How to turn off airplane mode on any phone

Airplane mode was created to prevent phones from interfering with a plane’s systems during flights. But these days, it’s just as helpful in conserving battery or avoiding interruptions when you need to focus.

When you turn it on, your phone disables all wireless connections, including cellular service, Bluetooth®, and Wi-Fi. You can’t make calls, send texts, or connect to the internet (unless you manually turn Wi-Fi back on). Turning airplane mode off restores your device’s wireless connections.

At Asurion, we share tech tips that enable customers to easily navigate their phones. We also provide live tech help for troubleshooting and advice on protecting your device, including how to choose your phone insurance. Here’s how to turn off airplane mode on Android™ and iPhone®.

How to turn off airplane mode on iPhone

When airplane mode is on, you’ll see an airplane icon at the top left of the screen. Follow these steps to turn it off:

If you’re using an iPhone with Face ID®, swipe down from the top-right corner of your phone to open Control Center. If your device has a home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.

Tap the airplane mode button (the airplane icon) to turn it off.

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Airplane Mode.

How to turn off airplane mode on Android

When airplane mode is active on Android, you’ll see an airplane icon at the top right of the screen. The fastest and easiest way to turn it off is through the Quick Settings panel:

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.

Look for the airplane mode icon and tap to turn it off.

Alternatively, you can use the Settings app, though the steps may vary based on your Android phone:

Open Settings.

Go to Connections/Network & Sharing/Connection & sharing/More connections, depending on your phone’s brand and Android version.

Look for Airplane mode and turn it off.

Why your phone may still say “No Service” after turning off airplane mode

After switching off airplane mode, your phone should automatically reconnect to your carrier’s mobile network. However, sometimes it doesn't reconnect immediately. This can happen because of:

A network connection delay

A weak or unavailable cellular signal

A temporary software glitch

If your device doesn't have service even after deactivating airplane mode, these troubleshooting tips may help solve the issue:

Wait a few moments: Your phone may take a minute or two to re-establish a signal after turning off airplane mode. If you still don’t get service after a short while, try the tips below.

Turn mobile data on and off: Doing so forces the phone to reset and re-establish a connection with the cellular network, which can help restore service.

Restart your phone: Switching your device off and on may fix temporary glitches that prevent connection to your carrier.

Find an area with a strong signal: If a weak or unavailable cellular signal is the problem, moving to an open area (outside or near a window) may help restore service on your phone.

How airplane mode affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Airplane mode disables all radios and affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth the same way on iPhone and Android, but with a slight distinction:

iPhone

On your iPhone, turning on airplane mode disables all wireless connections except Bluetooth.

However, if you manually turn off Bluetooth while airplane mode is on, your phone remembers that preference. The next time you enable airplane mode, Bluetooth will automatically stay off.

Android

On Android, airplane mode turns off all wireless signals by default, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Note: On both Android and iPhone, you can manually turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in airplane mode. That way, if you are on a flight and the airline allows it, you can listen to music on your AirPods® or headphones. You can also go online using the plane’s Wi-Fi.

FAQs

Why won’t my phone connect after turning off airplane mode?

After disabling airplane mode, your phone may need a moment to re-establish a signal. If it still won’t connect, the issue might be a weak cellular signal or a temporary network glitch that can be resolved by rebooting the device.

How can I quickly turn airplane mode on and off?

On most phones, you can do it right from the Quick Settings (Android) or Control Center (iPhone). Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the airplane icon to turn it on or off. This can be a faster way to turn on airplane mode, rather than using the Settings app.

Does airplane mode save battery life?

Yes. When airplane mode is on, it shuts off background wireless network activities, so your phone isn’t constantly searching for a signal. This minimizes power consumption.