This guide shows you how to change flight mode on a smart watch across popular brands like Apple, Samsung, and Garmin. You’ll learn quick methods, troubleshooting tips, and why flight mode matters for battery life and travel.
Key Takeaways
- Flight mode disables wireless signals: It turns off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular to comply with airline rules and save battery.
- Access varies by brand: Apple Watch uses the Control Center, while Samsung and Garmin use quick settings or menus.
- Enable before takeoff: Always activate flight mode when boarding to follow airline regulations.
- Reconnect after landing: Turn off flight mode to restore calls, messages, and notifications.
- Use shortcuts for speed: Add flight mode to your watch’s quick settings for one-tap access.
- Troubleshoot if stuck: Restart your watch or check for software updates if flight mode won’t toggle.
- Preserve battery life: Use flight mode during long flights or when you don’t need connectivity.
How to Change Flight Mode on Smart Watch
If you’ve ever boarded a plane only to fumble with your smart watch, wondering how to turn on flight mode, you’re not alone. Whether you’re using an Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin, or another brand, knowing how to change flight mode on a smart watch is essential for travel, battery saving, and staying compliant with airline rules.
This complete guide will walk you through the process step by step, no matter which smart watch you own. You’ll learn how to enable and disable flight mode quickly, understand why it’s important, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll be able to manage your watch’s connectivity like a pro—whether you’re 30,000 feet in the air or just trying to extend battery life during a long day.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Flight Mode on a Smart Watch?
Flight mode, also known as airplane mode, is a setting that temporarily disables all wireless communications on your device. On a smart watch, this includes:
- Bluetooth (used to connect to your phone)
- Wi-Fi (for internet access)
- Cellular (if your watch has a built-in SIM or eSIM)
- GPS (in some cases, though it may remain active for tracking)
When flight mode is on, your watch essentially becomes a standalone device. You can still use apps, track workouts, check the time, and view saved data—but you won’t receive calls, texts, or notifications from your phone.
Why Use Flight Mode?
There are several good reasons to use flight mode on your smart watch:
1. Airline Safety Regulations: Most airlines require passengers to turn off or enable flight mode on all electronic devices during takeoff and landing. While smart watches are small, they still emit signals that could theoretically interfere with aircraft systems—so it’s best to comply.
Visual guide about How to Change Flight Mode on Smart Watch
Image source: cdn2.iconfinder.com
2. Battery Conservation: Wireless signals drain your watch’s battery quickly. By turning on flight mode, you reduce power consumption significantly, which is especially helpful on long flights or when you’re away from a charger.
3. Reduce Distractions: If you’re trying to focus, sleep, or relax, flight mode silences incoming alerts and keeps your watch quiet.
4. Prevent Roaming Charges: If your watch has cellular capabilities, leaving it connected while traveling internationally could result in unexpected fees. Flight mode prevents accidental data usage.
Now that you know why flight mode matters, let’s look at how to turn it on and off on different smart watch platforms.
How to Change Flight Mode on Apple Watch
Apple Watch is one of the most popular smart watches, and changing flight mode is simple—if you know where to look. Here’s how to do it.
Method 1: Using the Control Center
This is the fastest and most common way to toggle flight mode on an Apple Watch.
- Wake your Apple Watch: Raise your wrist or tap the screen to wake it up.
- Open Control Center: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This reveals a panel with quick settings like brightness, Do Not Disturb, and flight mode.
- Tap the airplane icon: Look for the airplane symbol (✈️). If it’s gray, flight mode is off. Tap it once to turn it on—it will turn orange.
- Confirm activation: You’ll see “Airplane Mode” appear at the top of the screen, and all wireless signals will be disabled.
To turn flight mode off, simply swipe up again and tap the orange airplane icon. It will return to gray, and your watch will reconnect to your iPhone and other devices.
Method 2: Using the Settings App
If you prefer navigating through menus, you can also enable flight mode from the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app: Tap the gear icon on your Apple Watch home screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Airplane Mode”: It’s usually near the top of the list.
- Toggle the switch: Slide the button to turn flight mode on (green) or off (gray).
This method is useful if you’re already in Settings adjusting other preferences, like brightness or notifications.
Pro Tip: Add Flight Mode to Your Watch Face
For even quicker access, consider adding a flight mode complication to your watch face.
- Press and hold your watch face until the edit mode appears.
- Tap “Edit” and swipe to choose a complication slot.
- Select “Airplane Mode” from the list of available options.
- Tap “Done” to save.
Now, you can tap the flight mode icon directly from your watch face to toggle it on or off—no swiping required.
How to Change Flight Mode on Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung Galaxy Watches (including models like the Galaxy Watch 5, Watch 6, and Watch Active) use a slightly different interface, but the process is just as straightforward.
Method 1: Using Quick Settings
This is the easiest way to change flight mode on a Samsung watch.
- Wake your watch: Raise your wrist or tap the screen.
- Swipe down from the top: This opens the notification panel and quick settings.
- Look for the airplane icon: It’s usually in the top row of icons. If it’s gray or outlined, flight mode is off.
- Tap the airplane icon: It will fill in and turn blue or orange, indicating flight mode is active.
- Confirm: You’ll see “Flight mode” appear at the top of the screen.
To disable flight mode, swipe down again and tap the filled airplane icon. It will return to its outlined state, and your watch will reconnect to your phone and network.
Method 2: Using the Settings Menu
If you can’t find the quick setting, you can always go through the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app: Tap the gear icon on your watch face or app list.
- Scroll down and tap “Connections”: This section manages Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and flight mode.
- Tap “Flight mode”: You’ll see a toggle switch.
- Slide the switch to turn it on or off: When on, the switch will be blue or green.
This method is helpful if you’re already adjusting other connection settings, like pairing a new Bluetooth device.
