When you're dealing with network connectivity issues, especially on mobile devices, a quick and effective trick is to use airplane mode to refresh your IP address. Most people overlook that flipping airplane mode isn’t merely a call blocker—it’s a secret tool to reboot your entire network configuration.

When you turn on airplane mode, your device shuts down all wireless communications, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This action compels your device to relinquish its assigned IP and purge stale network caches.

When you turn airplane mode off again, your device reconnects to the network and requests a fresh IP address from the router or cellular provider. This quick toggle often fixes sluggish connections, dropped signals, or apps stuck loading because of outdated DNS or IP data.

It's especially useful when you're read more on hackmd.io public Wi-Fi networks that assign IP addresses dynamically or when your home router has a limited pool of available addresses. Public hotspots often recycle IPs quickly, making this technique invaluable.

Unlike restarting your entire device, which can take time and close open apps, using airplane mode is fast and doesn't interrupt your workflow. Allow it to remain active for half a minute at most before turning it off again.

You'll likely see your connection reestablish and your internet speed improve almost instantly. Your signal will snap back online, often with noticeably faster throughput.

This method works on smartphones, tablets, and even some laptops with cellular modems. It’s compatible with virtually all modern iOS and Android devices.

It's not a fix for every network problem, but for common glitches related to IP conflicts or temporary routing errors, it's one of the most reliable quick fixes available. For DHCP issues, address conflicts, or transient routing bugs, this is the go-to solution among tech-savvy users.