Am I able to text and use wi-fi when in airplane mode?

[DLG64]

Am I able to text and use wifi when in airplane mode.  What is the best way to use my phone when travelling in the USA.?

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. The brief answer is no. Airplane mode shuts down most services. See your phone support page for more.

The best way to use your phone is to add Roam Better to your existing phone plan when travelling in the US. You can find more details, including coverage and cost, here. 

https://support.bell.ca/Mobility/Network_coverage/Where_can_I_use_my_mobile_phone_outside_Canada_and...

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

I would like to expand on @dks reply to your question & add some further details.

You can use airplane mode to avoid roaming charges when travelling. You won't be able to send or receive text messages or phone calls, or use data services. You could connect manually to a Wi-Fi network to check your email or browse the internet. (By default, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled in airplane mode.) You can listen to music, play games, watch videos, and use other apps that don't require network or phone connections.

When travelling & where available, you can use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in Airplane Mode. You would need to turn them on separately to connect.

While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, and using data (including Instagram, Whatsapp, or TikTok, etc., and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as roaming usage. Keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in roaming charges.

Roam Better – with home data is available to customers on most monthly plans. It is not available on a prepaid plan.

Take care.

[BrianM]

While in airplane mode, who long are text messages saved for future delivery once turn off airplane mode?