Put your Mac in airplane mode by turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Why it happens

Your Mac's only wireless radios are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and there's no mobile data to switch off like on a phone. So instead of one airplane switch, you turn those two off yourself. It takes a few seconds from Control Center.

How to fix it

1. Click Control Center in the menu bar. It's the icon with two small switches, near the clock at the top-right.

2. Click the Wi-Fi button so it turns grey. You can also do this in System Settings by clicking Wi-Fi in the sidebar and turning off the Wi-Fi switch.

   Wi-Fi

3. Click the Bluetooth button so it turns grey, or turn it off in Bluetooth settings.

   Bluetooth

4. On a desktop Mac like an iMac, Mac mini or Mac Studio, a wireless keyboard, mouse or trackpad needs Bluetooth. Plug them in with a cable first, or leave Bluetooth on.

5. When you want to go back online, open Control Center again and click Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to turn them on. Your Mac rejoins your usual networks by itself.

Still not fixed?

1. Plane has Wi-Fi? Many airlines allow it in the air. Turn Wi-Fi back on, pick the plane's network and follow its sign-in page in Safari.

2. For a fully offline Mac, unplug any network cable too, because a cable connection still works with Wi-Fi off.

3. Want quicker switches next time? Tick Wi-Fi and Bluetooth under Menu Bar Controls in Menu Bar settings, so each gets its own icon at the top of the screen.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Wi-Fi

4. If Wi-Fi or Bluetooth won't turn back on, restart your Mac. If either is missing from Control Center and System Settings after a restart, it may be a hardware fault, so contact Apple Support or a repair shop.