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How does my iPhone know when I'm driving?
I’ve noticed that my iPhone goes into Do Not Disturb Mode when I’m driving, but I’m not sure how it works. Since I’m curious about tech, I’ve always wanted to know. How does my iPhone know when I’m behind the wheel?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The iPhone is the pinnacle of handheld mobile technology and communication, so you shouldn’t find it too surprising that it knows when you’re driving. However, there’s some sophisticated technology behind that.
Your iPhone knows when you’re driving through these features:
- Bluetooth: If your car supports Bluetooth, your iPhone can connect to it and it instantly knows how fast you’re going. Unless you can run like the wind, your phone assumes that you’re behind the wheel.
- Tower/internet connections and mobile connects: When you use your iPhone outside of a Wi-Fi zone, it pings off cellular towers in the area. When the phone realizes that you’re pinging off different towers in relatively rapid succession, it assumes you’re driving.
- Accelerometer: Perhaps the simplest technology on the iPhone is its accelerometer, which just tells you how fast you’re running, walking, or even driving. Once you reach a steady speed above 15 mph, the iPhone recognizes it and deduces that you’re behind the wheel.
While you have your iPhone handy, why not take a minute or two to download the
Jerry
app and shop for better-priced car insurance
?Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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