Most mobile devices, including smartphones and an iPhone, have an option called Airplane Mode (also referred to as Flight mode). Its purpose is to disable your mobile device’s Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and data connections, as these could cause interference with the different sensors and equipment on commercial aircraft. You’ll understand the purpose of Airplane Mode if you’ve ever put your smartphone next to a speaker and heard a loud buzzing or some other odd interference sound.
In this article, we will go over what the airplane mode means for your iPhone and how it works.
How Does One Use Airplane Mode?
When the phone is in airplane mode, all cellular and wireless signals are lost. However, users can manually toggle certain signals, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, back on once the phone is in airplane mode (also known as flight mode on some devices). But that’s a different story.
Why Are Travellers Asked to Switch Their Phones to Airplane Mode?
According to the Safety Information page on the FAA website, the FCC and FAA forbid cell phone use while flying because the signals from these devices could interfere with vital aircraft instruments. Devices must be used without a cellular connection or in airplane mode. If the airline permits it and the aircraft has an installed Wi-Fi system, you are welcome to use the Wi-Fi connection on your device.
What Happens if the Aircraft Is Not Put In Airplane Mode While in Flight?
The worry is that radio transmissions from phones may interfere with aircraft systems used for flight. There have been reports of possible interference with navigation and communication systems in both the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reporting system and the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting system, according to the FAA website.
Additionally, the captain has the authority to order passengers to turn off their phones entirely “to make absolutely sure they don’t interfere with on-board communications and navigation equipment” if they believe it is necessary for safety, such as during a reduced-visibility landing.
Are the Rules Different in the U.S. Than in Other Countries?
Yes, and that’s due to the communications technology used in other countries, as well as how their airline safety is mandated.
For example, at the end of 2022, the European Commission ruled that airlines can use 5G during flights and that EU member states must make 5G technology available for planes by June 30, 2023. This isn’t necessarily a harbinger of things to come in the United States, though: Boeing, Airbus America, and the trade association Airlines for America have argued that 5G could impede safety by interfering with a plane’s radio altimeter (the tool that measures how far a plane is above the ground), which is especially critical during bad weather.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
Travelers must abide by all flight safety regulations, including those pertaining to electronic devices, as they have undoubtedly heard during their flights.
And do you really want to be that passenger, even though it’s difficult for flight attendants to tell if you’ve turned your phone to airplane mode? Are you going to go barefoot and remove your shoes next?
In addition, even though you’ve heard the preflight safety announcements a hundred times, it’s still important to pay attention to them, which is one of the best reasons to turn off your phone.
Moreover, your phone’s cell signal won’t function during the flight, at least not for the time being, so keeping it in full cellular mode will only drain your battery and keep you from watching more Succession episodes.
Other Applications of Airplane Mode
Now that you know what Airplane Mode is, we thought it would be helpful to note that it can also be very useful in a few other scenarios outside of flying, such as preserving battery life. It can be useful to turn Airplane Mode on and off again if you’re having trouble getting a signal or establishing a solid connection on your phone.
Additionally, the feature works effectively when you’re in a “don’t disturb” state of mind. Just before going to bed, you can quickly switch your phone to Airplane Mode so that you won’t get woken up by obnoxious text or email alerts (yes, alarms still work, in case you were wondering). Airplane Mode is another great way to extend the life of your phone’s battery when necessary. As long as you don’t anticipate receiving a call or message from someone, you can use it and preserve your battery.
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Since Airplane Mode stops your phone from emitting cell phone signals, it also stops your phone from emitting radiation, which is an admirable feature. Naturally, the majority of phones only emit very little radiofrequency (RF) energy. To be extra safe, you might as well turn on Airplane Mode if you don’t need to connect to your cell network right away.
Finally, if you haven’t paid for international roaming, turning on Airplane Mode is a great way to limit how much data you use on your phone when traveling. Even if you have turned off Wi-Fi and cellular data, phones that do not have roaming plans will immediately ping a nearby tower and charge you international fees. Using Airplane Mode is the best way to avoid that and continue using your phone without incurring fees. Even with Airplane Mode turned on, you can still use Wi-Fi and be sure that your cell connection is off. In addition, you can use Airplane Mode to restrict the amount of cellular data you use when you’re close to home. For instance, if you’re low on data and don’t want your phone to update apps or download files from WhatsApp messages when you’re not using Wi-Fi.
Useful Reasons to Airplane Mode on Your iPhone
#1. While in flight
As the name suggests, AirPlane Mode is typically used when you’re in airplane mode and the captain or steward announces over the intercom that it’s time to switch off your electronics or put them in airplane mode due to airline regulations.
The idea is that it might stop your iPhone from interfering with any of the navigation or communication systems on an airplane, though there is some disagreement about the necessity of this given the prevalence of cell phones nowadays. However, this is still the case for the majority of airlines, which explains why AirPlane Mode goes by that name.
#2. Using Airplane Mode Promotes Moment Appreciation
Many people use AirPlane Mode to be completely present and enjoy the moment when they’re at a performance, comedy show, concert, or any other kind of event. It’s also appropriate to put your phone on Airplane Mode during a performance so that performers aren’t distracted by ringing phones, text messages, or other alert sounds. Using AirPlane Mode takes the iPhone completely offline, preventing any mute switch failures (or accidentally toggling Mute off in your pocket, bag, or purse) from creating an embarrassing situation.
Just don’t forget to switch AirPlane Mode back on when you’re done so you can resume using the iPhone normally.
#3. Save iPhone Battery
Your iPhone will continuously search for a network to connect to, whether it be a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network. This signal-seeking behaviour can drain your battery, especially in an area with spotty or no cellular coverage.
When you’re in a situation where you don’t need wireless communication, keep turning on AirPlane Mode to save battery life if you know you’ll be outside of a coverage area or in low coverage. By doing this, the iPhone won’t waste battery life continuously searching for a signal.
#4. Minimize Interruptions
The iPhone is susceptible to calls, messages, alerts, notifications, and a seemingly endless stream of other possible distractions when it is online and connected as usual.
When focusing on a task at hand, like studying, giving a speech, attending a meeting, or anything else where it’s desired to minimize distractions, many users turn on AirPlane Mode.
#5. To Avoid Roaming Fees When Travelling
Since the iPhone serves as their primary camera, some users bring it along on trips, but the cost of cellular roaming can be extremely high. Putting the iPhone in AirPlane Mode, which keeps it from trying to connect to any nearby cell towers but still lets you use the camera and other essential features, is a simple method to help you avoid any roaming fees.
#6. Clear DNS Caches
The ability to flush and clear DNS caches on an iPhone via AirPlane Mode is useful for tech professionals such as web designers, developers, network administrators, sysadmins, and web developers. It’s simple to clear network caches and resume your journey when using Airplane Mode.
#7. Pretend to Miss a Call
Do you want to hang up the phone but are unsure how to do so? Is it possible that you urgently need to use the restroom, and the other person is in the middle of a fifteen-minute monologue? By turning on AirPlane Mode while speaking on the phone, you can simulate a dropped iPhone call by having the call disconnected by dropping the cellular connection. While it might not be as good as ending a call directly, sometimes you must do what you must do!
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