Airplane mode not working (unrooted, assistant mode)? Android 7.0

[Deuxieme]

This is a remedial/noob-type question. Let me know if it belongs somewhere else.

Is there any reason why MacroDroid isn't toggling airplane mode on for me?

• I'm using Android 7.0, I'm not rooted and haven't done any adb stuff.
• I'm using a simple macro that just turns on flight mode (using the assistant option, not the root option).
• I also tried a version that does this 10 times in a loop, waiting 1 second in between.
• I also tried adding "enable bluetooth" at the end of the macro, and that part worked.
• I have power saving and data saver off.
• In the application settings, MacroDroid and MD Helper have all listed permissions. For MacroDroid that's Notifications, Calendar, Camera, Contacts, Locations, Microphone, Phone, SMS, Storage, Apps that can appear on top, and Change System settings.
• In the device assistance app settings, MacroDroid is set as the assistant, with all listed permissions enabled (Read text on screen, Capture/access screenshots.
• In the accessibility settings, under "services," the following are set to on: MacroDroid, MacroDroid Volume Button Monitor, MacrodDroid UI Interaction (and nothing else).
• I've tried rebooting my phone once, after setting all these permissions and making the macros.
• The log doesn't show any errors, it just says "Airplane Mode on".
• I tested to see whether airplane mode was secretly on, just not displaying as on. But no: I can go to websites I've never been before, and my friends' 24-7 gaming chat continues .

Update 1 (19:58 UTC):

• I tried the advice from chaoscreater but that didn't change anything for me: https://www.macrodroidforum.com/ind...mode-not-disabling-enabling-consistently.451/
• I tried turning off wifi first, because, as Dm114 pointed out, flight mode doesn't kill wifi. I tried the macro, and it still doesn't seem to do anything: I can still go to websites I've never been, and the 4g indicator is still in my status bar. My friends are (for once!) not constantly chatting about an online game, so I'm not sure about that.

Update 2 (21:11 UTC):

• I tried setting up a loop: while airplane mode is off, turn on airplane mode and wait one second. This runs forever when I start the macro. I can only stop it by turning on flight mode manually.
• dhj49er asked a good question about location. MD Helper and MacroDroid have had location permissions this whole time, and location has been set to high precision the whole time.
• "Test Action" for the "Airplane Mode On" action also fails, but doesn't produce any errors in the log.

Update 3 (day 2 14:52 UTC):

• Snurre pointed out that I should clarify whether flight mode works normally. Flight mode has been working normally for me this whole time. I can turn it on and off using the usual interface, and I can use those events as MacroDroid triggers with no issues.

 

[Dm114]

This is a remedial/noob-type question. Let me know if it belongs somewhere else.

Is there any reason why MacroDroid isn't toggling airplane mode on for me?

• I'm using Android 7.0, I'm not rooted and haven't done any adb stuff.
• I'm using a simple macro that just turns on flight mode (using the assistant option, not the root option).
• I also tried a version that does this 10 times in a loop, waiting 1 second in between.
• I also tried adding "enable bluetooth" at the end of the macro, and that part worked.
• I have power saving and data saver off.
• In the application settings, MacroDroid and MD Helper have all listed permissions. For MacroDroid that's Notifications, Calendar, Camera, Contacts, Locations, Microphone, Phone, SMS, Storage, Apps that can appear on top, and Change System settings.
• In the device assistance app settings, MacroDroid is set as the assistant, with all listed permissions enabled (Read text on screen, Capture/access screenshots.
• In the accessibility settings, under "services," the following are set to on: MacroDroid, MacroDroid Volume Button Monitor, MacrodDroid UI Interaction (and nothing else).
• I've tried rebooting my phone once, after setting all these permissions and making the macros.
• The log doesn't show any errors, it just says "Airplane Mode on".
• I tested to see whether airplane mode was secretly on, just not displaying as on. But no: I can go to websites I've never been before, and my friends' 24-7 gaming chat continues .

Just a suggestion: airplane mode doesn't prevent you from being WiFi connected...

 

[Deuxieme]

Just a suggestion: airplane mode doesn't prevent you from being WiFi connected...

Ahh okay, thanks. In my phone, turning on airplane mode through the user interface also turns off wifi. I will do a better test.

 

[Dm114]

Ahh okay, thanks. In my phone, turning on airplane mode through the user interface also turns off wifi. I will do a better test.

You're right: generally airplane mode turns off both BT and WiFi. But you can reactivate WiFi after it has been turn off.

 

[Deuxieme]

You're right: generally airplane mode turns off both BT and WiFi. But you can reactivate WiFi after it has been turn off.

Not that you're obligated to hold my hand through all of my lazy noobery, but I will note that I tried a few more things and updated my original post. Flight mode isn't killing my 4g either, and a fix from another thread didn't work for me.

 

[dhj49er]

Have you enabled location all the time for both MD and the Helper?
Also have you disabled all your phone app killing features?
Have you tried test action for the airplane on action?

 

[Deuxieme]

Have you enabled location all the time for both MD and the Helper?
Also have you disabled all your phone app killing features?
Have you tried test action for the airplane on action?

Good questions! Yes to location, no to test action. I'll try it. I don't think I have any phone app killing features besides power saving and data saver, and those are off. Any other ideas for app-killing features?

 

[Deuxieme]

Good questions! Yes to location, no to test action. I'll try it. I don't think I have any phone app killing features besides power saving and data saver, and those are off. Any other ideas for app-killing features?

Nope, test action also fails. No errors in the system log.