Bonus: Use Bixby Voice Command
If you have Bixby enabled, you can say:
“Hey Bixby, turn on flight mode.”
or
“Hey Bixby, turn off flight mode.”
This is perfect when your hands are full or you’re in a hurry. Just make sure Bixby is set up and listening.
How to Change Flight Mode on Garmin Smart Watches
Garmin watches, such as the Forerunner, Venu, and Fenix series, are popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. While they don’t have cellular connectivity like Apple or Samsung watches, they still use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi—so flight mode is useful for saving battery and complying with travel rules.
Method 1: Using the Quick Settings Menu
Most Garmin watches allow you to access flight mode through the quick settings.
- Wake your watch: Press any button or tap the screen.
- Swipe down from the top: This opens the control panel.
- Look for the airplane icon: It may be labeled “Airplane Mode” or just show an airplane symbol.
- Tap it to toggle: When active, the icon will be highlighted or colored.
On some Garmin models, you may need to swipe left or right in the control panel to find the flight mode option.
Method 2: Using the Main Menu
If the quick setting isn’t available, try this:
- Press the menu button: Usually the bottom-right button on Garmin watches.
- Scroll to “Settings” and tap it.
- Navigate to “System” > “Airplane Mode.”
- Toggle the switch on or off.
This method works on most Garmin devices, though menu layouts can vary slightly by model.
Note on GPS in Flight Mode
Unlike Apple and Samsung watches, Garmin devices often keep GPS active even in flight mode—especially during workouts. This allows you to track your location and route without using cellular or Wi-Fi. If you want to disable GPS completely, you’ll need to turn it off separately in the sensor settings.
How to Change Flight Mode on Other Smart Watches
Many other brands—like Fitbit, Amazfit, and Huawei—also support flight mode. While the exact steps may vary, the general process is similar.
Fitbit Smart Watches (e.g., Fitbit Sense, Versa)
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open quick settings.
- Tap the airplane icon to enable or disable flight mode.
- If not visible, go to Settings > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth > Airplane Mode.
Amazfit (e.g., GTR, GTS)
- Swipe down to open the control center.
- Tap the airplane icon to toggle flight mode.
- Alternatively, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode.
Huawei Watch (e.g., Watch GT, Watch 3)
- Swipe down from the top to access quick settings.
- Tap the airplane icon to turn flight mode on or off.
- Or go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Airplane Mode.
Even if your watch isn’t listed here, look for an airplane icon in the quick settings or a “Flight Mode” or “Airplane Mode” option in the main settings menu.
When Should You Use Flight Mode on Your Smart Watch?
Now that you know how to change flight mode, let’s talk about when to use it.
During Flights
This is the most obvious use. Airlines require all electronic devices to be in flight mode during takeoff and landing. While smart watches are small, it’s still best practice to comply. Enable flight mode as soon as you board and keep it on until the plane reaches cruising altitude—and re-enable it before descent.
To Save Battery
If your watch battery is low and you don’t need notifications, turning on flight mode can extend usage by hours. This is especially helpful during long travel days, outdoor adventures, or overnight charging delays.
While Sleeping
Many people wear their smart watches to bed to track sleep. Enabling flight mode reduces electromagnetic exposure and prevents accidental alerts from waking you up.
During Workouts
If you’re running or cycling and don’t want distractions, flight mode keeps your watch focused on tracking without buzzing for every text or email.
In Areas with Poor Signal
When you’re in a basement, elevator, or remote area, your watch may constantly search for a signal, draining the battery. Flight mode stops this “signal hunting” and preserves power.
Troubleshooting: What If Flight Mode Won’t Turn On or Off?
Sometimes, flight mode gets stuck. Here’s how to fix common issues.
Flight Mode Won’t Activate
- Restart your watch: Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This often resolves temporary glitches.
- Check for software updates: Outdated firmware can cause bugs. Go to Settings > System > Software Update (or similar) to check for updates.
- Force close the Settings app: On some watches, reopening the app after a restart can fix the issue.
Flight Mode Won’t Turn Off
- Ensure your phone is nearby: If your watch can’t reconnect to your phone, it may appear stuck. Move closer to your phone and try again.
- Toggle Bluetooth manually: Sometimes, turning Bluetooth off and on in Settings can reset the connection.
- Reset network settings: As a last resort, reset your watch’s network settings (this will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired devices).
Flight Mode Icon Is Missing
- Customize your quick settings: On some watches, you can add or remove icons from the control panel. Go to Settings > Quick Settings or Control Center to add the flight mode icon.
- Check watch face complications: If using a custom face, the flight mode shortcut might not be available. Try switching to a default face.
Tips for Using Flight Mode Effectively
To get the most out of flight mode, keep these tips in mind:
- Use it proactively: Turn on flight mode before boarding, not after the flight attendant reminds you.
- Pair with Do Not Disturb: Combine flight mode with Do Not Disturb for total peace and quiet.
- Reconnect after landing: As soon as you’re off the plane, turn off flight mode to resume calls and messages.
- Check your watch’s battery: Flight mode can give you extra time, but don’t rely on it if your battery is already very low.
- Know your watch’s limits: Some watches (like older Fitbits) don’t have true flight mode—they only disable Bluetooth. Check your model’s specs.
Conclusion
Changing flight mode on your smart watch is a simple but powerful skill. Whether you’re traveling, conserving battery, or just want some quiet time, knowing how to toggle this setting can make a big difference.
From Apple Watch to Samsung, Garmin, and beyond, the process is quick and easy once you know where to look. Use the Control Center, quick settings, or voice commands to enable or disable flight mode in seconds. And if you run into issues, a simple restart or settings check usually does the trick.
Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, you can board your next flight with confidence—your smart watch ready, your battery preserved, and your connectivity under control.
Safe travels!