Google has improved Android's Airplane Mode so that Wi-Fi stays connected even when Airplane Mode is turned on. Even better, you may not need the latest version of Android 13 to turn on this feature.

9to5Google reports that this feature was only rolled out with the Android 13 QPR1 beta and stable update, but according to Pixel's support article, devices need only be Android 11 or later.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated: iPhones can now use Wi-Fi in Airplane Mode with iOS 16. Our apologies.

Airplane mode has come a long way since it first appeared on smartphones. This is certainly a surprising statement to make about a feature that is essentially used in one place, but it is true. I remember one time I turned on Airplane Mode and my Bluetooth earbuds suddenly stopped disconnecting. But that was back in the days of Android 11.

Hopefully, this upgrade to Airplane Mode will come to other Android phones soon. It was so frustrating every time I turned on Airplane Mode and had to reconnect my wireless earbuds; if I didn't have to turn off Wi-Fi too, Airplane Mode might be perfect.

There is no special work required to enable this feature update, and it is on by default. However, if you are not already connected to Wi-Fi when you turn on Airplane Mode, this feature will not be enabled. Don't worry, if you connect to Wi-Fi while in Airplane Mode, this feature will be enabled as well.

If you are already connected to Wi-Fi, when you turn on Airplane mode, your Pixel phone will send a system push notification to notify you that "If you turn on Wi-Fi in Airplane mode, it will remain on the next time you enter Airplane [SIC] mode." Tapping this notification brings up the aforementioned Pixel support page, which explains how wireless connectivity works in Airplane mode on Pixel phones.

If you don't want to stay connected to Wi-Fi in Airplane mode, there is a simple solution: simply turn Wi-Fi off on your Pixel phone, which will revert to the default setting to turn Wi-Fi off when Airplane mode is turned on.

Are you tempted to get a Pixel phone and experience Airplane Mode nirvana? If you're looking for a cheap phone like the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, or Pixel 6a, check out our smartphone deals.

Next The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may blow away the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here's why. Also, the Google Pixel 7 is a great phone - so why aren't more people buying it?