Disconnecting from the World Instantly
While the name implies that Airplane Mode is only useful when you are boarding a commercial flight, it is actually one of the most powerful and frequently used troubleshooting tools on the iPad. When activated, Airplane Mode instantly cuts off all radio frequency transmissions coming from your device.
This means it simultaneously disables your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data connections (if you have an iPad model with a SIM card). This is incredibly useful for saving battery life when you do not need internet access, silencing incoming notifications when you need to focus, or forcing a misbehaving internet connection to reset itself.
Apple provides two distinct ways to trigger Airplane Mode on the iPad: a rapid method using the Control Centre, and a more deliberate method using the main Settings app.
Method 1: The Fast Way (Using the Control Centre)
If you are rushing to turn off your radios as the flight attendant makes their final announcement, or if you simply want to disconnect quickly while watching a movie, the Control Centre is the most efficient method.
- Turn on your iPad screen. (You do not even need to unlock the device with your passcode; this works straight from the lock screen).
- Place your finger in the extreme top right corner of the screen, right over where the battery percentage and Wi-Fi icons are located.
- Swipe down smoothly from that corner. This action will pull down the Control Centre overlay.
- Look at the square block of four icons located in the top left corner of the Control Centre.
- Tap the icon that looks like an airplane.
The airplane icon will instantly turn a bright orange colour. Simultaneously, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons next to it will turn grey, indicating they have been severed. If you look at the very top of your iPad screen, you will now see a small airplane icon sitting permanently in the status bar, reminding you that your device is disconnected.
To turn the internet back on, simply swipe down the Control Centre again and tap the orange airplane icon to disable it.
Method 2: The Deliberate Way (Using the Settings App)
If you prefer navigating through menus, or if you have disabled Control Centre access on your lock screen for security reasons, you can easily trigger Airplane Mode from the main settings.
- Unlock your iPad and tap the grey Settings gear icon on your home screen.
- Look at the left-hand sidebar menu.
- The very first option in the list is Airplane Mode.
- Simply tap the toggle switch next to it so that it turns green.
Your connections will instantly sever. To reverse the process, tap the toggle again so it turns grey.
How to Use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth During a Flight
One of the biggest misconceptions about Airplane Mode is that it forces you to remain completely disconnected for the entire flight. This is incorrect. While Airplane Mode does disable all radios initially, modern aviation rules allow you to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in the air (to connect to the plane’s internal internet network and use your wireless headphones).
You can actually override Airplane Mode selectively:
- Ensure Airplane Mode is currently turned on (the airplane icon in the Control Centre is orange).
- While the airplane icon is still orange, tap the grey Wi-Fi icon right next to it.
- The Wi-Fi icon will turn blue, meaning your iPad is now searching for the airplane’s Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the grey Bluetooth icon. It will also turn blue, allowing you to connect your AirPods or wireless headphones.
Your iPad is still technically in “Airplane Mode” (meaning it is not searching for cellular towers, which is the primary concern for aviation regulators), but you have manually re-enabled the specific, safe short-range radios you need for entertainment.
