Does Airplane Mode Turn Off Location Services

Airplane mode is great for cutting off distractions, saving battery, or simply switching off while you travel, but it doesn’t mean your phone is completely offline. Many people assume it stops all forms of tracking, but that’s not exactly the case. So, does airplane mode turn off your location services? Not quite. While it disables things like mobile data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, your phone’s GPS often keeps running in the background. In this guide, we’ll break down what airplane mode really does, how it affects location tracking, and what steps you can take to stay fully in control of your privacy.

Does Airplane Mode Disable GPS and Location Tracking

The short answer – No, airplane mode doesn’t actually turn off your location services. While it shuts down mobile networks, data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, your phone’s GPS still works just fine. That’s because GPS doesn’t need the internet or signal towers, it talks directly to satellites to figure out where you are. It’s a one-way connection, so your phone only receives data and doesn’t send anything back, meaning it won’t mess with the plane’s systems.

Because of that, apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps can still show your location in airplane mode, as long as you’ve downloaded the maps ahead of time. This makes GPS a great option for offline navigation during flights or in areas without signal. So, while you won’t be able to stream or get live traffic updates, your phone can still show exactly where you are. Airplane mode stops signals, not your location tracking.

What Does Airplane Mode Actually Do

When you switch on airplane mode, your phone basically goes quiet, it turns off all the ways it normally connects to other devices or networks. Here’s what gets shut down:

• Mobile Network – You won’t be able to make calls or send texts through your phone provider.
• Wi-Fi – This gets turned off, but you can turn it back on manually if you’re using in-flight Wi-Fi.
• Mobile Data – No internet will go through your mobile network, so things like browsing or app updates won’t work.
• Bluetooth – You won’t be able to connect to things like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or keyboards.

The idea behind airplane mode is simple. It keeps your phone from meddling with the plane’s systems while flying. But not every phone works exactly the same, as some devices or software versions might let you turn Wi-Fi or Bluetooth back on even while airplane mode active.

Does Airplane Mode Stop Location Sharing

Yes, but this is where things get a bit confusing. There’s a big difference between your phone knowing where you are and it being able to share that info. When airplane mode is on, your phone can still figure out your location using GPS. But since it’s not connected to the internet, it can’t actually send that location to anyone else.

Apps like Find My, Snapchat, or Uber need mobile data or Wi-Fi to share your real-time location. Once those are switched off, the apps can’t update your position. Even though your phone still knows exactly where you are.

There are exceptions. If you manually turn Wi-Fi back on during airplane mode (such as on a flight with Wi-Fi), those apps may resume sharing your location. So, airplane mode alone doesn’t completely hide you. You’ll need to keep both Wi-Fi and location sharing turned off to stay fully off the grid.

Can You Still Be Tracked in Airplane Mode

In most cases, no, your phone can’t be tracked while airplane mode is on, unless you turn Wi-Fi back on or your device has something shady going on, like spyware, malware, or even a physical tracker. Realistically, if your phone isn’t connected to the internet, it can’t share your location with apps or services.

Now, in theory, there are advanced tools that could still track you using GPS, but that’s rare and usually only happens in serious, targeted situations. If you really want to go completely off the grid, the safest move is to switch on airplane mode and turn off your GPS or location services. That’s when your phone truly goes dark.

How to Fully Disable Location Services

If you really want to stop your phone from tracking your location, just turning on airplane mode won’t cut it. You’ll also need to switch off your location services manually.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then select Location Services. From there, just toggle it off and confirm when your phone asks.
• On Android: Open Settings, then look for Privacy or Safety & Location (this depends on your phone model). Tap Location, and switch it off.

The steps might look a little different depending on the phone model you’re using and the software version.

How to Restart Location Services After Flight

Once you’ve landed, getting your location services back on is super easy. Just switch off airplane mode, and your phone will start reconnecting to Wi-Fi or your mobile network automatically. If you’d turned off GPS or location services earlier, you’ll need to pop into your settings and turn them back on manually.

Pro tip: If you’re travelling abroad, double-check that data roaming is turned off, unless you’ve got a roaming plan. It’s a quick way to avoid any nasty surprises on your phone bill. For an easier (and cheaper) way to stay online, an international eSIM is a smart move.

Privacy in the Sky, Connection on the Ground with Esimatic

Airplane mode cuts off communication signals, but it doesn’t stop GPS from tracking your location. If true privacy is your goal, be sure to switch off both airplane mode and location services.

Whether you’re flying abroad or simply trying to stay off the grid, you now understand exactly what’s happening behind that little airplane icon. And if you’re travelling, stay connected without the hassle using an Esimatic eSIM – no roaming fees, no SIM swapping, just seamless mobile data wherever you land.