Way to schedule Airplane Mode? (iOS 26.1)

[theorist9]

Have iPhone 13 Mini running iOS 26.1.

I'd like Airplane Mode to turn on and off automatically according to a set schedule.

Is there any way to do this?

I called Apple Support, and the tech said it's supposed to be done using the Shortcuts app, but he screenshared with me, and said what he was seeing on my screen didn't correspond to the instructions he had, so he was at a loss.

I can schedule Do Not Disturb, but that's not sufficient, since the phone still vibrates when someone calls, and the vibration wakes me up (I need the phone to be next to my bed b/c I use a sleep app).

 

[sublunar]

Do you have a sleep schedule set up? I found that it interferes with DND so had to change the timings accordingly.

 

[BigBlur]

In Shortcuts, add a new "Time of Day" automation and add the "Set Airplane Mode" action to it. You'd need two automations - one to turn it on, and one to turn it off.

This may have some undesired side effects though. A lot of things happen overnight when the phone is idle...iCloud backups, syncing, app updates, etc. It could also mess with SMS texts or iMessages that were sent overnight. They may not get delivered right away when you turn off airplane mode.

I can schedule Do Not Disturb, but that's not sufficient, since the phone still vibrates when someone calls

This shouldn't be the case if set up correctly. Another benefit of using a focus mode is that you can still be reached in case of an emergency, either by allowing repeated calls or setting up emergency contacts.

Allow or silence notifications for a Focus on iPhone

When setting up a Focus on iPhone, select people and apps you want to receive notifications from during the Focus.

support.apple.com

 

[theorist9]

Do you have a sleep schedule set up? I found that it interferes with DND so had to change the timings accordingly.

That was it! I turned off the scheduled sleep focus, and just tried calling my phone (which is curently on DND), and (unlike before) it didn't vibrate!

 

[rocketbuc]

In Shortcuts, add a new "Time of Day" automation and add the "Set Airplane Mode" action to it. You'd need two automations - one to turn it on, and one to turn it off.

This may have some undesired side effects though. A lot of things happen overnight when the phone is idle...iCloud backups, syncing, app updates, etc. It could also mess with SMS texts or iMessages that were sent overnight. They may not get delivered right away when you turn off airplane mode.


This shouldn't be the case if set up correctly. Another benefit of using a focus mode is that you can still be reached in case of an emergency, either by allowing repeated calls or setting up emergency contacts.

Allow or silence notifications for a Focus on iPhone

When setting up a Focus on iPhone, select people and apps you want to receive notifications from during the Focus.

support.apple.com

I’m putting my phone in Airplane Mode or sometimes turning it off completely over night. Never had any of the issues or delays you are describing. On the contrary, phone has less problems or glitches… and Airplane Mode help me relax and wind down properly in the evening.

 

[theorist9]

In Shortcuts, add a new "Time of Day" automation and add the "Set Airplane Mode" action to it. You'd need two automations - one to turn it on, and one to turn it off.

This may have some undesired side effects though. A lot of things happen overnight when the phone is idle...iCloud backups, syncing, app updates, etc. It could also mess with SMS texts or iMessages that were sent overnight. They may not get delivered right away when you turn off airplane mode.


This shouldn't be the case if set up correctly. Another benefit of using a focus mode is that you can still be reached in case of an emergency, either by allowing repeated calls or setting up emergency contacts.

Allow or silence notifications for a Focus on iPhone

When setting up a Focus on iPhone, select people and apps you want to receive notifications from during the Focus.

support.apple.com

Thanks for the warnings about Airplane Mode. Sounds like DND is the way to go which, based the suggestion from @sublunar, is now working.