Apple Watch S4: Still able to receive imessage and calls even when on Airplane Mode

[kanshu]

Hello,

I just noticed today that even when I turn on Airplane Mode on my S4 it's still able to receive calls and imessages. It says 'X Disconnected' for a few seconds and then connects to my iPhone after via Bluetooth. I've rebooted the watch several times and a hard reset but it's still doing it. I've updated to the latest WatchOS the other day. The only way I can completely disconnect it is by turning my iPhones Bluetooth, which isn't really ideal since I have other Bluetooth devices that I need.

What seems to be the issue?

Thanks!

 

[kanshu]

Noticed that the Bluetooth doesn't turn off when on airplane mode. Is this a bug or what?

 

[deeddawg]

Normal.

 

[DevinNj]

Hello,

I just noticed today that even when I turn on Airplane Mode on my S4 it's still able to receive calls and imessages. It says 'X Disconnected' for a few seconds and then connects to my iPhone after via Bluetooth. I've rebooted the watch several times and a hard reset but it's still doing it. I've updated to the latest WatchOS the other day. The only way I can completely disconnect it is by turning my iPhones Bluetooth, which isn't really ideal since I have other Bluetooth devices that I need.

What seems to be the issue?

Thanks!

Noticed that the Bluetooth doesn't turn off when on airplane mode. Is this a bug or what?

Same here with me, I noticed after putting the watch in airplane mode I can still see its battery % on my iPhone. Then I realized it still communicating and like stated above by someone else no it is not normal it should not be doing this. I did the same thing reset it repaired it to my phone and still no change. I have an open ticket with Apple for something else and I want to mention this to them when I get a callback from the tech I was working with.

 

[deeddawg]

no it is not normal it should not be doing this.

Apple support pages say otherwise.

If you’ve turned on Bluetooth on your phone on a flight before, say to listen to music, and never turned Bluetooth off in airplane mode, it’ll stay on. Given the watch tends to inherit settings like this from the phone, it would be normal for the watch Bluetooth to remain on in airplane mode in that scenario.

If you don’t like it, go into airplane mode and turn off Bluetooth, the. Exit airplane mode. It should then turn off the next time you go into airplane mode.

Use Airplane Mode on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

You can use Airplane Mode to turn off the wireless features on your device while you're flying in an airplane.

support.apple.com

 

[kanshu]

Apple support pages say otherwise.

If you’ve turned on Bluetooth on your phone on a flight before, say to listen to music, and never turned Bluetooth off in airplane mode, it’ll stay on. Given the watch tends to inherit settings like this from the phone, it would be normal for the watch Bluetooth to remain on in airplane mode in that scenario.

If you don’t like it, go into airplane mode and turn off Bluetooth, the. Exit airplane mode. It should then turn off the next time you go into airplane mode.

Use Airplane Mode on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

You can use Airplane Mode to turn off the wireless features on your device while you're flying in an airplane.

support.apple.com

View attachment 861825

Thank you, I followed your advice; While in Airplane mode, on the watch, I turned off Bluetooth and that disconnected the watch from the phone. Then I turned off/on Airplane mode and the Bluetooth was disabled this time. This just happened after upgrading to Watch OS 6. Bluetooth settings is buried in Watch OS and do not show in Watch OS' control center unlike on iPhones and iPads. Again. Thank you.

 

[avkam]

If you turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while you're in Airplane mode, they will be on the next time you use Airplane mode, unless you turn them off while in Airplane mode.
Good info here deeddawg. Thanks. I should rtfm.