Enable Wi-Fi While In Airplane Mode

Michael Johnston · December 27th, 2008, 01:01 AM

One of the lesser-known goodies included in iPhone 2.0 is the ability to use Wi-Fi while in Airplane Mode. To do this, simply enable Airplane Mode and then switch on Wi-Fi. The orange airplane icon will stay in the status bar and Wi-Fi will be enabled.

Apple says that the feature is good for those on Wi-Fi enabled planes, but it may come in handy if you're in an area with no cell reception (such as basement or college building).

chucksmith · December 27th, 2008, 05:11 AM

This came in very handy for an American friend of mine who recently visited me in Germany. Since he couldn't use 3G anyway, because data roaming is so expensive, he effectively turned his iPhone into an iPod Touch by enabling Airport Mode and then turning on WiFi. This was important to avoid extra charges for receiving SMS internationally, but in case of an emergency he could still turn off airplane mode to make an incredibly expensive call.

Also as a note for those travelling abroad from the USA, don't expect your iPhone to work when you arrive in a foreign country. You have to call AT&T first to activate it and then answer some questions from their fraud department before it will work!

HackThatPhone · December 27th, 2008, 08:13 AM #3

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucksmith

Also as a note for those travelling abroad from the USA, don't expect your iPhone to work when you arrive in a foreign country. You have to call AT&T first to activate it and then answer some questions from their fraud department before it will work!

Or you could just unlock it and never have to make this phone call...

teeje · December 30th, 2008, 03:14 PM #4

I was trying to figure this out when I first got my Iphone and was very disappointed. Glad they finally came to their senses.

fzappa · **I don't get it.** - February 5th, 2009, 12:36 PM #5

I don't understand how this "may come in handy if your in an area with no cell reception". When I'm in my basement and I lose service, I dont need to do anything special to still send and receive via Wifi. And Wifi does not help with calls or text. So what does switching to airplane mode do for you?

Michael Johnston · March 3rd, 2009, 04:02 AM #6

Quote:

Originally Posted by fzappa

I don't understand how this "may come in handy if your in an area with no cell reception". When I'm in my basement and I lose service, I dont need to do anything special to still send and receive via Wifi. And Wifi does not help with calls or text. So what does switching to airplane mode do for you?

It keeps your battery from dying.

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Michael Johnston This is my fricken site, durrrr Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 2,695 Thanks: 11 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts	Enable Wi-Fi While In Airplane Mode - December 27th, 2008, 01:01 AM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> One of the lesser-known goodies included in iPhone 2.0 is the ability to use Wi-Fi while in Airplane Mode. To do this, simply enable Airplane Mode and then switch on Wi-Fi. The orange airplane icon will stay in the status bar and Wi-Fi will be enabled. Apple says that the feature is good for those on Wi-Fi enabled planes, but it may come in handy if you're in an area with no cell reception (such as basement or college building). __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: White 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: Whatever the latest is because I'm crazy like that. Computer & OS: 15" Unibody MacBook Pro + OS X Leopard 10.5 AIM: iPhoneAlley twitter: MichaelJohnston

chucksmith Forum Lurker Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	also a good tip abroad! - December 27th, 2008, 05:11 AM #2
	This came in very handy for an American friend of mine who recently visited me in Germany. Since he couldn't use 3G anyway, because data roaming is so expensive, he effectively turned his iPhone into an iPod Touch by enabling Airport Mode and then turning on WiFi. This was important to avoid extra charges for receiving SMS internationally, but in case of an emergency he could still turn off airplane mode to make an incredibly expensive call. Also as a note for those travelling abroad from the USA, don't expect your iPhone to work when you arrive in a foreign country. You have to call AT&T first to activate it and then answer some questions from their fraud department before it will work!

teeje Forum Lurker Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	December 30th, 2008, 03:14 PM #4
	I was trying to figure this out when I first got my Iphone and was very disappointed. Glad they finally came to their senses.

fzappa Forum Lurker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't get it. - February 5th, 2009, 12:36 PM #5
	I don't understand how this "may come in handy if your in an area with no cell reception". When I'm in my basement and I lose service, I dont need to do anything special to still send and receive via Wifi. And Wifi does not help with calls or text. So what does switching to airplane mode do for you?