Ask HN: How does Uber know I arrived in LAX while I have airplane mode on?

2 points by jy1 9y ago ↗ HN

Uber on my Android phone prompted me to use their service (app created a notification) when I arrived at the LA airport even though I was in airplane mode. How is this possible?

3 comments

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Daviey 9y ago ↗

Android airplane mode doesn't disable GPS (which is receive only), seemingly unlike iPhone. I'm guessing that the Uber app does some geofencing with hard-coded coordinates of popular locations, such as airports - to provide notifications even with cellular/wifi disabled.

detaro 9y ago ↗

GPS still works in airplane mode (technically passively listening to WLAN and cellular would be possible as well, but I don't think any device does that)

kcanini 9y ago ↗

Related: Does anyone know how to disable these notifications? It happens every time I fly, and it's becoming annoying.