Can You Bring a Smartwatch on a Plane?

Can You Bring a Smartwatch on a Plane?

Yes — smartwatches are completely allowed on planes. There are no TSA restrictions on smartwatches. You can wear your Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, or any other smartwatch through security and on the plane. They're treated like any other personal electronic device.

The only in-flight rule is that you need to put your smartwatch into airplane mode during the flight, just like your phone and other wireless devices.

TSA Rules for Smartwatches

The TSA allows smartwatches with no restrictions:

• Wearing through security: Allowed. You don't need to remove your smartwatch, though you may be asked to if it triggers the metal detector.
• Carry-on bags: Allowed without restriction.
• Checked bags: Allowed, but lithium batteries in smartwatches should ideally stay in carry-on for safety (same recommendation as for all lithium-battery devices).
• Charging cables and accessories: Allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

Do You Have to Remove Your Smartwatch at Security?

Technically, you don't have to unless the metal detector triggers. Most smartwatches have enough metal (case, band clasp, sensors) to potentially trigger a standard metal detector. At many airports with body scanners (the millimeter wave type), your watch might not be an issue at all.

If the metal detector alarms, a TSA agent may ask you to remove your watch and place it in a bin for separate screening. This is quick and routine. To save time, some travelers preemptively remove their watch and put it in their carry-on bag or bin before going through the detector — but it's not required.

Using Your Smartwatch on the Plane

Once you're on board, you'll need to put your smartwatch into airplane mode, just like your phone. Most smartwatches have a built-in airplane mode:

• Apple Watch: It mirrors your iPhone's airplane mode when you put your phone in it. Or set it manually via Control Center.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch: Settings > Connections > Airplane mode
• Garmin: Settings > System > Airplane mode
• Fitbit: Settings > Airplane mode (on newer models)

In airplane mode, Bluetooth typically still works (depending on the watch), so you can still connect to your phone for music or notifications. GPS also typically works even in airplane mode. The main thing disabled is cellular and Wi-Fi.

Smartwatch Features That Still Work on a Plane

• Heart rate monitoring: Works
• Activity tracking: Works
• Stored music playback: Works (if connected via Bluetooth to headphones)
• Offline apps: Works
• GPS (in airplane mode): Generally works — the watch can receive GPS signals while transmitting nothing
• Calls and texts: Disabled in airplane mode
• Wi-Fi syncing: Disabled unless the plane has Wi-Fi and you re-enable it

Smartwatch Batteries and TSA

Smartwatches use small lithium-ion batteries. These are well within the FAA's limits for carry-on lithium batteries. There's no practical restriction here — your smartwatch battery is far too small to trigger any concern.

If you're bringing a spare/replacement smartwatch battery (unlikely, since most are built-in), keep it in your carry-on per standard lithium battery rules.

Pro Tips

• Put your watch in airplane mode before boarding to avoid forgetting
• Charge before the flight — long flights can drain a smartwatch, especially if you're using GPS tracking
• Wear a silicone band when flying — it's more comfortable for long periods than metal bands and may reduce the chance of triggering a metal detector
• Bring your charging cable in your carry-on for long trips — many seats now have USB ports
• Use sleep tracking on red-eye flights to monitor how much you actually sleep