iPhone: About connection settings and airplane mode

Airplane Mode

Airplane mode disables all of the wireless features of iPhone to avoid interfering with aircraft operation and other electrical equipment (you can reenable Wi-Fi while in airplane mode). While in airplane mode, you can continue using any applications that don't require a cellular data connection (like third-party games and iPod).

Note: The features and troubleshooting steps above may not be applicable to devices sold in certain countries including China. Please see iPhone or iPod touch technical specifications and this article for more information.

Turn on airplane mode

Tap Settings and turn airplane mode on.

When airplane mode is on, appears in the status bar at the top of the screen, and no cell phone, radio, or Bluetooth signals are emitted from iPhone (and GPS is not available). You can't make calls, send or receive text messages. If you want to use Airplane mode and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth simultaneously you can. (Note that using Wi-Fi and airplane mode simultaneously requires iPhone OS 2.0 or later. Using Bluetooth and airplane mode simultaneously requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.)

• For Wi-Fi, after you turn on Airplane mode, tap Settings > Wi-Fi, then turn Wi-Fi on and choose a Wi-Fi network.
• For Bluetooth, after you turn on Airplane mode, tap Settings > General > Bluetooth, then turn Bluetooth on.

If allowed by the aircraft operator and applicable laws and regulations, you can continue to use iPhone:

• Listen to music and watch video
• Listen to visual voicemail
• Check your calendar
• Take or view pictures
• Hear alarms
• Use the stopwatch and timer
• Use the calculator
• Take notes
• Read text messages and email messages stored on iPhone
• Use Internet applications over an airline's Wi-Fi network
• Use other third-party applications that don't require a cellular data network (such as games)

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi settings determine when iPhone uses local Wi-Fi networks to connect to the Internet.

Tip: If no Wi-Fi networks are available, or you've turned Wi-Fi off, then iPhone connects to the Internet via a cellular data network.

Turn Wi-Fi on or off

Choose General > Network and turn Wi-Fi on or off.

Set iPhone to ask if you want to join a new network

When you are trying to access the Internet, by using Safari or Mail for example, and you are not in range of a Wi-Fi network you have previously used, this option tells iPhone to look for another network. iPhone displays a list of all available Wi-Fi networks that you can choose from. (Networks that require a password appear with a lock icon.)

If "Ask to Join New Networks" is turned off, you must manually join a network to connect to the Internet when neither a previously used network nor cellular data network is available.

Choose Wi-Fi and turn "Ask to Join Networks" on or off. If you turn "Ask to Join Networks" off, you must join networks manually.

Join a Wi-Fi network manually

Choose Wi-Fi, wait a moment as iPhone detects networks in range, then choose a network. If necessary, enter a password and tap Join. (Networks that require a password appear with a lock icon.)

Make iPhone forget a network, so iPhone doesn't join it automatically

Choose Wi-Fi and tap next to a network you've joined before. Then tap "Forget this Network."

Connect to a closed Wi-Fi network (an available Wi-Fi network that isn't shown in the list of scanned networks)

Choose Wi-Fi > Other and enter the network name. If the network requires a password, choose Security, tap the type of security the network uses, and enter the password.

You must already know the network name, password, and security type to connect to a closed network.

Some Wi-Fi networks may require you to enter or adjust additional settings, such as a client ID or static IP address. Ask the network administrator which settings to use.

Adjust settings to connect to a Wi-Fi network

Choose Wi-Fi, then tap next to a network.

Bluetooth

iPhone can connect wirelessly to Bluetooth headsets and car kits for hands-free talking.

Turning Bluetooth on iPhone On or Off

From the Home screen choose Settings > General > Bluetooth, then turn Bluetooth on or off.

VPN

VPNs (virtual private networks) are often used within organizations to allow you to communicate private information securely over a non-private network. You may need to configure VPN, for example, to access your work email on iPhone.

iPhone can connect to VPNs that use the L2TP, PPTP or Cisco IPSec VPN protocol. VPN works over both Wi-Fi and cellular data network connections.

Configure VPN

Choose General > Network > VPN and tap Settings. Ask your network administrator which settings to use. In most cases, if you've set up VPN on your computer, you can use the same VPN settings for iPhone.

Turn VPN on or off

Once you've entered VPN settings, a VPN switch appears at the top level of the Settings list.

Tap Settings and turn VPN on or off.