How to track flights on iPhone
Did you know you can track flights on your iPhone?
Sure you can Google a flight number and keep the tab open or use a third party flight tracker. However, Apple has this nifty little feature that's been around for a few years that lets you track a flight through Spotlight Search, Messages, even Notes. Here's how.
How to track a flight on iPhone in Spotlight Search
So you've booked a flight to Mexico for a sunny tropical vacation, or you're eagerly awaiting someone's arrival, or you're just a flight nerd and enjoy studying air traffic. If you have the flight number, all you have to do is enter it into Spotlight Search. To access Spotlight, swipe down from the middle of the Home screen, or if you have iOS 16 or later, simply tap the Search bar at the bottom of the Home screen.
Next, type in the flight number you want to track and Spotlight will automatically populate with the flight status. Tap on the flight status to expand the window and get more details about the flight, including a flight map, departure time, arrival time, and duration of the flight.
Track a flight on iPhone in Messages
You can also track a flight in Messages. The flight number automatically turns into a link in the Messages app. So if someone sends you their flight number, or you text the flight number to yourself, just tap the link.
This gives you the option of previewing flight status or copying the link. Tap "Preview Flight," and this opens up the same flight tracker window with all the relevant information.
Track a flight on iPhone in the Notes app
Typing the flight number in the Notes app also turns it into a link.
Be sure to hit “Done” when you finish typing to allow the link to populate. Then, just as you would with Messages, tap "Preview Flight" to open up the flight tracker.
Cecily is a tech reporter at Mashable who covers AI, Apple, and emerging tech trends. Before getting her master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she spent several years working with startups and social impact businesses for Unreasonable Group and B Lab. Before that, she co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in South America, Europe, and Asia. You can find her on X at @cecily_mauran.
