What does airplane mode do on a mobile device?

Airplane mode is a feature on mobile devices designed to prevent the device from transmitting any wireless signals. When activated, airplane mode disables all wireless communication methods, including cellular radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. This is useful when you are on an airplane during flight, as it prevents interference with the aircraft's navigation systems. Additionally, it helps to conserve battery life because the device is not constantly searching for signals, which can drain the battery.

While airplane mode does disable wireless transmission signals, it also allows users to manually turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while still in airplane mode if they choose to connect to those services without using cellular data. Therefore, the primary function of airplane mode is to stop all wireless communications and ensure that the device complies with airline regulations.