Iphone in airplane mode and GPS off. Is it still traceable?

[Philflow]

I've done a lot of reading on this topic but I get many conflicting views.

When an Iphone is in airplane mode with the location services turned off, does it broadcast anything? Is it still traceable by secret services?

Thanks.

 

[Jjayf]

I know the answer to that but if I tell you, something might blow up, or someone might be dead..

GTFOOH.

 

[Philflow]

Here's one of those articles that claims it still communicates and is still traceable.

Did it occur to you that your handy has not one, but two operating systems running at all times? Android, iOS, Windows, or whatever else you're stuck with is the mediator between you and thе little location-giving computer in your pocket. Working behind the stage is the modem's firmware, which tells it what cellular networks to connect to so your device can pull off the important, but often overlooked part of being... a phone. Airplane mode doesn't turn the firmware off, so your phone still gets to connect with cellular networks and snitch behind your back.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/everything-need-know-airplane-mode-iphone-ipad/

 

[Newtons Apple]

I am thinking the only truly way to know for sure is to turn it off.

Some even think that is not good enough.

 

[jwzimm]

The best way to be 100% certain that the phone cannot send or receive a signal is to put it inside a Faraday Cage that would block all transmissions.

However, if you know what a Faraday Cage is you may not have as much of a tin-foil-hat mentality so it would not be an issue.

Honestly, even if "they" can track you; why would they? I know for me I am so unimportant I cannot imagine anyone being that interested in where I am and what I am doing.

 

[newellj]

As it happens, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on an interesting case on this general issue today. (Not can you be tracked, but can you be tracked without a warrant, and the case isn't going to answer the tech issue about which services leave you trackable, obviously.)

 

[Philflow]

Honestly, even if "they" can track you; why would they? I know for me I am so unimportant I cannot imagine anyone being that interested in where I am and what I am doing.

I'm not doing anything illegal. I'm just curious on the topic. I originally thought airplane mode would block all transmissions. But apparently it doesn't.

 

[jwzimm]

I'm not doing anything illegal. I'm just curious on the topic. I originally thought airplane mode would block all transmissions. But apparently it doesn't.

Airplane mode should shut down all transmissions from the phone. That is the point. The FAA requires that devices that send and receive a signal must be switched off during takeoff and landing to prevent them from interfering with the airplanes functions.

If memory serves, the FCC regs that govern the functionality of RF devices does have allowance for outside interference causing unintended function. It may be possible for an outside transmission to cause the device to do something. Afterall, the antenna is still there and connected to the electronics. An outside signal would still be received and passed to the RF modem. That signal may cause something to occur in the modem (intentional or unintentional).

 

[Philflow]

Airplane mode should shut down all transmissions from the phone.

That's what I thought too. But according to these sources it still communicates. I don't know what to do believe tbh.

"Did it occur to you that your handy has not one, but two operating systems running at all times? Android, iOS, Windows, or whatever else you're stuck with is the mediator between you and thе little location-giving computer in your pocket. Working behind the stage is the modem's firmware, which tells it what cellular networks to connect to so your device can pull off the important, but often overlooked part of being... a phone. Airplane mode doesn't turn the firmware off, so your phone still gets to connect with cellular networks and snitch behind your back."

https://www.phonearena.com/news/Did...-way-to-prevent-it-from-being-tracked_id81864
https://www.quora.com/Does-putting-...e-untraceable-to-anyone-who-wants-to-find-you
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/everything-need-know-airplane-mode-iphone-ipad/

 

[Newtons Apple]

As it happens, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on an interesting case on this general issue today. (Not can you be tracked, but can you be tracked without a warrant, and the case isn't going to answer the tech issue about which services leave you trackable, obviously.)

Our government is wanting access to everyone's phone data, all the time, without a warrant. That would mean everything including your health data. I am afraid it does not matter what the courts say as our government has demonstrated that they will do as they wish no matter the law. Worst is if they can see your data, other will be able to do so, too, as they are not good a securing anything.

 

[newellj]

Our government is wanting access to everyone's phone data, all the time, without a warrant. That would mean everything including your health data. I am afraid it does not matter what the courts say as our government has demonstrated that they will do as they wish no matter the law. Worst is if they can see your data, other will be able to do so, too, as they are not good a securing anything.

Yup. In another case, the government wanted to stick GPS units to a suspect's vehicle and track, without a warrant - that got thumbs-down. And we know that law enforcement thinks that anything on your phone should be accessible. And yes, as you say, we know that laws do not necessarily constrain those in positions of authority.