 

[dhj49er]

Good questions! Yes to location, no to test action. I'll try it. I don't think I have any phone app killing features besides power saving and data saver, and those are off. Any other ideas for app-killing features?

There app killing features - power saving and data saving aren't usually considered app killing. What they are depends on make and model of your phone.
What phone do you have?

 

[Deuxieme]

There app killing features - power saving and data saving aren't usually considered app killing. What they are depends on make and model of your phone.
What phone do you have?

Wow! Thanks for so many follow-ups. Galaxy S7 Active. "Model number" is SAMSUNG-SM-G891A. I got it in the US.

I don't think I have any apps/settings that monitor or kill or tweak other apps, besides MacroDroid.

 

[Snurre]

Is it working if you manually turn it on in settings ?
Is it working if you use quick tiles ?

 

[Deuxieme]

Thanks Snurre! Yes, it is. That's a good point--I'll add it to my original post.

 

[dhj49er]

The Voice Assistant option for turning Airplane on and off was introduced for recent versions of Android.
I'm fairly sure you don't need to use it on Android 7.
So, I suggest you try using Airplane on and off actions without the voice Assistant.

 

[Deuxieme]

Aha! Very interesting. Thanks, I will try. When I select the airplane mode action, it prompts me to choose between root and assistant. So as I interpret your recommendation, I will still select assistant but set something other than MacroDroid as the assistant in my Android settings.

Assuming that's right, I'll try it and report back.

 

[Snurre]

I don't know if it's possible to read Global Settings either with MD or Setedit app, without ADB hack or root
(To change it requires ADB hack or root) but if you can read it, try to check these settings after running your macro

They should look like this

airplane_mode_on=1

airplane_mode_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc,wimax

Specially this could be interesting

airplane_mode_toggleable_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc

If you need to change anything, you need the ADB hack

--OR--

You could try with an Intent and UI action

Send intent
Action=android.settings.AIRPLANE_MODE_SETTINGS
Package Name=com.android.settings
Class Name=com.android.settings.Settings$AirplaneModeSettingsActivity

Then use UI action to click the button

 

[dhj49er]

Aha! Very interesting. Thanks, I will try. When I select the airplane mode action, it prompts me to choose between root and assistant. So as I interpret your recommendation, I will still select assistant but set something other than MacroDroid as the assistant in my Android settings.

Assuming that's right, I'll try it and report back.

I'm not sure what you are proposing will work.
Unfortunately it's something I can't try, as I'm on Android 10 and this needs MD as voice Assistant for airplane on & off to work.

 

[Deuxieme]

S

I'm not sure what you are proposing will work.
Unfortunately it's something I can't try, as I'm on Android 10 and this needs MD as voice Assistant for airplane on & off to work.

Sorry, it sounds like I misunderstood your suggestion. I will reread your post, and also try to look at the settings as Snurre describes when I get back to my device.

Again, everybody's generosity makes me so happy! Thanks,

 

[Deuxieme]

I don't know if it's possible to read Global Settings either with MD or Setedit app, without ADB hack or root
(To change it requires ADB hack or root) but if you can read it, try to check these settings after running your macro

They should look like this

airplane_mode_on=1

airplane_mode_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc,wimax

Specially this could be interesting

airplane_mode_toggleable_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc

If you need to change anything, you need the ADB hack

--OR--

You could try with an Intent and UI action

Send intent
Action=android.settings.AIRPLANE_MODE_SETTINGS
Package Name=com.android.settings
Class Name=com.android.settings.Settings$AirplaneModeSettingsActivity

Then use UI action to click the button

Okay! I think I checked my global settings correctly (add action -> device settings -> system settings -> global).

After running the macro, I have the following:

airplane_mode_on=0

airplane_mode_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc,wimax

Specially this could be interesting

airplane_mode_toggleable_radios=bluetooth,wifi,nfc
(no cell. When I turn on airplane mode manually it turns off mobile data and I can't make calls. I'm assuming this variable lists what I am able to turn on while in flight mode, not sure)

I will try the intent thing, good idea.

 

[Snurre]

Okay! I think I checked my global settings correctly (add action -> device settings -> system settings -> global).

After running the macro, I have the following:

airplane_mode_on=0

airplane_mode_radios=cell,bluetooth,wifi,nfc,wimax

Specially this could be interesting

airplane_mode_toggleable_radios=bluetooth,wifi,nfc
(no cell. When I turn on airplane mode manually it turns off mobile data and I can't make calls. I'm assuming this variable lists what I am able to turn on while in flight mode, not sure)

I will try the intent thing, good idea.

OK, as you can see the macro doesn't turn it on, 'airplane_mode_on' should be 1
Don't know why

You can read a little bit of the settings here (just skip the install thing )

Stop Airplane Mode from Turning Off WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC on Android

How to customize which radios are turned off when enabling airplane mode on Android. Now you can leave WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC on in Airplane Mode!

www.xda-developers.com

 

[Deuxieme]

OK, as you can see the macro doesn't turn it on, 'airplane_mode_on' should be 1
Don't know why

You can read a little bit of the settings here (just skip the install thing )

Stop Airplane Mode from Turning Off WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC on Android

How to customize which radios are turned off when enabling airplane mode on Android. Now you can leave WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC on in Airplane Mode!

www.xda-developers.com

Sweet Snurre, thanks! I will take a look. Your intent method totally worked, by the way.

Different subject: Do you know whether there's a way to make these things work while the screen is off, without rooting? I'm okay with using adb but I'm not confident in my rooting abilities.