Android · Network & Internet
Instantly disable all wireless radios for flights or focus
Airplane Mode simultaneously disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with a single toggle, complying with airline requirements while optionally letting you re-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth individually afterward.
How to open Airplane Mode
- Swipe down to open quick settings
- Tap the Airplane Mode icon to enable it
- Optionally re-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from the same panel
- Tap the icon again to disable Airplane Mode and restore full connectivity
What you should know
- Disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth in one action
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be manually re-enabled while Airplane Mode stays on
- Accessible from both Settings and the quick settings panel
- Blocks all outgoing and incoming calls and texts while active
Why it matters
Beyond its original purpose of complying with airline safety rules, Airplane Mode has become a fast way to cut off all connectivity at once, useful for conserving battery, avoiding interruptions during focused work, or forcing a fresh network reconnection when cellular service is misbehaving. Because it's a single toggle rather than three separate ones, it's also the quickest way to fully disconnect a device in an emergency or privacy-sensitive situation.
Best practices
- Re-enable Wi-Fi after turning on Airplane Mode during flights with in-flight Wi-Fi, since most airlines allow this
- Use Airplane Mode as a quick troubleshooting step when cellular signal seems stuck, toggling it off and on to force a network reconnect
- Avoid relying on Airplane Mode alone for privacy, since GPS and offline app data may still function
- Check that alarms still work in Airplane Mode, since they generally do not require connectivity
Common problems and fixes
- Wi-Fi turns off automatically after enabling Airplane Mode
- This is expected; manually re-enable Wi-Fi from quick settings after Airplane Mode is on
- Calls fail immediately after disabling Airplane Mode
- Wait several seconds for the cellular radio to reconnect and register with the carrier network
- Airplane Mode won't toggle off
- Restart the device, since a stuck radio driver occasionally requires a reboot to recover
Tips and tricks
- Add the Airplane Mode tile to your quick settings panel for one-swipe access
- Use it briefly to force a cellular network handoff if you're stuck on a weak signal after moving locations
Frequently asked questions
Does Airplane Mode disable GPS?
No, GPS location can still function in Airplane Mode on most devices since it doesn't require a network connection.
Can I still use offline apps or music in Airplane Mode?
Yes, any app or content that doesn't require an active internet connection continues to work normally.
Does Airplane Mode save more battery than turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth manually?
It's roughly equivalent, but it also disables the cellular radio, which is often the largest additional battery saving.
Related settings
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you view nearby networks, connect with a password or QR code, and manage saved networks including auto-reconnect behavior.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair headphones, speakers, watches, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Hotspot & TetheringHotspot and tethering let you share your phone's mobile data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. This is useful for getting a laptop online while traveling, or letting a friend's device briefly borrow your connection.
More Network & Internet guides for Android
- NFC & Tap to PayNFC (Near Field Communication) is the short-range radio that lets your phone exchange data with a nearby reader, most commonly used for contactless payments through Google Wallet at supported terminals. It's also used for pairing some accessories and reading NFC tags, but payments are its most common everyday use.
- VPNVPN settings let you add, connect to, and manage virtual private networks that route your device's traffic through an encrypted tunnel, commonly used for work access or added privacy on untrusted networks. Android also supports an 'always-on VPN' mode that blocks other network traffic until the VPN connects.
- Data Usage / Network & InternetNetwork & internet settings show a breakdown of mobile data and Wi-Fi usage per app, and let you set a data warning or hard limit to avoid unexpectedly exceeding your plan. Individual apps can also be restricted from using background data to further control consumption.
- Nearby ShareNearby Share — recently rebranded Quick Share — lets you send photos, videos, links, and files directly to another nearby Android device, Chromebook, or Windows PC using a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without needing cellular data or a shared internet connection. Visibility settings control exactly who can discover your device and send you something.
- SIM & eSIM ManagerThe SIM Manager lets you view, name, activate, or remove physical SIM cards and downloaded eSIM profiles, choose a default line for calls, texts, and data, and set up dual-SIM configurations on supported devices.
- Private DNSPrivate DNS routes domain name lookups through an encrypted DNS-over-TLS connection to a chosen provider, such as Google or Cloudflare, preventing networks along the way from seeing or tampering with which sites you're visiting.