Does Airplane Mode Turn Off Location?

Does Airplane Mode disable Find My Device apps?

Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device apps both use an Internet connection to share your phone’s location. If your phone is in airplane mode, the Internet is unavailable, so your location can’t be shared via the web.

So, even if your phone is in airplane mode and your GPS is enabled, your device can’t be located using a Find My Device app.

However, your last known location before turning your phone onto airplane mode may still be available. This means location tracking apps—including malicious apps like spyware—could see where your phone was just before airplane mode was enabled.

Does Airplane Mode stop tracking apps (e.g. Life 360)?

Airplane mode can temporarily disrupt tracking apps like Life360, but it’s not a foolproof solution.

When airplane mode is enabled, it cuts off all cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections. This prevents tracking apps from sending real-time location updates to other users.

Here’s what happens when you enable airplane mode:

• Life360 and similar apps can’t update your location because they need an internet connection to share data with other Circle members
• Your last known location remains visible to other users until airplane mode is turned off and the app reconnects
• Apps may show “Location Sharing Paused” or display when your location was last updated (e.g., “2 hours ago”)
• GPS still works but can’t transmit data, so your phone continues tracking your movements locally

Keep in mind that once you turn airplane mode off, tracking apps will immediately reconnect and start sharing your current location again. Some apps may also catch up on missed location data once they’re back online.

How Can I Stop My GPS Location from Being Shared?

If you want to ensure GPS tracking can’t be used on your device, you can turn off location services on your phone.

Here’s how to do this:

➡️ Disable location services on an iPhone

To turn off location services and the GPS feature on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Toggle the switch next to Location Services off.

Fig 1. Disabling location services on iPhone.

➡️ Disable location services on an Android device

To turn off your GPS on an Android phone (these steps may differ depending on your device):

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Tap Location.
3. Tap the slider at the top to turn off GPS.

Fig 2: Disabling location services on Android.

➡️ Manage app permissions to stop GPS tracking

Turning off GPS access for specific apps on your device is another way to prevent your phone from being tracked.

If an app has certain permissions, it can access your GPS and track your location.

You can view which apps can access your location and turn off this permission for each of these to ensure you can’t be tracked.

Managing app permissions on an iPhone

To turn off GPS permissions for apps on an iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Select the app you want to remove location access from.
5. Under ‘Allow Location Access’, choose Never.

Fig 3: Turning off location access for an app on iPhone.

Managing app permissions on an Android phone

To turn off GPS permissions for apps on an Android phone, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Security & Privacy.
3. Tap Privacy.
4. Tap Permission Manager.
5. Tap Location.
6. Select the app you want to remove location access from.
7. Under ‘Location access for this app’, choose Don’t allow.

Fig 4: Turning off location access for an app on Android.

➡️ Turn your phone off

If you need a temporary way to stop your phone’s location from being tracked, you can simply turn it off. This will deactivate the device’s GPS.

However, please note that if you have an iPhone or iPad and you have Find My Network enabled, then your device could still be tracked via Find My when it’s turned off.

➡️ Use a virtual location app

If you have an Android phone, you can download apps from the Google Play Store that allow you to use a fake location for your device.

These apps simulate a different location, disguising your phone’s actual whereabouts to ensure your real location remains unknown.

It’s worth noting that the Apple App Store doesn’t include any apps that allow you to fake your phone’s location.

However, there are apps, such as Virtual Location, that allow you to use your computer to change your iPhone’s location.

➡️ Check for malicious location tracking apps

Hackers can install apps on your phone that help them access your location. These apps can also let them see your text messages, photos, videos, passwords, and other sensitive information.

To ensure there’s no way a hacker can track your GPS location, it’s a good idea to go through the apps on your phone regularly and uninstall any that you don’t recognize.

To remove suspicious apps on an iPhone

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Tap General then iPhone Storage.
3. Look for any apps you don’t recognize.
4. If you find a suspicious app, tap on it then select Delete App.

Fig 5: Removing an unwanted app on iPhone.

To remove apps you don’t recognize on Android

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Apps.
3. Tap the app you want to delete.
4. Select Uninstall.
5. Confirm by tapping OK.

Fig 6: Removing an unwanted app on Android.

Can You Contact Emergency Services in Airplane Mode?

Making a regular phone call is impossible when your phone is in airplane mode, as this setting disables all forms of wireless communication.

However, many smartphones allow you to make an emergency call while your phone is in airplane mode.

Emergency services may be able to track your location as your GPS is still visible even when your phone is in airplane mode. GPS uses satellites, not cell towers or carriers, to locate your phone.

Can I Use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in Airplane Mode?

If you are on a flight and want to use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on your iPhone or Android device, you can turn them on separately, provided the airline permits this.

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Control Center from the Home Screen.
2. Tap the Wi-Fi icon or the Bluetooth icon to turn them on.

On your Android phone:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Access menu.
2. Tap on the Wi-Fi icon or the Bluetooth icon to activate them.

Fig 7: Enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in Airplane mode on iPhone (left) and Android (right).

Remember, if you turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in airplane mode, these settings will be activated the next time you use this mode unless you turn them off. This applies to both Apple and Android devices.

Find Location Tracking Spyware on Your Phone in a Few Easy Steps

In 2024, 6.3% of phones scanned with Certo AntiSpy had spyware or a location-tracking app installed.

The best way to ensure that hackers can’t access your location is to run a deep security scan to check for spyware that tracks your movements.

Certo AntiSpy for iPhone and Android can help you detect and remove malicious location-tracking apps from your phone.

It can also look for other security threats and help you remove them quickly.

Fig 8: Detecting spyware with Certo AntiSpy for Android.

Wrapping Up

The reality is that airplane mode isn’t the privacy shield many people think it is. While it can temporarily pause online location sharing, your phone continues tracking your movements in the background, it just can’t tell anyone about it until you reconnect.

If you’re genuinely concerned about location privacy, the most effective approach is taking control at the source. Turn off location services for specific apps, review which apps have location permissions, and regularly scan your device for any suspicious tracking software you didn’t install yourself.

Remember, true location privacy isn’t about finding clever workarounds, it’s about understanding how your phone works and making informed choices about what you’re comfortable sharing. If someone is tracking your location without your consent, that’s a more serious issue that airplane mode alone won’t solve.