Cell phones, laptops, handheld gaming systems, e-readers and other devices send out radio waves that can affect navigation and radar systems. If you have flown on a commercial airline, you have heard the flight attendant ask passengers to enable airplane mode on their devices.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require that devices that use cellular service be put in airplane mode or have their cellular connections disabled during flight. This is because cellular transmission can disrupt the crucial in-flight systems that allow pilots to safely fly and land the plane.

Some passengers are reluctant to use airplane mode, but at cruising altitude, you are too high above cell towers to get any kind of dependable signal, so there is no reason not to follow government regulations during a flight. Some airlines offer Wi-Fi service that allows passengers to connect using Wi-Fi while flying.

Aside from using airplane mode on an airplane it does have other benefits.

Saves Battery Life

Since Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth are disabled while in airplane mode the device uses less battery power. Airplane mode is useful when you are in an area where there is bad cell reception because your phone will be constantly searching for a signal which can drain the battery. It is also useful if your battery is running low and you are not able to charge your phone.

Connection Problems

If you are having a problem establishing a Wi-Fi or cellular connection it may help to toggle airplane mode on and then off again, if that does not work try restarting your phone.

Quiet Time

Most of us are constantly “connected” notifications from our devices can be disrupting if you are in a meeting or at an appointment. You might also just want some quiet time where you are not disturbed. You can toggle on airplane mode in these situations so that you don’t receive calls and text messages. If someone calls you while your phone is in airplane mode, they can leave a voice message.

Limiting Data Usage

If you don’t have an unlimited data plan putting your device in airplane mode can limit cellular data usage. If you travel internationally and haven’t paid for international roaming your phone can ping nearby towers and you can incur data charges, enabling airplane mode prevents that from happening.

We want to preserve our phone battery so that it lasts as long as possible.

The life of a lithium-ion battery is generally 500 cycles (about 2 or 3 years) whichever comes first. A charge cycle is the period of use from fully charged to fully discharged and then fully charged again.

Rechargeable lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will slowly lose their capacity to hold a charge. This loss of capacity is irreversible, but you can increase the lifespan of your phones battery by using it and charging it correctly.

Partially Charge

When charging your battery do not leave it on the charger until it reaches 100%. The sweet spot to keep your battery charged is between 25-85%. Charging to 100% can stress the battery and shorten its life. So don’t leave your phone on the charger overnight. Android and iPhones both have a setting that allows you to limit the charge, so it never reaches 100%, adjust this setting on your phone to preserve the battery.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Extremely high or low temperatures can degrade the battery capacity.

Use Recommended Charging Accessories

Use certified charging accessories supplied by the manufacturer, third party charging accessories can damage the phone and battery.

Conserving The Battery

Adjust the settings on your phone to conserve battery usage. Turn down the screen brightness, uninstall unused apps, put apps to sleep, limit location services, lock your phone after a period of inactivity, turn on battery saver or low power mode, limit push notifications, keep your apps up to date.