What Is Airplane Mode and What Does Turning It On Do

If you’ve taken a flight in recent years, you’ve probably heard a request from the flight crew to switch your phone or other devices into “airplane mode.” But what, exactly, is that?

If you need to be clued in on the meaning and purpose of Airplane Mode, then you’ve come to the right page, as all will be explained in this article.

In addition to providing the steps for turning Airplane Mode on and off via a wide range of devices, we will also discuss the benefits of monitoring Airplane Mode.

What Is Airplane Mode and What Does Turning It On Do?

Airplane Mode (also occasionally referred to as Flight Mode) is a setting on your device that, when enabled, turns off all current connections to your cellular network, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. However, you can resume a connection to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but cellular connections will remain off.

During a flight or while in a hospital, you may have been asked to enable the Airplane Mode on your device. This is to prevent the electromagnetic field from your device from potentially interfering with sensitive equipment.

When enabling Airplane Mode on your device you’ll experience:

• No access to your cellular network. Therefore, you’ll have no ability to make or receive calls and text messages through this network.
• Disabled access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (however these can be restored).
• Access to GPS functions may also be disabled.

These are some general benefits to enabling Airplane Mode:

• It prevents your device from interfering with airplane or hospital systems and equipment.
• It can help you troubleshoot and fix issues by isolating possible causes.
• It helps to conserve your battery since energy spent searching for cellular towers and Wi-Fi networks is on hold.
• It prevents roaming charges during international travel. Once you’ve reached your destination, turn it on to restrict connection to the local Wi-Fi networks for communication.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Alcatel 20.03?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on the Alcatel 20.03:

1. Press the navigation key, then select “Settings.”
2. To turn Airplane Mode on, select “Aeroplane Mode.”
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode off, select another profile from the profile list.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Blackberry?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on the Blackberry Classic:

1. Select “Settings” from the home screen or swipe down from the top of the screen (where the time is).
   
2. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left.
   

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Google Pixel?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on the Pixel:

1. To display all apps, swipe up from the Home screen.
2. Select “Settings,” then “Network & Internet.”
   
3. Select “Airplane mode switch.”
4. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
5. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on HTC?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your HTC U20:

1. Select “Settings,” then “Network & Internet.”
2. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left.
   

Or:

1. To access the “Quick Settings” panel, swipe down from the status bar.
2. Click on the Airplane Mode tile to turn airplane mode on or off.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on iPhone?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your iPhone:

1. Select “Settings” from the home screen or swipe left to access the App Library.
   
2. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left. You can also turn Airplane Mode on or off from the Control Center. (From the home or lock screen, swipe downwards from the upper right corner).
   

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on LG?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your LG V60:

1. Select “Settings” from your Home screen.
2. Select “Network & Internet,” then “Airplane Mode.”
   
3. To enable select “Ok.”
4. Select the “Airplane Mode” switch again to turn it off.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Motorola?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your Motorola Pro Plus:

1. From the top right-hand side of the phone, hold down the power button.
2. Select “Airplane Mode” to turn on or off.

Or:

1. Select the Airplane Mode widget to turn Airplane Mode on or off.

Or:

1. Select the Menu.
2. Select “Settings,” then “Wireless & networks.”
3. Select “Airplane Mode” to turn on or off.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Nokia?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your Nokia 8.3:

1. From the top of the screen, use two fingers to slide downwards.
2. Select the “Aeroplane Mode” to turn it on or off.
   

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Samsung?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your Samsung A21:

Note: These steps apply to the default home screen layout.

1. Access the Apps screen by swiping up from the Home screen.
2. Select “Settings,” then “Connections.”
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
4. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Sony?

To turn Airplane Mode on/off on your Sony Xperia Z5:

1. From the home screen select “Settings,” then “More.”
2. To turn Airplane Mode on, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the right.
   
3. To turn Airplane Mode off, click on the toggle switch, moving it to the left.

How to Turn Airplane Mode On on Vodafone?

To turn Airplane Mode on or off on your Vodafone Smart First:

1. Hold down the on/off button.
2. Select “Airplane Mode” to turn it on or off.
   

Additional FAQs

Do You Really Need to Turn On Airplane Mode?

You only need to activate it when requested to do so in an area where sensitive equipment and systems may be affected, like in a hospital or on a flight. If you’re unsure, check for notices or confirm with someone whether you need to enable it or not.

Why Do You Have to Use Airplane Mode?

During a flight or in a hospital you may be asked to enable the Airplane Mode on your device. This is to prevent electromagnetic fields from potentially interfering with sensitive equipment.

Other reasons to turn it on include:

• To help troubleshoot and fix issues by isolating possible causes.

• To conserve your battery since energy spent searching for cellular towers and Wi-Fi networks is on hold.

• To prevent roaming charges during international travel. Once you’ve reached your destination, you can turn Airplane Mode on and connect to the local Wi-Fi to communicate.

What Happens if I Turn Off Airplane Mode?

If you do need to enable Airplane Mode on your device, you’ll experience:

• No access to your cellular network. Therefore, no ability to make/receive calls and text messages.

• On some devices, no access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (however, this can, be restored).

• Access to GPS functions may also be disabled.

Can I Use WI-FI With Airplane Mode Enabled?

Yes, you can. Some devices, such as iPhones and iPads, allow access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with Airplane Mode enabled.

Can I Use Bluetooth With Airplane Mode Enabled?

Yes, you can. With Airplane Mode enabled, switch on your Bluetooth access.

How Do I Turn Airplane Mode On From My Laptop?

To enable Airplane Mode on a Windows 10 laptop:

1. From the lower right-hand corner, select the white box to access the “Notifications” menu.

2. Click on the box to toggle “Airplane Mode” on. The box will turn blue.

3. Click on it again to turn “Airplane Mode” off. The box will turn black.

Or:

1. From the lower left-hand side, select the Windows button, then begin to type “Settings” in the search box.

2. Select the “Settings” app.

3. Select “Network & Internet.”

4. From the menu bar on the left side of “Settings,” select “Airplane Mode.”

5. Use the toggle button to turn Airplane Mode on or off. When it’s on, the lever will turn blue and display no color when it’s off.

To enable Airplane Mode on or off on a MacBook:

There is there’s no Airplane Mode on/off switch, therefore the alternative is to turn off your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

To turn Bluetooth off:

1. Select the Apple icon found at the far left-hand corner of the screen.

2. Select “System Preferences.”

3. Select “Bluetooth.”

4. Select “Turn Bluetooth On” to enable and click on it again to disable.

To turn Wi-Fi off:

1. Navigate to the Wi-Fi icon found towards the top right-hand corner and click on it.

2. Click on the toggle button, moving it to the left to turn it off and to the right to turn it on. Or after clicking on the Wi-Fi icon, select “Turn Wi-Fi Off.”

Taking Off in Airplane Mode

Airplane/Flight Mode is a handy feature that suspends cellular connections on an electronic device. It’s especially useful in preventing interference with other safety-critical systems or to disconnect from the world for a while.

Now that we’ve gone through how to enable/disable your Airplane Mode, under what scenario did you need to use it? Did you remember to switch it back on afterward? We’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment in the comments section below.