topic Re: Temporary turn off service in Get Support

Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:33:25 GMT

Hi, is there a way to temporarily turn off the PM phone service from my rebelious teen's phone?

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:39:20 GMT

@FTT You could report it lost/stolen be one way , have to turn back on when ready too and make sure the account never goes more then 90 days in suspended state by turning off auto subscribe

Report lost phone

Re: Temporary turn off service

Sansan — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:45:16 GMT

Yup, reporting it lost for a week or so is a great idea.

Next take the phone.

It's easy to correct once you've decided what to moving forward. A week or two.

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:53:32 GMT

That's the problem I cant take the phone because she will hide it.

Can I report lost or stolen for like a few hours at a time?

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:54:27 GMT

If I do report it lost or stolen, what can my teen see on the phone at that point? nothing?

Re: Temporary turn off service

hTideGnow — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:56:30 GMT

HI @FTT

You can also use the app, go to Account page, click Report Lost/Stolen Device close to the bottom of the page

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:57:53 GMT

@FTT They will only be able to use it with wifi for data and texting apps , but not while out , but when you go to log in it will send code possible to her number and she know you trying to go into the account . You would need to then hit the “didn’t get code” button have it sent to email if you control it to input the code . So depending on who email name it’s in ultimately can go in change the passwords and 2FA goes to and where phone or email from the ever safe ID . But with that control yes you can turn off and on when you feel it’s needed

Re: Temporary turn off service

slusagm — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:00:31 GMT

use some app to disable some screen with passcode lock

then you can turn on data if you like or disable any app you dont want him to use

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:07:08 GMT

It seems from your answer that my teen will still have access to WiFi and text messaging.

Is that correct?

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:09:50 GMT

@FTT Yes unfortunately, with apps and if it iPhone that’s all it needs for iMessage with out a app , so it’s hard to really completely block them unless at home and you turn off your wifi too . Just depends how far you wanna go with it . But reporting lost or / stolen would work for when there is no wifi available

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:20:13 GMT

that's the problem, the Bell WiFi app is very unreliable and does not always work to freeze the internet on certain devices.

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:27:11 GMT

@FTT You could always just change the wifi password , and give it to the teen when you want again , always having another password ready to change again should the need arise . But if you fear they will just run down the street friends house on wifi it’s all for nothing ,IDK your in tough spot with that one wifi is likely candy to us when we were young and wouldn’t want to strain parent child relationship for some candy every once and awhile , I feel for ya best of luck 🤞

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:32:43 GMT

See that is something I did not think of, thank you. If I change the WiFi password while she is out - will this mean that once she comes home it will not automatically connect like it usually does?

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:35:02 GMT

@FTT Yes that’s right ,your teen would need to then know the new wifi password to connect

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:41:48 GMT

Hi, if I do that, will it suspend automatically or will she receive a code on her phone that she needs to agree to?

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:45:18 GMT

@FTT If you report it lost /stolen it will suspend the service right away with no warning to your teen . If they know the email to the account they could log back in and report it found in the same manner as reporting it lost .

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:50:30 GMT

How could they do that if I have to enter my email, and a password, plus a secure code is sent to my phone in order for me to enter that also for the log-in ?

Re: Temporary turn off service

Sansan — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:52:56 GMT

I recently had to do it fir someone who lost their phone.

There is no warning. It's immediate. The line says no longer in service when you call the number.

When you log in, it will tell you the account is suspended with options to resume service.

Once you resume service, no notification is sent either. Phone works immediately.

My experience recently.

Re: Temporary turn off service

Handy1 — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:53:30 GMT

@FTT They can’t if it’s your email because once phone is shut down it won’t get code just the email will so if you control that . Then only you can get code to log back in and restore service . But if they had access to your email then that’s another story

Re: Temporary turn off service

FTT — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:05:27 GMT

She won't get a code by text? Since she can still use WiFi, will a code not be sent to her text messaging service?