Smartphone privacy has become one of the most important concerns for users in the modern digital age. Whether you’re traveling, saving battery, or simply trying to limit tracking, you’ve probably wondered: Does Airplane Mode turn off location services? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no—and it depends on the type of phone you’re using, the settings you’ve enabled, and what apps you’re running.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly what happens to your GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and location services when Airplane Mode is switched on. You’ll also learn how to fully disable location tracking if you want complete privacy.
Let’s dive in.
What Airplane Mode Actually Does
Airplane Mode is designed to comply with aviation regulations. When turned on, it typically disables:
- Cellular networks (calls, SMS, mobile data)
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- 5G/4G/3G radios
The purpose is to prevent your phone from transmitting radio signals that could interfere with aircraft communication systems.
But here’s the key part:
Airplane Mode does not automatically disable GPS on most modern smartphones.
This means your location may still be accessible. That brings us to the core question.
Does Airplane Mode Turn Off Location Services?
Short answer: No—not by default.
Turning on Airplane Mode does not automatically turn off:
- GPS
- Location permissions granted to apps
- Offline tracking sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer)
- Downloaded offline maps that can still determine your location
This means apps may still be able to detect your location even without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
However, Airplane Mode does limit some ways your phone determines your location, such as:
- Wi-Fi-based positioning
- Mobile tower triangulation
- Bluetooth-based location scanning
So, while your location accuracy may drop, it’s not completely disabled.
Why GPS Still Works in Airplane Mode
Many people assume GPS requires the internet, but that’s not true. GPS uses satellites—not Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Here’s why GPS remains active:
- GPS is a receive-only technology.
- Your phone only listens to satellite signals; it does not transmit anything back.
- Because it doesn’t transmit signals, airlines allow GPS usage.
This is why you can still use:
- Offline maps
- Navigation apps with downloaded maps
- Fitness apps (tracking steps, distance)
- Camera apps that geotag photos
Your phone can determine your location using satellite signals only, even without a network connection.
When Airplane Mode DOES Turn Off Location
There are a few exceptions where Airplane Mode completely disables location:
1. Some older Android models (pre-2017)
These devices turned off GPS entirely with Airplane Mode. Modern versions no longer do this.
2. If you manually disabled GPS prior to enabling Airplane Mode
If Location Services is off before enabling Airplane Mode, it will stay off.
3. If your device restricts GPS during Airplane Mode (rare)
A few budget devices and heavily customized Android skins may disable GPS to save power.
4. Enterprise-controlled devices
Phones managed by corporate IT can be forced to turn off GPS when Airplane Mode activates.
Does iPhone Turn Off Location in Airplane Mode?
On iPhone: Airplane Mode does not fully turn off location.
iPhones continue to receive GPS signals unless the user manually disables:
- Location Services
- Wi-Fi scanning
- Bluetooth scanning
Even in Airplane Mode, iPhones can still use:
- GPS satellites
- Offline map data
- Cached Wi-Fi locations (if recently connected)
This means apps like Maps, Find My, or Weather may still detect your rough location.
Does Android Turn Off Location in Airplane Mode?
On Android: Airplane Mode doesn’t automatically disable GPS.
However, Android offers more granular control than iOS. You can specifically disable:
- GPS
- Wi-Fi scanning
- Bluetooth scanning
- Google Location Accuracy
- Emergency Location Services (ELS)
If all these are turned off, Android can effectively block location access even in Airplane Mode.
How Apps Still Detect Location in Airplane Mode
Even if GPS is off, some apps may still approximate your location using:
1. Device Sensors
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
- Barometer
These help apps estimate movement patterns.
2. Offline Map Data
Navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Maps. I can still plot your movement on downloaded maps.
3. Cached Wi-Fi Networks
Smartphones remember the rough location of past Wi-Fi networks and may use that data for estimation.
4. Emergency Location Systems
Some countries require phones to transmit accurate GPS data during emergencies—even when Airplane Mode is on.
How to Completely Turn Off Location Tracking
If your goal is maximum privacy, here’s how to disable ALL location tracking methods.
1. Turn Off Location Services (GPS)
iPhone:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Turn Off
Android:
Settings → Location → Turn Off
2. Turn Off Wi-Fi Scanning
iPhone
Disabled automatically with Wi-Fi off.
Android
Settings → Location → Location Services → Wi-Fi Scanning → Turn Off
3. Turn Off Bluetooth Scanning
iPhone
Disabled when Bluetooth is off.
Android
Settings → Location → Location Services → Bluetooth Scanning → Turn Off
4. Disable Google Location Accuracy (Android)
Settings → Location → Location Services → Google Location Accuracy → Turn Off
5. Disable Find My Services (iPhone)
Settings → Apple ID → Find My → Find My iPhone → Turn Off
6. Turn Off Emergency Location Services (ELS) (Android)
Settings → Location → Emergency Location Service → Turn Off
(Warning: Not recommended. ELS can save lives.)
When You SHOULD Leave Location On
Even in Airplane Mode, location can be very useful:
- Emergency tracking
- Offline navigation while hiking or traveling
- Flight tracking apps
- Fitness apps (running, cycling, walking)
- Camera location tagging
- Finding lost devices
If safety is a concern, keep at least basic GPS on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airplane Mode completely turn off GPS?
No. On most devices, GPS still works in Airplane Mode.
Can apps track my location in Airplane Mode?
Yes—if GPS or location services are still enabled.
Does iPhone disable location in Airplane Mode?
No. iPhone keeps GPS active unless you manually disable Location Services.
Does Android disable location in Airplane Mode?
No, but Android gives more settings to manually block GPS.
Can Find My iPhone still track me in Airplane Mode?
If Airplane Mode is turned on manually, Find My may still detect the last known location.
Can emergency services track my phone in Airplane Mode?
Yes, in some countries emergency GPS overrides Airplane Mode for safety.
How do I stop all tracking?
Turn off Location Services, Wi-Fi scanning, Bluetooth scanning, and Google Location Accuracy.
Does Airplane Mode hide my location from apps?
Not automatically—only turning off GPS does.
Does Airplane Mode improve privacy?
Partially. It stops network-based tracking but not GPS tracking.
Final Verdict:
No—Airplane Mode does not fully turn off location tracking.
While it disables:
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Cellular networks
…it usually does not disable GPS, meaning your phone may still detect your location using satellite signals and offline data. If your goal is true privacy, you’ll need to manually disable Location Services and related scanning options.
Even in Airplane Mode, your phone can still perform a variety of offline tasks such as navigation, media consumption, or reading saved articles. Many cozy-game fans even use their downtime on flights to catch up on gaming news, including pieces like “Blooming into a New Era” and “Why Cozy Gamers Are Hyped for Tales of the Shire,” which highlights how offline-friendly content and relaxing titles are becoming more popular.
This shows that even without an active internet connection, your device remains useful—but still capable of tracking your approximate location unless GPS is manually disabled. Airplane Mode is helpful for battery saving, reducing signal interference, and limiting network tracking—but it’s not a complete privacy tool on its own. For more such posts, make sure to follow us or bookmark our website, Stardewvalleymods.org.
