No cell coverage - flight mode?

[arqtiq]

What settings do you use outside of cell service? Turning phone and watch to flight mode would prevent battery drain associated with constantly checking for cellular signals. However, in flight mode, I would loose the automated waypoints introduced with watchOS 10 (last cell service, last emergency call option). And I would also loose satellite SOS in case of an accident.

What's your best guess to avoid draining battery and still use all safety functions?

 

[MisterSavage]

But to use satellite SOS you have to be holding the phone and moving it to the best direction to get a signal. Couldn't you just turn off airplane mode then?

 

[arqtiq]

But to use satellite SOS you have to be holding the phone and moving it to the best direction to get a signal. Couldn't you just turn off airplane mode then?

From what I understand, the phone would also try to send an emergency message on its on after an accident. However, this would be disabled by flight mode.

The same would be true for the new automated waypoints of Apple Watch (last position with cellular coverage).

I was just wondering if Apple has somehow managed to reduce the battery drain while off grid since they have added new features to the watch and phone that would keep you from simply enabling flight mode. That would be great.

However, if you have to decide between draining your battery and having these emergency features, that would be less amazing...

 

[MisterSavage]

From what I understand, the phone would also try to send an emergency message on its on after an accident. However, this would be disabled by flight mode.

Right, but do a demo of the SOS feature. It asks you to change the direction you're pointing the phone in. It won't necessarily work if you can't do that.

 

[Saturn007]

A related question.

If our Apple Watches are in Airplane Mode, does that mean that Fall Detection and Emergency SOS calling won't work?

I thought they would.

Same with Crash Detection, too.

In other words, the Watch (or the iPhone, for that matter) would automatically exit or override Airplane Mode and make the SOS call (with the usual prompt, of course “Are you OK?” or whatever the wording is).

 

[arc of the universe]

What settings do you use outside of cell service? Turning phone and watch to flight mode would prevent battery drain associated with constantly checking for cellular signals. However, in flight mode, I would loose the automated waypoints introduced with watchOS 10 (last cell service, last emergency call option). And I would also loose satellite SOS in case of an accident.

What's your best guess to avoid draining battery and still use all safety functions?

the following might be useful info for you.

its important to distinguish between 4 different features (that may be available in your area.

1 Fall Detection.
can be set to be done automatically.
but, does require a cellular phone connection (or be close to the iPhone and have WiFi calling turned on)

2 Crash Protection
can be set to be done automatically.
but, does require a cellular phone connection (or be close to the iPhone and have WiFi calling turned on)

3 Emergency Call
can not be set to be done automatically. you need to make the call (there are different ways to make this call)
is a few countries (only USA, Canada, and USA) cellular connection is not needed to be make calls to designated emergency places. other than those 3 countries , to make an emergency call does require a cellular phone connection.

4 Emergency SOS
can not be set to be done automatically.
you do it manually.
does not need a cellular connection at all.
limited to only a few countries right now.

i know it can be confusing.
but its easy to learn about all this many different languages.
here is the link:

Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support

Choose your country or region - Apple Support

support.apple.com