Airplane Mode is a vital phone setting that every air traveler needs to understand. This simple switch not only follows airline rules but plays a key role in flight safety. While new in-flight WiFi options are emerging, knowing when and why to use Airplane Mode remains essential for modern air travel.
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Airplane mode is also called flight mode or aeroplane mode, which is a setting available on most smartphones, laptops and similar mobile devices. It disables the device’s ability to send or receive signals while still allowing users to use other functions that do not require signal transmission.
Airplane mode is often represented by an airplane icon.
Airplane mode works by disabling all wireless communication capabilities on a device, including WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular data and GPS (depending on device manufacturer). This is gained by disabling the device’s radio transceiver responsible for sending and receiving wireless signals.
During this time, internet apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and online games cannot work, along with calls and texts. While these connections stop, Bluetooth stays active for wireless headphones and similar devices. This mode helps save battery life while following flight safety rules. Other functions of your device like camera, games, and music player, will still work as normal.
The initial purpose of airplane mode was mainly to reduce the interference on commercial flights, because the wireless communication signals may interfere with the plane instrumentation panel. Though 40% of travelers skip this step, it’s not just a rule-it’s a safety measure that protects pilot communications.
These days, most airplanes have WiFi available or cellular access. So, airplane mode now is used for other purposes as follows.
These are also benefits of using airplane mode.
On mode devices, airplane mode can be activated through the settings menu of the device or by using a dedicated hardware switch.
To enable and disable airplane mode on iPhone or Android, Windows or Mac, follow these steps:
▶ On iPhone and Android devices: you can pull down the quick access controls from the top of your device screen to find the airplane-shaped icon.
▶ On laptops that run Windows: click on the WiFi signal indicator and you will see an icon for toggling on the airplane mode button.
▶ On a PC: airplane mode is found in the notifications at the bottom right of the desktop.
Airplane mode still allows WiFi and Bluetooth use when airlines permit it.
iPhone, iPad, iPod settings:
Apple Watch settings:
Your WiFi and Bluetooth settings in Airplane mode will stay the same for next use.
Airplane mode is used on different cases, which are:
Even without internet, your phone remains a valuable entertainment device during flights. With proper preparation, you can:
Yes. Airplane mode can affect the battery of a device, but in a positive way by:
Some misconceptions about airplane mode are:
Yes, airplane mode helps your device save battery life. Some functions like notification pushing, communicating with Bluetooth devices or cell towers, checking location take a lot of power, so disabling them at once will help your phone avoid doing much work. This is a good way to keep your phone alive for longer.
It depends on your device. Most modern mobile devices allow you to use WiFi when airplane mode is activated. It means when the airplane mode is turned on, it will shut off WiFi, but you can still turn it on manually.
It depends on your device. Enable airplane mode will disable bluetooth, but on most phones and laptops, you can turn it back on by toggling. Airlines do not usually care much about the function of bluetooth, because it ranges so short (about 30 feet).
No. Turning on airplane mode will prevent your phone from connecting to the cellular network of your network carrier. Therefore, you will not use any data in airplane mode.
It depends on the type of games, offline or online. If you love to play games but hate to see ads when playing, airplane mode will help hide ads in offline mobile games. Make sure you do not turn WiFi back on after turning on airplane mode. But if a game requires you phone to be online, you cannot play it in airplane mode.
Yes, the alarm still works as normal, even in airplane mode because it does not depend on internet or cellular connection. Open the Clock app on your phone and set your alarm as normal.
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