Airplane mode is a function on smartphones and some laptops that disables a device’s wireless signal transmission, disconnecting cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. Whether or not you’re actually on an airplane, there are many situations in which using airplane mode can come in handy. Of course, you should absolutely use airplane mode while in flight—your device’s wireless transmissions may interfere with the plane’s navigational signals, which is why all plane passengers are asked to turn off their phones as a safety measure. You can also use airplane mode when you arrive at your destination if it happens to be a foreign country, as international text and roaming charges can be quite steep if you haven’t purchased an international service plan. Airplane mode ensures that your phone doesn’t accidentally make or receive any calls or texts.
However, you can also enable airplane mode from the comfort of your own home. Using airplane mode reduces the amount of battery your phone uses, so it can be a great solution when you’re in low-battery mode but aren’t able to access a charger right away. Turning on airplane mode can help extend what’s left of your battery life and buy you a few extra minutes (or even hours!) of screen time. Similarly, using airplane mode can also help speed up the time it takes your phone to charge. Your phone consumes less power while in airplane mode, which means that it takes less time to replenish that power if it’s offline while plugged into a charger. Try it out when you’re in a rush and need to maximize your charging time.
Another unexpected situation that’s great for airplane mode use? When you’re around kids! Next time you’re playing babysitter or letting your kids use your phone to watch a video or play a game, turn your phone on airplane mode. This sneaky tactic will ensure that no accidental calls or texts are sent or received while your smartphone is out of your hands.
Because your device is blocked from communicating with cell phone towers, you will not be able to receive any calls while your phone is on airplane mode. The caller will still hear your phone ringing and be given an option to leave a voice message, but you will not be notified of the voicemail until you turn your cellular data back on.
When you switch your device into airplane mode, WiFi will automatically be disabled and your phone will attempt to join or scan for WiFi networks. However, you can manually re-enable WiFi while your device is in airplane mode without re-enabling cellular or Bluetooth functionality. To turn on and use WiFi while your device is in airplane mode, navigate to your phone settings where you should be able to re-enable this function.
We hope this article has helped you understand when to use airplane mode and why it can be beneficial in more situations than being on a flight. To learn more about tech topics like this one and find out about buying or selling a device, check out the Trademore blog and available phones.
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