for bitcoin when I go roaming.

At the moment I'm showing about 4.5mb of data used so far in August, so that doesn't sound totally off the mark. It could probably be optimised further, it's just never been a focus. What kind of data plan do you have? I guess most people have between 500-1000mb per month these days, on contract, so about 5mb would be 0.5%-1% of total transfer usage. Again, it could be improved, but there are bigger problems with the app right now.

A basic AT&T data plan is 300 MB.

[Mike Hearn]

OK, I can see that 5 of 300 is getting into the zone where one might care, although it's still a small amount. Android does let you restrict data on mobile only, at least the version I have does. On the app specific data usage screen there is a check box at the bottom which says "restrict background usage on mobile networks". Perhaps it's a jellybean feature though? Not sure.

[pointbiz]

OK, I can see that 5 of 300 is getting into the zone where one might care, although it's still a small amount. Android does let you restrict data on mobile only, at least the version I have does. On the app specific data usage screen there is a check box at the bottom which says "restrict background usage on mobile networks". Perhaps it's a jellybean feature though? Not sure.

I turned off mobile data today for the app and it used 53% of my battery.

[Andreas Schildbach]

OK, I can see that 5 of 300 is getting into the zone where one might care, although it's still a small amount. Android does let you restrict data on mobile only, at least the version I have does. On the app specific data usage screen there is a check box at the bottom which says "restrict background usage on mobile networks". Perhaps it's a jellybean feature though? Not sure.

I turned off mobile data today for the app and it used 53% of my battery.

Would you like to send me your logs so I can look up exactly what consumed your battery? Use Options > Settings > Report issue. Please refer to this post in the description.

[Krellan]

Would you like to send me your logs so I can look up exactly what consumed your battery? Use Options > Settings > Report issue. Please refer to this post in the description.

A few days ago, I found it taking a mere 64% of my battery!

Here's screenshots:



Unfortunately, didn't know about the "Report Issue" feature at the time this happened.

I've rebooted the phone several times since then, though, and it didn't happen again!

Josh

[Andreas Schildbach]

Well, the report feature can report up to 7 days worth of logs. So if you know the exact date it might be worth to report nevertheless.

[Krellan]

Well, the report feature can report up to 7 days worth of logs. So if you know the exact date it might be worth to report nevertheless.

Thanks.  It happened on September 4, as per the timestamp on the screenshot photo.

Unfortunately, I can't find how to send a report.

In the phone's "Application manager", on the main "App info" screen that was in my earlier screenshot, the button that was previously labeled "Report" is now labeled "Uninstall"!  I tried to go to "Battery" but Bitcoin doesn't show up in the list (it is being very well-behaved now, because I'm on a fast Wi-Fi connection so it can complete its periodic sync quickly).  So, I can't send a report from the Battery screen, which I should have done from that screenshot!

I was able to send another kind of report by going to the "Active apps" tab of "Application manager", selecting Bitcoin, then the service "BlockchainServiceImpl" had a "Report" button.  I did this.  Don't know if it will help, though.

Is there a way to force Android to always enable the "Report" button, for apps of interest?

Josh

[twmz]

Unfortunately, I can't find how to send a report.

Report Issue is a button on the In-App settings page.

[Orbixx]

Exactly what is so undesirable about including an option to turn off sync completely unless the Bitcoin app intent has onscreen focus?

This is clearly a sought-after feature for numerous reasons, including battery life. Just briefly outline the consequence of not having a frequently updated blockchain. I don't even mind if you refuse to provide support for people with sync turned off.

It's the only reason I do not have this app installed.

[khepri66]

Sorry to dig up this thread but I just started up an older device and this app decided burn through 200mb. Nice one. It's not like that's 20% of my quota or anything.

Exactly what is so undesirable about including an option to turn off sync completely unless the Bitcoin app intent has onscreen focus?

This is clearly a sought-after feature for numerous reasons, including battery life. Just briefly outline the consequence of not having a frequently updated blockchain. I don't even mind if you refuse to provide support for people with sync turned off.

It's the only reason I do not have this app installed.

At least one altcoin fork has had this feature (plus a disconnect button!) from the beginning, and it works just fine. It's clear that there's no real reason why it can't exist other than developer arrogance.

I'm honestly undecided on my favorite part of the thread. Is it the developer autistically responding to the wording of a user's comment while completely missing the point, or the part where the app used 60% battery with background data disabled, or the simple fact that the developer literally cannot understand how a user might be willing to accept the tradeoff of no sync?