Whether you’re using an Android phone, an iPhone, a tablet, or any other device, putting the device on airplane mode prevents it from receiving calls and texts. But is there a way to see the calls you’ve missed while in that mode?
Depending on the features included in your service plan, once you turn off flight mode you may get a notification from your carrier with the calls you’ve missed while in airplane mode. The carrier network has the ability to save that information and send it to you once your device is back online.
In this article, we’ll answer all of your queries concerning airplane mode, aka flight mode.
- Will missed calls show up on airplane mode?
- Can you get airplane mode calls?
- Someone texts you while you’re on airplane mode
- Can you tell if someone’s phone is on airplane mode?
- Do you get a missed call notification if your phone is powered off?
Will missed calls show up on airplane mode?
You will not be notified while your phone is still in airplane mode as it effectively disables all network operations, much like a dormant or switched-off smartphone.
Some carriers offer a missed call alert service. With this service, your carrier sends you a message about the number of calls you received while your phone was in airplane mode. This is a carrier-specific service and might be a paid option with your carrier.
When you enable airplane mode, it transmits a request to your network operator that your device is about to get into the ‘power off’ status. When someone calls you, they will hear a message from your network operator stating that your phone has been switched off.
As a result, you will not get any calls and your phone will not ring when in airplane mode.
Can you get airplane mode calls?
It is possible to receive calls in airplane mode if Wi-Fi is enabled on your device. You can get internet calls from sources like instant messengers, or if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled. There are two types of airplane modes, regular airplane mode and “Wi-Fi only” airplane mode.
Regular Airplane Mode
Regular flight mode blocks all the signals from every source. It puts your device in a complete lockdown state concerning calls, messages, and the internet.
You can enable this mode by sliding down the notification panel on your phone and tapping on the airplane mode icon.
Wi-Fi Only Airplane Mode
To obtain Wi-Fi only airplane mode, first turn on airplane mode on your phone by bringing down the notification panel. Once your phone is in flight mode, bring down the notification panel again and tap the Wi-Fi icon. This will activate your Wi-Fi-only airplane mode.
After turning on the Wi-Fi-only airplane mode, you will receive messages from instant messengers (e.g. WhatsApp, iMessage) as well as calls if you have Wi-Fi calling activated on your device.
Generally speaking, when your device is in Wi-Fi-only airplane mode, you can access the internet.
Someone texts you while you’re on airplane mode
If someone texts you, the message will not be delivered to your phone while it’s in airplane mode. For the sender of the message, no status will be shown, not even “not delivered”.
However, the message will get through to you as soon as you turn off airplane mode. Once it’s delivered, the sender will also see the “delivered” status.
When your phone is in airplane mode, messages sent to you are kept on hold. They reach your device as soon as you disable airplane mode.
Can you tell if someone’s phone is on airplane mode?
In general, it’s hard to know if someone’s phone is on airplane mode. You can of course try to call them and see if you get an “off coverage” voice message from the service, or send a text and see if the message doesn’t show a “delivered” status.
However, this could also mean the recipient’s phone is turned off or their battery is dead.
Also, just because you’re able to send web messages (Messenger, iMessage, Whatsapp etc) to the recipient doesn’t mean their phone is NOT on airplane mode, since some devices allow you to keep a wi-fi connection when on airplane mode (see earlier).
Do you get a missed call notification if your phone is powered off?
Depending on whether you have this service activated, you may get a missed calls notification once you switch your phone back on.
Missed calls information is saved on your network server when your device is switched off. As soon as you switch the device back on and it connects to the cell network, the network detects it and may send you a notification about calls you’ve missed.
If you have voicemail service activated, your phone will save the recorded message. Similarly, text messages sent to your phone will be put on hold until you switch on your phone. They will get delivered to you as soon as you switch on your phone.
See also: What Is The Difference Between Power Off And Airplane Mode?
Similar to when your phone is turned off, your carrier may register a missed call when your phone is dead (out of battery). The carrier network server saves that information, and assuming you have the service activated, will send it to your phone as soon as your device connects back to the network.
Seeing missed texts but not missed when the phone is powered back on
If you’re not seeing your missed calls when turning your phone back on after it’s been powered off, it generally means your carrier does not offer that service, or you don’t have it activated (it might be a paid option).
As seen earlier, some carriers do save information about missed calls for devices that are turned off or on airplane mode. Once the device is turned back on and connects back to the network, the carrier service automatically notifies the device of any missed calls.
Try reaching out to your network carrier to check if they have a service to notify you about missed calls during airplane mode.
Some carriers may even notify the caller that your device is back online and available again for them to call you.