What is airplane mode?

You’ve probably seen that little airplane icon on your screen. Maybe a flight attendant told you to turn it on. But what is airplane mode, and what does it actually do? And when should you use it?

The setting known as "airplane mode" turns off your device's wireless capabilities. Despite being made for flights, it's more useful than you might realize. Airplane mode is a small switch with many uses, whether you're trying to save battery life, concentrate on your work, or shorten the time it takes for your phone to charge.

Let’s take a closer look at what airplane mode is, how it works, and when to use it.

How airplane mode works

When you turn on airplane mode, also known as flight mode, your device stops sending and receiving wireless signals. That means it disconnects from anything that would usually talk to the outside world. The idea is to prevent interference with things like airplane navigation systems, but the feature also helps your device operate more efficiently. 

Airplane mode disables

Cellular

Once airplane mode is on, your device stops trying to connect to cell towers. You won’t be able to make calls, send texts, or use mobile data. 

Wi-Fi

You might be wondering, "Does airplane mode turn off Wi-Fi?" When you first switch on airplane mode, your device will disconnect from any Wi-Fi networks and stop searching for new ones. However, on most phones, you can manually turn Wi-Fi back on while staying in airplane mode. That’s helpful if your flight offers in-flight internet.

Bluetooth

Another big question is, "Does airplane mode turn off Bluetooth®?" Your Bluetooth accessories, like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, will also disconnect. Similarly to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth can be turned back on separately without disabling airplane mode.

GPS

Technically, airplane mode doesn’t shut off GPS completely since it’s a “receive-only signal.” But without data or a Wi-Fi connection, your location services may not work as expected and may not be completely accurate. 

How to activate airplane mode

Turning airplane mode on takes just a second. Here’s how to do it on most devices:

iPhone

Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. Tap the airplane icon. You can also go to Settings and switch on Airplane Mode at the top.

Android

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the airplane icon, or go to Settings and find Airplane mode under Network & Internet.

Windows

Click the network icon in the taskbar. Then select the airplane icon to toggle airplane mode on or off.

Mac

Macs don’t have a built-in airplane mode, but you can manually turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in System Settings to get the same effect.

Benefits of using airplane mode

Why use airplane mode? Yes, airplane mode is made for flying. But there are plenty of other times when turning it on is a smart move.

Saves battery

When your phone isn’t busy searching for cell signals or Wi-Fi networks, it uses less power. Airplane mode helps extend your battery life when you're running low and a charger isn’t nearby.

Cuts down on distractions

No calls. No texts. No app alerts popping up while you’re trying to focus. If you need a break from the distractions to focus on work, airplane mode is your friend.

Speeds up performance

Some devices run more smoothly without background tasks constantly checking for updates or syncing with cloud services. 

Helps charge your device faster

If you're trying to power up quickly, putting your phone in airplane mode while it charges can make a difference. With fewer things running in the background, your battery charges faster.

FAQs

What is the point of airplane mode?

It was originally designed to prevent devices from interfering with airplane systems. These days, it's also useful for managing battery life, reducing interruptions, and improving performance.

What happens when your phone is in airplane mode?

Your phone disables its wireless connections, including cellular service, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. You won’t be able to call, text, or connect to the internet unless you manually turn Wi-Fi or Bluetooth back on.

When should I use airplane mode?

Besides flights, try using it during meetings, special events, or while sleeping. It also comes in handy when you’re in an area with a poor signal and your phone is draining battery trying to connect to networks. 

What happens if someone calls you on airplane mode?

Calls won’t go through, and you won’t receive a notification. The caller might be directed to voicemail or hear that you’re unavailable. Once you turn airplane mode off and reconnect, you’ll be able to see any missed calls or messages that you received while you were offline.