Does aeroplane mode turn off your location services?

Does aeroplane mode turn off your location services?

Ah, the age-old question: does aeroplane mode put a stop to your location tracking? Whether you're a privacy enthusiast or just curious about saving a bit of battery, you've probably pondered this. You may also wonder if you can still use your favourite fitness tracker in aeroplane mode. Well, let's clear things up, shall we?

What Happens to Your Location Services in Aeroplane Mode?

First, activating aeroplane mode doesn't stop your location tracking. When you switch it on, your phone politely ceases all communications—no calls, no texts, no data—to keep everything calm and interference-free on the plane. But your location? That's a different story.

Your phone's location services primarily rely on GPS, which operates independently of your mobile network. GPS works by talking to satellites, not cell towers or Wi-Fi, which means even in aeroplane mode, your phone can still pinpoint your whereabouts. So, if you're hoping to go completely off-grid, you'll also need to switch off your location services. Just be warned—without GPS, your maps and other location-based apps will fly blind.

Does Aeroplane Mode Affect All Location-Based Apps?

Not exactly. Aeroplane mode does cut off the wireless services—like mobile data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—that many location-based apps rely on to share your whereabouts. But it doesn't automatically close or turn off those apps.

Without an internet connection, apps that usually share your location in real time will be grounded. They'll still be there, but less effective. Here's a quick look at what works and what doesn't:

Apps that won't quite take off with aeroplane mode on:

Social media and messaging apps: Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook—any app that likes to know where you are needs the internet to do its job.

Ride-sharing apps: Uber and Lyft must stay online to match you with drivers and monitor your ride.

Food delivery apps: No one wants their sushi delivered to the wrong address. Apps like Deliveroo and Uber Eats need an active connection to deliver orders.

Apps that still get the job done:

Offline navigation: Some clever navigation apps let you download maps beforehand, so you can still find your way without a connection.

Fitness trackers: If you're out for a run or ride, these apps will keep tracking your route using GPS, and no internet is required.

Does Aeroplane Mode Freeze or Stop Location Sharing?

Remember, while aeroplane mode won't freeze your GPS, it does give you control over your phone's location sharing. It prevents your phone from sharing your location with the outside world, ensuring your privacy. Your phone will still know where you are, but it'll keep that information to itself until you decide to turn aeroplane mode off.

How to Get Back Online After Landing

As soon as your plane touches down and the seatbelt sign is off, switch off aeroplane mode to reconnect to the world. This will re-enable your phone's cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections. Remember to ensure your GPS and location services are back on, too. Dive into your settings, find 'Location' or 'Location services,' and flick the switch to 'On.'

Are you looking for instant internet as soon as you land?

With an eSIM from eDataSIM, you can be connected the moment you step off the plane, ensuring you're always prepared. Just make sure to set it up before you board. But if you forget, no worries—many planes offer Wi-Fi, so you can get everything sorted mid-flight and be ready to go as soon as you arrive.

Ready to stay connected wherever you fly? Visit eDataSIM and grab your eSIM today!