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Find out if turning on Airplane Mode disables location tracking and sharing.
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Airplane Mode turns off features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular services, NFC, and other radio transmitters that can interfere with airplane sensors. But does Airplane Mode turn off location sharing and GPS? The short answer is no—Airplane Mode prevents your device from sharing its location over the internet, but it doesn't turn off location services altogether. This wikiHow article teaches you everything you need to know about Airplane Mode and location sharing on your computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

How Airplane Mode Affects Your Location

  • Airplane Mode doesn't turn off your device's GPS. But because it disables internet access, your device will not update its location on the internet.
  • Airplane Mode does turn off cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, which prevents your device from sharing its location on the internet.
  • Disable Location Services and GPS to prevent your phone or other device from being tracked.
Section 1 of 3:

Does Airplane Mode turn off location?

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  1. Airplane Mode only disables radio signals, like cellular, Wi-Fi, and sometimes Bluetooth. These radio signals can interfere with commercial airline sensors.[1] However, your smartphone, tablet, or laptop does not need to transmit radio signals to use GPS, so Airplane Mode leaves GPS turned on. But because Airplane Mode turns off Wi-Fi and cellular data, your device can't share its location online or with other devices.
    • While your phone, tablet, or laptop can't be tracked by other devices, apps, and websites while you're in Airplane Mode, other apps on your device may still have access to your location.
    • Airplane Mode doesn't make Wi-Fi and Bluetooth unusable on your phone; it just turns them off. You can enable Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth while you're in Airplane Mode, your phone will leave Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth on the next time you enable Airplane Mode unless you disable it while Airplane Mode is on.[2] [3]
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Prevent Location Tracking

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  1. If you don't want your Android, iPhone, or iPad to be tracked while you're in Airplane Mode, you can turn off your GPS.
    • iPhone/iPad
      • Open Settings.
      • Go to Privacy & Security > Location Services.[5]
      • Tap the toggle switch next to "Location Services."
    • Android:
      • Swipe down from the top of the Home screen. You may need to swipe twice to see the full Quick Access menu.
      • Tap and hold the Location icon.[6]
      • Tap and hold the Location button.
  2. If you are using an Android, there are tons of apps in the Google Play Store you can use to fake your location. One such app is Fake GPS. The iPhone App Store does not have apps that allow you to spoof your location, but you can purchase an app for your Mac called Virtual Location that allows you to change your iPhone/iPad's location by connecting it to your computer.[7]
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 146,409 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 7, 2025
Views: 146,409
Categories: Cell Phones
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