In order to use your iPhone or iPad during an airplane flight you are required to put it into “Airplane Mode.” Airplane Mode shuts off your device’s cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios. But what if you’re on a flight that has in-flight Wi-Fi, or you want to use your bluetooth enabled headphones? Here’s how to use either, or both of these features while Airplane Mode is enabled in iOS 7.
To turn on Airplane Mode, simply slide your finger up from the bottom of your device in order to access Control Center. Tap the icon at the top left of the control center that looks like an airplane with a circle around it. This will enable Airplane Mode and it will light up as seen in the photo below:
You may notice that the Wi-Fi, (second icon from the left), and the Bluetooth, (center icon) both darken. Let’s go over how to turn those back on.
To turn Wi-Fi back on, just tap the Wi-Fi icon, it will light up, indicating Wi-Fi is now turned back on. You’ll notice the Airplane Mode icon is still indicating that it is “On,” but now just your device’s cellular radio and Bluetooth are disabled.
In order to connect to your airplane’s in-flight Wi-Fi, follow the instructions given by your airline.
To turn on Bluetooth while in Airplane mode, follow the same steps that you performed turning on Wi-Fi, except tap the center icon. It will light, indicating it is now “on.” Follow your normal procedures to connect your headphones, or other accessory, to your iOS device.
After landing, just slide up Control Center and tap the Airplane Mode icon once more, that will turn Airplane Mode off, and allow your cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios in your iOS device to connect as normal.
Airplane Mode is also a great way to ensure that you don’t use international cellular data or voice while out of your home country. It basically turns your iPhone into an iPod that won’t be running up any of those expensive voice or data roaming charges.
Thanks to OS X Daily for the initial iOS 6 tip.
