What happens if I don’t put my phone on airplane mode?

Hanna Seariac
·3 min read
In this photo taken on Feb. 1, 2008, an airplane takes off at sunset from Sky Harbor International Airport, in Phoenix. The number of vacationing Americans will be down this summer, according to a new AP-Gfk Poll, and a third of Americans surveyed said they have already canceled at least one trip this year because of financial concerns. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Will the plane crash if you don’t put your phone on airplane mode? When traveling on a plane, everyone knows the drill. You find your seat, you put your carry-on in the overhead bin and then before taking off, you swiftly switch your phone to airplane mode. Does not doing this have negative consequences?

What is airplane mode?

Here’s everything that you need to know about how airplane mode works.

  • According to Digital Trends, switching your phone to airplane mode turns off your phone’s ability to communicate with cell towers, prevents your phone from connecting to Wi-Fi and turns off your bluetooth.

  • Apple Support states that you can turn back on Bluetooth and Wifi while your phone is in airplane mode. All you need to do is turn them on separately.

What’s the purpose of airplane mode?

It’s a feature designed to prevent interference while flying.

  • Airplane mode prevents your phone from making connections to surrounding cell towers. So you won’t receive calls or text messages when you turn it on. It’s a feature people are asked to use when flying.

What happens if you turn on airplane mode?

Turning on airplane mode prevents your phone from making connections to the cell towers around it.

  • You’ll no longer be able to accept calls or text messages. If you’re connected to WiFi, you’ll be able to get messages and calls on an iPhone if you’ve enabled WiFi calling.

  • You won’t be able to use the Safari or internet app on your phone without being connected to WiFi.

What happens when your phone is on airplane mode and someone calls you?

Your phone won’t be able to accept the call. The caller will hear the typical ringing and then be given the option to leave a voicemail if you’ve set up your voicemail box.

Can you receive text messages on airplane mode?

No, you can’t. If your phone is connected to WiFi and you have an iPhone, you are still able to receive iMessages, but will not be able to receive text messages.

What happens if I don’t switch my phone to airplane mode?

In the United States, it’s required to switch your phone to airplane mode. But it’s not because the plane will crash if you don’t.

  • According to Smarter Travel, by not turning your phone onto airplane mode, your phone will attempt to make connections with the cell towers around it.

  • Forbes reported, “If you don’t put your phone on airplane mode during a flight, your phone will probably annoy a few pilots and air traffic controllers.”

Can airlines tell if your phone is on?

No. According to Conde Nast Traveler, if several people’s phones are turned on and there’s interference, then the airplane staff members may be able to tell someone’s phone is turned on, but they won’t be able to tell that your phone is specifically on.

Have there ever been any plane crashes because someone’s phone wasn’t on airplane mode?

According to Travel and Leisure, there has never been a crash due to a phone not being in airplane mode. It’s more of a courtesy to make sure that there isn’t distracting interference.

Even though the plane won’t crash, it’s important to switch your phone to airplane mode.

What else does airplane mode do?

If you turn on airplane mode in the middle of call, the call will end. The person on the other end of the call may receive a message telling them the call failed.