Aeroplane icon at the top of a phone: what does it mean?
Airplane (flight) mode is on: no calls, and other wireless connections may be off.
What each maker says
- iPhone (Apple) — Airplane Mode. Airplane Mode is on: you can’t make phone calls, and other wireless functions may be disabled.
Source: Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29) - Samsung Galaxy — Flight mode active. Mobile network connections are off; you cannot make or receive calls, send texts or use mobile data unless specific wireless connections are turned back on by hand.
Turn it off: Swipe down from the top right to open Quick settings and tap Flight mode.
Source: Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- An aeroplane seen from above.
- Shown by
- iPhone (Apple), Samsung Galaxy
Icons to compare
Sources
Each meaning above is taken from the maker’s own support page, fetched and read on the date shown. The drawing is ours; the real icon on your phone may be drawn a little differently and can change with software updates.
- iPhone (Apple) — Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide). OS: iOS 27, the version the guide opened on; not dated on the page. Checked 2026-09-29.
- Samsung Galaxy — Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy. OS: One UI; some icons marked One UI 7; last updated 4 September 2026. Checked 2026-09-29.