Does airplane mode block calls and texts? Explained

When someone doesn’t need to disturb with calls and text messages, one of the best ways to avoid such is through airplane mode. Even though we have the do not disturb mode on smartphones, it differs from the airplane mode. 

Before you enable the airplane mode on your smartphone, you should first understand what the feature is all about and how it works. But before that, let’s take a look at the question we have for today and which is;

Does airplane mode block calls and texts

Does airplane mode block calls and texts?

The answer is yes. Airplane mode do block calls and texts on a smartphone. Once you enable the airplane mode on your smartphone it will automatically block your phone from receiving cellular calls and text messages.

If you look at the explanation I gave, I said that airplane mode will block your phone from receiving cellular calls and text messages.

Why did I said cellular calls and text messages?

This is because you can enable Wi-Fi even when your phone is on airplane mode.

Now this literally means that you can receive facetime calls, whatsapp calls, Skype calls, Facebook calls and text messages, iMessages, etc even when your phone is on airplane mode as long as you have an active Wi-Fi connection on your phone.

But for cellular calls and sms text messages, that will never be possible cause you can’t enable cellular network or cellular data when your phone is on airplane mode.

What is airplane mode? 

Airplane mode is a feature which blocks the data transmitter and receiver signals on a phone or laptop for a limited time, preventing any data from being sent or received on a device. In other words, when airplane mode is enabled on a smartphone or the computer, the user won’t be able to make or receive phone calls, text messages, etc. 

By default, airplane mode will automatically turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular network service and data, infrared if available, etc. But right now you can enable and use a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared even the phone or laptop is on airplane mode.

For cellular network service, you can’t enable or use it when your phone is on airplane mode. This is the only phone feature that is not available when the flight mode is enabled on a device.

How to receive calls and text messages when on airplane mode

The solution to receive calls and text messages when on airplane mode is by enabling Wi-Fi connection and using facetime, iMessage, Google voice, whatsapp, Skype, Facebook messenger or any of the instant messaging service to receive text messages and calls when on airplane mode.

For the fact that airplane mode disable cellular network and data, Wi-Fi and instant messaging apps are the only solution. If your network service provider happens to have Wi-Fi calling feature, then you can receive calls through Wi-Fi.

The problem about Wi-Fi call is that not all network providers do offer Wi-Fi calls to their subscribers.

Aside from Wi-Fi call feature, you have the facetime, Google voice, whatsapp, Skype, Facebook messenger, telegram etc to make and receive calls. You have Google voice, iMessage, whatsapp, Skype, Facebook messenger, telegram, etc to send and receive text messages.

But my only recommendation is facetime and iMessage, plus Google voice for ios users, and whatsapp, rcs chat feature, and Google voice for android users.

In this type of situation Google voice is simply the best cause it works like cellular calls and text messages. That is to say that you can use your Google voice assigned phone number to call or send text message to any number on your phone even if the person is not using google voice.

For you to call someone on FaceTime, the person must have a facetime account, same goes to Skype, Facebook messenger, whatsapp, telegram, etc.

For you to send text messages to someone on FaceTime, the person must have an iMessage account, same goes to Skype, Facebook messenger, whatsapp, telegram, etc.

But the case is different on Google voice. All you need to do is to enroll with Google voice, get an assigned phone number and use the number to call any phone number on your phone contact list. But remember, it requires internet connection like Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Talking about does airplane mode block calls and texts, I’m this type of situation Wi-Fi is the only solution.

What happens when you put your phone on airplane mode and someone calls you?

When you put your phone on airplane mode and someone calls you, the call will never go through and instead it will cutoff or notify the caller that your phone is switched off.

I’m pretty much talking about cellular calls. Don’t expect to receive cellular calls when your phone is on airplane mode.

By the way, if you check your phone you will see that immediately you turned on airplane mode on your phone, it will automatically disable cellular network, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Then you can manually enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but that is not possible on cellular data and network as it will remain disabled until you turned off airplane mode on your phone.