Quick quiz for X owners: do you know how to disable FaceID, to prevent an involuntary unlock of your iPhone X? I can think of two steps you could take, one more reliable than the other.

 

[Deeds500]

Hmmmm someone is either planning a long weekend away after calling in sick Friday or making up some wild story to his missus.

 

[chabig]

Here's one of those articles that claims it still communicates and is still traceable.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/everything-need-know-airplane-mode-iphone-ipad/

I saw no such claim in that article. It was pretty clear that airplane mode turns off all transmitters.
[doublepost=1511900795][/doublepost]

I'm not doing anything illegal. I'm just curious on the topic. I originally thought airplane mode would block all transmissions. But apparently it doesn't.

It does turn off all transmitters. There are people who fear that hackers and governments can surreptitiously turn the transmitters back on remotely without making the user aware. Maybe it's possible on Android phones, but I doubt that it's possible on iPhones so I don't worry about it.

 

[newellj]

Can we clarify "airplane" mode? You can enable airplane mode in iOS and leave wifi and bluetooth radios on. Depending on your wifi settings, you could be lighting up all kinds of wifi networks as you walk around during the day. There's no single source that anyone could go to if they wanted to use that info to track you, but in theory with enough human assets applied to the question, you could work it out.

 

[Tinmania]

Can we clarify "airplane" mode? You can enable airplane mode in iOS and leave wifi and bluetooth radios on. Depending on your wifi settings, you could be lighting up all kinds of wifi networks as you walk around during the day. There's no single source that anyone could go to if they wanted to use that info to track you, but in theory with enough human assets applied to the question, you could work it out.

To clarify this a bit more...

Prior to iOS 8.3 Airplane Mode turned off all radios. Simple.

In iOS 8.3 GPS was not turned off in Airplane Mode. Starting with the iPhone 6, NFC was not turned off either.

In just about all versions of iOS, after enabling Airplane Mode you could selectively turn radios back on (e.g., wifi, bluetooth). Once you turned Airplane Mode off, naturally all radios were back on. And if you again enabled Airplane Mode the radios you had turned on the last time would still be off.

In iOS 11, Airplane Mode remembers radios you turned back on (such as Bluetooth and Wifi) and it will NOT turn them off the next time you enable airplane mode. Presumably this is because people often did this (e.g., on a plane to listen to wireless ear buds or access wifi).

All that said, the cell radio has always been off in airplane mode. Indeed Apple would likely be in trouble if it didn't. Not just with the FAA (in the US) but also the FCC.



Mike

 

[Philflow]

Can we clarify "airplane" mode?

I mean airplane mode on, wifi off, bluetooth off.

I saw no such claim in that article. It was pretty clear that airplane mode turns off all transmitters.

This was the line that was ambiguous to me "While you’re not technically prohibited from getting calls..." but I see what you mean. I think you are right. The other two articles are more explicit, claiming that the firmware still transmits.

Here's the article that originally peaked my interest. It's in Dutch. It's an interview with an former police detective. I'll translate the specific line: "Putting your phone in airplane mode won't matter, we can still catch the signal".

https://www.ad.nl/show/hoofd-opsporingsdienst-hunted-hoe-meer-paniek-hoe-beter~a134061a/

It does turn off all transmitters.

So you don't think it's possible that the firmware can still communicate with cell phone towers, like these articles claim?

 

[newellj]

If the radios are not transmitting, there's nothing in the phone to communicate with cell towers. In fact, in order to avoid communicating with cell towers, all you need to do is shut down transmissions from the cell radio, you could leave wifi and BT on, assuming there are no wifi or BT transceivers on the cell towers.

 

[geta]

The best way for you to be untraceable is to turn off your phone and pull out its battery… 😵

 

[Gryzor]

Honestly, even if "they" can track you; why would they? I know for me I am so unimportant I cannot imagine anyone being that interested in where I am and what I am doing.

That's self-esteem for you! lol

For me it's not a case of why would they? I simply don't care. If somebody wants me they will track me no matter what.

 

[DNichter]

You're always traceable as long as it's on

 

[bigjnyc]

you have to turn it off completely, take out the sim card and smash the phone to pieces.... that's the only way. I've learned that from watching countless movies and tv shows over the years.

 

[KGB7]

Just leave your phone at home if you going to commit a crime.

Other wise take the sim and battery out, and toss the phone in to a river.

 

[KingslayerG5]

The best way for you to be untraceable is to turn off your phone and pull out its battery… 😵

This.

Sealed battery can be traced.