Airplane mode does speed up phone charging, but it's not worth it
Enabling airplane mode while charging can save 4-11 minutes, but the trade-off of losing connectivity and functionality makes it impractical compared to upgrading your charger.
Many users turn on airplane mode while charging their phones, hoping to speed up the process. Tests confirm that it does help, but only by a marginal 4 to 11 minutes. This small gain comes at the cost of making the phone virtually unusable for calls, messages, or internet access during charging.
Airplane mode is primarily designed for flights to disable cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals. While it can save battery life by stopping the phone from constantly searching for signals, the savings are minimal when plugged in. The feature is better suited for conserving battery when no charger is available, rather than for charging faster.
A more effective strategy is to invest in a proper charger and cable. Many modern phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 series, do not include a fast charger in the box. Purchasing a power block that supports your device's maximum charging speed and using a USB-C to USB-C cable can yield significant improvements. Wireless charging with a Qi2-compatible pad is another option.
The only real benefit of airplane mode during charging is that it discourages you from using the phone, as notifications are silenced. However, if you can resist checking your phone, you'll get similar charging speed without losing connectivity. A portable power bank is a much more practical solution for quick top-ups on the go.