Why am I still getting calls on airplane mode?

This occurs when you have an active Wi-Fi connection on your phone. Once you have an active Wi-Fi connection on your phone while on airplane mode, Wi-Fi calls and text messages will be received on your phone.

In order to avoid this, kindly turn off Wi-Fi connection and as well as Bluetooth and this will prevent you from receiving any sort of calls and text messages when on airplane mode.

By default, airplane mode will automatically disable Wi-Fi, cellular data and network, Bluetooth, and other radio services. For the fact that you are receiving calls when on airplane mode simply means that you went and turned on Wi-Fi connection afterwards.

So all you have to do is to turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well and you are good to go.

No more disturbance from friends, family and colleagues.

Does airplane mode actually do anything?

Yes of course, airplane mode will automatically turn off cellular data and network, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plus other radio services.

By so doing, this will in turn prevent calls, text messages, and internet from working on your phone or computer.

What more can i say, there is no harm in trying and all you have to do is to pull down the control center of your phone and tap on the airplane mode and see what happens.

This wouldn’t take more than five seconds and you will see what happens next after tapping on the airplane mode icon.

Does Iphone vibrate on airplane mode?

iPhone or any other phone don’t vibrate when on airplane mode as it will disable radio services on the phone and this prevents any sort of calls, text messages or notifications on the phone. 

Mostly notifications will come into the phone when you have cellular network service or internet, for the fact that airplane mode disable these services on a phone, it will in turn stop the phone from vibrating.

What’s the difference between airplane mode and do not disturb?

The main difference between airplane mode and do not disturb mode is that on airplane mode calls and sms text messages will be blocked, while on do not disturb mode calls and sms text messages will be received but will be silenced.

Let me give you a table which shows the difference between airplane mode and do not disturb.

Difference between airplane mode and do not disturb

Airplane mode Do not disturb mode 
Cellular calls and sms text messages are blocked Cellular calls and sms text messages are not blocked
Wi-Fi is disabled by default  Wi-Fi is not disabled by default 
Bluetooth is disabled by default  Bluetooth is not disabled by default 
You can’t add exceptions on airplane mode  You can add exceptions on do not disturb mode 
You can only manually enable airplane mode on a cell phone  You can set an automatic do not disturb mode on a cell phone 

What is the advantage of airplane mode?

Airplane mode prevents a user from being disturb with calls, text messages and notifications. It also helps to prevent from being tracked unless you went ahead to enabled Wi-Fi connection when on airplane mode.

Remember, when on airplane mode you can play games, listen to music on your phone and do some other things that doesn’t require cellular network, data or probably the internet.

But if your main aim of enabling airplane mode is to prevent cellular network and data, you can go ahead and turn on Wi-Fi and enjoy online games and internet on your phone.

Disadvantages of airplane mode

It will prevent you from receiving an important calls or text messages on your phone.

Before you enable airplane mode on your phone, be rest assured that you don’t give a damn for any calls and text messages as you may end up not receiving an important call from your friends, family or colleagues.

Kindly note that airplane mode will stop incoming calls as it automatically blocks incoming cellular calls on a mobile phone.

Does airplane mode stop whatsapp call? 

Airplane mode will disable whatsapp call if there is no active Wi-Fi connection. On airplane mode you can still enable Wi-Fi connection and which will help you to receive calls from whatsapp. 

Does airplane mode stop facetime call? 

Airplane mode will disable facetime call if there is no active Wi-Fi connection. On airplane mode you can still enable Wi-Fi connection and which will help you to receive calls from facetime.

Lastly, does airplane mode block calls and texts? The answer is yes. Airplane mode do block calls and texts on a smartphone. Once you enable the airplane mode on your smartphone it will automatically block your phone from receiving cellular calls and text messages. 

About Kennedy

I'm Amaechi Uchenna by name, a mobile tech enthusiast who love writing articles about tips and tutorials especially relating to gadgets.

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