The iPhone has a lot of different settings and a lot of different features, and it can be overwhelming for new phone owners, especially if they’re not keen on Apple’s on-web descriptions. Here’s a look at the iPhone’s Airplane mode, what it does, and what you can use it for.
What It Does
Airplane Mode is located in the Settings menu of the iPhone, and it’s at the very top. It’s enabled or disabled by simply tapping on the on/off button to the side of the text. Airplane Mode shuts off your iPhone’s ability to access the 3G and E networks and stops the iPhone from getting or making calls and from receiving or sending text messages. This stops the iPhone from creating nasty interference signals that can wreak a bit of havoc for a pilot, or at least annoy the guy (it doesn’t suddenly turn the plane upside down, but it creates a nagging signal in the headphones), which is why the stewards and stewardesses always ask everyone to turn off their cell phones once they get on a plane.
When Airplane Mode is enabled, you’ll notice a little airplane icon in the corner of your iPhone’s screen where the 3G or E usually is. If you try to make a call or text message, the iPhone will prompt you to turn off Airplane Mode, which you can easily do from the prompt without going through the settings menu again. Airplane Mode may disable any apps that use the iPhone’s Internet or phone functions.
Airplane mode is obviously good for airplanes, but its applications don’t end there. If you’ve got a lot of issues with interference on your iPhone, for instance if you hear those annoying cellular blips and interference signals when you’re just trying to listen to your songs in your car, turning on Airplane Mode can solve your problem. It’s also good when using the TV out feature of the iPhone, or if you get interference when hooking the device up to a stereo. If you turn it on, just remember to turn it off when you’re finished using your iPhone or you won’t be able to get new calls and text messages or connect to the Internet.
What Airplane Mode Does Not Do
Airplane Mode does not, in fact, turn your iPhone into an airplane. Maybe Apple will add that functionality in a future software update.
Do you have any questions about the iPhone’s airplane mode? Post in our comments section below.
