Use Airplane Mode to turn iPhone into iPod
Prevent accidental unwanted data and phone charges
By Bob Zucker
Publisher, Entertainment Magazine
© 2008 EMOL.org
To make sure your iPhone is not charged by AT&T when you get a phone call, Voice Mail or email while outside of the country, switch ON the Airplane Mode.
While using your iPhone outside the country you can also accidently activate automatic email checking or other wireless actions, such as stock or weather reports, YouTube or GoogleMaps.
When you want to check messages, mail or surf the web, go to a Wi-Fi spot for free.
The standard AT&T plan in the U.S. does not cover phone call and data usage outside of a home country. This probably applies also if you live outside of the U.S. and you have a cell phone plan for your iPhone through a different carrier. Check your Terms and Usage Agreement for coverage before you travel.
When you turn off the iPhone calls will go to voice mail. You are charged when you turn your iPhone on and it automatically check for . This happens when you turn your phone on and it registers on the roaming country network. Deactivate voice mail when travelling and only accept the calls you need.
Any cell phone use, Internet or email use will cost extra outside your home country
The best way to avoid all roaming charges and to use your iPhone as an iPod is to put your iPhone into "Airplane Mode" when you are outside the country.
The iPhone's Airplane Mode shuts off all cellular and wireless 3G, EDGE or WI-Fi features on the iPhone. When the iPhone is Airplane Mode, it can be still be used as a digital playing device on airplanes, when allowed by aircraft laws.
Airplane Mode also disables cellular calling features. All received calls will go to Voice Mail. Calls cannot be made while the iPhone is in Airplane Mode.
Use Airplane Mode when not on an airplane to turn your iPhone into an iPod.
If you want to just play music, watch downloaded videos or use apps that do not require a wireless connection, Airplane Mode disables any wireless activity. If you accidently open your email to read a stored message or tap an app that needs a GPS or wireless connection, it will be prevented from going online.
To activate Airplane Mode: Go to Settings>Airplane Mode and the OFF. It will switch to the ON position to enable Airplane Mode. To shut off AM, tap the ON and it will switch to OFF.
In airplane mode, you can’t make phone calls, send text messages, surf the web or check for new email messages.
If you want to avoid connecting to Wi-Fi networks as well, switch off that option too.
To select an app that requires a wireless connection, a message will ask to "turn off Airplane Mode or use Wi-Fi to access data." If no wifi network is available, and you want to use the app anyway, you can still tap Wi-Fi to get your stored mail or open an app. You can still write messages and store them in the outbox until ready to send.
In Airplane Mode, besides watching videos and listening to music stored on your iPhone, you can also still be able to take and view pictures, check your calendar and add events, hear alarms, use the stopwatch or time, use the calculator, take notes, use some apps, read text messages and email messages stored on the iPhone, according to Apple.
When you need to make a scall or use wireless features to get email, stock, weather or GPS locations, turn Airplan Mode to the ON position, do your business, then shut it off to keep from activating those features.
Resources
Apple Support Forum: Making international calls
Apple Support: Airplane Mode
AT&T: iPhone Travel Tips
Sources: AT&T and Apple (TM)
or order the 
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