Airplane mode and bluetooth

[MyGoul]

Hi all,

I noticed that the bluetooth is deactivated each time i switch the airplane mode. This is not the standard way of working since Android 11, there is no option to prevent this with samsung phone ?

Thanks in advance.

[-Robot-]

That's has always been the way for me for many years.

I use WiFi on the plane alot so always have to reactivate after take off, including Bluetooth

Definitely on S22Ultra and S23Ultra, going from memory I am sure previous ones too

[MyGoul]

Well this is strange as this the default implementation since Andoid 11 now. On all my previous phone (Xiaomi, Oppo, Oneplus) it was implemented this way, bluetooth is not deactivated when you switch to airplane mode. I'm not sure to understand why Samsung chose to differ from the OS implementation on this.

[Risky24]

Airplane mode deactivates all forms of wireless connectivity. That's how I've known it to operate but I can't remember too far back if it was actually the way you said, but I'm inclined to believe you since you remember doing it.

Currently you would need to turn Bluetooth back on as it will always be turned off when activating airplane mode. Probably it's possible to create a routine as a workaround.

[MyGoul]

I can try the routine but I think it is going to drop the BT connection and it won't be seamless as it should be.

February 2020 : Android 11 does not shut down Bluetooth if you turn on Airplane mode while listening to audio (Updat...

I also just tested on the Oneplus 8T of my wife which is currently running android 12 and it works as designed by Google (BT is not deactivated).

[BN44]

https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/12639358?hl=en#zippy=%2Cturn-bluetooth-on-or-off

Does this help?

Might have to be connected to a BT device for the setting to stick? I'll try it later with my watch or earbuds.

[MyGoul]

Hi,

Thank you for your feedback, I don't think it works this way. But let me know if you succeeded on your side.

As a workaround I have used a routine that enables the BT when I switch to airplane mode. I thought that there would be a disconnection on the way but it is not the case. 

[BN44 · Accepted solution]

I tried wearing my earbuds and playing a song before turning on airplane mode. It came on and a notification popped up on the screen saying BT was staying on. There was no interruption.

 So I guess if you're using BT at the time it will stay on, but if you're not it turns off. In which case creating a Bixby Routine was a great idea as a workaround. I would say there's an argument for it behaving either way, and of course if there was a toggle that would be easier, but I personally don't mind using a routine for something like that.

[MyGoul]

You're right, I should have tested this config before, then the routine is not that usefull, I'm actually fine with the BT being deactivated if no device is connected. Thank you for sharing !