Does Airplane Mode Hide Your Location? What You Should Know

We know that there are special phone settings you need to activate while on the plane. However, there’s often confusion regarding the question—does airplane mode turn off location? The short answer is no, but would you like a detailed explanation? Here’s everything to know about these settings and location services!

Contents:

• What Is Airplane Mode?
• Does Airplane Mode Turn Off Location Services?
• Does Airplane Mode Disable All Location-Sharing Apps?
• Will Airplane Mode Freeze or Stop My Location Sharing?
• How to Restart Sharing Your Location After Landing
• Findmykids App: The Top Choice for Tracking Kids’ Location While Traveling
• FAQs

What Is Airplane Mode?

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Before we continue, let’s get to know the basics about the actual airplane mode. These are special settings that make your iPhone or Android device suitable to use while on a plane. It used to be necessary to turn off the phone altogether. Today, you can simply turn on airplane mode.

The mode’s purpose is to deactivate sending cellular and Wi-Fi signals from your device. It’s because these signals can interfere with those that the plane receives, which can compromise the aircraft’s navigation and critical instruments.

Here’s an interesting video explaining what happens if you don’t activate the airplane mode:

The staff will ask you multiple times before the flight begins to turn on the airplane mode. Some airlines have Wi-Fi installed and you can use that during the flight. Considering that Bluetooth uses short-range waves, it’s possible to use this service during the flight.

Does Airplane Mode Turn Off Location Services?

The answer is no—activating airplane mode won’t disable location services. Portable devices use GPS technology to identify their location. GPS maintains a direct communication line with satellites around our planet. That means it doesn’t need Wi-Fi or cellular towers, as it works independently from the Internet.

Your phone’s location can still be tracked while in airplane mode. If you want to prevent this from happening, you can disable location services altogether. Turning these off is possible from the main settings on your phone. However, disabling the GPS detecting your whereabouts means you can’t use Google Maps and similar navigational apps.

Does Airplane Mode Disable All Location-Sharing Apps?

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Here’s the most important difference when someone uses airplane mode: while your GPS might be active, the device can’t share details about your whereabouts because it can’t transmit data over a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

It means you can only use GPS for offline navigation purposes. If you have a downloaded map of the area you are visiting, you can see your current location while in airplane mode. Even directions will work in that area, but make sure to update the map with the latest version. Fitness trackers and similar applications that use GPS technology can also keep track of your path.

Most apps, however, won’t work properly while in airplane mode. Facebook, WhatsApp, and other messaging and social media platforms won’t receive data updates about your location. That means it’s impossible to use the live sharing feature for someone to see your current whereabouts. Some other apps that won’t work are food delivery software and ride-sharing solutions, which require sending data about your location to the driver.

Related: Can My Location Be Tracked If Location Services Are Off? Security Guide

Will Airplane Mode Freeze or Stop My Location Sharing?

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Airplane mode will pause the option to share your location. The GPS technology still works, so your phone can still receive updates about its whereabouts. The change is that it’s not possible to share this date because that part requires a cellular tower.

The location service will freeze in active airplane mode. The feature only pauses this option because it becomes unusable at that point. Once you put the phone in normal settings, others will be able to see your location again immediately.

How to Restart Sharing Your Location After Landing

After you land safely, you can reactivate the feature that allows tracking your location on the selected device. Here are the steps to do this:

1. Begin by turning off airplane mode. Please make sure the plane has finished landing, and it’s safe to start using your phone regularly again.
2. Check that the GPS service is active. You can check this from the settings. Enter Settings and search for “Location services” to confirm they are active.
3. Confirm that location-sharing is available. If the services were active before, they should become available automatically.

Please note that there might be roaming charges applied when in a foreign country. It’s best to analyze these and consider getting an eSIM or a suitable data plan that ensures you can continue using the phone without overpaying. Once everything is active, you can ask someone with access to your location to confirm that everything works right.

Findmykids App: The Top Choice for Tracking Kids’ Location While Traveling

Findmykids app

Findmykids is the leading GPS tracker app out there. It’s especially tailored for parents looking for a way to monitor their children’s whereabouts at all times. The app only takes a few minutes to set up. It works in 180 countries and has over three million parents use it monthly. You can pick between free and premium versions.

The app leverages GPS technology to track your kid’s location in real time. You can find out whether they are heading home or if they’ve arrived at school yet. Instant updates are particularly important when your kid is traveling or on the move. Findmykids also keeps your child’s location history. It can be convenient for tracking a lost phone or analyzing your routes.

Findmykids also allows tuning in and listening to your child’s audio environment. You can tune in and listen to what they and others in their surroundings say at any point. It’s important if they don’t answer the calls since it can help you ensure they are safe while traveling. The app also allows the ringer to be activated when the phone is in silent mode. Your kid can use the SOS signal to request immediate help if they feel they are in trouble.

You can download Findmykids today for free from the App Store, Google Play, or AppGallery.

Airplane mode is mandatory while on an aircraft. The feature still leaves GPS location active, which means you can see your whereabouts on maps and other offline apps. However, it’s impossible to share the whereabouts via location services. Once you confirm it’s safe and revert the phone to normal settings, location-sharing features will reactivate automatically.

FAQs

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Can someone see my location in airplane mode?

The airplane mode prevents sharing details over the web, but it doesn’t deactivate location services. So the answer is yes, this is theoretically possible.

Does turning off airplane mode turn off the location?

It doesn’t because you can still receive data. You’ll be able to see your location, but since you can only share its details online, that won’t be possible in this mode.

Does airplane mode make your location not available?

No, GPS remains active while using this mode. That means your location can be traced in urgent situations or by someone with access to your GPS details.

Does airplane mode turn off Find My Friends?

Yes, the mode will deactivate your internet services. Until you receive the internet, you won’t be able to see your friends’ location.

Will turning off airplane mode automatically turn on my location services?

No, your location services remain active. The airplane mode prevents sharing data, meaning you won’t send any details about the whereabouts while in airplane mode.

Can I use GPS while airplane mode is turned on?

The trick is that you can’t send data in airplane mode. However, you can still receive it, indicating that you can keep using GPS. The function will only serve to detect your phone’s whereabouts, while others won’t be able to receive information about your location.

What does your location say when your phone is in airplane mode?

The last known location you shared will be available while your device is in airplane mode.

Can someone see your location in airplane mode with Wi-Fi?

This is theoretically possible for someone who has access to your location details. That’s why it’s best to disable location-sharing features if you don’t want this to happen.

The picture on the front page: McLittle Stock/Shutterstock.com