How to Know if Someone Has Their Phone on Airplane Mode

Airplane mode is a useful feature on smartphones that disables wireless communication, including cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections. Many people activate airplane mode for various reasons, whether to avoid distractions, save battery, or comply with flight regulations. But what if you’re trying to reach someone and suspect their phone is in airplane mode? Knowing if someone has their phone on airplane mode can explain why calls aren’t going through or messages aren’t delivering.

In this guide, we’ll explore how airplane mode works, ways to identify if someone’s phone is on airplane mode, and how it impacts calls, texts, and notifications.

What Is Airplane Mode and How Does It Work?

Airplane mode is a setting available on all modern smartphones that cuts off all wireless communication. When activated, airplane mode disables:

• Cellular Signals: Disables both outgoing and incoming calls and SMS messages.
• Wi-Fi: Disconnects the device from any Wi-Fi networks.
• Bluetooth: Turns off Bluetooth, stopping any paired connections.
• Location Services: On some devices, airplane mode may disable location sharing, although GPS may still work in limited functions.

While in airplane mode, the device cannot receive regular calls, texts, or access the internet unless Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is manually re-enabled.

How to Know if Someone Has Their Phone on Airplane Mode

Determining if someone’s phone is on airplane mode can be tricky since there are no direct indicators. However, there are some tell-tale signs that might help you figure it out.

1. Calls Go Directly to Voicemail

• What Happens: When you call someone whose phone is on airplane mode, your call will go directly to voicemail without ringing.
• Why This Happens: Since airplane mode disables cellular service, the network cannot connect the call, sending it straight to voicemail.
• Note: A call going to voicemail could also mean the phone is turned off or out of range, so it’s not a definitive sign.

2. Text Messages Appear as “Not Delivered”

• SMS (Standard Text Messages): When you send a text message to someone on airplane mode, it won’t deliver immediately. Once they turn off airplane mode and reconnect to the network, the message will arrive.
• iMessage (on iPhones): iMessages will show as “Not Delivered” if the recipient is on airplane mode and doesn’t have Wi-Fi. Once they disable airplane mode, your message will resend automatically.

3. iMessage or Text Messages Don’t Show “Delivered”

• On iPhone: iMessage typically displays “Delivered” when it successfully reaches the recipient. If someone’s phone is on airplane mode, you won’t see the “Delivered” confirmation.
• Regular SMS: SMS messages won’t indicate delivery, so you won’t receive any confirmation until the person’s phone is back online.

4. Can’t Reach Them on FaceTime or WhatsApp

• FaceTime: FaceTime calls require an internet connection. If the person is on airplane mode and disconnected from Wi-Fi, FaceTime calls won’t go through.
• WhatsApp: Like FaceTime, WhatsApp also relies on internet access. If the recipient is on airplane mode, your messages won’t deliver on WhatsApp until they reconnect.

What Happens When You Call Someone on Airplane Mode?

Calling someone with their phone on airplane mode has a few possible outcomes:

1. Goes Straight to Voicemail: Since cellular service is disabled, the call cannot connect and goes to voicemail instantly.
2. No Ringing or Notification: The person won’t receive any missed call notification until they turn airplane mode off.
3. No Call History: While in airplane mode, no call log is created on their device. Once airplane mode is disabled, they won’t see a missed call in their call history.

How Messages Are Affected by Airplane Mode

Text messages, like calls, are affected differently based on the type:

• Standard SMS: SMS messages sent to a phone in airplane mode remain in a “pending” state with your carrier. Once the recipient turns airplane mode off, the message will deliver as usual.
• iMessage: iMessages will show as undelivered if the recipient doesn’t have Wi-Fi access while on airplane mode. As soon as they reconnect to the internet, the iMessage will go through.
• WhatsApp and Other Apps: Any app-based messages will remain undelivered until the recipient reconnects to the internet.

Can You Still See Missed Calls on Airplane Mode?

If someone’s phone is in airplane mode, they won’t see missed calls while it’s active. Once airplane mode is turned off and cellular service is restored, they won’t receive notifications for calls missed during that time. Essentially:

• No Record of Missed Calls: Missed calls aren’t logged, so there’s no history of calls while airplane mode is active.
• No Voicemail Notification: However, if you leave a voicemail, they’ll be notified of the new message once they reconnect to the network.

What About Notifications and App Messages?

Apps that require internet, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, won’t deliver notifications until the device reconnects to the internet after airplane mode is turned off.

• App-Based Notifications: These notifications will only appear once airplane mode is disabled, and Wi-Fi or cellular service is restored.
• No Real-Time Updates: Since internet access is blocked, the recipient won’t see any real-time messages or notifications until they turn off airplane mode.

Tips for Reaching Someone on Airplane Mode

If you need to contact someone urgently, try these tips:

1. Send Multiple Messages: Although they won’t receive your texts until airplane mode is off, sending multiple messages ensures they’ll see them immediately when reconnecting.
2. Try Alternate Methods: Use email or other channels that might be checked if they reconnect via Wi-Fi.
3. Leave a Voicemail: They’ll get a notification for a voicemail once they disable airplane mode.

Final Thoughts on Identifying Airplane Mode on Someone’s Phone

Understanding how airplane mode affects calls, texts, and notifications can help you determine if someone’s phone is in this mode. While airplane mode is useful for avoiding interruptions, it can leave you wondering why calls aren’t going through. By recognizing signs like calls going straight to voicemail and messages showing as undelivered, you’ll have a better idea if someone has enabled airplane mode.

Use these insights to stay connected and communicate effectively, even if the person you’re trying to reach is temporarily unavailable.