Modern mobile devices are multi-functional. They serve as an alarm clock, torchlight, calculator, and calendar. They also give access to thrilling mobile games and support several means of communication via apps.
However, the main purpose mobile devices serve is for making calls and texting. The secondary purpose is for surfing the internet. But under certain settings, a mobile device could experience limited functionality.
One of such settings is the airplane mode. It features an airplane sign. Once you tap on the sign, your phone would switch to airplane mode instantly. Now here’s the big question many want to know.
Does alarm work in airplane mode?
Yes, that’s the straightforward answer. Airplane mode would only block functions that require a radio signal. Now the question is, does a mobile device’s alarm need a radio signal to function? The answer is no!
Again, no matter the device you’re using, the alarm would still work in airplane mode. The only condition it won’t work is when you turn off your mobile device.
So that’s the answer. But there’s more you need to know. Keep reading!
What Is Airplane Mode?
Airplane mode, also called flight mode, is a common feature all mobile devices have. These include smartphones and iPhones. Its purpose is to stop all electronic signal (cellular) reception and transmissions such as data and voice.
What exactly prompted the introduction of this so-called airplane mode? Well, it’s to ensure the safety of airplanes. The aviation industry’s fight towards ensuring air transportation is accident-free has always been intense. And you can’t blame them.
Air transport has the lowest accident compared to other means of transportation. But when a plane crash does happen, it’s always huge.
So the fear that mobile devices could mess with an airplane and lead to a plane crash made phone manufacturers start adding the features in their products.
However, airplane mode has become a useful feature in mobile devices. If you want to sleep and don’t want to receive phone calls, all you need do is hit airplane mode.
Once you set your phone to this mode, the only thing you can use it for is to play mobile games, listen to music, calculator, torchlight, and word processor. Besides these functions, you can’t use a phone for other purposes unless you have Wi-Fi access so your mobile apps can function.
Putting phones on airplane mode can have some positive effects on your device’s battery. It doesn’t consume much battery.
So, when you enter an airplane, endeavor to switch your phone to airplane mode. Anything can happen, and you don’t want to be blamed for not obeying simple rules.
The Ideal Time To Switch Your Device To Airplane Mode
Under what circumstances should you enable airplane mode on your device? The first reason is for the safety of everyone on the plane. Whether you’re making phone calls or texting, mobile devices use radio signals, most especially cellular.
What makes the radio signal bad is that it can interfere with the pilot’s work. It can interrupt the communication between controllers and the pilots.
Don’t forget that pilots need to have clear communication with controllers to ensure an airplane’s safety. So please, obey the rules and change your mobile device to airplane mode.
There are other instances where putting your mobile device on airplane mode makes sense. Let’s go through them briefly.
When moving to other parts of the world:
Your ticket fee has taken a lot of money from you. Can you guess what can cause you to spend more when traveling to another country? It’s your mobile device, and it’s through roaming charges. You will incur higher charges by allowing your mobile device to roam.
Why is airplane mode crucial? You’ll not be able to make, receive calls, surf the internet, send or receive text messages via cellular networks. And this will help you save money because your phone carrier won’t charge you a dime. That’s how sweet airplane mode can be.
So, wait till you get to your destination before turning off the airplane or flight mode. Remember, your phone carrier would also charge you for every call to and from your device. It doesn’t matter if you heard the call clearly or not.
The best thing is to wait till you get to your final destination before disabling airplane mode or calling anyone. Take advantage of local Wi-Fi in your location to communicate with family, friends, colleagues, or other people back home.
Even if you don’t want to splash the cash on Wi-Fi, you can find a free one. There are possibly some of them in your location. You can even talk to the receptionist in your hotel about it.
To preserve phone battery:
All wireless circuitry your mobile device has uses power from the battery. So when your phone is on, the battery drains faster. However, if you don’t fancy the idea of turning off your mobile phone, then switch to airplane mode.
This setting will help prolong your battery’s life, enabling you to make that urgent call when you arrive at your hotel or a given destination.
When your kids have your phone:
Most parents don’t mind giving their phones to their children to play games, watch videos or pictures. But in as much as there’s nothing wrong with that, it would be better to buy your kids their mobile devices. Why? They could accidentally smash your phone screen, delete some important contacts or change the phone’s setting. Most of us have been in this situation before, so speaking from experience.
But if you still want to give your phones to your little ones to play their favorite mobile games, switch to airplane mode. That way, they won’t accidentally send the wrong messages to your contacts. And what if that contact is your boss or a top client to your company? How do you want to explain this to your boss or the client? It’s going to be a tough one.
So switch on the airplane mode. By the way, your little ones don’t need Wi-Fi to play their mobile games.
When you want to sleep:
Have you been in a situation where you just started napping and your phone rings? You checked, and it’s your friend calling. It’s a good thing he called, but the fact that he called at the wrong time gets you angry. Thank goodness that you didn’t express your anger towards him.
The call could be from anyone. So the next time you want to take a nap, turn your phone to airplane mode. You may also use the same setting if you want to sleep at night.
A Handy Tip: One disadvantage of enabling airplane mode is that you might miss an emergency call from your family, friends, or place of work. Who knows, picking the call may have saved someone’s life. It’s a tough decision. So, you must think about others carefully when enabling airplane mode on your mobile device.
When you’re in a crucial meeting or at a religious gathering:
Picking calls during a crucial meeting can send the wrong signal to those present. It might cause them to think that you don’t value their presence.
So, unless not stated, switch off your mobile device during meetings. Picking calls in a meeting could be embarrassing. You could also miss an important discussion when you excuse yourself to pick the call.
If you don’t want to switch off your mobile device, enable the airplane mode. That way, no one will bug you with numerous calls. And you won’t let the attendees of the meeting feel less important either.
It would help if you also did the same thing in any religious gathering. Set a good example for your kids. Even if your kids aren’t there, you need to set a good example for the other young people around.
Do Mobile Phones Ring While In Airplane Mode?
This question is a tricky one. The answer also depends on several factors. These include available internet access, mobile app in use, and the nature of the phone.
If the phone doesn’t have Wi-Fi support, enabling airplane mode means you will no longer be able to receive calls; neither will your phone ring. This setting will block the cellular network, which is probably the only radio the phone has.
A high-end phone usually has three radios. These include cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS. So, when you turn off Wi-Fi, you have automatically disabled the cellular networks. Therefore, your phone won’t ring. That is, people won’t be able to call your line.
However, if your Wi-Fi has internet access, which planes provide, you can receive calls and notifications via Whatsapp, Skype, Messenger, etc.
A Handy Tip: What can prove risky when flying on a plane is keeping your cellular network on. It can interfere with the communication between the controllers and the pilots. Putting your phone on airplane mode would prevent this from happening. It would automatically disable your phone’s cellular radio, such as CDMA, GSM, etc.
Then again, if you don’t want to keep all three radios (cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS) off, put your mobile device on Do Not Disturb (DND) after enabling the airplane mode. Your mobile apps won’t even make a sound.
Conclusion
The alarm works when your phone is in airplane mode. What airplane mode does is make it impossible for your phone to connect to cellular networks. Your alarm will ring out clearly in airplane mode. So, ensure you don’t have your alarm on before going for a meeting.
Airplane mode can prove helpful in other aspects, besides traveling on an airplane. It can help preserve your phone battery, allowing you to make that urgent call when you arrive at your destination. Enabling airplane mode will enable your phone to charge faster. But turning off the phone would be much better in this regard.
You should also enable airplane mode when going for a meeting. But if you want complete silence, enable Do Not Disturb.