Does putting your Phone to Airplane Mode Turn Off Location Services

If you’ve ever wondered, “Does airplane mode turn off location services?” You’re not alone. There is a common belief that turning on the airplane mode will enable full privacy, including location tracking, on the phone. But is that the case? The short answer is no, not quite.

Knowing what airplane mode is and how it works allows you to better protect your privacy and prevent any unwanted location sharing, especially when you are travelling.

In this article, you’ll discover what flight mode is, how it interacts with different location tracking methods (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS tracking), and how you can use eSIMs, among other tools, to protect your privacy. Stay tuned to learn more!

Does your location turn off in airplane mode

• Airplane mode cuts all wireless communication on your device, helping radio transmitters and other airplane equipment to work properly.
• Since it turns Bluetooth and internet connection off, it can help prevent location tracking to some extent.
• However, airplane mode does not affect GPS tracking, which could still access your current location, even if you’re offline.
• Overall, airplane mode freezes Bluetooth and internet tracking, but it doesn’t turn off location services.
• To safeguard yourself against safety breaches of your location, you can use a VPN, ensure Bluetooth and cellular data networks are disabled manually, manage apps that track your location offline, or use an eSIM.

How Airplane Mode Affects Your Mobile Device

Airplane mode (also referred to as flight mode on some Android devices) is a feature that allows you to deactivate all wireless communications on your electronic devices, including cellular connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data.

It is primarily intended to ensure flight safety by blocking smartphone signals, which can disrupt flying mechanisms. Still, many users switch airplane mode on when they want to conserve battery life and/or maintain their privacy.

You can access flight mode (the airplane icon) through the Control Centre (for iOS devices) or use the Quick Setting Panel (for Android phones) and check whether airplane mode is turned on/off.

Airplane Mode’s Effect on GPS and Location Tracking

Airplane mode disables radio signals, along with a variety of functions on your phone, which can limit access to location-based services. To learn how and to what extent airplane mode protects your location privacy, you need to understand its dynamics first.

1. Cellular & Wi-Fi Tracking – In cellular network triangulation, your mobile device’s location can be determined by its distance from multiple cell towers. Said distance is measured by the time it takes for signals to travel to the towers.
   Flight mode can limit access to your location services by preventing other Wi-Fi networks from recognising your device, which can effectively prevent real-time location tracking.
2. Bluetooth Tracking – Airplane mode disables Bluetooth connections by default, so your phone can’t be tracked based on its proximity to other Bluetooth devices. Aside from times when you are flying, this functionality is extremely useful for Bluetooth beacons in stores or shopping malls.
   An important point to note is that both Bluetooth and Internet connections can be switched back on manually, even if you’re in flight mode.

To learn what eSIMs are and how they work, you can visit Esimatic today and find a way towards next-level internet connectivity.

GPS Work in Airplane Mode

Another way to track your location is by using GPS services. GPS location services rely on satellites and the signals they broadcast to locate your phone. Factors like Bluetooth or even mobile data don’t have an impact on your device’s GPS receivers.

This means that even when you turn airplane mode on, some apps or websites can access your exact GPS location, unless you disable GPS location sharing manually.

Does Airplane Mode Stop Location Tracking: What You Need to Know

If you turn cellular services, Bluetooth, or Internet connection on while your device is in airplane mode, other networks can detect your phone and determine your whereabouts through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth location services.

Moreover, if you’ve previously shared your location with apps like Maps, Instagram, or Facebook, they might still be able to use your last known location despite airplane mode.

Offline tracking is another possibility. Fitness trackers and apps (e.g., Strava and Nike Run Club) can track your movement using GPS location services. They use your location data to log activities like running or cycling, even when you’re in flight mode.

Privacy Considerations and Tips

• Turning off Bluetooth and Internet access manually: Make sure to disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Internet connections if flight mode hasn’t.
• Disable location sharing apps: It’s also a beneficial idea to manage the access of apps like Google Maps or Facebook to your location details. Grant their location access only if you need to.
• Use a VPN: When connecting to public or untrusted networks, make sure to use a VPN, as it will mask your live location and provide additional privacy.
• Be cautious with offline tracking: Fitness trackers, for example, are among the apps that track your movements even when you’re offline. Check with Google Play Store or the app’s settings to see if it requires offline location-sharing services and use the application with caution if it does.
• Protect your data with eSIMs: eSIMs can help guard your location by letting you switch to a secondary or local profile in an instant, hiding your primary number and home carrier.

Protecting Your Location Privacy Using Airplane Mode

To determine if airplane mode protects your location privacy, you need to learn how it works. Upon turning on flight mode, your device’s cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections will stop. Airplane mode disables location services that help these functions conduct and transmit data.

No matter if you have an iPhone or Android device, you can turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tracking back on manually.

Additionally, your phone’s GPS location system could continue to operate even with airplane mode on, as it depends on a network of satellites and not an Internet or Bluetooth connection.

You can improve your privacy while travelling by managing your location-sharing apps, using a VPN, disabling offline tracking, and switching to eSIMs.

eSIMs offer both iOS and Android users a convenient and eco-friendly way to stay connected while travelling.