[takeaways] • Airplane mode doesn't turn off your GPS location — your phone continues to receive location signals from satellites even in airplane mode.
• What airplane mode disables is mobile data, WiFi and Bluetooth, cellular calls and SMS, and location services — meaning apps like Find My won't work while airplane mode is on.
• You can still use your phone in airplane mode — offline playlists, downloaded maps, and ebooks all work without a connection.
• After you switch off airplane mode on landing, consider setting location services to "when using the app" only — this reduces data and battery usage without losing the features you need.
• A SIMOVO eSIM connects automatically to the best available mobile data when you land — no roaming bills, no hunting for local SIM cards.
• Download any apps, maps, and offline content you need before you board — don't waste time downloading software when you reach your destination. [/takeaways]
Using airplane mode is recommended when you're traveling — it's a great way to preserve battery life and prevent cellular signals from affecting your flight. However, switching to this mode means turning off a few other features temporarily. But does airplane mode turn off location?
No — airplane mode doesn't turn off your GPS location on your phone. Airplane mode disables mobile data and WiFi and Bluetooth features, and prevents you from connecting to cell towers. However, your location goes unchanged — let's explore the technology behind this and answer some related questions.
Does airplane mode turn off GPS?
No — airplane mode doesn't affect your GPS at all. Even in this mode, GPS tracking systems continue letting you see your location, meaning location tracking via satellites continues as normal.
However, there's some confusion when it comes to location and location services. While airplane mode won't affect your location or ability to be tracked, it will turn off location services by default — because airplane mode disables the internet connectivity required for your device to be found remotely. That means apps like Find My or Find My Friends won't work as expected, as you need your device to be online so that GPS location tracking can be shared.
What does airplane mode turn off?
Airplane mode turns off all communication features and wireless transmissions on your device. That means mobile data, WiFi and Bluetooth, and basic cellular connections — including calls and SMS — will be inaccessible while this mode is turned on.
You can, however, still enjoy using your phone on your flight while airplane mode is active. I recommend downloading songs, albums, and videos you want to access during your trip in offline mode before you board. Apps such as Spotify support offline playlists, meaning you can download hundreds of songs via WiFi to your device before you go. Do the same for maps and any ebooks you'd like to read once you land — it's wise to have any apps and offline data downloaded before going into airplane mode, so you don't have to waste time downloading software when you reach your destination.
[tip title="Download everything you need before you board"]Before you turn on airplane mode, download your Spotify playlists, offline maps, and any ebooks or videos for the journey. Once you switch off airplane mode on landing, your SIMOVO eSIM will connect automatically to the best available mobile data — no setup required.[/tip] [esim flag="🌍" label="Unlimited Data" data="Unlimited · resets daily" price="From £3" href="/collections/unlimited-plans" benefits="Instant QR setup · Resets every 24 hours · No contract"]Stay connected when you land — your SIMOVO eSIM connects automatically to the best available network[/esim]
Should you turn location services off while traveling?
While you should always turn on airplane mode before you travel, it's worth thinking about whether to use location services at all during your trip. After you disembark and switch off airplane mode, consider what you'll actually be using your phone for.
It's worth leaving location services on if you anticipate needing GPS to find routes when you land. While offline maps are handy for saving data, real-time location tracking is useful if you're concerned about local traffic. Location services are also great for safety — if you have apps like Find My set up on your iPhone, your friends and family will be able to track your location, and the feature is invaluable if you lose your device while you're away. On top of that, location services help you find nearby restaurants and attractions, saving you from wandering around a new city without direction — you never know when Apple Maps or Google Maps will come to the rescue.
On the other hand, there are good reasons to turn location services off. If you want to save mobile data and battery, switching off services you're not actively using makes sense. And if you're stuck using a traditional SIM from your home network, you might be worried about roaming costs for as long as you stay online — in which case, turning off location services can help cut those costs. That said, we all know there's a more cost-efficient and convenient option.
[tip title="Set location access to 'when using the app' only"]After leaving the plane and switching off airplane mode, turn on location services for the apps you know you need — then set each app's location access to 'when using the app' rather than 'always'. This reduces data and battery usage without losing the features that matter, and means you're not sharing your location unnecessarily in the background.[/tip]
How to turn off location services
If you decide that switching off location services is the right call for your trip, it's straightforward to toggle the settings on both iPhone and Android.
Turning off location services on iPhone
The exact steps may vary depending on your iPhone model and iOS version — use the following as a guide, and refer to the frequently updated Apple location services advice for the latest instructions.
- Head to your Settings app, then select Privacy & Security, followed by Location Services.
- On the next screen, toggle location services on and off using the slider button at the top.
- To manage location access for individual apps — for example, setting Amazon to only access your location while you're using it — select the app from the same screen and adjust its permissions.
Turning off location services on Android
Android has several versions and many different devices, so steps may vary. Use the following as a guide, based on current recommendations from Google Help. Note: this applies to devices running Android 12 and higher.
- Open your device's Settings app, then tap Location.
- Toggle Use Location off.
- To adjust location accuracy, go to Location Services, then Location Accuracy, and toggle Improve Location Accuracy off.
How to turn location services back on
To turn location services back on, simply follow the reverse of the steps above — it's easy to stop your phone from swallowing data once you know how. Location services are helpful when you need support finding your way around a new city, but can be a drain on data, so always keep a close eye on your usage. Check out our guide on how to check your data usage on iPhone to stay on top of what you have left.
[faq] [q]Does airplane mode turn off location?[/q] [a]No — airplane mode doesn't turn off your GPS location. Your phone continues to receive location signals from satellites even when airplane mode is on. What airplane mode disables is mobile data, WiFi and Bluetooth, and cellular connections — which means location services (like Find My) won't work, but your actual GPS position is unaffected.[/a] [q]Does airplane mode turn off GPS?[/q] [a]No — airplane mode doesn't affect GPS at all. GPS works by receiving signals from satellites, which doesn't require a cellular or WiFi connection. Location tracking via GPS continues in airplane mode, but apps that share your location with others won't work because they need an internet connection to do so.[/a] [q]What does airplane mode turn off?[/q] [a]Airplane mode disables mobile data, WiFi and Bluetooth, and cellular connections including calls and SMS. It also turns off location services by default, since these require internet connectivity to function. GPS itself is not turned off — only the apps and services that rely on an internet connection to share your location.[/a] [q]Can I use my phone in airplane mode?[/q] [a]Yes — you can still use many features on your phone in airplane mode. Offline content like downloaded Spotify playlists, offline maps, ebooks, and videos all work without a connection. The key is to download everything you need before you board, so you're not relying on connectivity mid-flight.[/a] [q]Should I turn off location services when traveling abroad?[/q] [a]It depends on how you're connected. If you have a SIMOVO eSIM with prepaid data, there's little reason to turn location services off — you can use Apple Maps, Google Maps, Find My, and other location-based apps without worrying about roaming costs. If you're using a traditional home SIM and want to avoid roaming charges while you stay online, switching off location services (or setting them to 'when using the app') can help reduce unnecessary data usage.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for traveling?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM connects automatically to the best available mobile data when you land — no hunting for a local SIM card, no roaming bills from your home network, and no need to turn off location services to avoid unexpected charges. Download it before you board and it activates as soon as you switch off airplane mode.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🌍" label="Unlimited Data" data="Unlimited · resets daily" price="From £3" href="/collections/unlimited-plans" benefits="Instant QR setup · Resets every 24 hours · No contract"]Get connected before you board — your SIMOVO eSIM activates the moment you land[/esim]
